Choquequirao Trek 4 days & 3 nights
The archeological monument of Choquequirao corresponds with an Inca City which has scattered sectors with divers functions and which communicates by means of footpaths to the main square. This square is defined by constructions of different uses, has a ceremonial character and has 2 living levels. The remains of the monument show that the city was suddenly abandoned. You can see temples of the sun and of the earth, real residences, sleeping rooms for Mitimaes and residences for farmers. You can find here also one of the most profound canyons of the world: Canyon del Apurimac.
Choquequirao, considered the second Machu Picchu, is one of Peru’s recently-discovered archaeological and cultural treasures currently being prepared to opened to tourists from all over the world. To date, only 30% of the complex has been cleared for visits by Peruvians and foreigners alike, due to the fact the site has yet to undergo a rigorous scientific investigation.
Day 1: We leave from Cusco at 4:00 am in the morning. Arriving at Cachora town at 6:30 in the morning where we will have our breakfast. Here after we arrange the equipment on mules and horses. From that place we can observe the majestic Padrayoc snow-covered peaks, it is 5482 m.a.s.l. The hike on this first day is 21.70 km of distance. On the way we will observe Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora snow-covered peaks, we can appreciate the beautiful change of the landscape from precipices to snowy mountains. We have our lunch in a place called Playa Rosalina at 1:00 pm. On the way we will observe Apurimac canyon with its impressive depth and in Santa Rosa we will set up our campsite. The approximate time of the hike is about 10 h. On this day we will pass the small settlements: La Colmena (2870m.a.s.l.), La Aguada (2915m.a.s.l.), Capuliyoc (2915 m.a.s.l.) impressive look out point where we can see all Apurimac Valley, Huayhuacalle (2970m.a.s.l.), Tinajayoc (2630 m.a.s.l.), Mirador (2370 m.a.s.l.), Cocamasana (2330m.a.s.l.), Torowisqana (2285 m.a.s.l.), Chiquiska (1950 m.a.s.l.) grove place where we can find water, Playa Rosalina (camp in 1550 m.a.s.l.), La Huerta (2705 m.a.s.l.) and finally we arrive in Santa Rosa (2115 m.a.s.l.).
Day 2: Early morning (5:00 am) after breakfast, we continue our hike going up to Choquequirao. We will arrive to the archaeological place Choquequirao after 5 hours. Good time to enjoy that majestic place. We will observe the three levels of the excavated ruin, where we can appreciate houses, terraces and other parts of this late Inca-town, like the ruin in progress of excavation and finally areas unexplored that can tell us about this last refuge of the oppressed inca empire. Approximately at 3 o'clock in the afternoon (depends of the weather) we can appreciate "the flight of the Condors". Choquequirao is considered as "The Last Refuge of the Inca Empire". The oldest reports assign to Juan Arias Diaz as one of the first persons that explored the zone in 1710. Our bilingual guide will explain the history and importance of the site after the Spanish arrived to Peru. We will have our lunch and dinner in Raqaypata (2910 m.a.s.l.)
Day 3:After an early breakfast we pack and start walking back to Chiquiska. On the way we can observe again Apurimac canyon . Here we may be lucky to appreciate the flight of the Condors, the exuberant vegetation and its variety of flowers and orchids. The time of the hike is about 10h. Altitude: 3033-1950 m.a.s.l. Passing the same small settlements as on the way up. We will stop in Playa Rosalina where we will have our lunch and after that we'll continue to Chiquiska. Here we will spend the night on our campsite.
Day 4: After an early breakfast we pack and start walking back to Chiquiska. On the way we can observe again Apurimac canyon . Here we may be lucky to appreciate the flight of the Condors, the exuberant vegetation and its variety of flowers and orchids. The time of the hike is about 10h. Altitude: 3033-1950 m.a.s.l. Passing the same small settlements as on the way up. We will stop in Playa Rosalina where we will have our lunch and after that we'll continue to Chiquiska. Here we will spend the night on our campsite.