Visit CHOQUEQUIRAO! Our 5-day Choquequirao Tour is one of the most beautiful and incredible experiences that you cannot miss. This archaeological center is a very extensive archaeological park with different areas to explore.
We have urban areas, religious sites, food storage, irrigation systems, aqueducts, priest's house, Usnu (ceremonial and offering area on the mountain crest), priest's house, the sector of white stone llamas, agricultural terraces with cascading waterfalls.
In other words, arriving at Choquequirao after a two-day hike is much more rewarding to explore this complex for a whole day. That's why we designed CHOQUEQUIRAO EXPLORER, where visitors can feel one hundred percent satisfied with the visit and enjoy nature at its fullest.
The Choquequirao Trek departs from Cusco between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. in a tourist transport, heading to the Andean community of Cachora, at 2800 meters above sea level. After a walk of approximately 25 minutes to Capuliyoc, where muleteers and mules are located, a two-and-a-half-hour ascent begins towards the Capuliyoc pass, near the Apurímac River. From this point, panoramic views of the Apurímac River Canyon and mountain landscapes are enjoyed. Then, there is a two-hour descent to Chiquisca, spotting birds and possibly foxes, vizcachas, and pumas. Chiquisca serves as the initial camp for travelers undertaking the hike to Choquequirao, where the camp is set up for an overnight stay.
Walking Time for the Day: Approximately 4 hours.
Climate: Warm with mosquitoes.
Overnight camping in Chiquisca.
After a revitalizing breakfast in Chiquisca, we start our walk at approximately 6:00 a.m. towards Playa Rosalina, a short 30-minute journey. Crossing the Apurímac River, we face the steep ascent to Santa Rosa, which takes about 2 hours. Starting early is key to avoiding intense heat and making the walk more manageable.
Once in Santa Rosa, we take a 30-minute break before continuing our ascent to Marampata, a journey of two and a half hours. In Marampata, located at an altitude of 2850 meters, we stop for lunch and enjoy spectacular views of Choquequirao, known as the sister of Machu Picchu and situated at 3103 meters above sea level. Our campsite will be just 20 minutes from the Choquequirao Archaeological Center.
Walking Time for the Day: Approximately 7 hours.
Climate: Warm and cold at night.
Overnight camping.
On this day, we start at 6 am with breakfast before exploring Choquequirao. In the morning, we visit the lower part, observing agricultural terraces in challenging terrain, accompanied by cliffs and water channels. We explore the priest's house, waterfalls, and capture the surroundings in photographs. After lunch, we head to the upper part of Choquequirao to explore its impressive buildings and warehouses (colcas), as well as the USNU (religious and offering center).
We visit the priest's house and the white stone llamas with astronomical function. We await the magical sunset over the Apurímac River before returning to the camp, concluding a day full of exploration and admiration.
Overnight camping.
In the morning, we embark on a guided tour of the remarkable Choquequirao Archaeological Center, recognized as the "Sister Citadel of Machu Picchu." Built in the 15th century in the canyon of the Apurímac River, Choquequirao goes beyond its administrative and religious function, representing Inca wisdom. Guided by an expert, we explore this citadel where only 30% of the ruins are currently uncovered and restored, anticipating that it will become a comparable attraction to Machu Picchu in the future.
The experience includes the exploration of advanced hydraulic systems, the Grand Complex, the Main Plaza, religious and elite areas, and extensive agricultural terraces. Then, a walk back to Marampata and through the Apurímac Canyon culminates in our camp in Chiquisca, at 1930 meters, lasting approximately 6 hours in warm weather. The day ends with a camping night in Chiquisca.
Walking Time for the Day: Approximately 6 hours.
Climate: Warm.
Overnight camping in Chiquisca.
We leave the camp after breakfast to begin the ascent of approximately two to three hours to CHIKISCCA (Chiquisca), and then make our way back to the Capuliyoc pass, near which we have our lunch. In the late afternoon, we embark on our two-hour return journey to Cachora. There, transportation awaits to take us back to Cusco.
