TREK TO CHOQUEQUIRAO FROM CUSCO – 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

The Choquequirao adventure begins with a 5:00 a.m. pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. Private transportation will take you on a 3.5 hour ride through the Apurimac River valley to the picturesque village of San Pedro de Cachora, located at 2,900m. There, you will be greeted by your chef and horsemen, and enjoy a hearty breakfast at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, you will load up your horses and follow your guide on a 3-hour hike to the Capulichayoc lookout point. From this point, you will have your first panoramic view of the Choquequirao archaeological park and the impressive Apurimac Canyon, the deepest in the world. In this beautiful setting, you will also be able to rest and have lunch.

The hike will continue for another 3 hours, descending through the canyon and enjoying views of the snow-capped Pedrayoc, until you reach the camp at Chiquisca, at 1,869m. There you will set up camp, enjoy a freshly prepared dinner and spend the night next to the sound of the Apurimac River under a starry Andean sky.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated walking time: 6 hours
Total walking distance: 15 km
Altitude of campsite: 1,869 m

The second day will begin with breakfast at Chiquisca camp, prepared by the personal chef. After breakfast, you will embark on a 4-hour hike, ascending through the valley to the camp at Marampata, at 2,870m. Here you will have time to settle in and have lunch before the afternoon hike to Choquequirao.

After recharging your batteries at the campsite, you and your guide will begin a 90-minute hike to the archaeological site of Choquequirao, at 3,050 m (10,000 ft). This impressive complex, known as the "Cradle of Gold" in Quechua, is considered "the last refuge of the Incas" and is known as the "Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu" for its similarity to the Inca Citadel. It is believed to have been one of the last bastions of resistance and refuge of the Inca royalty after the siege of Cusco by the Spaniards.

Choquequirao covers some 1,800 hectares, being larger than Machu Picchu, although only 40% of the ruins are excavated. You will have the afternoon to explore with your guide the mysteries hidden beneath its walls, visiting the urban, agricultural and religious sectors. You will return to the camp in Marampata in the evening to enjoy a cup of hot coca tea and a delicious dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated trekking time: 9 hours, including the visit to Choquequirao
Total walking distance: 17 km
Altitude of campsite: 2,870 m (8,870 ft)

The third day will begin with a sunrise breakfast at the Marampata camp, enjoying the rising sun over Choquequirao. After exploring the "Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu", you will retrace your steps along the trail to the camp at Chiquisca. You will descend for 3 hours to the lunch stop at Playa Rosalina, on the banks of the Apurimac River, at 1,550 m.
After lunch, you will ascend for 3 more hours through the canyon to the camp at Chiquisca, at 1,869 m.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated walking time: 6 hours
Total walking distance: 12 km
Altitude of the camp: 1,869 m

DAY 4: CHIQUISCA - CAPULICHAYOC - CACHORA - CUSCO
The last day will begin with breakfast at the Chiquisca camp, accompanied by the first rays of the sun over the Apurimac Canyon. After breakfast, you will face the challenging ascent back up the canyon to Cachora. The climb of 1,100 meters will probably take you about 4 hours until you reach the lunch stop at the Capulichayoc viewpoint, at 2,912 meters. You will then hike an additional 3 hours along relatively flat terrain to Cachora. There, your driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in a 4-hour drive.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Estimated walking time: 7 hours
Total walking distance: 15 km

The last day will begin with breakfast at the Chiquisca camp, accompanied by the first rays of the sun over the Apurimac Canyon. After breakfast, you will face the challenging ascent back up the canyon to Cachora. The climb of 1,100 meters will probably take you about 4 hours until you reach the lunch stop at the Capulichayoc viewpoint, at 2,912 meters. You will then hike an additional 3 hours along relatively flat terrain to Cachora. There, your driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in a 4-hour drive.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Estimated walking time: 7 hours
Total walking distance: 15 km