Choquequirao “Cradle of Gold” Trek |
code: CHQTRE5- Duration: 5 Days / 4 Night
- Activity: Hiking / Trekking, Archaeology
- Transport: land transport, walking
- Accommodation: Camping (4 Nights)
- Treking Grades: Moderate/Demanding ?
- Group Size: Minimum 2, Maximum 12
- Type Service: Shared Group Service ?
Highlights:
Choquequirao, The last refuge of the Incas, amazing mountain scenery, deep canyon, quieter trails, less tourists
Difficulty degree of this hike:
Hard/Challenging: The route has steep ups and downs, with changes of altitude in one day of over 1600m/5200ft and usually warm weather during the day due to the lower altitude vs Cusco.
Amazing Trek to Choquequiraw “Sister of Machu Picchu”
Choquequirao is much different than Machu Picchu Choquequirao sits in the saddle of a high Andean ridge (3033m/9948ft) above sea level and 1500m/4920ft above the roaring waters of the Apurimac River.
US$ 540 Starting Price
Price per Person- Single Supplement: US$ 30?
- Additional Services ?
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Day 1 - Cusco, Cachora / Chiquisca
Pick up from the Hotel at 05:00 and transfer in our private transportation to Cachora (2850m/9348ft) the journey will take around 4hrs. While the group is having breakfast the crew will arrange the horses for the trek. We start to walk from Cachora observing the majestic Padrayoc snow covered peak, the highest (5482m/17980ft). The hike on this first day is 16 km around 6hrs walking starts by flat part. From the viewpoint of Capuliyoc where it might see condors, the descent towards the Apurímac Canyon, and the vegetation changes from Agave and Tunacactus to dwarf tree forest, having lunch at Cocamasana, then we continue to Chiquisqa (1950m/6398ft), campsite in ChiquiscaTotal distance 16 km (9, 93 miles)
Estimated walking time 5- 6 hours
Maximum altitude point (2850m/9348ft)
Day 2 - Chiquisca / Choquequirao Archeological Site
Breakfast; early in the morning we start to walk from here and continue the descent to the abundant Apurímac River (1550m/5028ft) in the impressing deep canyon of the same name. After a short rest continue the hike going up to Choquequirao Archeological Site. The first 2-3 hours are going up steep until Santa Rosa, then it will change between flat and climb the rest of the way surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. Lunch at Maranpata (2850m/9348ft) then continue to Choquequirao (3033m/9948ft) after 2hrs walking arrival to our camping place from where we have a spectacular view of the canyon, it is also possible to see Andean Condors soaring in the mountains. Campsite near ChoquequiraoTotal distance 14 km (8, 70 miles)
Estimated walking time 6-7 hours
Maximum altitude point (3033m/9948ft)
Day 3 – Explore Choquequirao
Breakfast; this day enjoying a complete guided tour of the Choquequirao complex means “Cradle of Gold” visiting 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. The steep mountainside below the main plaza features several clusters of newly-discovered buildings, including the so-called Ridge Group, and the Waterfall Temple, an intriguing ceremonial complex facing the cascades of a steep ravine.Day 4 - Choquequirao / San Ignacio / Carmen Huerto
Breakfast; we start to walk down route pretty different from the ones walked before. Going through this new pass we will have some impressive views, for instance at the canyon of Apurimac, in its´ greater length, and a lot of flora and fauna. We will go through a height difference of 1500m/4920ft between Choquequirao and Playa San Ignacio (1500m/4950ft). Lunch in San Ignacio, after lunch ascent to our camping place at a paradisiacal place known as Carmen Huerto (2000m/6560)Total distance 12 km (7, 45 miles)
Estimated walking time 5-6 hours
Maximum altitude point (3033m/9948ft)
Day 5 - Carmen Huerto / Huanipaca / Back to Cusco
Breakfast; after early breakfast, hiking up out of the Apurimac Canyon, with the river receding to a distant, white ribbon below visitors and the glaciers of the Vilcabamba Range filling the sky ahead. On the route we will be visiting communities like Pacobamba and Huanipaca (3150m/10332ft). From Huanipaca we will have the most impressive view of the glacier chain ´Sacsarayoc´, located in the region of Vilcabamba ”the last shelter of the Incas”, our trek will end in Huanicapa, where our private transport will be waiting to take us and back to CuscoMeal Include: Breakfast, LunchTotal distance 10 km (6, 21 miles)
Estimated walking time 5-6 hours
Maximum altitude point (3150m/10332ft)
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US$ 540 per Person (*) - Shared Group Service?
- (*) Price based in sharing tent 2 people
Single Supplement: US$ 30?
Ask for our private pricesOptional Services:
- Sleeping bag during the tour ( -10°C): add US$ 30
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What is included?
- Pre-departure briefing
- Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
- Private transport to Cachora, head of the Trek
- Private transport from Huanipaca (end of the Trek) to Cusco
- Entrance fee to Choquequirao
- English Speaking Professional Guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons)
- 4 Season tents, 2 people in each 3-people-capacity tent
- Thermal Rest Mattresses
- Horsemen and horses: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses (Max. 9 kilos/ 19 lbs per person)
- One emergency horse every three persons
- Chef and cooking equipment
- Dining tent with tables, chairs and Kitchen tent
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food)
- Toilet tent
- Accommodation for all our staff
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
- Sleeping bag (can be hired in our office for US$ 30 for the 4 day trek)
- Extra porter to carry your personal things like sleeping bag, clothes, etc
- Tips for the guide, cook and porters
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Domestic airfare to and from Cusco (+/- US$ 290 per person round trip)
- Visa fees (if required)
- Passport & Visa Costs
- Vaccination Costs
- Personal Spending Money
- Drinks
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Airport departure taxes
- Border taxes or fees
- Machu Picchu extensions
- Cusco Add Ons (Hotel and tours)
- Lima Add ons (Hotel and tours)
- Amazon Jungle Trips
- Northern Peru
- Lake Titicaca
- Lima City stop over or Arequipa extension
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Equipment List / Check List:
- Travel documents: original passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, vouchers
- Health requirements arranged
- Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card
- A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
- Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
- Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
- Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold, Sun block
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
- Handkerchiefs and Toilet paper
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water -sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
- Small towel
- Cash in soles and/or US$
- Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
- Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites)
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Book now with Sun Gate Tours
Step 1
Before make any booking, you must read carefully our Booking Terms & ConditionsStep 2: Check your personal information
The following client information is requested for any Trip booking:- Complete names and surnames
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Student with ISIC card: Yes/No
Details should be filled in for each group member. Please do not make a reservation until you have all the details below. We cannot accept a booking without all the names, nationalities, passport numbers, ages, etc
Also you have to check if you need any additional service like:
- Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class
- Sleeping bag during the tour ( -10°C)
- Extra night at Aguas Calientes after the trek
Step 3: Check the availability on the calendar
As soon you have all the information above, please check the availability and click on Check Availability CalendarStep 4: Deposit to secure the trip
To secure a booking with Sun Gate Tours, the client must deposit minimum US$ 200 per person. The deposit is non-refundable.