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!
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.
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
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
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.
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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.
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)
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)
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)
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.
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.
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.
One of the most well known treks in the entire world, a highly sought after experience, and the traditional way to enter into the legendary city, of Machu Picchu, a Wonder of the World and the Lost City of the Incas, the Inca Trail is an experience that cannot be forgotten. This particular 5 day trip allows for two visits to the city, after about 3 and a half days of hiking, and includes a night in the city of Aguas Calientes, where travelers can rest in a hotel and relax in hot springs to unwind from the long hike. The next morning, early, there is a full guided tour of the ancient city, and finally, a train and bus ride back to Cusco. Inca Trail Machu Picchu 5 Days.
5 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
A perfect alternative to the Inca Trail, this hike follows a very similar trail, through mountains and cloud jungle, passing over the famous and towering Salkantay Mountain and also gives travelers the opportunity to reach the beautiful city of Machu Picchu on foot. Unlike the traditional Inca Trail, this trek is much less crowded and commercialized, but still offers the challenge and the beautiful views, as well as a proximity to many different species of plants and animals, from cacti to wild orchids, from condors to parrots to hummingbirds.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
5 Day Salkantay to Machu Picchu
This hike through the beautiful Andes of Peru offers a special opportunity to see the magnificent Condors, gigantic birds with a wingspan of 3.2 meters (up to 10 feet) and a lifespan of over 70 years. This trek continues through the mountains, including the Salkantay Mountain, which is towering and considered by some to have a spirit of its own. The trail ends in Aguas Calientes, where travelers spend a night before visiting the Incan city of Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Arriving there in the early morning to watch the sunrise over these remarkable stone buildings, the hikers will then enjoy a guided tour that dives deeply into the history of this classic city. Salkantay Trek Tour Condor
5 Day Salkantay Condor to Machu Picchu
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
| Days | 5 |
| From per person |
$ 550.00 |
| Code | PCHO |
Activity level |
|
24 March 2023
24 March 2023
24 March 2023
