Choquequirao 5 day tour is an incredible and strenuous hike that will take you to one of the last refuges of the Inca civilization. Choquequirao (3,303 masl / 10,168 ft.) is a large archaeological site that is still under bush and restoration process, located in the surroundings of the sacred mountain Salkantay (APU) (6,272 masl / 20679 ft.) and the Apurimac River. You will observe wonderful mountain scenery, as well as lots of Andean flora and fauna.
TYPE OF TOUR: TREKKING
HIKING DISTANCE: 47 KM
DIFFICULTY: CHALLENGING – MODERATE
CONSIDERATIONS: HAVE GOOD ACCLIMATIZATION AND GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION.
Pick up from the hotel very early, transportation by bus to the town of cachora for 5 hours where we will arrive at approximately 9:30 in the morning, place where we will enjoy breakfast, here we will meet with our muleteers, to organize our equipment, we will begin our hike through a quiet area to reach Capuliyoc (2,915 meters / 9,564 feet above sea level), where we will have lunch and enjoy the beautiful views of the Apurimac canyon, then extends the snow-capped peaks of Padreyoc and Wayna Cachora. Then we descend to Coca Masana (2,330 meters / 7,644 feet above sea level), where the climate becomes noticeably warmer and the flora and fauna begin to change. Finally, we arrive at Playa Rosalina (1,550 meters / 5,085 feet above sea level), right next to the Apurimac River, where we will camp for the night.
Meals: Lunch – Tea – Dinner.
Camping facilities: Lodging
Minimum altitude: 1550 m / 4650 ft.
Maximum altitude: 3100 m / 9300 ft
Distance: 19 km / 10 miles
Time: 7h approximately
Difficulty: Easy
The second day is the hardest day of our 5-day trek. After an early breakfast, we will climb a steep trail. Our 5-hour hike will take us to Maranpata along the Chunchullmayo River, where we will enjoy a well-deserved rest and lunch. On the way we will have the opportunity to see orchids, wild flowers, and a number of different birds. From Maranpata (3,035 meters / 9,957 feet above sea level), we will hike for 2 hours, and we will arrive at the archaeological site of Choquequirao in time to enjoy the sunset and perhaps even to see a condor flying nearby. Our campsite will be just outside the ruins of Choquequirao.
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner.
Camping facilities: Lodging
Minimum altitude: 1,550m / 5,117ft
Maximum altitude: 3,150m / 10,397ft
Distance: 14 km / 9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate / Difficulty: Moderate / Difficult
This day will be dedicated to the exploration of the incredible archaeological complex of Choquequirao. Our guide will explain the history and importance of the site, we will have lunch in this place enjoying the nature and then we will have free time to visit the various sectors of the archaeological complex. In the late afternoon, we will start the hike back to Maranpata where we will camp. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Tea – Dinner.
Camping facilities: Lodging
Minimum altitude: 1550 m / 4650 ft.
Maximum altitude: 3100 m / 9300 ft
Distance: 05 km / 6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
After breakfast, we will continue our return trip, starting with a steep descent to the Apurimac River where we will stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we will climb for approximately 4 hours to reach our camp in Cocamasana.
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Tea – Dinner.
Camping facilities: Lodging
Minimum altitude: 1450 m / 4350 ft.
Maximum altitude: 3100 m / 9300 ft
Distance: 09 km / 07 miles
Time: 5h approximately
Difficulty: Moderate
Day 5 will be the last of our trek. After breakfast we will be able to appreciate the Apurimac River canyon as we follow the trail back through the canyon gorge. We will have an impressive view of the canyon from Huancalli – considered one of the most spectacular in South America. We will finally arrive to Cachora for lunch and bus back to Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.