Choquequirao Trek 

This ‘lost city’ Choquequirao (meaning ‘cradle of gold’) was discovered in the 18th century by a French explorer, it fascinated 19th century explorers and was also visited by Hiram Bingham prior to his discovery of Machu Picchu.
Grandiose and mysterious, this abandoned city has lots of parallels with Machu Picchu and there are a variety of theories about its function. It is only relatively recently, however, that COPESCO (the official body responsible for tourism in Peru) has partially cleared the site and there remains a lot more to be discovered.
Lying in a cloud forest, a dramatic 1150 metres (3772 feet) above the Apurimac River and surrounded by a fascinating landscape created by the Vilcabamba mountain range, Choquequirao has everything to offer a trekker. However, due to its remote location, few tourists visited this site in the past. Fortunately, COPESCO, have now also constructed a footbridge over the Apurimac River, below the site, making it more accessible to reach.
It is a challenging but amazing experience to hike down to the depths of Apurimac Canyon and then up to the site in the clouds…

PLEASE NOTE:WE ARE TAKING THE PATH OF CAPULIYUC  TO GET BETTER VIEWS AND WE ARE SKIPPING THE DUSTY ROAD OF CACHORA  WHERE THE  CARS PASS .

Day 0 : Evening Briefing In Cusco

Meet & greet with other guests where you receive important information for a great trekking experience.

Day 1 :Cachora -Coca Mansana – Playa Rosalina

We leave from Cusco early in the morning by private transport. Approx. at 5:30 we will arrive after 4 hours in Cachora (2,900m asl), a typical Andean town where we meet the rest of our trekking team. After a well deserved breakfast we start a two-hour trek to Capuliyoc (2,915m). On the way we get our first views of the Apurimac Valley stretching below and of the snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora (5,482m). Afterwards we descend through the eastern slopes of the Andes to reach Coca Masana (2,330m). The temperature becomes higher and the flora and fauna begin to change. Finally we arrive at Playa Rosalina (Rosalina Beach) at 1,550m, where we camp beside the raging Apurimac River.

Day 2:Playa Risalina – Maranpata or Choquequirao

Again we get up very early to start, after the breakfast, our walk to reach Maranpata or  Choquequirao after middday.
we will reach the archaeological site and we get to know it step by step, the great ability and intelligence which had the people who constructed this vestige which makes us seeing again the glorious time of Inca empire.
Admiring the beauty and with our heads full of ideas, we observe dauntless the condors flying, which around 3 p.m. appear in area of Choquequirao when they fly to higher zones.
Later we take a route to Raqaypata where we camp and after dinner we pass the night.

Day 3 : Choquequirao All Day

This day we will dedicate ourselves exclusively to enjoy all the magic of history and splendor of Choquequirao, with a guided visit and time to know whole the site with its 8 sectors, like barns, houses temples and also we will observe the three levels of the excavated ruins of this late Inca-town, like the ruin in progress of excavation and finally unexplored areas that can tell us about this last refuge of the oppressed inca empire terraces. Again, like in the morning this afternoon we have the opportunity to enjoy the majestic flight of condors which with big luck will pass very close to you. In the afternoon we will return to our campsite to have our lunch and then rest and enjoy the quietness of Choquequirao.

Day 4: Choquequirao – Santa Rosa – Chiquiska

After having Breakfast we will begin to go down towards Santa Rosa, where the vegetation will become abundant and the weather hotter so then. We will continue to the sector of Chiquiska for camping.

 Day 5: Chiquisca – Cachora – Cusco

Early in the morning after breakfast we continue to climbing 4 hours more aproximately until Mirador Capuliyoq.
After that we will continue to arrive to Cachora town on hike we can appreciate again the majestic Padreyoq snow hat decorate the Apurimac Canyon.Finally we will walk one more hour towards the village of Cachora where our private transport will wait for us to take us back to Cusco rriving to cusco by 5:00 or 6:00 pm .

IMPORTANT NOTE :

• All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions .
• Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, but because of the higher altitude in the Andes, the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night. We recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack, whichever is easiest for you to carry. A good size daypack is also essential.

Choquequirao Trek Includes :

• Collection from your hotel in the morning
• Transportation by bus to the start of the trail (Capuliyuc )
• English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 10 people)
• Kailas 4 season tents  – 2 persons in each 4-person capacity tent with plenty of space for your backpacks and better comfort. 3 season Ones.
• One inflatable sleeping pad per person thermarest  mattress
• Kitchen tent, Dining tent with camp tables and chairs
• Accommodations: 4 nights camping
• Accommodation for our crew
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Choquequirao Inca Site entrance fee
• Hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes (while hiking)
• Cook and Cooking equipment
• Excellent Meals (04B,04L,04D + 04 morning snacks)
• food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude
• We supply boiled water to fill in your water bottle all the time,(while hiking) if you may need more, please request it with enough time ahead to your crew
• Teatime the first three days (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn)
• Horses days 1-4 (for equipment and personal items, actually your main heavy stuff, will be carried by the horses, it means you only will carry a small day bag, day by day, we included 01 emergency horse to ride on, every 06 persons
• including horsemen
• Private Bus returning from Capuliyuc Town to Cusco City
• Transfer to your hotel

Choquequirao Trek Includes Dosen’t Include :

• Breakfast on the first day and lunch on the last day
• Sleeping bag
• Walking poles
• Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish.

