Choquequirao Trek 5 Days – Adventure Trekking

This incredible adventure begins at 5.00am, when the guide will pick you up at the hotel and drive for the next 4 hours in our private van to Capuliyoc (2,850m/9,407ft). Along the way, there are picturesque views of villages, spectacular valleys and snow-capped mountains. Once at Capuliyoc, meet our horsemen and pack all of our equipment onto the horses. Carry a small daypack with the essentials you will need on the trail.

From here, we can enjoy the spectacular view of Choquequirao Inca ruins, the Apurimac canyon and the stunning snow-capped mountains like Padreyoc (5,571m/18,387ft). Then we hike down for 3 hours to Chikisca for lunch. After lunch we continue on for 2 more hours downhill to our first camp at Playa Rosalinas (2061m/6762ft). Hot drinks and appetizers will be waiting for you and you’ll have time to settle into your tents, which are set up, before dinner.

• Meals included: Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time –  Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Minimum altitude: 2061m/6762ft
• Maximum altitude: 3100m/9300ft
• Distance: 9kms/5.6 miles
• Time: 5hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Difficult 

After an early breakfast, we cross the bridge and hike for the next 4 hours all the way up to Marampata where we will have lunch enjoying the view of Choquequirao Inca ruins. After lunch we walk to our second evening’s campsite, just 20 minutes from the ruins. Being so close to the archeological site, we can enjoy our view of the ruins into the late evening and watch for condors soaring on the winds from the canyon.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time –  Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Minimum altitude: 2061m/6762ft
• Maximum altitude: 3100m/10170ft
• Distance: 12kms/7.5 miles
• Time: 5hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Difficult

This morning visit the magnificent archeological site of Choquequirao for the entire day. There is so much to see! These ruins are three times the size of Machu Picchu and new sections, hidden under the dense jungle, are constantly being discovered. Enjoy the private guided tour and explore all of the beautiful sections of the temples, terraces, palaces, the llamas’ section, and much more.

Choquequirao means “Cradle of Gold” in Quechua Inca’s language although this is probably not its original name. It is another “Lost City of the Incas” rediscovered officially late in the 20th century. It is located high on a ridge spur almost 1750 metres above the raging glacier-fed Apurimac River and is surrounded by the towering Salkantay and Humantay snow-capped peaks. Excavations and restoration of the 1810 hectares site began in the 1990s, and it is estimated that only 30% of the site has been restored to date. Every day archeologists are finding new things.

After our thorough explorations, we will return to our same campsite. Drinks and appetizers will be waiting for us and we can relax before dinner. Enjoy your last night next to these magical ruins, under an incredible sky of the southern stars.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time –  Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Altitude: 3100m/10170ft
• Difficulty: Difficult

After an early breakfast we’ll prepare for our journey back to Cusco. It’ll be two hours back to Marmpata and you’ll see views of the canyon of Apurimac along the way. Your guide will point out the beautiful flora and fauna you might have missed on your way into the Inca site. You’ll see impressive waterfalls in the distance as well as the clouds lifting from the bottom of the canyon. Also, if the weather is pleasant, you’ll get to enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the Andes.

From Marampata you’ll begin the 4 hour steep downhill hike to La Playa, this section requires trekking poles. Halfway down you’ll have a break to enjoy some fresh fruit that was farmed in the area, where cactus fruit is the main attraction. Finally, you’ll reach La Playa for lunch. Soon after it’ll be another two hours uphill to Chikiska Camp, which is in the backyard of a family’s home. You may also see some spectacled bears, condors, hummingbirds and more.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time –  Dinner.
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 18kms/11 miles
• Difficulty: Difficult

After an early breakfast you’ll get ready to return to Cusco. It’ll be a four-hour uphill hike until you arrive at the end of the trek where you’ll enjoy your last lunch with your tour guide, porters and horsemen. You’ll say goodbye to your SAM Travel Peru team and then continue with your tour guide towards Cusco, ending by 18h.

• Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch
• Distance: 8km / 4.5m