Choquequirao Trek 5 Days / 4 Nights │ Auri Travel

Choquequirao Trekkings

CHOQUEQUIRAO THE LOST SISTER OF MACHUPICCHU

Choquequirao according to most scholars, was most likely built during the reign of the Inca king (Sapa Inca) Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui and has been suggested as the last bastion of resistance and refuge for the Sons of the Sun. The infamous Inca fled from the city of Cusco when it was under siege in 1535. Under the leadership of Manco Inca Yupanqui, they hid in the sanctuary of Choquequirao. It has been presumed to have been used as a check point to access the Vilcabamba area, as a cultural and religious center, as well as occupying a key position, as an elevated structure making uninvited guests visible to them. The city played an important role as it was a link connecting the Amazon Jungle to the city of Cusco. The region has many microclimates consisting of snow-covered peaks at around 6000m (19685f), amongst some of the most spectacular mountainous peaks, are deep rich valleys entering into the thick exotic jungle.

Adventure
Cusco
Challenging

Summary

Choquequirao, considered to be a sister city of similar significance to that of Machupicchu and built along similar lines. On this adventurous trek, we will walk on Inca highways, hike through high Andean landscapes with majestic glaciers, descend into deep canyons where the condors fly and pass through biologically diverse cloud forest ecosystems.

Choquequirao is a must see site in the Andes, surrounded by lush rainforest and snow-capped peaks, the Choquequirao route has new views at every turn and it should come as no surprise that this mountain-top city is being lauded as the “new Machu Picchu” and is widely considered one of the finest treks in South America.

View Full Itinerary

Overview

DAY 1

Cusco – Cachora – Chiquisca

We will leave Cusco (3350m/10991f) at approximately at 5:30 am on the first morning.

DAY 2

Chiquisca – Playa Rosalina – Marampata – Choquequirao

Enjoy of a real hidden Inka Gem!

DAY 3

Choquequirao as the Little-Know Gem of Peru

Be impressed by the remote Incan ruins of Choquequirao in the Peruvian Andes!

DAY 4

Choquequirao – San Ignacio – Carmen

Feel the Cloud shadows moving across the grassland and the sun picking out fields the colour of bracken!

DAY 5

Carmen – Tambobamba – Huanipaca

Enjoy the landscapes and come back to Cusco!

Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

***Level of difficulty: Average

DAY 1

Cusco – Cachora – Chiquisca (L, D)

We will leave Cusco (3350m/10991f) at approximately at 5:30 am on the first morning. On this leg of the trip we will head straight for the village of Cachora (2850m/9350f), there we will meet our horse guides, with horses and mules that will carry all the camping equipment during the expedition. From there we will continue our journey towards the pass of Capuliyoc (2800m/9186f). The trek offers a stunning view of the mythical mountain Padreyoc, the deep canyons and the river Apurímac which the locals call “speaking river”. Finally, we will descend towards the picturesque canyon’s interior named Chiquisca (1930m/6332f), where we will spend the first night.

Climate: Warm
Hiking time: approximately 7 hours

DAY 2

Chiquisca – Playa Rosalina – Marampata – Choquequirao (B, L, D)

Enjoy of a real hidden Inka Gem!

After enjoying breakfast, we will make the descent to La Playa Rosalina (1550m/5085f). From here, we’ll continue our journey to Marampata (2850m/9350f), where we can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the archeological complex of Choquequirao (3033m/9951f) and the surrounding area. Our camp site is located 25 minutes from the settlement.

Climate: depending on the day a mixture between cold and warm.
Hiking time: approximately 7 hours

DAY 3

Choquequirao as the Little-Know Gem of Peru (B, L, D)

Be impressed by the remote Incan ruins of Choquequirao in the Peruvian Andes!

At sunrise, we will first visit the archaeological site of Choquequirao. At this time of morning only 30% of this region known as the “golden cradle” has been exposed to light making it an incredible sight. Our expert tour guides will take you to discover the history and recent excavations of Choquequirao, whose importance is only starting to be fully understood, holding many ancestral secrets of the Inca and the nature they had been so deeply connected with. Hiking time: approximately 6 hours

Climate: reasonable climate with mosquitoes.

DAY 4

Choquequirao – San Ignacio – Carmen (B, L, D)

Feel the Cloud shadows moving across the grassland and the sun picking out fields the colour of bracken!

After breakfast, we’ll take our belongings, descending the Apurímac canyon’s to its deepest part called San Ignacio at 1500m/4921f and have lunch. Finally, we will hike up to our camping site for the night, in the beautiful gardens of Carmen located 2000m/6562f above sea level.

Climate: moderate climate with mosquitoes
Hiking time: approximately 6 hours

Note: Please be advised that due to the varied ecosystems of this region, there will be multiple changes to the scenery making day four one of the most picturesque of the tour and one day the avid naturists and photographers will enjoy immensely. It is also important to note that the route from Choquequirao to San Ignacio is quite slippery in some spots. For this reason we ask everyone to take care especially on the decent, and insist that everyone carry sufficient water with them.

