CHOQUEQUIRAO CLASSIC TREK 5 Days

A day full of beautiful landscapes and fresh Andean air.

We will start our exciting adventure very early in the morning. We will pick you up at your hotel to travel in our private transportation to Cachora. On the way, we will contemplate the impressive glacier mountains of Salkantay and Humantay in the distance. Once we arrive in Cachora, we will visit the town and walk through its picturesque streets that tell us all about its rich culture. We will enjoy a nutritious and delicious breakfast. Then, we continue to Capuliyoc (2,890 m / 9,482 ft) and meet the rest of our trekking team: cooks and muleteers, who will carry our belongings all the way. After going over the last details, we will trek through the Apurimac Canyon. We will zigzag down for approximately three hours to Chiquisca (1,900 m / 6,234 ft), a beautiful hamlet full of fruit fields.

During the trail, we will be able to contemplate the impressive scenery that the Apurimac Valley offers, as well as have the opportunity to appreciate the majestic flight of the condor and the impressive views of two giant glacier mountains called Padreyoc and Qoriwayrachina. As we begin to approach deeper into the valley, the heat, the abundant vegetation and the rhythmic sounds of the rushing Apurimac River become more and more noticeable.

Hours later, we will arrive at the tropical hamlet of Chiquisca, a warm green camp in the middle of the arid mountain where we will have dinner and spend the night.

• Time: 6 Hours Approx. of walking.
• Distance:
• Climate: Temperate, Cold
• Maximum Altitude: between 2, 920 – 3, 800 masl.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Overnight: Huacawasi
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Witness the beautiful sunset in the Andean sky.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast to recharge our batteries, we will continue our journey and start our hike. A zigzagging ascent to Marampata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft) awaits us, where you will be able to take some impressive photos of the canyon and the snow-capped peaks that surround you.

We will start with a one hour and fifteen minute descent to reach the deepest part of the valley known as Playa Rosalinas (1,500 m / 4,921 ft). We will cross the pedestrian bridge to begin the hardest part of our trek. On the way, we will make a brief stop at the village of Santa Rosa (1,970 m / 6,463 ft), where you can enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our team to recover energy; we will continue ascending for approximately three hours until we reach the Marampata camp. In the afternoon, you will enjoy the impressive surroundings and feel the energy that this spectacular place has near the citadel of Choquequirao. You will also take advantage of the moment to stretch your muscles and enjoy a beautiful sunset that floods the endless valleys and white glacial mountains with its soft orange light. When it starts to get dark, we will see the beautiful sunset accompanied by a sky full of thousands of stars covering the landscape and the vegetation around us. Then it will be time to have dinner before going to bed to rest.

• Time: Approx. 8 hours of hiking.
• Distance: 14 Km.
• Weather: Cold
• Maximum Altitude: 3, 800 masl.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Overnight: Qelcanca
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The highlight of the day:

Discover the secrets of the amazing Choquequirao archaeological complex.

Explore and discover the ancient wonder of Choquequirao.

We will start the day with a delicious breakfast that will give you a boost of energy. Then, we will take the day to explore every detail of this incredible Inca site located in the mountains and very close to the deepest canyon in the entire South American continent. You can already imagine the incredible landscapes that surround this colossal Inca construction. We will visit the most impressive corners of this place and our guide will share with you the fascinating stories of the past and the reason why it was built.

Choquequirao (3,050 m / 10,007 ft) is much larger than Machu Picchu, with plazas, temples and impressive platforms that will make you constantly ponder the question: How could the Incas build this on top of the mountains? You will enjoy a picnic lunch at noon and have time to rest and recover your energy.

Do not miss the famous white stone llamas that adorn the platforms built on the hillside and are located in the direction of the mountain that protects this sector known as the Apu Qoriwayrachina. According to experts, only an average of 40% of the entire site is visible and, in many ways, Choquequirao remains a mystery. We are sure that in the coming years we will learn even more about this amazing complex.

At the end of the day, we will return to our camp at Marampata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft) and enjoy a delicious dinner. Afterwards, you can go to bed to contemplate the incredible day you just had and rest.

• Time: 7 Hours Approx. of trekking.
• Distance: 14 Km.
• Climate: Cold – Temperate
• Maximum Altitude: 3, 800 masl. – 2040 masl
• Difficulty: Moderate – Low
• Overnight stay: Aguas Calientes Hotel
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Highlight of the day: Spend time with the locals of the Andean community and learn more about their culture.

Relax and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty of this amazing part of the world.

After another delicious breakfast, we will begin our return from Choquequirao. Farewell for now to this unique site, be sure to take one last look at it before we leave. First, we will have another opportunity to take pictures of the great canyon from Marampata; then, we will descend for two hours until we reach Santa Rosa (2,970 m/ 6,463 ft), lunch point. On the way, you will have the opportunity to observe the enormous variety of vegetation in this part of the trail. After lunch, we will continue to Playa Rosalinas and dip our feet in the cold waters of the Apurimac River in the middle of the canyon. Then, we will climb to the Chiquisca camp (1,900 m / 6,234 ft.), located in the backyard of the house of one

backyard of a local family’s house. Take advantage of this time to make new friends and learn about the Andean lifestyle as well as their customs and traditions. Here, you will be able to observe up close the deep relationship that Andean communities have with Pachamama or Mother Nature.

After a delicious dinner, you can rest peacefully at night in our cozy camp and reflect on your trip.

Highlight of the day: Relax in the hot springs and rest your muscles after days of hiking.

Relax in the hot springs before returning to Cusco.

Today we will enjoy the last breakfast of our epic adventure while listening to the mighty roar of the river. Afterwards, we will leave as early as possible to avoid the sun getting in the way of our hike, as it can make things very difficult at high altitude. Take a deep breath and focus on the energy of mother nature as you hike for four hours to Capuliyoc.

Once there, we will say goodbye to the trekking team and board our private transportation that will take us to see the famous Saywite monolith, a colossal rock sculpted with more than 200 geometric and zoomorphic figures.

You will discover that this place was a center of religious worship for the Inca people, centered on water and of great importance to their culture. After learning all about the history of the place, we will continue to the Conoc thermal baths to relax and rest in its warm waters. Our lunch will be ready after enjoying these refreshing pools and we will begin our journey back to the city of Cusco. Take advantage of this last opportunity to observe the immense glacial mountains that have lovingly embraced you along the route and allowed you to safely reach each destination along the way. Your body will probably be very tired, but the joy and satisfaction you will feel in your soul will be incomparable. We will arrive in the city of Cusco at approximately 6:00 p.m. and we will leave you at the door of your hotel so that you can finally rest and relax.