Choquequirao Trek 5D/4N
  • 5 Days 4 Nights
  • Max People : 10
  • Jan 18’ - Dec 21'
Description

Choquequirao Trek 5D/4N

The Choquequirao Trek 5D/4N Trek to the ruins of one of Peru’s most remarkable Inca sites. Choquequirao is as impressively located as its more famous sister city Machu Picchu, but this route through the remote Vilcabamba triangle is less well-known than the Inca Trail. This is a fascinating trek through spectacular scenery and a vivid regional history.The ruins of Machu Picchu are situated on the eastern slopes of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, while Choquequirao is located on the western slopes at about the same parallel, forming what could almost be described as their mirror image. Both citadels are located half-way up steep, densely-forested mountain slopes.

Day 1: Cusco / Cachora Capuliyoq / Apurímac River

From Cusco we will travel by road to the typical Andean village of Cachora, where many local residents supplement their incomes by working as mule drivers or porters for those who come to trek to Choquequirao.
During the drive from Cusco there will be time to stop and visit the Saywite stone, a limestone outcrop around four meters in diameter which the Incas carved into a 3-dimensional representation of the territory of their empire, Tawantinsuyo. The stone is carved with images of the flora, fauna and geography of the empire and was employed in ceremonies associated with the worship of water.
From Cusco it is a 150 kilometer drive to Cachora along an asphalted road, with the final 10 kilometers to the village completed via a dirt road. Cachora is situated at an altitude of 2892 meters (9488 feet), and it is here that our trek will begin, as we hike along a gradually descending trail for just over 2 hours to the pass at Capuliyoc (2987 meters / 9800 feet), from where there are fine views of the Apurímac River and the forested slopes on the other side of the canyon.
It is at this pass that our steep descent into the canyon begins, as we trek through a semi-arid landscape dominated by cacti, contrasting with the verdant slopes of the other side of the canyon. After around three and a half hours we will arrive at our first campsite, at 1465 meters (4806 feet), on the bank close to the racing waters of the Apurímac River.
Distance by road: Cusco – Cachora 160 kilometers / 99.4 miles (asphalted road: 150 kilometers / 93.2 miles); 3-4 hours
Trekking distance: 9 kilometers / 5.6 miles (gradual ascent); 9.50 kilometers / 5.9 miles (steep descent); 6.5 – 7 hours
Altitudes: Cusco: 3400 meters / 11,154.8 feet; Saywite: 3620 meters / 11,877 feet; Cachora: 2892 meters / 9488 feet; Highest pass: 2987 meters / 9800 feet; Campsite: 1465 meters / 4806 feet
Meals: Lunch, dinner

Day 2: Apurímac River / Choquequirao.

Today we will set off just after dawn, crossing the bridge over the Apurímac River (1475 meters / 4839 feet) and beginning the climb to Choquequirao. This is a tough day’s trekking, but our efforts will be rewarded by imposing scenery as we hike through a forest inhabited by many bird species. We will climb through this cloud forest ecosystem to our second campsite at 2870 meters (9416 feet), and in the afternoon there will be time to visit the extensive Inca agricultural terraces of Phaqchayoc.
Trekking distance: 7 kilometers / 4.3 miles (steep ascent); 3.5 kilometers / 2.2 miles (gradual ascent); 7 hours
Altitudes: Apurímac River: 1475 meters / 4839 feet; Choquequirao campsite: 2870 meters / 9416 feet; Choquequirao ruins: 3040 meters / 9974 feet
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Choquequirao
You will have the entire day free to explore the Choquequirao Archaeological Park, both accompanied by our guide and independently. This Inca city is composed of administrative, residential and religious sectors, a ceremonial platform (known in Quechua as an usnu), a main square and a series of buildings originally used to store harvests. With luck, from the ceremonial platform we may see a condor or two, as they often take advantage of thermal currents to soar above the Apurímac canyon.
Altitudes: Choquequirao campsite: 2870 meters / 9416 feet; Choquequirao ruins: 3040 meters / 9974 feet
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Choquequirao / Apurímac River

After exploring Choquequirao and the surrounding cloud forest we will begin our descent from the ruins to the Apurímac, where those who wish will have time to refresh themselves in the cold waters of the river.
Trekking distance: 3.5 kilometers / 2.2 miles (gradual descent); 7 kilometers / 4.3 miles (steep descent); 6 hours
Altitudes: Choquequirao campsite: 2870 meters / 9416 feet; Apurímac River: 1475 meters / 4839 feet; Campsite (Apurímac River): 1465 meters / 4806 feet
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Apurímac River / Cachora / Cusco