DAY 5

Carmen – Tambobamba – Huanipaca (B)

Enjoy the landscapes and come back to Cusco!

The gardens of Carmen are located in close proximity to the manor of Tambobamba (2500m/8202f), a region governed by landowners since the 19th and 20th century and considered to be one of the most fertile valleys, capable of cultivating maize and a variety of potatoes vital to the people of the region. We will pass little villages such as Pacobamba and Huanipaca (3150m/10335f), finally returning to Cusco by bus.

Climate: moderate, warm
Hiking time: approximately 5 hours
Transport time: approximately 5 hours

Note: Please be advised the trek to Choquequirao must not be underestimated. In particular day two involves great physical exertion completing the peaks, combined with high altitude and at times extreme weather (it can get very hot). We strongly recommend that you are well acclimatized before starting the trek, are in good shape, and healthy (we recommend trying Coca, or Muña tea, in preparation for your journey).

Day 1 Cusco – Cachora – Chiquisca
Day 2 Chiquisca – Playa Rosalina – Marampata – Choquequirao
Day 3 Choquequirao as the Little-Know Gem of Peru
Day 4 Choquequirao – San Ignacio – Carmen
Day 4 Carmen – Tambobamba – Huanipaca

Call us

All our experiences are tailored to meet your every need.

Toll Free: 1-800-590-5784

Included

What To Expect…

Explore Perú in a personalized way. Plan with your expert Travel Advisor the best itinerary based on your needs and interests.
Personalized assistance during your complete stay in the country, we want you to enjoy a hassle-free vacation!
We listen to you! So, we can adapt your itinerary based on your interests, it is possible to add or to cut the activities of your preference, just let us know.
We are available 24 hours per day, during the week, our operations area never stops. We are here to assist you whenever you need it.
We work with the most experienced English-Speaking tour guides around the country, every excursion, visit, activities, will be in short groups or absolutely private.

Included

Private Transport to Cachora (the trailhead) as well as return transportation to Cusco city.
A Professional tour guide
Experienced Cook with assistant, and mule herders
Horses/mules to transport camping equipment
4 Breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners (tea time) and daily snacks are included
2 persons per tent (spacious and comfortable tents)
A main dining tent , and kitchen tent
Carriage of 5 kilos of personal belongings per person (extra clothes or sleeping bags, etc.), to be carried by mules. You will need to carry your daypack with everything you need during the day.
Entrance fee to the Archaeological Park
Emergency horse/s
First aid kid.

Not Included

Breakfast on the first day
Sleeping bag
Trekking poles
Back pack
Tips for the crew, guide, cook, arrieros (horsemen/horse guides)

Recommendations:

Backpack & Daypack.
Sleeping bag.
Insect repellent.
Hiking boots.
Trekking Poles.
Different clothing layers for variable temperatures, especially at night.
T-shirts and trekking pants that zip off to shorter pants/shorts to enable you to have comfortable day walks regardless of the weather.
Flash light, or head torch.
Camera with extra batteries.
Sunscreen / hat and sunglasses.
Personal medical kit.
Rain Gear: poncho/ a good rain jacket for wet season.
Toiletries / toilet paper / small towel.
Water bottle water purifying tablets optional.
Passport.
Extra money for drinks & tips, souvenirs etc. (soles).

Remember for most of you this may be your only expedition to these amazing sites so please bring extra money, and rain protection to enable your journey to be as spectacular as the view. This packing list has been devised by some of the best experts in the tourism business in the Andes.

Welcome to the beautiful sights and experiences of Peru.

Pricing

The price is fully customizable and can be tailored and flexible to your personal preferences and style, the price is basically based on final accommodation, travel dates and other custom preferences during the tour.

Feel free to reach us via email at info@auriperu.com
or by calling us directly at 1(800)590-5784

Gaurav N

11 September 2023

Exceptional service and highly satisfied We had a wonderful experience in Peru all thanks to Auri Peru Travel and Lizbeth, who the main co-ordinator at Auri. Right from the initial discussions over WhatsApp texts/calls to planning to eventually executing on those plans - Auri was in constant and seamless communication with us. They were open to any questions and flexible in making changes to the itinerary. The guides that they offered were very experienced and offered deep history and perspectives beyond typical information. The hotels they booked were phenomenal as well. Once in Peru, alongside our guides, Auri was in constant communication and checking in on our well being. Overall, we are very happy with their services and would highly recommend them if anyone is planning for a comprehensive, well guided and pleasurable trip to Peru.

Happysabu

15 August 2023

Life time experience! This is once in lifetime experience ! total package was unbelievably organized. Combination of the people , food & the tracking --made this journey so memorable. Lizbeth was at the behind of all & she is just awesome! This is really a tough trail & the guide is very crucial. She customize guide as per the capability of the tracker. I was a bit slow, not that much fit , she tagged me with small group & amazing guide. The guide was so friendly & explained history, cultures in such a way i still remember. Lizbeth also planned my another perfect visit to the salad de Uni, Bolivia. Many thanks Liz for everything. Words are not enough to express how grateful i am. Hope to see you again for Galapagos!

