Choquequirao Trek is one of Peru’s most beautiful places and has been nicknamed the ‘Twin Sister of Machu Picchu. This is the perfect trip for those who prefer to explore untouched terrain
Choquequirao Trek takes you off the beaten path, far from the crowded places. This trip doesn’t take you to Machu Picchu. Instead, you’ll hike to another lost Inca Citadel. This spectacular archaeological site was hidden in the mountain for centuries and was recently uncovered. During the Choquequirao Trek, you may see less than a dozen travelers, making this place a truly unique and quiet retreat. Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoc – La Playa. After being collected from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 am, drive for 4 hours towards Capuliyoc (2911 m / 9550 ft), the Choquequirao trek’s beginning. The first day is 6 hours, mostly downhill into the Aprumimac Canyon. We camp at Playa Rosalina (1478 m / 4849 ft). Day 2: La Playa Rosalina – Choquequirao.- Wake up in your tent with a freshly brewed coffee, enjoy breakfast, and start the 8-hour climb to the Choquequirao Inca site ( 3057 m / 10029 ft). We spend the night just 20 minutes from the citadel with spectacular views. Day 3: Explore Choquequirao Ruins.- After breakfast, you’ll explore all day the great Choquequirao, visiting with your tour guide the most remarkable places, and learn so much history of the Incas. We camp in the same area.¿ Day 4: Choquequirao – Marampata – Chikiska.- After enjoying the fantastic views of the mountains, We start the return to Cusco. First is a 4-hour descend back into the Apurimac Canyon, then another 2 hours uphill to our campsite at Chiquiska (1875m / 6151 ft). Day 5: Chikiska – Capuliyoc – Cusco.- On the final day, start with a 4-hour uphill to Capuliyoc pass for lunch, Today you’ll enjoy a traditional Pachamanca Barbecue with hot stones. After lunch, you’ll say goodbye to your trekking team and return to Cusco. The arrival time at your hotel around 6:00 pm.
The TreXperience team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:30 am-5: 00 am and drive you across the Andes towards Capuliyoc, arriving at approximately 8:30 am. We will enjoy a delicious breakfast together before starting your TreXperience to Choquequirao: one of the Incas’ legendary lost cities. It’s a 4-hour trek downhill from Capuliyoc (9550 ft / 2911 m) to our lunch spot at Chiquiska (1893m / 6210 ft). Along the way, you can enjoy some stunning views of the Apurimac canyon – one of the deepest in Peru, and spectacular panoramas of the different landscapes: from the mountains of Peru to the dense vegetation of the cloud forest. We continue our journey for another 2 hours down to Playa Rosalina (1478m / 4849ft) after lunch. Your tents and a hot drink will be waiting for you. Here we will have dinner and camp for the night. After breakfast, we will get ready for one of the most challenging yet rewarding days of your TreXperience! We start by crossing a suspension bridge over the canyon before trekking uphill for approximately 4 hours until we reach Marampata ( 2911 m /9550 ft). The route takes us through beautiful sugar cane farms, where the locals produce “Cañazo,” a traditional alcoholic drink made for centuries in the Peruvian Andes. We will stop for lunch at a picturesque spot with breathtaking views of the mountains and the river. After lunch, it’s another 2-hour ascent to Choquequirao (3030m / 9940 ft). The lost city of Choquequirao is located in a spectacular place: perched in the Peruvian Andes overlooking the deep canyon. This is a significant city from the Inca empire, built towards the end of their rule. Choquequirao was probably one of Vilcabamba’s entrance checkpoints – the Incas’ last capital – and was only recently re-discovered in the early 19th century. Our campsite is located right next to the archaeological site, and so you have the freedom to visit this mysterious place at any time you like and as many times as you like, whether it’s to enjoy the sunset, sunrise, or just for some quiet ‘me-time.’ We will wake you up bright and early with a nice cup of hot coca tea or coffee to witness the mountains’ fantastic sunrise. After breakfast, we have the entire day to explore this magnificent Inca city. Your guide will take you on a comprehensive tour – taking you to the most beautiful spots and teaching you about the history of Choquequirao and the Incas. Choquequirao (cradle of gold) is nicknamed the twin sister of Machu Picchu but is almost twice the size. For this reason, it is expected that this mostly unknown location will very soon become one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America. After taking all the time you need to discover Choquequirao, we will return to the same campsite for dinner and spend the night. We will wake up for the second time in this magical place. It is a 3 hours downhill trek to our lunch spot at Santa Rosa (2230 m / 7300 ft) after breakfast. We will then continue downhill for a further 2 hours before trekking uphill for another 2 hours until we arrive at our campsite at Chiquiska (1800m / 5905ft). This a perfect day to enjoy the surrounding landscape and nature. We will pass a wide range of different flowers and birds along the way, and the sound of waterfalls can be heard in the distance. On our final day, we will get up, have breakfast, and prepare for our last 4-hour trek uphill to Capuliyoc. We will have lunch and say goodbye to our team of chefs and porters accompanied on this expedition. We will then take our private transportation to the archaeological site of Saywite, a beautifully carved rock that remains a mystery to archaeologists. You will have plenty of time to explore before returning to Cusco and dropping you off at your hotel around 5 pm.
Overview
Highlights of Choquequirao Trek
Price per person 590.USD
To book the Choquequirao Trek, you need to make an initial payment of 200.USD per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or Cusco with any credit card at no booking fees at all.
Day by day summary of the Choquequirao Trek
Included in the Choquequirao Trek
Not Included in the Choquequirao Trek
Covid-19 measures to keep you safe during traveling
Full Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – CAPULIYOC – LA PLAYA
DAY 2: LA PLAYA – MARAMPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO
DAY 3: EXPLORE CHOQUEQUIRAO RUINS
DAY 4: CHOQUEQUIRAO – MARAMPATA – LA PLAYA – CHIKISKA
DAY 5: CHIKISKA – CAPULIYOC – CUSCO
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