Trek to Choquequirao 5 Days

ACTIVITY LEVEL: Strenuous
This short trek enables you to get a first-hand view of a unique Inca settlement perched above the Apurimac Canyon, known by many as the mighty river in Qechua “the Talking God”.  Here a series of impressive Inca sites have been found.  The trek starts in the village of Cachora and ends at Huanipaca.

DAY 1: Cusco / Cachora / Chikisca
DAY 2: Chikiska / Maranpata / Choquequirao
DAY 3: Choquequirao
DAY 4: Choquequirao / Apurimac / Cocamasana
DAY 5: Cocamasana / Cachora / Cusco

DAY 1: Cusco / Cachora / Chikisca
Leaving Cusco, on the main highway to Antapampa, a flat agricultural valley, once we begin to descend into Limatambo we’ll visit the Inca site of Tarawasi.  The road continues until we reach the Apurimac River, an impressive gorge.  Past the village of Curawasi and onto the Sayhuite- stone – a carved map of the Inca empire it is said.  A small side road over a ridge brings us down to the village of Cachora, where we start today’s hike. Here we will meet the rest of our field crew. Taking our day packs we start walking along the edge of the mountain.  At Capuliyoc we get our first view of the Apurimac canyon with the Snowcapped Mountains of Nev. Padreyoc up front and towards the left the Nev. Qoriwayrachina and the trail that lies ahead. (L, D)

• ( 10 miles hiking, 6 – 7 hours ) – Camping

DAY 2: Chikiska / Maranpata / Choquequirao
Early departure, crossing the river on a footbridge marking the start of the day, from here an uphill walk of half day brings us to a small meadow where we have lunch. As we ascend on the steep trail we begin to appreciate the canyon land vegetation and environment on both sides of the Apurimac canyon. The afternoon hike is not as steep as we approach the hanging valley where the site of Choquequirao is found.  We camp at an available flat part at Marampampa – as we begin to explore the isolated Inca sites and the surrounding thin cloudforest. (B, L, D)

• ( 8 miles hiking, 6 – 7 hours ) – Camping

DAY 3: Choquequirao
We spend the day exploring the Choquequirao complex situated on a ridge overlooking the Canyon and some of the outlying buildings working our way through the terracing. We can also visit the Llama sector where we can appreciate a group of Terraces with Llama Fisgures called ¨the Llamas of the Sun.¨ After lunch you can also spend the afternoon at leisure at camp. (B, L, D)

• ( 4 miles hiking, all day ) – Camping

DAY 4: Choquequirao / Apurimac / Cocamasana
Early morning departure to start our descent back to Playa Rosalina (1,500 m.a.s.l) for approximately 4 hours, here the trail starts going up again for another hour of steep trail until reaching chikiska, From here we continue for another hour until reaching the Cocamasana Camp, where we camp. (B, L, D)

• ( 10 miles hiking, 8 – 9 hours ) – Camping

DAY 5: Cocamasana / Cachora / Cusco
Today, early morning we continue our ascent to Capuliyoq lookout point, from here we continue almost flat trail until to reach Cachora. After lucnch our vehicle will pick us up to start our drive back to Cusco, on the same road we took at the beginning.  We will arrive to the city in the late afternoon. (B, L)

• ( 5 miles hiking, 4 – 5 hours )

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Private transportation from your hotel to the start point of the trail.
• Entrance fee to Choquequirao archaeological site.
• Professional English speaking Tour Guide
• Professional chef and his assistant
• Horses/ mules to carry all the equipment, food, cooking gear, etc.
• Mule-handlers (for our camping equipment)
• All the camping equipment: including dining tents, cooking tents, cooking stuff, sleeping tents, camping table with camping chairs and air mattresses.
• Complete meals during the trip (you’ll never be hungry!): 3 breakfasts, 4 snacks, 4 lunches, 3 happy hours, and 3 dinners. All of these meals are prepared by our cook and his assistant.
• Boiled water after breakfast, lunch and dinner to refill your water bottles.
• Oxygen tank and first aid kit.
• Vegetarian food and specialized diets on request at no extra cost.
• 2 people per tent (4 man tents, clean, waterproof)
• Transportation back to Cusco at the end of your journey.

NOT INCLUDED:

• First day breakfast.
• Sleeping Bag (you can rent from Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu office)
• Trekking poles (you can rent from Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu office)
• Tips for your field staff are appreciated
• Alcoholic beverages, extras