Alynne B

15 August 2023

Amazing Experience Our Auri agent Lizbeth helped us plan our trip and made it easy for us to enjoy Peru hassle free. 😊😊😊

Alona

1 August 2023

Amazing privately guided trip around Peru with my family Dear Lizbeth My family and I wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible trip you arranged for us in Peru. It was an unforgettable experience that we will cherish forever. From the mesmerizing wildlife in Iquitos to the enchanting Tree House Lodge in the jungle, the breathtaking views of Machu Picchu, and the unique way of living on the Floating island in Lake Titicaca, every moment was filled with wonder and excitement. We were also captivated by the historical places in Cusco, which added a perfect blend of culture to our journey. We were genuinely impressed by the seamless organization of all the excursions. The guides were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly caring, professional, and friendly, making us feel welcome and comfortable throughout the trip. The drivers ensured our safety, and the transport vans were so comfortable that we hardly felt the hours spent in the minivans. Your preparation of the program and valuable advice were essential to the success of our trip. Your prompt and informative responses to all our questions were truly appreciated. It was reassuring to receive the evening messages to check on our well-being and ensure smooth check-ins for flights. Your care made us feel special and well taken care of. As a travelers, we can confidently say that this was one of the best-organized tours we've ever experienced. The quality of the tour was outstanding, and we have you to thank for that. Moreover, all the hotels and places you recommended were excellent, adding to the overall enjoyment of the trip. Your recommendations were spot-on, and we thank you for guiding us to such wonderful accommodations and experiences. Lizbeth, you are a super professional, and your dedication to your job is evident in every aspect of the trip. Your passion, love, and care for what you do make you stand out as an exceptional travel manager. We are incredibly grateful for your efforts and highly recommend both you and your travel agency to anyone seeking an unforgettable journey. Once again, thank you for creating memories that will stay with us forever. Thanks 🙏😍

Louise F

4 May 2023

Superb service from initial planning to the very end of our trip Lizbeth was amazing! She created an impressive, tailored itinerary which suited all the different members of our party. Helpful every step of the way, in constant contact, flexible, understanding of our varied needs and calm and resourceful when we had to amend,add and cancel parts of our trip due to the troubles in January. Thank you for making our trip to Peru so memorable

smunzani

13 February 2023

Excellent service from our private tour company Auri Peru Travels - Unique experience in Peru. We hired Auri Peru travel for our 8 day visit to Peru and were extremely happy with it. Starting from the bookings we had nothing but positive experience. Lizbeth was very nice to work with and very flexible. From the day we left for Peru she was in touch with us on daily basis to ensure our journey was going pleasant. When we reached Cusco airport, Auri Peru Travel's English speaking guide picked us up on time and our journey started. All hotels in the trip were excellent with good service. The driver and guide both were very flexible and accommodating whether it's stopping for food or asking them to visit the local vegetable/fruit market to try local fruits. End to end the experience was a true 5-star experience and I strongly suggest Auri Peru Travel for your travel needs in Peru.

Dina AS

17 January 2023

Best of Peru with Auri Peru I had a private tour right after covid and I loved how they took care of all safety measures and make sure I knew all rules and regulations. The guides were amazing and very flexible to my plans and timing.

Siddiq

27 December 2022

Magnificent Adventure Auri Peru Travel provided for me the best experience while visiting the Cusco region, arranging many activities to see the ancient ruins of Maccu Picchu, many points of the Sacred Valley, Hike of Rainbow Mountian.....even Lizbeth and Juan gave great recommendations for food in Aguas Calientes and Cusco. This was in my top 3 adventures so far in my life.....Saudi Arabia and Egypt are the other two, just so you can have a gage on magnificence.

Nicola T

31 July 2022

AWESOME PERUVIAN ADVENTURE! Hi, we traveled to Perú on April of this year, we visited Cusco region and the Jungle. Logistics in Perú can be hard, so we decided to book with a reputable company in the area. So, we contacted Auri Peru Travel and from the beginning to the end they allways showed profesionalism. We spent 12 days in Perú and WOW! We completely enjoyed our time there. The tour guides, transportation, meals, hotels. EVERYTHING was the best! We really enjoyed our trip and if come back to South America, definitely we will book with AURI PERU again. Thank you for this memorable experience!.

jeresi m

31 July 2022

WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE WITH AURI PERU We booked two weeks trip with AURI PERU TRAVEL, and I can say that the experience was EXCELLENT! The best tour guides, transportation and well chose restaurants and hotels in each location of your trip. This trip was very special for us, because we were celebrating our 10 years marriage, and Lizbeth designed an unbeatable program for us. If you think to come to Perú I will highly recommend to book with them, they know what they do... they are the experts on the ground! LOVE IT!.

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