Upgrade & Additional Things to Hire :

• Extra Horse to Carry extra things/10kg-
• Extra Horse To Ride /90kg-Weight Limit  Day 1 & 2 and Includes an Horseman to control the horse.
• Walking sticks(Black Diamond) : it can be rented from us. (02 poles –  for the entire trip)
• Sleeping bags: it can be rented from us.(for the entire trip)
• Airport pickup in Cusco USD $ 10

What You Need To Take :

• Walking boots (with ankle protectors )
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Warm jacket, hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable trousers
• Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
• Insect repellent minimum 30% deet
• Toiletries
• Personal medication
• Camera and films
• Torch with spare batteries

• Shorts
• Walking poles (with rubber tip) they can also be hired from us
• Plasters and bandages
• Sandals
• Bathing suit (for hot springs) in conoc , ( optional )
• Extra contribution suggested money for tipping porters ,cook and guide and for any emergency  (200 soles )

Appropriate clothing along this hike
Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the fourth day (if sunny) and in Machupicchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machupicchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.

Choquequirao Trek 5D 2016 – 2017 

• GROUP SERVICE : US$ per person & Students US$ per person (04-08 ppl Average – 12ppl Maximum over 10 ppl 02 Guides) /02 person to open a new group & any day you suit. (Based on availablity) If you are a Group over 06 people Write us to give you a discount.
• PRIVATE SERVICE : From 02ppl US$0 per person .From 03ppl US$0 per person.From 04ppl US$0 per person.From 05-06ppl US$0 per person. From 07-10ppl US$0. you can leave any day you suit. The Sleeping bag and walking poles included in the price . (Based on availablity)If you are a Group over 06 people Write us to give you a discount.

DISCOUNTS:

• Students: Discount of USD 20.00 dolars.To the students with valid card International Student Identity Card (ISIC) In case to be a student, the card must be properly scanned and send digitally to our e- mail before you pay the initial deposit for the reservation, in order to qualify for the discount .
• Teenagers: US$ 20.00 (up to 15 years of age, Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Group of 8 or more: Completely free !! Sleeping bags and trekking poles for groups of 8 or more. Groups must book together at the same time.

INCA TRAIL PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE. YOU CAN BOOK YOUR TRIP FOR THIS DATE, 2017.

ALL DEPARTURES 100% GUARANTEED AND WE LEAVE WITH 02 PEOPLE MINIMUM.
ENERO 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
FEBRUARY 2017: ONLY PRIVATE TOURS
MARCH 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
APRIL 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
MAY 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
JUNE 2016: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
JULY 2016: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
AUGUST 2016: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
SEPTEMBER 2016: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
OCTOBER 2016: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
NOVEMBER 2016: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
DECEMBER 2016: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.
JANUARY 2017: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30.

What will the weather be like on a Choquequirao trek?
The Andean weather can be unpredictable, despite the sharp divide between dry and wet seasons. The dry season runs from May to October or November; the rainy season goes from December through April. Nevertheless, Choquequirao lies in the forested fringes of the Amazon basin, where showers can occur at any time of year. Therefore, even in the “dry” season, your daypack should always include full rain gear (both jacket AND trousers).
Daytime temperatures can vary greatly, with daytime highs ranging from 10ºC/50ºF to 32ºC/90ºF and nightime lows ranging from 10ºC/50ºF to a cold 4ºC/40ºF, though seldom much lower. The floor of the Apurimac Canyon gets very hot during the day. Bring your swimsuit for a delicious dip in the river.

Who should NOT hike Choquequirao?
This is a good hike for almost anyone with overnight hiking experience. The well-tramped trail is steep — but relatively easy if you hire pack animals. Those with chronic knee, ankle or back injuries should choose another hike. There may be rough & muddy sections. Evacuation is difficult.
What’s the most difficult section?
We expected the 1800+m (ft) climb from the Apurimac River up to Choquequirao to be excruciating.Yet for us it did not seem difficult. (Perhaps it was the excitement of finally arriving at the ruins.)If you hike one of the longer routes, the day following your visit to Choquequirao may well be the most difficult.
Should I bring a GPS?
It is a great idea if you are doing one of the longer routes. Keep a record of your route. We could post it on this website.
Do hikers ever get lost?
Yes, it is possible to get lost between Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. This is good reason to hire an arriero or guide.If you are only hiking Cachora to the ruins, return — no problem. There is more signage here than on any trek in the world! Two competing series of coloured distance markers, both inaccurate, may confuse you.

What special gear should I bring?
Don’t forget:
Sunglasses
Toilet paper
Waterproof jacket
Sufficiently warm clothing
Lip protection from sun and wind
Cash
Disinfectant alcohol gel
We recommend disinfectant gel (sometimes called instant hand sanitizer) which you use to clean your hands before snack breaks & after toilet stops in the woods. Alcohol gel is essential hiking gear.
Stove fuel for almost any stove system can be purchased in Cuzco. Do not fly with it, obviously.
What footwear is best for Choquequirao?
You want to wear what fits you best & what works for you. No blisters! Most experts recommend hiking boots. Modern boots are remarkably light & comfortable. A pair of good boots & gaiters make you feel invincible in the mud. Some arrieros, by the way, hike in recycled-tire sandals! hiking boot abandoned on the Trail.

Do I need a water filter?
You definitely must treat water. Much of the trek is in grazing land.
Some make a distinction between these two:
Water filter removes protozoa & most bacteria
Water purifier removes protozoa & bacteria and deactivates viruses
Viruses are too small to be filtered so purifiers add something to disinfect them.
Make sure your purifier is well maintained & frequently cleaned.
You must either filter, boil, use iodine or water purification tablets.