Choquequirao is situated at 3055 meters/10023 feet above sea level. It is located on a large Andean plateau in the province of Convencion, in the middle of the Vilcabamba valley. Its archaeological sites are as important as Machupicchu, and that is why it has been called Peru’s “other lost city”. Archaeologists think that it is one of the many lost citadels in Vilcabamba where the Incas took refuge in 1536 following the Spanish invasion. Choquequirao is an extraordinary complex with hundreds of terraces, rooms, and irrigation systems, though currently only 30% of the ruins are accessible.
The Choquequirao archaeological center is made up of nice sections including the religious-political center, the irrigation and fountain systems, and the group of main doors. The architecture is distributed around a main square and then complemented by surrounding teraces. The archaeological sites are distributed on the lower part of the Choquequirao hill and they are grouped into different quarters. Each one is separated a little from the next, probably with a functional or social purpose.
The trip to Choquequirao is long and tiring, but unforgettable at the same time. To get to Choquequirao, we will leave Cusco on the road to Abancay and at km 154 we will turn towards Cachora Village where the trek will begin. The route starts at 2900 meters/9514 feet above sea level. On the second day we will hike up to 3085 meters/10121 feet above sea level to where Choquequirao is located.
Next Departures: Consult us
Service: Private
Duration: 7 days / 6 Nights
Day 1 : Cusco – Capuliyoq – Playa Santa Rosa
We depart Cusco early in the morning in our private transportation and drive to the town of Capuliyoq. Along the way, there is the option to visit the interesting archaeological sites of Sawite and Tarawasi for 20 soles each stop. Upon our arrival to the San Pedro de Cachora village, we get our first glimpses of the breathtaking Vilcabamba Mountain Range. Enjoying the impressive landscapes of the Apurimac Canyon, we continue downhill along the trail to the Apurimac River, we cross a bridge and begin to ascend the trail on the opposite side. Overnight camp at Santa Rosa.
L, D
Day 2 : Santa Rosa – Choquequirao
On this day we have a steep hike up the rugged trail to the remarkable archaeological complex of Choquequirao (3300m) – extensive ruins far bigger than Machu Picchu, perched 1500m above the roaring Apurimac River. During the ascent we enjoy spectacular views of the natural landscape that surrounds this fascinating Inca refuge. We will set up camp near the ruins but we will wait until the morning to have the official guided tour of the ruins.
B, L, D
Day 3 : Choquequirao – Pinchaynuyoc
In the morning, we have plenty of time to explore the extensive terraces, ceremonial dwellings, and sacred temples of the Choquequirao archaeological complex. There is an enormous curving bank of fine terracing, a chain of ritual baths and a central plaza surrounded by fine ceremonial and high status residential architecture. Large areas still remain covered in the thick cloud forest giving an insight into how the first explorer’s felt arriving at this deserted city. Later we follow an Inca water canal out of the citadel through cloud forest and highland prairie with views of the Vilcabamba Range and the sub-tropical valley below. In the afternoon we arrive to the recently discovered stone remains covered in moss at Pinchaynuyoc, where we camp for the night.
B, L, D
Day 4 : Pinchaynuyoc – Maizal
To day the trail takes us through dry Andean highland forest then descends into the Rio Blanco valley. From the river, we make another steep climb to Maizal, from where we enjoy amazing views of three converging valleys and the great snowy peaks of Salkantay and Padrilloc. One of the most beautiful places on our trip, we camp here for the night.
B, L, D
Day 5 : Maizal – Yanama – Lucmabamba
We begin with a long clime through cloud forest and over dry puna covered in Ichu grass to the San Juan pass (4050m.) From here we can spot remnants of the Victoria mines and a network of well-preserved Inca trails. After reaching our second pass at Choqueqatarpo (4000m.) we descend to Yanama, a small village at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains. Here we say goodbye to our team of arrieros. And then enjoy a spectacular drive on a brand new road over the Totora pass and down to the small hamlet and Inca terraces at Lucmabamba.
B, L, D
Day 6 : Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes
Our final day of hiking takes us through lush vegetation of coffee and tropical fruit plantations, into pristine cloud forest. We follow an ancient Inca Trail to Llactapata, an Inca site that is only recently being excavated. We will also have a truly amazing view of Machu Picchu that few tourists get to see from the back.
We descend sharply to the Urubamba valley and the hydroelectric plant train station. From here we take the zigzagged trail down to the hydroelectric dam on the Urubamba River and then to the bustling tourist town now known as Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly called Aguas Calientes). Here we check into our hotel.
B,L,D
Day 7 : Machu Picchu – Cusco
We take the early bus from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary for an in-depth tour of these magnificent Inca remains. After the tour we have plenty of time to explore the terraces, dwellings, and ceremonial temples on our own. As an extra addition we can also climb the towering Huayna Picchu, meaning Young Mountain, for awesome views of the landscape below (due to permit restrictions, please let us know when booking if you want to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain). In the afternoon we take bus down to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon you will catch a train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy. Your train return time will depend on how far in advance you are booking; once in Poroy there will be a transfer waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
B,
* Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the evolution of the group.
Included
| Information: Private | | Private Serv. |
| Transfer by bus from Cusco to Capuliyoc | yes |
| Profesional Guide (english speaking) | yes |
| Cook (In charge of meal preparation) | yes |
| Horsemen and Horses to carry tents, food and cooking equipment | yes |
| Plus 1 emergency horse | yes |
| Horses can carry your backpack for a maximun of: | 10 kilos |
| Meals: 6 breakfast, 6 lunches, 6 dinners | yes |
| 2 people in each 3-person-capacity tent | yes |
| Matress (sleeping pad) | air |
| Dinner tent, bathroom tent, kitchen tent, tables and chairs, table settings, first Aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle. | yes |
| Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco / to Ollantaytambo and Bus to Cusco | yes |
| Tranfer to the hotel Cusco | yes |
Not Included / aditionals
| Service | Price |
| Feather sleeping bag | US$5 per day |
| Sintetic sleeping bag | US$4 per day |
| Trekking poles rental | US$5 per day |
| Single accommodation | US$5 per day |
| Buffete lunch in Aguas Calientes | US$ 20 |
