The name Choquequirao means “Cradle of Gold.” Located above the raging, glacier-fed Apurimac River, surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks and seated on a high ridge, Choquequirao is a remote and rarely visited ¨lost city of the Incas¨.  The Inca archaeological site is considered, the sister to Machu Picchu, it is less known but 3 times larger than Machu Picchu.  It was one of the last refuges, for those Incas who continued to resist Spanish occupation after the conquest.  The site was eventually abandoned and became covered by dense cloud forest vegetation and to this day archeologists continue to discover new sectors of the city.

DAY 1: CUSCO – CAPULIYOC – CHIQUISCA.

At 5am, we pick you up at your hotel, and drive for the next 4 hours in our private van to Capuliyoc (2,850m/9,407ft). Along the way, there are spectacular views of villages, valleys and snow-capped mountains. Once at Cachora we meet our horsemen and pack all of our equipment onto the horses.
After enjoying a boxed breakfast, we start walking to Capuliyoc where we enjoy great views of Apurimac Canyon, snow-capped mountains such as Padreyoc (5,571m/18,387ft) and the Choquequirao site from a distance and have lunch.  After lunch, we descend for two hours to our first campsite at Chiquisca (1,900m/6,270ft), where we spend the night.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Minimum Altitude: 1900m/5700ft.
• Maximum Altitude: 2850m/9400ft.
• Distance: 18kms/11 miles
• Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.

DAY 2: CHIQUISCA – MARANPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO.

After an early breakfast, we descend to the magnificent Apurimac River (1,550m/5,117ft) and then walk uphill to the rural village of Maranpata (2,850m/9,350ft) where we have lunch while enjoying the spectacular views of the archeological site of Choquequirao(3,150m/10,397ft).  As we trek, we walk through a myriad of flora and fauna to the magnificent archeological site of Choquequirao. When we arrive, there is a private guided tour for us in the afternoon. During the tour, we will explore all the important sections, such as the palaces, temple, ritual water fountains, amazing Usnu (ceremonial platform), agricultural terraces, llama’s section and much more. Finally, we head back to our second campsite located just 20 minutes from the Choquequirao ruins, where we will have tea and dinner

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Minimum Altitude:1,550m/5,117ft
• Maximum Altitude3,150m/10,397ft
• Distance: 14kms/9 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult

DAY 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO – CHIQUISCA.

After an early breakfast, we explore some of the stunning sections of Choquequirao ruins and then head back towards the rural community of Maranpata for lunch. Afterwards we descend to the magnificent Apurimac River (1,550m/5,117ft) for three hours. Finally, we walk up a moderate hill for one hour to our third campsite at Chiquisca (1,990m/6,270ft)

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Minimum Altitude: 1,550m/5,117ft
• Maximum Altitude: 1,990m/6,270ft.
• Distance: 14kms/9 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult

DAY 4: CHIQUISCA – SAYWITE – CUSCO.

After a delicious breakfast, we walk up a moderate difficulty hill towards the Capuliyoc pass. Once there we can enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the Apurimac Canyon. Then we walk for two more hours towards Cachora (2,850m/9,407ft) for lunch. Afterwards we take our private transport to the archeological site of Saywite having plenty of time to explore it. Finally, our private transport will take us back to Cusco to your hotel, arriving in the evening, arriving around 8pm.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch
• Minimum Altitude: 1,990m/6,270ft.
• Maximum Altitude: 2,850m/9,407ft
• Distance: 16kms/10 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

WHAT IS INCLUDED.

• Pick-up at your hotel the morning of your trek
• Private transport from Cusco to Cachora (starting point of the trek) and Cacchora to Cusco
• Entry fee to Choquequirao and other Inca sites
• English speaking, experienced and professional guide
• Comfortable tents with two people in a four-person tent
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food with prior request)
• 1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you’re feeling exhausted or are ill
• All camping equipment such as: dining tent, table, chairs, kitchen and toilet tent
• Tent for our staff to sleep in
• First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen
• Basic foam sleeping mattresses
• Private Guided tour at each archeological site
• 7 kgs of your personal items such as extra clothes and sleeping bag will be carried by our mules
• Boiled water for drinking and washing purposes

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED.

• Sleeping bag adequate for temperature of minus 10°c
• Air Mattresses
• Trekking Poles
• Additional horses for extra personal luggage above that of the personal item allowance
• Tips for the crew, guide, cook and porters of ANDEAN TOUR.

The Choquequirao Trek 4 days it’s available on any date that it’s best for you as long  as we have a minimum of 2 hikers.

Price for a Party of 2: $150 per person with discounts for larger parties

Contact us for variations on this tour