The Choquequirao Trek in 3 Days



The Choquequirao Trek is perfect for those looking to get away from the crowed Classic Inca Trail or who are looking for something other than Machu Picchu. The trek takes you to Choquequirao “the sister city of Machu Picchu”, Choquequirao (The Cradle of Gold) which sits high above the Apurimac Valley
With a wide variety of flora and fauna, beautiful scenery and a visit to a major Inca site, the Choquequirao Trek is the adventure of a lifetime.

STRENUOUS: Full-day hikes (8-10 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many hikes. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 9,515 to 10,005 feet are in this category.

  • Starting Altitude - 2900m / 9515ft.
  • Highest Altitude - 3050m / 10,005ft
  • Walking Distance - 64 km / 40 miles 
  • Longest Day - Day 1, approximately 25 km/15.5 miles
  • Overall Difficulty - Difficult

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoq – Santa Rosa – Marampata.

Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoq – Santa Rosa – Marampata.
Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoq – Santa Rosa – Marampata.

  • Hiking Time: 8 hours
  • Climate: Warm and sunny
  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner
  • Accommodation: Campsite,  Marampata 3100 msnm
  • Distance Travelled: Approximately 15km

At 3:30 we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco in our private transport, which take us to the city of San Pedro de Cachora (2800masl), then we will head to Kapuliyoq sector, where we start the hiking.

Here in Kapuliyoq we will meet with the rest of our trip staff (muleteers and their horses). We start our long walk that will take between 3 and 4 hours. During the way we can see a big diversity of landscapes that belong to different climates, like Padriyoc snowcapped, flora and fauna diversity that makes beautiful our trip. We will be able to see the deepest canyon of the world, the Apurimac canyon where the Apurimac River flows and also is possible to see the first views of Choquequirao. We will continue descending until Chikisqa, Where we have our Lunch and a short break.

After Lunch we will start with our last descent of the day, it will be about 3.5 hours approx. towards the Marampata hamlet. When we arrive we will have dinner and spend the night in our Campsite Experience.


Map - Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoq – Santa Rosa – Marampata.
Map - Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoq – Santa Rosa – Marampata.

Day 2: Marampata – Choquequiraw – Marampata.

Day 2: Marampata – Choquequiraw – Marampata.
Day 2: Marampata – Choquequiraw – Marampata.

  • Hiking Time: 7 hours
  • Climate: warm and windy
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
  • Accommodation: Campsite, Marampata 3100 msnm
  • Distance Travelled: Approximately 9km

After having a delicious Breakfast buffet we will start with our hiking to the Arqueological Choquequirao Complex that will take about 2 hours, the entire Choquequirao tour will be guided (Cradle of gold), Llamas sector, Ceremonial Usno and Religious Zone. Which is considered as Machu Picchu`s sister, since there are several similarities, it´s also located to 1500 meters over the Apurimac Canyon, only a third part of this Archeological Complex has been discovered and still many archeologists find something interesting every time. 

Afterwards we will have a picnic Lunch in Choquequirao and then we will descend to Pajchayoc fall. After this amazing tour we go back to Marampata to have dinner to finally finish our day with a comfortable overnight stay in our exclusive camping site.


Map - Day 2: Marampata – Choquequiraw – Marampata.
Map - Day 2: Marampata – Choquequiraw – Marampata.

Day 3: Marampata – Capuliyoc – Cusco.

Day 3: Marampata – Capuliyoc – Cusco.
Day 3: Marampata – Capuliyoc – Cusco.

  • Hike Time: 7 hours
  • Climate: warm and sunny
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Distance Travelled: Approximately 15km

At dawn, approximately at 5 am after having a small refreshment we will start our descend hiking to Chiquisca, there we will have breakfast at 7:00am and also take a small break, then we are going to start our last descend hiking and return to Kapuliyoq viewpoint to make a farewell of this amazing adventure, arriving to Kapuliyoq we will have an appetizer and will take our private transport to return to Cusco city.


Map - Day 3: Marampata – Capuliyoc – Cusco.
Map - Day 3: Marampata – Capuliyoc – Cusco.