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Our Choquequirao Trek begins very early. We depart from Cusco between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. approximately in our tourist transport and head towards Cachora, an Andean community located 4 to 5 hours from Cusco at 2800 m.a.s.l./9184 ft. Here is the starting point of our hike, surrounded by Andean mountains and snow-capped peaks (we will be accompanied by the impressive view of Nevado Padreyoc, which in Spanish means "the place of the Father").
We'll have a short 25-minute walk to Capuliyoc, where we meet our muleteers and mules. We begin our ascent for two and a half hours to the Capuliyoc pass, near the Apurímac River at an altitude of approximately 2,915 m.a.s.l./ 9,563 ft. From Capuliyoc, travelers can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Apurímac River canyon and the mountainous landscapes that characterize the area.
Then, we descend for an additional two hours until we reach Chiquisca. On the way, we can spot local birds and, if we are observant, foxes, vizcachas, and pumas. This place serves as one of the initial camps for travelers making the trek to Choquequirao. Here is where we'll set up our camp and spend the night.
Walking Time on the Day: Approximately 7 hours.
Weather: Warm with mosquitoes.
Night of camping in Chiquisca.
In the morning, after recharging and having breakfast, we leave Chiquisca at around 6:00 a.m. heading to Playa Rosalina (1500 m.a.s.l / 4921 ft.), which will take approximately 30 minutes. Next, we cross the Apurímac River and begin the ascent to Santa Rosa, zigzagging up a steep slope. This ascent takes around 2 hours, and it's crucial to start early to avoid the heat making the trek more challenging than it needs to be.
In Santa Rosa, we'll take a break of about thirty minutes. Afterward, we'll resume our hike, ascending slowly for two and a half hours until we reach our lunch spot in Marampata (2850 m.a.s.l / 9350 ft.). From here, we'll have an incredible view of Choquequirao (Machu Picchu's sister), situated at 3103 m/10178 ft above sea level. We'll camp here, just 20 minutes from the Choquequirao Archaeological Center.
Walking Time on the Day: Approximately 7 hours.
Weather: Warm during the day and cold at night.
Night of camping.
This day, we wake up at 6 am, have our breakfast, and begin the exploration and visit of the site.
We will visit the lower part of Choquequirao, where we can observe agricultural terraces in a challenging terrain full of cliffs and water channels that irrigated the entire area. We'll visit the priest's house, the waterfalls, and stay taking pictures and soaking in the beauty until lunchtime.
In the afternoon, after our lunch and a short rest, we head to the upper part of Choquequirao, where we will explore the noble part of this site with its impressive architectural structures, food storehouses called (colcas), the USNU religious and offering center, the priest's house, and the white stone llamas with astronomical functions, etc.
We'll wait for the magical sunset over the Apurímac River before returning to our camp, concluding a day full of exploration and admiration.
Night of camping.
In the morning, we have an unforgettable experience with a guided tour of the Choquequirao Archaeological Center, recognized as the "Sister Citadel of Machu Picchu." Built in the 15th century in the canyon of the Apurímac River, Choquequirao goes beyond its administrative and religious function, representing Inca wisdom.
Our professional guide will immerse us in the stories and secrets of Choquequirao, where currently only 30% of the ruins are discovered and restored. It is expected that in the coming years, this place will be revealed as an attraction comparable to Machu Picchu.
We will discover the advanced hydraulic systems, tour the Great Complex, the Main Plaza, religious and elite areas, and extensive agricultural terraces that sustained the population of Choquequirao.
After this cultural immersion, we'll start our walk back to Marampata and beyond, into the depths of the Apurímac canyon, where we will continue our ascent through the forest until we reach our camp in Chiquisca at 1930 meters / 6332 ft.
Walking Time on the Day: Approximately 6 hours.
Weather: Warm.
Night of camping in Chiquisca.
Finally, we reach our last day of adventure. We leave the camp after a delicious breakfast to start the ascent to the Capuliyoc pass, where we will enjoy a well-deserved lunch. In the afternoon, we continue our two-hour journey back to Cachora, where comfortable transportation awaits to take us back to Cusco. Thus, we conclude our Choquequirao tour. We sincerely thank you for choosing us as your option to explore, and we hope to have provided you with an unforgettable experience, full of charming moments and precious memories.
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