Choquequirao Peru Trek

We leave Cusco early in the moring in private transportation, and drive towards Cachora. After driving for two and a half hours, stop in Tarawasi to visit the archaeological remains of an Inca Usno, a sacred place were ceremonies and celebrations were conducted.

After visiting Tarawasi, continue in private transportation across the Apurimac River to Saywite. Here you can visit the famous Inca White Rock that was believed to be the construction plan for the Tahuantinsuyo Empire, with carvings of animals representing the main deities.

From Saywite, continue on to Cachora, at 2800 meters above sea level. Enjoy a picnic lunch here at the trailhead, and then start the Choquequirao hike. Climb for 2.5 hours towards the Abra Capuliyoc at 2750 meters above sea level, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the Apurimac river canyon. Then continue descending 2 more hours towards Chiquisca, where we set our campsite and spend the night.

We leave Chiquisca as early as 6:00am to go down to Rosalina Beach, which will take about one hour. Then cross the Apurimac River and start climbing towards Santa Rosa, zigzagging up a steep slope. This climb will take approximately 2 hours. In Santa Rosa, take a half hour break, where those who wish may try cambray, a local sugar cane extract.

Then continue the hike, slowly climbing for 2.5 hours until reaching our lunch spot in Marampata. From here, walk another 2 hours until we reach the archaeological complex of Choquequirao, located at 3103 meters, where we will set up camp and enjoy some free time to explore the terraces and buildings. One of the most unique features of Choquequirao's stonework are the white stone llamas built into the terraces and walls. When the sun starts to set, you might want to sit and contemplate the canyon, where condors are sometimes spotted.

Today, enjoy a complete guided tour of the Choquequirao complex during the morning. Visit the high parts (Hanan), and the lower parts (Urin), and some areas that are still covered in wild foliage. It is estimated that Choquequirao is only about 1/3 excavated, and that the rest of the ruined city may be even larger than Machu Picchu.

After the tour, we start our walk back towards Santa Rosa, where we will have lunch. We then continue descending for another 2 hours until we reach Rosalina Beach at 1450 meters, where you might have time to take a refreshing dip in the waters of the Apurimac River. We will camp and dine here.

We leave camp after breakfast to start the 2 or 3 hour climb to Chiquisca, to then make our way back to the Abra Capuliyoc. Have lunch nearby and enjoy the sweeping views of the Andes mountains. In the afternoon, continue the 2 hour return to Cachora, where there will be a private bus waiting to take us back to Cusco. Estimated arrival time around 9.00pm.

You may want to extend your trip with the 5-day version of the trek, which includes the archaeological ruins of Raqaypata. You also may want to include an excursion to Machu Picchu at the end of your trek - just contact our travel consultants for a free quote that includes a Machu Picchu tour.