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Choquequirao
The Choquequirao trek is a spectacular 60 km trek that will lead you to one of the last refuges of the Incas. Choquequirao, located at 3,100 metres is a huge archaeological complex still under excavation today and is located amongst the Salkantay sacred mountain and the Apurimac River canyon. This is a walk where you will find amazing mountain scenery as well as a diverse range of Andean flora and fauna.
Choquequirao means "cradle of gold" in Quechua although this is probably not its original Inca name, it is another "lost city of the Incas" located high on a ridge and surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks. The route has steep ups and downs, with changes of altitude in one day of over 1,600 metres and although you can expect usually warm weather during the day due to the lower altitude it can get cold at night.
The remoteness and inaccessibility of these ruins have discouraged visitors until fairly recently, when a footbridge over the Apurimac River below the ruins was constructed. Even today the ruins are still rarely visited though we expect this to change in the coming years as regulations for the Inca trail increase. We recommend allowing at least two days acclimatisation in Cusco prior to the trek departure THE TREK, 5 Days 4 Nights
Below is a sample itinerary of the walk to Choquequirao. Please bear in mind that timings and camps may vary. Porters carry your main bags and set up camp, and overnight stays are in tents.
Day 1: Cusco to Chiquisca We leave Cusco at 6.00 am in our private transport and drive towards Cachora, an Andean community located 4-5h from Cusco at 2800m/9184ft, the starting point of the trek where we meet our horsemen and horses. We start our hike climbing for two and a half hours towards the Abra Capuliyoc at 2750m/9020ft, where may we enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the Apurimac River Canyon. We then continue descending for two more hours towards Chiquisca, where we set our camp and spend the night. Day 2: Chiquisca to Choquequirao We leave Chiquisca as early as 6.00am to go down to Rosalina Beach, which will take about one hour. We then cross the Apurimac River and start climbing towards
Santa Rosa, zigzagging up a steep slope. This climb will take an approximated 2h and it is important that we leave early so that the heat does not make it more difficult than it has to be. In Santa Rosa, we make a half an hour break, where those who wish may try Cambray, a local sugar cane extract. Afterwards, we continue our hike slowly climbing for two and a half hours until we reach our lunch spot in Marampata. From here we walk another two hours until we reach the archaeological complex of Choquequirao, located at 3103m/10178ft, where we will set up camp and enjoy some free time to explore the terraces and buildings. When the sun starts to set, you might want to sit and contemplate the canyon, where condors are sometimes spotted.
Day 3: Choquequirao Today we enjoy a complete guided tour of the Choquequirao complex: we will visit the high parts (Hanan), and the lower parts (Urin), and some areas that are still covered in wild foliage and ready to be restored into the way it was when the Incas owned it. We will have the full day to explore the site and relax, enjoying the spectacular views that surround the area. Day 4: Choquequirao to Rosalina Beach This morning we start our walk back towards Santa Rosa, where we have lunch. We then continue descending for another 2 hours until we reach Rosalina Beach at 1450m/4756ft, where we might have time to take a refreshing dip in the waters of the Apurimac River. We camp and dine here. Day 5: Rosalina Beach to Cachora We leave camp after breakfast to start the two to three hour climb to Chiquisca, to then make our way back to the Abra Capuliyoc, close to which we have our lunch. In the afternoon, we continue on our two-hour return route to Cachora, where a private transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusco. Estimated arrival time around 9.00pm. |
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