Tour Details

Choquequirao The lost City

Choquequiraro was most likely built during the reign of the Inca king Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui and is considered to be the last bastion of resistance and refuge of the Sons of the Sun, who fled from the city of Cusco when it was under siege in 1535. Led by Manco Inca Yupanqui they took refuge in Choquequirao. Presumably it was used both as a check point to access the Vilcabamba Area and as a cultural and religious center. The city played an important role as it was a connection between the Amazon Jungle and the city of Cusco. The region has a lot of microclimates and a landscape full of snow-covered peaks of about 6000m (19685f).

Information:

Altitude: 1500 – 3030 m/4921 – 9941f

High season: Whole year

Level of difficulty: Difficult

KDXA10

Departure & Return Location

Hotel in Cusco Peru (Google Map)

Departure Time

5.30 a.m.

Price Includes

Pre-briefing time at 19hrs in our office 1 or 2 days before your date departure (It has to be confirmed at the booking time)(Incl. 2 breakfast)
Private transport from your hotel in Cusco to the town of Cachora
Transport back from Huanipaca to Cusco
Entrance fee to Choquequirao
Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
High quality camping equipment, professional tents, Doite, extra light/4.5kgs and Eureka tent, both are big enough for 2 persons. Mattresses, eating tent with table and chairs, bathroom tent
Meals during the excursion (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks/ option vegetarian)
Cook and cooking equipment
Horseman and mules, for all camping equipment and customer's luggage (up to 7kg)
Emergency horse
First-aid kit and oxygen bottle

Price Excludes

Breakfast on the first day
Sleeping bag (If you don’t have a sleeping bag, there is the possibility of renting one)
Tips for the Assitance Team
Tips for the Guide

Complementaries

Backpack with rain shelter
Sleeping bag
Clothing for warm and cold climate like a waterproof jacket
Rain pants and lightweight pants
Trekking shoes
Slippers or sandals (for showers and Hot Springs)
Woollen or synthetic socks and a sweater
Long- and short-sleeved polo’s/T-Shirts
Rain poncho and a hat
Bathing suit
Sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel, water bottle and sterilizing tablets, toiletries and toilet paper
Camera (wrapped in plastic bag)
Flash light and batteries
Some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit
Original passport, original ISIC student card and extra money in soles
Since the weather can be very cold and moistly, your clothes - once gotten wet - won’t dry at night. So take some clothes to change

Relevant Notes:

The high season are from May to August, it is difficult to ensure the exact date of departure desired – there may be only availability the day before or after. We will of course do our best to ensure the best service, but we must adhere to the daily people limits policy established on this tour.

The trek to Choquequirao must not be underestimated. Especially the second day involves great physical exertion to complete. Combined with high altitude and extreme weather (it can get very hot) the trek can be hard work. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you are well acclimatized, in good shape, and healthy.

A minimum of 2 persons is needed for this trek. We strongly advise to do the reservation in advanced.

Itinerary

Day 1Cusco – Cachora – Chiquisca

We will leave Cusco (3350m/10991f) approximately at 5:30 am. First, we will head for the village Cachora (2850m/9350f) to meet our horsemen and the mules that will carry all the camping equipment during the expedition. Thereafter, we will continue our journey towards the pass of Capuliyoc (2800m/9186f). The trek offers a beautiful view of the mythical mountain Padreyoc, of the deep canyon and of the river Apurímac, meaning “speaking river”. Thereupon, we will descend towards the canyon’s interior named Chiquisca (1930m/6332f), where we will spend the night.
Climate: warm
Hiking time: 7 hours

Day 2Chiquisca – Playa Rosalina – Marampata – Choquequirao

After breakfast, we will descend to La Playa Rosalina (1550m/5085f). From there, we will continue heading for Marampata (2850m/9350f), where we will have a beautiful view of the archeological complex of Choquequirao (3033m/9951f). Our camping site is located 25 minutes from the settlement.
Climate: both cold and warm
Hiking time: 7 hours

Day 3Choquequirao

At sunrise, we will first visit the archaeological site of Choquequirao. By now, only 30% of this “golden cradle” has been exposed. Also we will discover the history and recently excavations of Choquequirao which holds many ancestral secrets between the wild natures.
Hiking time: 6 hours
Climate: reasonable climate with mosquitoes.

Day 4Choquequirao – San Ignacio – Carmen

After breakfast, we will take our belongings to descend the Apurímac canyon’s deepest part called San Ignacio at 1500m/4921f and have lunch. After that, we will ascend to our camping site in the beautiful gardens of Carmen (2000m/6562f).
Climate: moderate climate with mosquitoes
Hiking time: 6 hours
Note: Due to the ecosystem’s constant changes, this day is considered to be the most beautiful
one. Nevertheless, the route from Choquequirao to San Ignacio is at some parts very slippery.
Therefore, we ask you to watch your steps carefully. Moreover, we recommend carrying sufficient
water with you.

Day 5Carmen – Tambo bamba – Huanipaca

The gardens of Carmen are situated close to the manor of Tambo bamba (2500m/8202f), a region having been governed by landowners during the 19th and 20th century and considered to be one of the most fertile valleys to cultivate maize and a variety of potatoes. We will pass little villages such as Pacobamba and Huanipaca (3150m/10335f) and will return to Cusco by bus.
Climate: moderate, warm
Hiking time: 5 hours
Transport time: 5 hours
Climate: moderate warm
Note: The trek to Choquequirao must not be underestimated. Especially the second day involves great physical exertion to complete. Combined with high altitude and extreme weather (it can get very hot) the trek can be hard work. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you are well acclimatized, in good shape, and healthy.