Choquequirao is considered the sister of Machu Picchu, was one of the last refuges for those Incas who continued to resist Spanish occupation after the conquest. Because of its remoteness, it is also one of the few large Peruvian archeological sites that you can enjoy without crowds of tourists. The trek to reach Choquequirao is difficult, but you will be rewarded along the way with spectacular mountains, the Apurimac River, and perhaps even some passing condors.
This option gives you a chance to visit an extra site, the Stone of Saywite, on your way to Cachora, and an overnight in Cachora allows the first day of trekking to begin at a much more relaxed pace than the 4 and 5-day versions. You will also have plenty of time to explore Choquequirao, including the main sites, the stone llamas that are unique to Choquequirao, and ruins not yet excavated that are still shrouded in jungle and mystery.
Highest Point: 3,050m / 10,007ft
Distance: 44km / 27.3mi
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
We will pick you up from your hotel in a private transport at 1:00 pm to drive to the village of Cachora (2909 msnm/ 9544 ft) approx. 4 hours from Cusco. On the way we will stop at the enigmatic Stone of Saywite Inca archeological site. We will spend the night in a hostel in the village of Cachora to rest well before starting our trek the following day.
Meals: D
We will enjoy breakfast together at the hostel then drive 30 minutes to the Capuliyoc lookout where we will meet our staff of horses and horseman and begin our trek. On the way you will enjoy a spectacular view of the Nevado Padreyoq. Our path will wind downhill for about 5 hours, where we arrive at Chikisca, our first campsite. We can expect a warm night in the valley.
Meals: B, L, D
Maximum Altitude: 2,977m / 9,767ft
Minimum Altitude: 1,836m / 6,024ft
Distance Travelled: 8 km / 5.0 mi
Walking Time: 5 hrs
After breakfast we will continue downhill for around one hour to reach the Apurimac River. This is one of the longest rivers in Peru, over 7000km, coming from the very south of Peru all the way north to Iquitos where it joins with Amazon River. Apurimac is a Quechua word for “the God who speaks”. After crossing the Apurimac, we begin our uphill trek. 2 hours of hiking will bring us to Santa Rosa where we’ll have a rest, and after another 2 hours we will arrive at Marampata (2,950m).
In this Place we will have lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon visiting the local family land and sharing their daily activities. Depending on the season, you may help harvest some food which will be used to prepare the remaining meals on our trek. This is a wonderful way for us to support the local families who live near Choquequirao. We will camp overnight in Marampata.
Meals: B, L, D
Maximum Altitude: 2,914m / 9,560ft
Minimum Altitude: 1,500m / 4,921ft
Distance Travelled: 9 km / 5.6mi
Walking Time: 6 hrs
Two hours of hiking will take us to the principal archaeological complex of Choquequirao. We will visit and explore the Usnu, Priests House, Llamayoq, (stoned llama figures designed into farming terraces) and the Administrative Sector. We will have the whole day to explore and learn about the Inca people of Choquequirao, the remote city of the Incas. With your native certified guide, you will explore every area of this magical city. Only an estimated 50% of this Inca city has been excavated and restored, so the site is continually expanding as new areas are discovered. Late in the afternoon we will head to our campsite located just below Choquequirao.
Meals: B, L, D
Maximum Altitude: 3,050m / 10,007ft
Minimum Altitude: 2,914m / 9,560ft
Distance Travelled: 7km / 4.3mi
Walking Time: 7 hrs
After a leisurely morning, we return to Marampata for lunch. Continuing back on the same path we came in, we once again cross the Apurimac River and climb to Chikisca where we will spend the night
Meals: B, L, D
Maximum Altitude: 3,000m / 9,843ft
Minimum Altitude: 1,500m / 4,921ft
Distance: 12km / 7.5mi
Walking Time: 7 hrs
It will take approximately 5 hours to climb uphill to the Capuliyoc lookout point where we began our trek. After lunch we will return to the city of Cusco.
Meals: B, L
Maximum Altitude: 2,977m / 9,767ft
Minimum Altitude: 1,836m / 6,024ft
Distance Travelled: 8km / 5.0mi
Walking Time: 5 hrs