After breakfast we will cross the Apurímac River once again and begin the ascent towards Cachora, passing through semi-arid landscape and contemplating the forests on the other side of the canyon and the snow-capped peaks above them, while stopping often to rest and take photographs. Finally, with the river far below us once more, we will hike through the farmland around the village of Cachora, where our bus will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.
Distance by road: Cachora – Cusco: 160 kilometers / 99.4 miles (asphalted road: 150 kilometers / 93.2 miles); 3-4 hours
Trekking distance: 9.50 kilometers / 5.9 miles (steep ascent); 9 kilometers / 5.6 miles (gradual ascent); 7-8 hours
Altitudes: Campsite: 1465 meters / 4806 feet; Cachora: 2892 meters / 9488 feet; Cusco: 3400 meters / 11,154 feet
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch

Price Includes
All necessary land transport
(private vehicle)
Entrance fee to Choquequirao
English speaking tour guide
Camp cook, pack animals and
mule drivers, camp assistant(s). Mules carry up to 8 kg of the passengers’ personal gear.
Camping equipment: Two-person
tents, kitchen and/or dining tent, and toilet tent
Inflatable mattress
Food: Breakfast, lunch, and
dinner as described in the itinerary
Snacks in the morning,
including fruits, chocolate, candies, etc
Hot drinks in the afternoon
(tea or coffee)
First-aid kit
WHAT TO BRING
Passport
A daypack
Warm clothes (for the Andean highlands)
Rain jacket
Long sleeved shirts (cotton)
Shorts for walking (optional)
Hiking boots
Swimming gear and sandals
Cap and sunglasses
Walking poles (optional)
Insect repellent
Sun block
Water bottle for the first day (we will refill your bottle with boiled water during the trek)
Binoculars for bird watching enthusiasts
Flashlight
Digital camera
Important detail: Participants must be in good physical condition to be part of this adventure (try to train by
walking each day for at least two weeks before departure).
Not included
Sleeping bag (available for hire at an additional cost)
Travel insurance
Meals not included in the itinerary
Tips for guides
Tips for staff
Private Service Prices 20231 person : US$1650.00 per person
2 people : US$950.00 per person
3 people : US$900.00 per person
4 people : US$850.00 per person
5 people : US$800.00 per person
6+ people : US$750.00 per person.
Optional Machupicchu extention.
ISCOUNTS
18 to 25 years old: $30 USD Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of
student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card is required at booking for government approval for discount.
Under 18 years old: $30 USD Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Under 11 years old: $40 USD Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Group of 5 or more: $30 USD – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.
EXTRAS
Sleeping Bag –$20 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
Air Mattress –$20 USD per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
Walking Poles -$20 USD per pair per trek (Professional poles that can be extended)
Personal tent- $35 USD – (Tent is for single trekkers only)
Vistadome Train Upgrade –$75 USD per person (Return Only)
Huayna Picchu Mountain –$75 USD per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
Machu Picchu Mountain – $75 USD per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
Single supplement-$35 USD per night (for solo travellers with single room)
**Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional treks within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a
guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the
extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
ADDED VALUES FOR FREE
TRANSFER – from the Airport to Hotel (Cusco Only)
DUFFEL BAG AND LINER BAGS – included in the trekking price!
BOILED WATER is included along the Inca Trail
OXYGEN TANK will be available along the trek
EMERGENCY HORSE is included in the price which can be ridden if you get tired or sick
PLASTIC RAIN poncho made by Inca Land Adventures is included.TIPS FOR OUR PORTERS
IMPORTANT: Some of the reasons that our price may be higher than that of other agencies are the following:We ALWAYS book the maximum number of porters possible (according to Inca Trail regulations) so that our porters
are not overloaded.Also, We are the only travel operator in Peru that supplies porters with proper tents, sleeping pads and
adequate food for this type of activity.
We always we take care our hosremans and horses during our alternative treks so tiping it will be the seim as
for the portersBeware of this when booking they might be cheaper because of this!2 people (minimum group size) should have a maximum of 7 porters and 16 people (max group size) should have 22
porters.
** Tips for porters, cooks or guides are optional and are NOT included in our price. However our advice is that
you tip our staff based on their performance, service and knowledge. Our guidelines for tipping our staff is the
following:
Each porter gets 100 Soles, each assistant cook 150 Soles, the Main Chef gets 300 Soles.make sure to tip more if
your trip it is more than 5 days or if it is luxury treks
Assistant Tour guides can be tipped collectively by the members of the group, we suggest a 5% of the total cost
of the tour.
Main guides are tipped on a one on one basis and based on their performance. Tour guides are professional people
who spend a lot of time training in different other fields such archaelogy, history and WFA. We suggest people
to consider tipping our guide a 10% to 15% of the value of your tour.
Train included in all tours is the Expedition train (to Ollanta). Train times will only be confirmed once full
amount of tour is paid. The earliest train you could take is the 2:55 PM and the 9:20 PM being the last train
(high season June to September). We will organize the transport back to Cusco (by taxi or by bus).

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