Choquequirao is located in the Southeastern part of the Cusco city, between the department of Cusco and the department of Apurímac; this is a magnificent variant to know instead of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. In a long five days walk, mountains with variety of flora and fauna will be combined. The ruins have been cleaned today partially by COPESCO, the governmental institution responsible for the tourism in Peru. In the route to Choquequirao, climate is varied, from inter Andean warm zone, to forest eyebrow.
The Choquequirao name means “Gold Cradle”, and this city is considered, like sister of Machu Picchu by its similarities. Both are to 1500 meters over a river: Choquequirao - river Apurímac and Machu Picchu - Urubamba River. It was an administrative and religious center. It covers more than 8 hectares and only a single third have been discovered. The archaeologists discover more every day.
Choquequirao
Cachora
Itinerary:
Previous day:
Meeting with the tour guide to explain the trekking.
Day 1: Cusco - Cachora - Chiquisca (L, D)
5.00 a.m. We left Cusco in a private mobility that will take us until the little town of Cachora. There our carriers and mules for the load will be waiting for us. We’ll be walking approximately 6 hours, lowering the tube of the Apurímac until Chiquisca to 1800 meters where we will encamp.
Day 2: Chiquisca - Maranpata - Choquequirao (B, L, D)
After a succulent breakfast we began our long walk towards the Apurímac river. After crossing the bridge the ascent of approximately 5 hours begins, until arriving at Maranpata where we will have lunch. A couple of hours later we will arrive at Choquequirao where we will encamp.
Marampata’s House
Fields of Llamas
Day 3: Choquequirao (B, L, D)
We will visit the archaeological complex of Choquequirao.
Day 4: Choquequirao - Santa Rosa - Chiquisca (B, L, D)
In the morning after the breakfast we are going to begin the reduction until Santa Rosa, where we will have lunch. Approximately 6 hours during the day until Chiquisca.
Late afternoon
Arriving at Cahora
Day 5: Chiquisca - Cachora - Cusco (B)
After the breakfast we began the ascent of 3 hours plus 2 hours walk more in plane until Cachora, where a private transport will be waiting to return us to Cusco, arriving at 6.00 p.m.
B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner
We recommended taking:
A small backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
A big backpack with: Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
Flashlight, camera, binoculars, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
Gloves, scarf, handkerchiefs
Sun block, after-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET
Toilet paper
Personal first-aid kit
Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please beware that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection.
Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far.
Cash in soles and/or US$ (no ATM machines in Cachora)
Optional: walking sticks or poles
It includes:
Spanish/English Professional guide and assistance
Private Transport Cusco – Cachora - Cusco
Muleteer & Mules to take the luggage
Mules to take the personal luggage, maximum 10 Kg.
Cooker and assistance
Dinning Tent, Kitchen Tents, tables and camp stool
All the feeding in the route (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea time and snacks)
Doubles tents, comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season.
Matras (insulating long cushions to sleep)
Accommodation for our guides, cook and porters
First-aid kit
Ticket of entrance to Choquequirao
Not include:
Sleeping bags
Tips for the tour guide and carriers
The breakfast on the first day and the last lunch at Cachora
Notes:
If you want to ride a horse during the entire long walk, you can rent it by USD 20 per day. You couldn’t ride in descent.
Rent of Sleeping 0ºC = USD 10 per all the trekking
Phones: (+5184) 24-1140 (+5184) 98467-2579 RPM:*276681 Nextel: Nextel: 51*425*4339
Address: 353-A Tandapata Street San Blas, Cusco - Peru.
E-mail: info@santucusco.com
