Choquequirao Trek 5 Days
5.0 (38 Reviews)
Venture in a lifetime journey for 5 days to the last stronghold of the Inca civilization — Choquequirao, a place full of mysteries, unknown to most travelers, and larger than Machu Picchu.
Choquequirao — Nestled in the rugged crest of the Vilcabamba mountain range and above the roaring Apurimac River overlooks the massive Apurimac Canyon and snow capped mountains of the Vilcabamba range, a place built in the 15th century and became the last place to shelter from the Spanish invasion. The Incan people could live here until a couple of decades after the arrival of the Spaniards in Cusco city.
Choquequirao has been uncovered in about 40% while the rest of the archaeological remains still lie underneath the thick vegetation. Temples, farming terraces, patios, aqueducts, granaries, palaces, and cemetery are the places to visit on this 5 day trek with our experienced team from Beyond Andes Travel.
A day before the trek begins at 5:00 PM, you will have a meeting at your hotel in Cusco city for a trek orientation briefing led by your tour guide. Please, provide your hotel details.
Easiest
Early pick-up from your hotel to drive to the trailhead and hike downhill to reach Chikiska campsite.
At 4:00 AM, your Beyond Andes Travel guide will come to your hotel to pick you up, you will then drive for 5 hours to reach the trailhead called Capuliyoc where you will get ready and start trekking towards Choquequirao. En route, there are no proper restaurants for breakfast, we recommend packing breakfast for the first day or you can ask for box breakfast at your hotel.
The trailhead is located at 8’858 ft, which is lower than Cusco city, we will descend from this elevation by switchback trail to Chikiska located at 6’070 ft, the day temp on the first day will be from cooler to hotter, from the first until the last day, you will be in a mosquito area, so bringing your bug spray is very important. Lunch will be taken once we arrive at the campsite.
Today as you make your way to the first campsite, you will enjoy the stunning vistas of the great Apurimac canyon, the imposing peaks of the Vilcabamba range, the unique vegetation along the trail, and perhaps some condors soaring close by. Lunch and dinner included.
Lunch & dinner
Moderate
4.9 miles
3 - 4 hours
8'858 ft
6'070 ft
8'858 ft
From cooler to hotter
After having a nutritious breakfast, we will still descend for 45 minutes to reach the lowest point called Playa Rosalina at 4’921 ft, from where we will get into the uphill section for 5 hours, having trekking poles is highly recommended for this trek since the trail may be slippery due to gravel rocks. During the hike, you will take many little breaks and also a couple of main breaks to have snacks. The uphill section is very dry and there are no trees along the trail to make shade, bringing water is essential, so our staff in the morning will provide us with enough water for the morning hike.
After hiking for about 6 hours, we will arrive in Maranpata town, a small village located on the skirt part of the Vilcabamba mountain range. All families here offer dining service, hot shower service (at extra cost), campsites, and other amenities. We will stop here for lunch and have a deserved break because, in the afternoon, we will still hike for 2 more hours to reach our campsite located in the Choquequirao area at 9 ‘678 ft.
The section from Maranpata village to the campsite is beautiful, you will see the deepness of the Apurimac canyon, the first Inca constructions of Choquequirao, and you will hike through the lush forest — You will feel the good vibes of this enigmatic place. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
All meals included
Very Demanding
8.7 miles
8 hours
6'070 ft
4'921 ft
9'678 ft
Mostly hot (sunny)
Probably the most expected and exciting day for everyone because it is the day to know and see Choquequirao “the last stronghold of the Inca civilization”, the morning will be to visit the upper part of Choquequirao where many constructions are located like the religious platform (Usno), dwellings, temples, food storages, cemetery, and you will also reach the llama decorated terraces from this part of Choquequirao. A morning full of charming history of the site with your private tour guide at your side.
About midday, we will return to our campsite for lunch, in the afternoon, we will still visit the lower part of Choquequirao where we will see the agricultural terraces and many aqueducts, this place was the food basket to provide food to the inhabitants of Choquequirao, so they did not have to bring from other places, they produced pretty much all food here. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
All meals included
Moderate
Mostly hot but might be cooler
As of today, it’s basically going back to the trailhead where you have started, following the same trail we had used the previous days. After breakfast, we will take the trail towards Maranpata town, from where the trail comes all downhill until the Playa Rosalina (the lowest point), from this lowest point the trail is all uphill until Capuliyoc.
From Playa Rosalina, we will hike up to Chikiska for 1 hour, at this place we will have lunch and a deserved break. In the afternoon, we will still hike for 2 more hours to our next campsite called Cocamasana located at 7’218 ft. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
All meals included
Very Demanding
10.5 miles
9 hours
9'678 ft
4'921 ft
9'678 ft
Mostly sunny
A day to say goodbye to Choquequirao and back to civilization. Today, we will start the hike very early, we will hike for 3 hours to reach Capuliyoc the ending point of the hike. On our arrival, we will celebrate our accomplishment with deserved local beers and eat our last lunch before hopping on our private transport back to Cusco.
Breakfast & lunch
Moderate to Demanding
3.1 miles
3 hours
7'218 ft
7'218 ft
8'858 ft
From cooler to hotter
Although we strive to strictly follow this trek itinerary outlined above, please be advised that it is subject to changes due to many factors beyond our control. These factors may include incidents in the operated destination, strikes, political disputes, terrorism attempts, entry or border difficulties, extreme weather conditions, flight cancellations, and other unforeseeable circumstances. Please note that Beyond Andes Travel is not responsible for any changes or amendments resulting from such circumstances.
In the event that we must deviate from the original schedule or itinerary, we will make our best to provide the best alternative options available to ensure a fantastic experience. However, any additional expenses that may be incurred will be the sole responsibility of the client and not of & Beyond Andes Travel.
To make the most of your Choquequirao Trek 5 Days, please consider the following tips or recommendations.
| Number of persons | Price per person | |
| 1 Persons | $ USD 1450.00 | Inquire Now |
| 2 Persons | $ USD 750.00 | Inquire Now |
| 3 Persons | $ USD 730.00 | Inquire Now |
| 4 Persons | $ USD 690.00 | Inquire Now |
| 5 Persons | $ USD 650.00 | Inquire Now |
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