Explore the Choquequirao Trek in Peru
The Choquequirao trek is an adventure in the truest sense of the word. Sitting high in the Vilcabamba mountain range, the 15th-Century Choquequirao Archaeological Complex is only accessible by foot. And while Choquequirao closely resembles Machu Picchu with terraces, temples, plazas, and aqueducts, there is one very noticeable difference between the two: Machu Picchu gets around 3,300 visitors per day, while Choquequirao sees an average of only 15 to 20.
The Choquequirao ruins are all of the things you want in an archeological site: beautiful, mysterious, extensive, unique, fascinating, etc. They have been classified successively as a fortress, a ceremonial center, a city and the last residence of the Inca.In Quechua, Choquequirao means “cradle of gold” and many theorize that there were gold mines nearby that were exploited during the Inca Empire. However, as with so much Inca history, the original name of the site is still lost in the time.
Trip Highlights
- Visit the impressive lost citadel of the Incas, the majestic Choquequirao, which in Inca times was one of the most powerful cities of the Empire.
- Stroll through the gardens, temples, royal houses, agricultural terraces and the great altar or Ushno, where the Incas carried out their rituals for the mountains and mother earth.
- Explore the great canyon of the Apurimac, which is lost in the immensity surrounded by great snow-capped mountains, next to the dense cloud forests.
- If you are a lover of bird watching, this site is perfect since you can enjoy different microclimates, where different species of hummingbirds, tanagers, eagles, and the condor of the Andes live.
- Enjoy the best sunrises and sunsets in the Andes, at night you can also appreciate the sky full of stars and constellations next to the Milky Way.
- Savor the best gastronomy in the world, Peru is one of the countries with the best culinary art, in this expedition you will delight your palate with our typical dishes prepared by our experienced cooks.
Inclusions of this tour
CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK: CUSCO - CAPULIYOC - PLAYA ROSALINA - MARAMPATA
We will pick you up from your hotel between 3:30 to 4:00 AM to start our trip in a private van for 4 hours to northeast of Cusco city, through small towns until Capuliyoc town (2.800masl) where we have a delicious breakfast and where also we will meet with our trip staff (muleteers and horses).
After breakfast we begin with our hiking for about 20 minutes and will arrive to our first viewer where we have a panoramic view, in front of us we can see the vilcabamba mountain range called ( padreyoc) and the famous Apurimac Canon, after having an amazing view we will start our descend for 3 hours through beautiful landscapes where you will be able to see different medicinal plants which were used by our ancestors ( muña, chilca and different varieties of plants) If we are lucky we will be able to see the majestic Condor, we descend until Chiquisca Hamlet (1800masl) where we have a delicious tipycal Cusco Lunch Buffet.
After having Lunch we will have a 30 min break to continue with or hiking, Descending 45 minutes more until Playa Rosalina (1700masl), located in Apurimac River. After passing the famous Apurimac river we continue hiking uphill a zigzagging road for 4 hours until Marampata (3500masl), at sunset we will see andean people, how they live in the mountains with a style of life that maybe you wont believe compared to the city. We will arrive to our camping site at 5:30 pm, after a small break its time for dinner, during the night you will be able to see constellations according Andean or Inca religión.
Camping Tent
CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK: EXPLORING THE CHOQUEQUIRAO RUINS - MARAMPATA
After breakfast, we will continue with our hiking to the ruins of Choquequirao, on this day the hiking is going to have a high level physically, where we will be able to see an amazing view of the Archeological Choquequirao Complex (3100masl) we will have amazing canon views. Choquequirao is also knew as the lost city of the Incas, we will visit the magnificent archeological site of Choquequirao for the entire day.These ruins are three times the size of Machu Picchu and new sections, hidden under the dense jungle, are constantly being discovered. Enjoy the private guided tour and explore all of the beautiful sections of the temples, terraces, palaces, the llamas’ section, and much more.
After to visit all of this places we will start our descend until Choquequirao Camping where our picnic Lunch is waiting for us, after having lunch we will take a 30min break and continue to an amazing place that only us know about it, this place is called cataratas de Pachayoc (water falls) a place where you will be in touch with the nature. Finally we will return to Marampata where dinner is ready and is time to stop over.
Camping Tent
CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK: SANTA ROSA - PLAYA ROSALINA - CAPULIYOQ
This morning we say goodbye to the Choquequirao ruins, and have a chance to spot condors soaring through the morning air as we make our way back along the Choquequirao trail. We’ll go downhill for about 2 to 2 ½ hours to the Apurimac River (1520m / 4986 ft) which we’ll cross. From here we’ll go up to Chikisca (1950m / 6397ft) for lunch. After a short break we continue with our hiking to Cocamasana (2450m / 8038ft) you will arrive around 4:00 pm. Here we’ll also have our tea and dinner and the rest of the time to relax a little.
Camping Tent
CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK: CAPULIYOQ - CACHORA - CUSCO
This morning, we finish our Choquequirao trek , after early breakfast you will get ready to return to Cusco. It will be the last 2 hours uphill to arrive to the end of the trek. When we reach our destination, we’re once again rewarded with spectacular views. You will say goodbye to your team, and then we return in our private car to Cusco 4.5-hour drive, dropping you at your hotel. Today we have lunch on the way.
Best season to travel
The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season, between May and November, when the weather is dry and bright, with more frequent rainfall occurring between November and April.
Trek to Choquequirao, the lost city of the Incas 4 Days
Price $ USD 680 PP or Reserve now with $ USD 200 PPChoose your preferred departure date to proceed
A unique adventure in Trek to Choquequirao Inca Site 4 Days
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Essential Trip Information
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