- Cachora
- Santa Rosa
- Marampata
- Choquequirao
- La Playa
- Chiquisca
- Capuliyoc
Classic Choquequirao Trek 5 Days
The name Choquequirao means "Cradle of Gold" in the Quechua language. This spectacular archaeological site is located above the furious Apurímac River and is surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks. Very few tourists visit it because it's not as well-known as Machu Picchu, but it's 3 times bigger. It's said to have been one of the last refuges of the Incas that tried to resist the Spanish invasion. Later, Choquequirao was abandoned, and the dense vegetation of the cloud forest ended up hiding it.
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Overview
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Itinerary
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Inclusions
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Before You Go
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Pricing
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Enquire Now
Choquequirao trek is an appealing alternative trek to the Inca Trail. The lesser-known ruins of Choquequirao feature similar architecture and layout to the more famous ruins of Machu Picchu.
On this adventurous trek into the world of the past, we will walk on Incan highways, hike through high Andean landscapes with majestic glaciers, descend into deep canyons where the condors fly, and pass through biologically diverse cloud forest ecosystems. You will also see native animals such as Andean Condors, other smaller local birds, and native flora and fauna, including orchids, and so much more!
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day 0
Pre-Departure Briefing
Cusco
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Day 1
A Day Full of Wonderful Landscapes and Fresh Andean Air
Cachora Santa Rosa
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Day 2
Enjoy Your First Glimpse of the Ruins
Marampata Choquequirao Archaeological Complex
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Day 3
Explore the Ancient Wonder That is Choquequirao
Visit to the archaeological complex of Choquequirao
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Day 4
Relax Today and Enjoy the Surrounding Natural Beauty
La Playa Chiquisca
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Day 5
Chill In Hot Springs Before Heading Back to Cusco
Capuliyoc
Why Take the Choquequirao?
- Far less crowded and more authentic trekking experience than the classic Inca Trail
- Variation in sceneries due to ranges in altitudes
- Get off the beaten path to discover Choquequirao.
- Immerse yourself in history from the last days of the Inca Empire.
- Hike into one of the deepest canyons of Peru, the Apurimac.
We’ll start our adventure very early in the morning. We’ll pick you up at your hotel at 4:30 a.m. and will travel for 4 hours in our private mobility to Cachora. We will stop along the way to enjoy a nutritious and delicious breakfast (price not included) while we contemplate the impressive snow-capped mountains of Salkantay and Humantay in the distance. In Cachora we’ll meet the rest of the team of assistants as well as the animals who’ll carry our belongings and after defining some details we’ll begin the walk. 4 hours downhill awaits us to the lunch point in Chikiska, a beautiful town full of fruit fields. Along the route we’ll be able to contemplate the impressive landscape that the Apurímac Valley offers, as well as two other gigantic snow-capped mountains: Padreyoc and Wayna Cachora. We’ll continue the descent for 2 more hours until we reach the bottom of the valley where you’ll find the fast moving Apurímac river, whose name in Quechua means "speaking God", which is ideal for canoeing thanks to its class 5 rapids. Then, we’ll make a 2-hour ascent until you reach the Santa Rosa camp (1,800 masl / 5,906 fasl) where a delicious dinner and an incredible night of rest await you.
- Meals: Lunch and dinner.
- Accommodation: Camps
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Walking Distance: 11.2 miles
- Camp elevation: 1800 m / 5906 ft
- Climate: Hot during the day, cold at night.
Enjoy Your First Glimpse of the Ruins
Santa Rosa Marampata Choquequirao Archaeological Complex
After savoring a delicious breakfast, we’ll continue our journey and start the walk at 5:30 a.m. A 3-hour zig-zag climb awaits us, up to Marampata (3,100 masl / 10,170 fasl) where you can capture impressive photographs of the canyon and the snow-capped peaks. Then a gradual descent of 3.5 hours will begin that will take you to the very archaeological complex of Choquequirao where you’ll enjoy lunch. Our camp will be set up near there. Contemplate your surroundings, feel the energy that this place has stored for 5 centuries, and take advantage to stretch your muscles as we will briefly visit the most important places in Choquequirao. At sunset, enjoy a beautiful sunset that will flood the endless valleys and white glacial mountains with its orange light. When it begins to get dark we will return to the camp to enjoy a dinner that will comfort your stomach and restore your energy.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Accommodation: Camps
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Walking Distance: 6.2 miles
- Camp elevation: 3030 m / 9940 ft
- Climate: Hot during the day, cold at night
Explore the Ancient Wonder That is Choquequirao
Visit to the archaeological complex of Choquequirao
We’ll take the day to explore in great detail this incredible Inca site that’s located on the mountains and very close to the deepest canyon in the entire American continent. You can already imagine the incredible landscapes that surround this colossal Inca construction. A 14-minute walk will take us to the Main Square of Choquequirao and then we will visit the most impressive corners of this fascinating place. Much larger than Machu Picchu, Choquequirao shows squares, food stores, temples, and impressive platforms that will make you constantly ask yourself: how were the Incas able to build this on top of the mountains? Don’t miss the famous white stone flames that adorn the platforms practically built on the hillside and that are located in the direction of the mountain that protects that sector the Apu Qoriwayrachina. In many ways, Choquequirao remains a mystery. According to experts, for now, only about 50% is visible. At the end of the day, we will return to our camp and enjoy a delicious dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Accommodation: Camps
- Difficulty: Easy
- Camp elevation: 3030 m / 9940 ft
- Highest Elevation: 3030 m / 9940 ft
Relax Today and Enjoy the Surrounding Natural Beauty
Choquequirao La Playa Chiquisca
After the delicious breakfast, we’ll start our return. A 4-hour downhill walk to La Playa awaits us. Along the way you’ll have the opportunity to taste some delicious fruits. At La Playa, we’ll enjoy a nutritious lunch and then we’ll ascend for 2 hours to the Chiquisca camp located in the backyard of the house of one of the local families. Take this opportunity to make new friends and learn about the Andean lifestyle. You’ll be able to observe closely the deep relationship that the Andean settlers have with Pachamama or Mother Nature. After a delicious dinner you can rest peacefully.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Accommodation: Camps
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Camp elevation: 1836 m / 6023 ft
- Highest Elevation: 3030 m / 9940 ft
Chill In Hot Springs Before Heading Back to Cusco
Chiquisca Capuliyoc Conoc - Hot Springs Cusco
