Choquequirao Trek 4D/3N
Choquequirao Trek 4D/3N
The 4 day Choquequirao Trek will take you on an unforgettable camping adventure through the picturesque Apurimac valley to site of the ‘Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu’.
Although breathtakingly beautiful, the route to the archaeological complex of Choquequirao, is little known to tourists. Giving you more of an exclusive experience along the historic Andean mountain trail.
Along with the wonder of Choquequirao, the tour will treat you to a spectacular view of the deepest canyon in the world, the Apurimac Canyon!
Book your place now for the Peruvian adventure of a lifetime.
Route Highlights
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Overview of the tour
- Day 1 : Cusco – Cachora – Capulichayoq – Chikisca
- Night of lodge in Chikica
- Day 2 : Chikisca – Playa Rosalina – Santa Rosa – Marampata
- Night of lodge in Marampata
- Day 3 : Marampata – Choquequirao tour full day
- Night of lodge in Marampata
- Day 4 : Marampata – Chiquisca – Capulichayoq – Cachora – Cusco
DAY 1 – CUSCO – CACHORA – CAPULICHAYOC – CHIKISCA
The Choquequirao trek starts with pick up at 6:30 am from your hotel in Cusco.
We will then travel to the village of Cachora (2800 m.a.s.l./9186 ft), a journey of approximately 3 hours, where you will have free time to rest and enjoy your first lunch. After lunch, we will continue our journey for about 30 more minutes until we reach the Capulichayoq viewpoint. From here, we can observe the deepest canyon in the world, known as the Apurímac Canyon, through which the majestic Apurímac River flows.
It is from here that we will begin our descent, which will take approximately 3 hours to Chikisca (1800 m.a.s.l./5906 ft), where we will spend the night in our cabins, surrounded by a majestic landscape near the Apurímac Canyon.
- Food : Lunch and Dinner
- Estimated walking time : 3 to 4 hours
- Total walking distance : 8 km
- Altitude of our camp : 1,869 m / 6,132 ft
DAY 2 – CHIKISCA – PLAYA ROSALINA – MARAMPATA
Day 2 will begin with breakfast at Chikisca, prepared fresh by our chef.
Then, we’ll begin our hike at dawn to avoid the heat on the sunny trail along the Apurímac Valley. After a 3-hour hike and crossing the Apurímac River, we’ll arrive at Santa Rosa, where you can enjoy a refreshing break and sample the local chicha (the traditional drink of the Incas), or another beverage, along with a snack. After spending time with a local family, we’ll hike uphill for another 2 hours to reach Marampata, where we’ll have lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll explore Marampata and learn about Quechua agriculture and lifestyle.
We’ll spend the night at our local lodge with dinner included and stunning views of the entire Apurímac Valley.
- Food : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Estimated walking time : 5 to 6 hours
- Total walking distance : 9 km
- Altitude of our camp : 2,870 m / 9,416 ft
DAY 3 – MARAMPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO TOUR FULL DAY
Day 3 will begin with breakfast at dawn at the Marampata camp, whilst admiring the sunrise over Choquequirai.
After breakfast we have a two-hour hike to the majestic Inca city of Choquequirao. We’ll spend the entire day exploring the archaeological site, including its buildings in different areas, the main plaza, agricultural terraces, religious sector, urban sector, and the famous llama walls.
In the late afternoon, after visiting the entire Inca city of Choquequirao, we’ll return to our lodge in Marampata for dinner and our third night.
- Food : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Estimated walking time : 6 to 7 hours
- Total walking distance : 10 km
- Altitude of our camp : 2,870 m / 9,416 ft
DAY 4 – MARAMPATA – CHIKISCA – CAPULICHAYOC – CACHORA – CUSCO
We will wake up very early this morning at 5:30 a.m. We will have breakfast accompanied by the first rays of sunlight emerging over the Apurímac Canyon.
After breakfast, we will begin our return hike to Capulichayoq, which will take between 7 and 8 hours, depending on your physical condition. We will have lunch halfway along the trail in Chikisca. Upon arrival in Capulichayoq, we will board our private transportation that will take us back to the city of Cusco. The tour concludes with transfers to your respective hotels.
End of services.
