Choquequirao Trek in 4 Days / 3 Nights

At 4:30 am we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to start the Choquequirao tour in our private Cusco-Cachora transport to the village of Capulliyoq in Cachora (2,850 m), starting point of the Choquequirao trek where you will have time for a typical Cachora breakfast (not included, affordable price) while we meet with our team of specialized guides, cooks and muleteers. We begin the hike to Choquequirao with a 6 to 7 hour day of trekking through unique mountain landscapes with panoramic views of the snow-capped Pedroyoc mountain, Andean flora and fauna in different ecological floors, passing by the Capulichayoc viewpoint where we observe the Apurimac Canyon , one of the deepest canyons in the world, with the Apurimac River at the bottom of the canyon.

During the descent we visit Cocamasana, considered one of the best viewpoints of the Apurimac Canyon, we continue to Chiquisca for the included lunch with first views of Choquequirao, we descend towards Playa Rosalina (1,500m) to cross the bridge over the Apurimac River and finally we ascend to our campsite Santa Rosa Baja (1,950m) where we set up the tents for 2 people, enjoy the welcome coca tea and a delicious included dinner, spending the night surrounded by wonderful Andean landscapes during this unforgettable Choquequirao tour from Cusco with private transportation, specialized guide and complete camping equipment.

• Food:  Lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner
• Distance:  15 km / 9.32 miles, moderate,
• Climate:  Warm, Hiking
• Walking time:  6 - 7 hours
• Camp:  Santa Rosa Baja, 1950 m. / 6397 ft.
• Maximum altitude:  2,890 m. / 9,482 ft.

After a nutritious breakfast at Santa Rosa camp, we begin the most challenging Choquequirao trek with a strenuous 3.5-hour climb to Marampata (2,918 m), a strategic base camp for visiting the Choquequirao archaeological site, from where after a well-deserved rest we will ascend the last few meters to the Inca citadel of Choquequirao (3,050 m) enjoying during the walk the splendid Apurimac canyon, the imposing Choquequirao mountain and the beautiful rugged mountains that surround this trek. We will take a guided tour of Choquequirao, known as the "Golden Cradle" and considered the sister city of Machu Picchu due to the architectural similarities they share. While Machu Picchu is located in the Urubamba Canyon, both Inca citadels have the same latitude and are large complexes of more than 8 hectares. This is unique in that only a third of Choquequirao has been discovered so far, indicating that it is much larger than Machu Picchu. Archaeologists continue to make new discoveries daily in this cultural heritage of Peru. During the guided tour, we will explore the three levels of the excavated ruins, including the main citadel or main plaza of the Inca city with its incredible Inca architecture and mountaintop constructions. We will descend to the area known as the Llamas Sector , where we will find the most beautiful terraces in Choquequirao, featuring llama iconography crafted into the walls with various white stones.

Finally we will visit the most famous viewpoint of Choquequirao from where we will appreciate the most classic image of the Ushnu Sector, a sacred place of ritual sacrifices in the Inca era, after the complete archaeological tour we will return to our camp in Marampata, we will enjoy a comforting afternoon of coca tea and dinner included, we will camp in comfortable tents and prepare for the return by the same route during this unforgettable 4-day Choquequirao tour with a specialized archaeologist guide and full services included.

• Food:  Breakfast, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner
• Distance:  10 km / 6.21 miles, challenging,
• Climate:  Warm, Hiking.
• Walking time:  6 - 7 hours
• Camp:  Maranpata, 2,918 m. / 9,573 ft.
• Maximum altitude:  3,050 m. / 10,006 ft.

After having a delicious breakfast at Marampata Camp, we begin our return hike to Choquequirao between 6 and 7 am to Chiquisca (1,911 m), walking for approximately 5 hours downhill along the same Choquequirao trekking trail that we walked previous days, passing through the bridge at Playa Rosalina where we will take a short break to hydrate and enjoy the views of the Apurimac Canyon again . Then we will continue walking uphill for approximately 1.5 hours to Chiquisca, where our camp is located for day 3 of the Choquequirao tour. After a delicious included lunch, we will have the afternoon free to rest and recharge.

The climate at this Chiquisca camp is hot and dry, making it difficult to continue the hike to Capulliyoq immediately. The ascent to our next destination, returning to Cusco, is quite steep. Therefore, we will take advantage of this free afternoon to rest, hydrate properly, and share the experiences we had during our visit to the Inca citadel of Choquequirao with our adventure companions. Finally, after a relaxing afternoon with coca tea and a nutritious dinner, we will spend the night in comfortable tents preparing for the final day of the Choquequirao 4-day tour to Cachora and the return to Cusco.

• Food:  Breakfast, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner
• Distance:  11 km / 6.82 miles, challenging
• Climate:  Warm - Dry, Hiking.
• Walking time:  5 - 6 hours
• Camp:  Chiquisca, 1,911 m. / 6,269 ft.
• Maximum altitude:  2,918 m. / 9,573 ft.

Due to the sometimes very hot weather in the canyon, we start the hike very early on this last day of the Choquequirao tour , before the first rays of the sun rise to avoid the high temperatures. After a delicious breakfast, we will hike approximately 4 to 5 hours uphill, crossing the Cocamasana viewpoint where we will say goodbye to the heat of the canyon and enjoy magnificent views of the Apurimac River. We will finally ascend to the highest point of the Choquequirao trek at Capulliyoc (2,885 m), from where we will bid farewell to the fabulous panoramic views of the Choquequirao ruins and the surrounding peaks that have accompanied our trek. We will also be able to observe the majestic snow-capped peak of Padreyoc with spectacular views of the Apurimac Canyon while surrounded by the special flora and fauna of this Andean region. We will finally arrive in Cachora where our private transportation will await us to take us back to Cusco, thus concluding this unforgettable 4-day, 3-night Choquequirao tour.

As an optional activity, if time permits and the group's conditions permit, we can make a relaxing stop in Conoc to enjoy the natural hot springs, ideal for relaxing the muscles after four days of intense trekking before the final return to Cusco, thus completing a unique experience at one of Peru's most impressive archaeological sites.

• Food:  Breakfast, snacks and lunch.
• Distance:  8 km / 4.97 miles, moderate/challenging.
• Climate:  Dry, Hiking.
• Walking time:  4 - 5 hours
• Maximum altitude:  Cusco, 3,400 m. / 11,155 ft.