We’ll enjoy the last breakfast of the route while listening to the powerful roar of the river and then we will leave as early as possible to avoid the midday sun hindering our walk. Join forces, take a deep breath, and focus on the energy of nature as you hike 4 hours to Capuliyoc. There we’ll have our last lunch and then you’ll board our private mobility that will take you back to the city of Cusco. Take advantage of the last opportunity you’ll have to observe the immense snow-capped mountains that have embraced you with affection during the route and that have allowed you to arrive safely. Perhaps your body is very tired, but the joy and satisfaction that you’ll feel in your soul will be indescribable. We’ll arrive in the city of Cusco at approximately 8:00 p.m.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Walking Distance: 4.9 miles
What Is Included?
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High Quality Service & Safety
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Pre-departure briefing
You will meet your guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. At this time, we will provide you with the duffle bags which will be carried by our porters. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before the trip begins.
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Experienced Guide
All our guides are graduates of the professional career of Tourism of the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. Also, they speak English. As good cusqueños, they feel a great commitment to transmit the knowledge they have inherited from their grandparents. They are very friendly and professional. They’ll make sure you are safe and happy.
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Medical Kit
All Cusco Expeditions guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergency situations (altitude sickness, traveller’s diarrhoea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
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Customer Service 24/7
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.
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Satellite phones:
Our main priority will always be the tranquillity of our clients. While all of our guides are prepared for emergencies in the mountains, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps you feel more secure. Each Cusco Expeditions guides has a satellite phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to call anywhere in the world. You can also use it even if it’s not an emergency.
What Is Not Included?
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Travel Insurance
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Tips for our staff
Tips are usual on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they do. Typically, group participants collect their tips to hand out to the porters and chefs together.
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Additional costs or delays out of control of the management
Landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.
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Personal clothing and gear
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as easy as possible. In this section, you will find speedy answers to all those questions you had in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
Has another question that we haven’t answered here? Drop us a line, and we will get back to you asap!
Briefing or informative meeting
All information meetings are held in your hotel at 6:00 p.m., one night before the tour begins. If you cannot attend, you must coordinate another time at the Cusco Expeditions offices. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and there you will be given a small duffel bag, in which you’ll put all the belongings you intend to bring on the trek that won’t be in your day pack.
Duffel bag or canvas case:
ou’ll receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. The porters will take them on the way and will deliver them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 66 cm / 2 ft. Long x 36 cm / 1 ft. Wide.
A maximum of 5 kg is allowed for each duffel bag that includes the weight of your sleeping bag, mat, clothes and other personal items.
Payment of Trek Balance (in Cusco)
The trek has to be paid for in full by at least 7.30 pm two days before departure. For example, if your tour departs on a Wednesday, then you must come to our office before 7.30 pm on Monday.
It would be much appreciated if you pay the trek balance in cash US dollars or local currency. You can withdraw some money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (either in US dollars or local Peruvian Soles). You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 8% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance by traveler’s checks.
Storing your luggage at our Office.
Of course! During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at our office(you can organize briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you are not going to need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (In the unlikely case of theft many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing all the items). Best put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pickups:
Cusco Expeditions can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historic Center of Cusco. The pickup time will be coordinated with your guide in the briefing. The pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic. Cusco is a very old city, therefore, it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Group tours:
Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if said modifications can be made.
Strikes and demonstrations:
Strikes and demonstrations are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your excursion as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects:
You’re responsible for your objects during the tour. Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our trucks, tents, or restaurants.
Talk to a Destination Expertito
Your dedicated specialist will take the time to understand your preferences and build them into an itinerary to match, working to your budget. He or she will keep perfecting it until you’re completely happy and ready to book.
The Choquequirao trek 5 days can leave any day of the week, from March through January. We do not run this trek in February because rainy season & maintenance.
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Group Price
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2020 Land Cost
US$480per person
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Pre-payment
US$200(Required)
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Balance
US$280
- This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Extensions & Offers
There are several extensions you can include to your Salkantay Adventure:
- Rainbow Mountain: $100 $80
- Sacred Valley: $100 $80
- City Tour: $20
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Cusco Expeditions. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. The Cusco Expeditions Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
We give advice and recommendations that are right for you
Feel free to reach us via email at sales@cuscoexpeditions.com or by calling us directly at +51 947 736 747
Triunfo Street 392, office 212, 2nd floor - Main Square of Cusco, Peru
Monday - Friday
9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Due to the rainy season and trail maintenance, we don't offer this trek during the whole month of february. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, we are working to provide you a better service!