- Food : Breakfast and Lunch
- Estimated walking time : 7 to 8 hours
- Total walking distance : 17 km
4-day Choquequirao Trek inclusions
Included
- 6:00pm Briefing at your hotel in Cusco the night before the trek
- Pick up from hotel in Cusco
- Private transport from Cusco to Cachora
- Private transport from Cachora to Cusco
- Professional English/Spanish speaking tour guide
- Entrance ticket to Choquequirao
- Food : 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners (All prepared by our chef)
- Vegetarian/vegan and special diets requested
- All camping equipment: 2 person tents (with enough space for belongings)
- Inflatable camping mattress and pillows
- Dining and cooking tents with tables and chairs
- Muleteers & horses to carry tents, food, cooking equipment : 7kg per person
- Oxygen and first aid kit
Not Included
- Food not included in the itinerary
- Dinner on day 4
- Sleeping Bag : Can rent from agency : $ 25 USD for entire trip
- Trekking Poles : Can rent from agency : $ 20 USD for entire trip
- Gratuities / Tips for the guide, porters and chef
Recommendations to bring
- Original passport – expiration date no less than 7 months
- Valid Student ID card (if student booking)
- Good quality walking boots or shoes
- Good quality sleeping bag for cold temperatures
- Trekking poles – can be rented at agency
- Sandals for down time (very important)
- Baselayers of varying temperatures, especially for the night
- Thermals, gloves, scarves, wooly hat
- Good quality trekking socks to avoid blisters
- Raincoat or long poncho (for rainy season)
- Waterproof trousers (for rainy season)
- Long sleeve shirts
- Long trousers
- Shorts suitable for hiking
- Wide-brimmed hat – UPV is strong at altitude
- Canteen water bottle as you should drink plenty of fluid on the trail
- Headlamp/Torch (very important)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Medicine/personal effects (eg. contact lense liquid)
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Camera or phone camera
- Portable battery charger
- Toilet paper (not usually found on trail)
- Small travel towel
- Cash/coins – small denominations – soles & dollars
Packing List
ESSENTIAL ITEMS:
- Original Passport
- VALID STUDENT ID CARD (if booked as a student)
- Immigration card (delivered on the airport upon entering Peru)
- Good quality backpack (medium sized)
- Water storage bottle or canteen: Camelbak bottles are recommended, but all need to be sufficient to hold 1-2 litres
- Comfortable shoes, preferably light with good soles (waterproof goretex for rainy seasons)
FOR YOUR BAGGAGE:
The horses have a luggage limit of 7kg per person. We therefore recommend only bringing essentials with you to Choquequirao.
- 4 Long sleeve shirts
- 4 Breathable t-shirts
- 4 Sets of underwear
- 4 Pairs of socks
- 2 Hiking trousers
- 2 Shorts (suitable for hiking)
- 2 Fleece
- 1 Waterproof coat and pants (for rainy seasons)
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Sandals – In case you want to visit the hot springs in Machu Picchu town
- Small quick-drying travel towel
- Portable battery charger for your phone and cameras
TOILETRIES:
- Sunscreen
- Facial moisturiser
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: band-aids, moleskin, etc.
Map
Additional Information
- Departure dates: We have groups for the Choquequirao trek every day of the year. But it is more advisable to make this trek between the months of April to December, since the months of January, February and March are the rainy season in Cusco.
Where does the tour start and end?
- All ours tours begins with the pick up to the tourists at the door of their hotels “We pick up to our clients from any hotel located in the city of Cusco”, We recommend to stay close to the historical center of the city of Cusco, it will make it easier to find your hotel.
- All our tours ends at the door of the hotels, it means the tours will finish with transfer to your respective hotel located in Cusco.
How to prevent altitude sickness?
- The altitude sickness or soroche can cause you some discomfort during your visit such as dizziness, fatigue or nausea. Try to avoid alcoholic beverages and fatty foods before the visit.
- To reduce symptoms, try to acclimatize yourself one day before to the altitude of the city of Cusco. We recommend to drink infusions of coca leaf (natural plant used by the Incas) is an excellent option to avoid the actitude sickness.
How is the accommodation?
- For all the tours which include hotels. We offer hotels of 3* and 4* category, it has spacious and comfortable rooms, bathrooms, hot showers and bueffet breakfast. If the tourist like, you can change the accommodation to a better service. You just have to request it via email for an additional cost.
Which season is the best time to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu?
- The dry season months between April to December are the best time to come and visit Cusco. During those days the possibility of rain is very little, so the roads are not swampy and the landscapes can be better to enjoy and takes the best pictures. On the other hand, the months with the most rain are January, February and March.
What are the coldest months in Cusco Peru?
- The coldest season in Cusco are in the months from May to July. During this time the sun is strong in the day, but once it goes down or you spend much time in the shade, it can get very cold. It can go below zero at night, so warm clothes and Jackets are necessary to bring during these months.
How long in advance can I request the tour?
- We recommend to purchase the tours weeks or months in advance, this because the train and Machu Picchu tickets has a limit of spaces, dont wait until the lust minute to book your tour, other ways you will not be able to find spaces.
During the trip to Machu Picchu, where the big luggages will stay?
The train company that operates to Machu Picchu does not allow the traveler to carry a suitcase that weighs more than 7 kilograms. To go up and visit the city of Machu Picchu, it is recommended to carry a light and small backpack for your convenience; the rest of the luggages you can leave them without any problem at the storage of your hotel in Cusco, or you can also leave at our office in Cusco city, we have an storage too.
Very Important in case you want to book the Inca trail to Machu Picchu:
- CLASSIC INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS: If you want to book the Classic Inca Trail 4 days, you must to book early to get your desired date. Depending on the month you prefer to do the hike, you may need to book 6 months or more in advance, the limit of spaces for the inca trail 4 days is 400 people per each day.
- SHORT INCA TRAIL: If you are booking the 1 or 2 day Inca Trail, it is preferred that you also book in advance, however 2 to 4 month in advance would be good, the limit of spaces for the short inca trail is 200 people per each day.
When is the best season to hike the Inca Trail?
- The best time of year to do the inca trail is between May to October, with August and September being the best months of all. The trail is dry and the weather is lovely. During the rainy season between November to April the trail will be wet and can make it more difficult.
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