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Choquequirao Trek

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    #2 of 52 Nature & Parks in Cusco
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    • “One of the best experiences ever.”
    • “2-day inca trail experience”
    • “Amazing experience, totally worth it!”
    • “Unforgettable”
    • “Amazing experience with our guide Samuel.”
    Tierras Vivas Travel > Choquequirao Trek

    Choquequirao Trek

    Code: PCHO

    Situated above the stormy, glacier-fed Apurimac river, encircled by frost-topped summits, sitting on a tall ridge Choquequirao is a distant and hardly visited “Lost City of the Incas”. The meaning of the name in Quechua is “cradle of Gold” and is considered as the place where the last Inca rulers went to after losing the city of Cusco during the Spanish conquest.
    The ruins were first visited and accounted to the western world during the 18th century. Hiram Bingham also visited the site in 1910 before his rediscovery of Machu Picchu in 1911. The site is relatively detached, though recently there was a footpath built over the Apurimac river to make it more accessible to the ruins. However the ruins of Choquequirao are still not visited much, although with new regulations on the Inca Trail, Choquequirao is fated to substitute the conventional trek as the heavyweight hikers alternate.

    Choquequirao Trek involves 5 day with a professional guide, chef, muleteer and horses. Book Now! and Discover the second lost city of the Incas!

    OVERVIEW
    FULL ITINERARY
    INCLUDED
    ESSENTIAL INFO
    ALTERNATIVE

    Choquequirao Trek Overview

    Sustainable Tourism: At Tierras Vivas, we are happy to promote and practice sustainable tourism by being eco-friendly and supporting local communities. We are again supporting Sernamp this Inca Trail with picking up trash and clearing the trail
    Crew: A Tierras Vivas representative in Cusco, a professional bilingual Tour Guide, a chef, and horses on the Choquequirao trek.
    Service Level: Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character, extra porters and private transport.
    Physical Rating: 4 – Demanding -High-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities.
    Age requirement: 12+ / All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
    Choquequirao Tour Operator: Tierras Vivas Travel
    Group Available: Small Group – Min: 2 – Max: 8
    Accomodation: Campsites (4 nights),
    Meals: 4x breakfast, 4x lunch, 4x dinner, 4x afternoon tea.
    Transportation: Transportation by private van

    Quick Itinerary

    Day 01: Cusco – Cachora – Playa Rosalina
    Day 02: Playa Rosalina – Choquequirao
    Day 03: Choquequirao – Raqaypata
    Day 04: Raqaypata – Coca Masana
    Day 05: Coca Masana – Cachora – Cusco

    Highlights of Choquequirao Trek

    • Explore the Choquequirao Archaeology
    • Discover the second lost city of the Incas
    • 5 day hike with professional tour guide, cook and horses
    • Guided Tour of Choquequirao ruins

    Travel guide to Choquequirao

    Responsible Travel

    Tierras Vivas Porters

    Tierras Vivas DOES NOT permit this exploitation!! We guarantee that our porters carry only an amount given by the Peruvian law!! There is still a long way to go when it comes to a reserve of adequate meals, backpacks and warm dry sleeping accommodation. click here

    Each Year Tierras Vivas hots a Christmas party in Patacancha. Family porters.

    Day 01:Cusco – Cachora – Coca Masana – Playa Rosalina

    You will leave the Incan capital of Cusco at 4 in the morning when pick you up for a wonderful five hour drive northwest across the country of the Anta Plateau to the authentic little town of Chachora (2,892m/9,488ft), the starting point of the hike in our private transport, which offers great views of the glacial mountains of Salkantay, Humantay, Pitusiray, Chicon and Veronica. It is a 150 kilometer drive and the last 10 are on a dirt road. Along the way there are fabulous views of villages, valleys and frost-topped mountains. During the course we descend into the town of Limatambo where the archaeological remains of Tarawasi are. From here we continue to the little village of Cora Wasi where the Saiwite Stone is. We ascend through abundant open lands and fruit farms before making a final declination to the village of Cachora.
    Here many of the locals work as mule drivers to add to their earnings. There you will meet the expedition help team including the horsemen (arrieros) and horses and we pack your equipment on to the mules and the horses.
    From here we take our daypacks and start our trek along the edge of the mountains through this magical and historically abounding lands, gradually its a two hour hike to Capuliyoc (2,915m), from where you will appreciate the first exquisite vistas of the Apurimac Valley and river extending below, as well as the glacial-topped summits of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora (3033m), the wooded hills on the other side of the canyon and the area of Choquequirao. You will then start a slow descent to Coca Masana, into the canyon (2,330m7/644ft), where we hike through a drier land superabound with cacti which contrasts with the green slants of the other side of the canyon. The weather becomes considerably hotter and the plants and animals are different. Don’t forget to bring a high deet mosquito repellent for this area. Finally you reach the next campsite at Playa Rosalina (Rosalina Beach) (1,550m), near the stormy Apurimac River (whose Quechua native name means “Great Speaker of God”), known for its class five rafting rapids where you will set up camp and spend the night. Your guide will present this astonishing Inca land to you.
    Walking poles or wooden sticks are recommended for today. (Lunch and dinner)

    Optional: Visit to the Saywite Stone, a limestome outcrop, about 4 metrs diameter which the Incas chiseled into a 3 dimensional image of the domain of their sovereignty, Tawantisuyo. The stone is carved with pictures of flowers, animals and land of their empire and was used in rituals that had to do with the worship of water.

