The Choquequirao trek is a challenging, multi-day hike in the Peruvian Andes to the ancient Incan ruins of Choquequirao. durign the trekking you have the oportunitiy to enjoy the mountains and from there the chance to see the Apu condors.
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Highlights: The Apurimac Canyon and the chance to appreciate Apu Condors, the mysterious Choquequirao archaeological site, as well as the beautiful wild life, with very few people along the way.
Location: Apurimac and Cusco Region.
Duration: 5 days/4 nights
Level: Difficult, but the altitude is not particularly high. Challenging due to steep ascents and descents.
Adventure Rating: The Choquequirao trek is one of the better known adventurous hikes in Cusco and Apurimac.
Alternative Inca trail: Yes, and the route can be connected with Bilcabamba, where you can see original Inca Trail. One of the most highly recommended alternative treks.
Departure Dates: Any day with two people. We offer affordably-priced tours for 2 people so that you can depart on the date that suits you.
Acclimatization: 2 days at altitude recommended.
Combos & Upgrades: Combine with one of our tours to for a more complete Peru experience. Buy another tour with us and receive a Comfort Camping upgrade for free.
Trekkers dream: If you wish to join a group tour, please see trekkers dream. You can also form your own tour group to be advertised on our page. Maximum group size 12.
We begin our dayearly by bus to Qachora. We will leave Cusco around 5am for a 4 hour drive to Qachora. On the way we will view the beautiful Limatambo Canyon. If you look at the top right of the Canyon you will be able to see the great Apu Salqantay and Humantay mountains. Then we cross the Apurimaq River by the Cunyac Bridge on the border of the Cusco and Apurimac regions. Here we will pass by incredible landscapes. We get to the district of Qachora where we meet our expedition support know as an arrieros (horsemen). We then arrange the way in which our equipment will be carried on mules/horses. After breakfast we begin our hike to this little known and very historic jewel know as Choqequirao. We will take approximately 3 hours approximately to get to Capuliyoq (3915m) from where we have our first view of the Apurimac Canyon as well as the snow capped peaks around us. Then we start to descend to Cocamasana (2330m) from where the climate changes noticeably to warmer weather with different flora and fauna. It is necessary to bring high percentage deet mosquito repellent. Finally, we arrive to the first camp Playa Rosalina (1550m). (Hike Duration 8 – 9hours)
This hike is considered one of the hardest of all treks in the region but the views around the canyon (a combination of the Andes, Andean valley and high cloud forest) make up for its difficulty. After having an early breakfast we initiate the climb up to Santa Rosa. There we will meet a family that distills alcohol out of sugar cane. We will continue climbing to Maranpata. Here we will have lunch and then hike the last part, arriving to the archaeological site just in time to enjoy the sunset if we are lucky. In the site we can appreciate the flying of condors and perhaps see some animals such as foxes and the spectacle bear. Our camp will be close to the archaeological site. (Hike duration: 5 – 6 hours)
This is the day to explore fantastic and charming sites of this incredible, abandoned town. Here you will see interesting, elaborate buildings, guard houses, and terraces that were previously decorated with exotic plants. Late in the afternoon we will start the return trek to the Maranpata campsite.
After breakfast we return by steep descent along the Apurimac Canyon arriving to the Apurimac River below. We’ll eat our lunch with the nice view of the river and canyon. In the afternoon we will climb for approximately 4 hours to our last campsite at Chikiska. (Hike Duration: 6 – 8 hours)
On our final day we will have breakfast early in the morning and we will climb uphill for about 5 hours to reach Capuliyoq. From this point it is almost flat the rest of the way with small uphill portion at the end where we will say good bay to our friendly arrieros and take the bus buck to Cusco.
| N° people | 2 Person | 3 People | 4-5 People | 6-7 people | 8+more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price/Person | $ 1190 | $ 999 | $ 870 | $ 770 | $ 670 |
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Group size- Minimum: 3 people. Typical group size: 7 – 8 people.
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