End of our Services

INCLUDES

  • Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your Choquequiraw Trek” guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. At this time, we will provide you with the duffle bags which will be carried by our Porters. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. In case you can’t come at this time “please let us know” to coordinate another time.
  • Touristic Transport: You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco in the morning and will travel by private transportation to Capuliyoc the starting point of the trek to Choquequiraw.  
  • Adventure Experienced Inka Choquequiraw trek Tour Guide: English speaking, professionally educated, and official tour guide with tourism certification. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings along the entire route, including leading your group in ancient ceremonies! He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time along the Inca path and will ensure you are safe and happy.
  • Private campsites: each campsite is carefully choosed for have a very local experience.
    • Night 1: Enjoy the 1st night in Marampata campsite on the route Choquequiraw trek and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
    • Night 2: Enjoy the 2nd night in Marampata on the route Choquequiraw trek and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.

Note: It is not usual that campsites, lodges or hotels change after the confirmation, however it can vary per government regulations and authorization, also for bad weather conditions and maybe because physical condition of our visitors: Any changes in this matter, ITEP travel will be informing you previously and as soon as possible.

  • Camping equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment (all carried by our porters and horses).
  • Entry ticket to Choquequiraw trail and Inka city.
  • 1 Duffle Bag: You can put your personal luggage, up to 5 kgs (11.02 lbs), including your sleeping bag; this bag will be carried by our horses during the 3 days.
  • Professional Trekking Chef: A professional chef specialized in cooking on the trail, with an assistant, will prepare all of your delicious meals along our journey on the Trail to replenish your energy every day. You will never go hungry!
  • Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners (Vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost) Please be in mind (1st breakfast and last lunch is not included”.
  • Boiled Water: Beginning from your first lunch until your last breakfast, Inka Trail Expeditions will supply all the water needed. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled, before distributing. You must supply your own water bottles or camel back. We recommend carrying about 3L worth. We will refill our waters at each meal.
  • Wake up tea: Every morning at the campsite, you will wake up with a cup of coca tea! Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
  • Tea time daily during the Trek: Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide our tea time with popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you will not have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up, and enjoy a bite to eat!
  • Products for hygiene: You will be provided with a small towel before each meal to clean your hands and every morning will be also a bucket with warm water for washing your personal hygiene.
  • Medical kit and Oxygen bottle: Our crew will bring a first-aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
  • Transfer back to Cusco: Private touristic transport from Capuliyoc to your hotel in Cusco (Day 3).
  • 24-hour guest service: We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.

 

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

  • Sleeping Bags: You can rent one from our company if you do not have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use.
  • Walking Sticks: You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
  • Day 1: Breakfast: Approx. Usd5 to usd 10.00, Price can vary according your selection.
  • Last Day: Lunch and Dinner in Aguas Calientes. Approx. Usd 20 to 25.00, Price can vary according your selection.
  • Personal clothing and gear
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips for our staff: Please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish “Recommendation usd 6 to usd 8 per day per traveler for all the trek staff”- Once again it is optional and can vary according your satisfaction.
  • Additional costs or delays out of control of the management (landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.)

YOU NEED

  • Original Passport
  • Day Pack
  • Full rain gear or poncho
  • Gloves (thin riding and warm gloves)
  • Trekking pants
  • Breathable dry fit top-wear
  • Comfortable shoes/flip-flops
  • Cold-weather jacket
  • Long-sleeve fleece/sweater
  • Wool hat
  • Hiking boots
  • Baseball cap, sombrero and bandana
  • Headlamp
  • Sunglasses
  • Hiking socks
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Bathing suit
  • Casual mountains wear for evenings
  • Photo/video cameras and chargers
  • Binoculars
  • Refillable water bottle (hydration bags are recommended)

RESERVATIONS

For availability of spaces for this service, please contact us info@incatrail.org and we`ll send you detailed information, prices, terms and conditions.

Please keep in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups. All our tours are fully guaranteed, departure every day. Contact us for more information for the tour that you are choosing, or to begin customizing your own itinerary. recommendations:

"ITEP Eco Travel is a tour operator travel agency in Peru and the city of Cusco, We really know what we do and offer, We are well managed, with several offices in Peru and a long list of travel destinations, offering all travel alternatives in Perú, from family trips, honeymoon trips and luxury travel, including adventure tours and exploring trips to the jungle, for almost any budget

NOTE: ITEP travel, specializes in organizing the ideal travel plan to Peru, with hotels and destinations that you choose, because we have all confidential and promotional rates. For guidance on how to organize your custom package. Please write us.