     

    Day 02:Playa Rosalina – Choquequirao

    This is the most difficult of the 5 days. After an early breakfast a severe steep path waits for us and after about five hours of trekking we reach Raqaypata next to the Chunchullomayo River where you we stop for a late lunch and a greatly merited break. The afternoon trek is not as steep as the morning and along the way we see an array of orchids and wild flowers as well as a variet of bird species. After hiking 2 hours more we reach the archaeological site of Choquequirao, in time to appreciate the sunset and maybe see condors flying closeby. We set up camp just outside the ruins in the cloud forest. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

     

    Day 03:Choquequirao – Raqaypata

    Today is devoted to investigating the marvellous ruins of Choquequirao, considered the other Machu Picchu where the last Inca Tupac Amaru was raised among Inca preistesses. The guide will tell you all about its history and the value of this site and then you will have free time to explore the many areas of the complex. Late in the afternoon start the return hike and camp the night at Raqaypata. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

     

    Day 04Raqaypata – Coca Masana

    After breakfast, continue the return hike with a steep plunge towards the Apurimac River where you stop for lunch. In the afternoon a four hour ascent to the final campsite at Coca Masana. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

     

    Day 05:Coca Masana – Cachora – Cusco

    The last day of hiking. You will observe the canyon that forms the Apurimac River. You will then take a new path that traverses the throat of the canyon with an extraordinary vista of Wayna Qalli towards the canyon, thought of as the most impressive in South America. Reach Cachora with a return bus to Cusco.

    What is Included in this hike?

    • Pre-Briefing (Our guide will be visiting your hotel 2 or 1 day before the trek for your brieging);
    • Early morning transfer by private bus to Cachora – the initial point of the trek
    • Accommodation: Campsites (4 nights)
    • Entrance fee to the Choquequirao
    • Meals: 4x breakfast, 4x lunch, 4x dinner and 4x afternoon hot beverages (please advice us in advance if you are a vegetarian; this option is for NO extra additional cost);
    • Professional bilingual Tour Guide;
    • Professional Trekking Cook;
    • Muleteer;
    • Horses to carry food, camping and cooking equipment and 5 kg of each passenger’s stuff;
    • Water every day (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own);
    • Camping equipment: Eureka Mountain Personal double tents (4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks);

    Inflatable mattress (Term-a-Rest Mattress);

    • A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C);
    • A pair Hiking poles;
    • A Polar blanket per person;
    • A pillow;
    • Tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents;
    • Rain Ponchos;
    • Duffel bag (for your personal belongings);
    • Tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents and bottled gas;
    • Medical first-aid kit;
    • Tourist Transportation from Cachora to Cusco;
     

    Not Included:

    • Breakfast on the day and lunch on the last day
    • Travel insurance
    • Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru; however, it is not obligatory)

    Solo Traveler: Please note that if you have booked the “Solo Traveler” option for this trek, you receive your own single tent for all nights.

    Appropriate clothing along this hike

    Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the first and fifth day (if sunny) and in Choquequirao, convertible hiking pants are useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Choquequirao has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.

     

    Suggested Items

    • Original passport or copy
    • It is necessary to carry cash since in the villages near Choquequirao there are no banks or ATM and it is not possible to use credit cards.
    • It is important to carry a flashlight with a solar panel since there is no electric current along the trek and also there is no signal for cellular.
    • As you advance, the temperature is stronger, therefor there are mosquitoes, it is necessary to wear repellent and sun block.
    • The trek and the heat produce sweat that is why we lose water and we need to rehydrate. Carry enough water and cleaning pills.
    • See carefully what is necessary to take, it is not recommendable to carry a lot of things because it will make your trip less light and if you want to carry a heavy luggage we suggest to rent horses or mules in the Cachora Town.
    • Walk in group, although no thefts were reported, the suggestion is more for your safety, it is possible to get lost so you must take this recommendation into account.
    • Light clothing (for the day), warm clothing, and thick socks (for sleeping at night).
    • Wear comfortable sneakers, specially trekking sneakers.
    • Bring clothing for rain such as: ponchos and jackets.
    • Sandal (for a higher comfort while at a campsite
    • Insect repellent – recommended minimum is 20% DEET (please note that no malaria cases have been reported during this trip!),
    • Camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions),
    • Snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.)
      Please note: we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. The recommendation of taken own snack applies only for customers who like a specific snack that might not be in our menu.

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    Choquequirao Trek 4 Days

    These Incan ruins are referred to as the “sister city” of Machu Picchu, and the city boasts similar classic Inca architecture from the terraces to the many buildings. Choquequirao served as a final fortress of resistance against the Spanish for the Incas after the desertion of the city of Cusco, and before then was a cultural and religious hub of the Incan Empire. Despite having such a rich history, the city was generally ignored by archeologists and tourists. It is reachable by 2 days of hiking only, and there are no buses or trains available from the town of Cachora. The hike itself is a beautiful, if challenging trek through mountains and valleys, over a rushing river and through fields of cacti. Choquequirao Trek 4 Days

     

    4 Day Choquequirao Trek

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