HIKING CHOQUEQUIRAO THE LAST REFUGE OF INCA NOBILITY 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

Altitude : 2050 - 4200 meters / 6725 - 13780 feet.
High Season : March - October.
Duration : 04 days / 05 nights.
Level : hard.

This trek will allow you to visit the canyon of the Apurimac river where you will discover Choquequirau that means "Cradle of Gold", an amazing archaeological site made by the Incas.

Day 1: Cusco, Cachora to Chiquisca (3300 masl, 2800 masl, 1930 masl)

We leave Cusco for Cachora through Abancay early in the morning. Cachora is a small village, situated at 2850meters in the province of Apurimac, surrounded by majestic snow-peaks such as the Padreyoc (5571m). It's the place where we meet with our horsemen and their mules, which will carry all our camping equipment, and start hiking. The road to the pass of Capuliyoc (2800m) is flat. At the pass we enjoy the sight over the Apurimac Cañon and part of the trail direction the archeological remains of Choquequirao. After six hours hike we finally arrive at our first campsite called Chiquisca (1930m).

2nd Day - Chiquisca - Rosalina beach - Marampata - Choquequirao ( 1930 - 1550 - 2850 - 3033m)

We leave Chiquisca as early as 6.00am to go down to Rosalina Beach (1550masl), which will take about one hour. We then cross the Apurimac River and start climbing towards Santa Rosa, zigzagging up a steep slope. This climb will take an approximated 2h, and it is important that we leave early so that the heat does not make it more difficult than it has to be. In Santa Rosa, we make a half an hour break, where those who wish may try Cambray, a local sugar cane extract. Afterwards, we continue our hike slowly climbing for two and a half hours until we reach our lunch spot in Marampata. From here we walk another two hours until we reach the archaeological complex of Choquequirao, located at 3103m/10178ft, where we will set up camp and enjoy some free time to explore the terraces and buildings. When the sun starts to set, you might want to sit and contemplate the canyon, where condors are sometimes spotted. We hike about 7 hours today in a rather warm climate. Meals: B, L, D

Day 3. Choquequirao to san Ignacio beach (3033 masl, 1500 masl)

We have the half day to explore this stunning Inca settlement. As mysterious as Machu Picchu, its name means “Cradle of Gold”. Early Spaniards knew of this place, yet its remoteness protected it. French explorers visited it in the 19th century, and in 1909 Hiram Bingham was first to scientifically investigate the site. Some speculate that the emperor Topa Inca had it built as a personal spiritual retreat, to rival his father Pachacuti’s magnificent estate at Machu Picchu. Whoever built this place, it was undoubtedly an elite settlement, built for ceremonial purposes and occupied by Inca nobility. The Apurimac River roars distantly 1,450m./4,800 ft. below, visible on either side of a steep ridge to which clings the Inca city. As we approach the heart of the city, a sweep of enormous curved terraces leads our eye to an artificial hill and ceremonial platform overlooking the main plaza. Here is possible to see Andean Condors soaring over the complex of temples, mausoleums, royal residences, ritual baths and water channels, great gathering halls, storehouses, hidden gardens and a giant stairway, all still standing as testimony to the careful planning of Inca engineers. Excavation work at the site is very recent, and archaeologists are continually uncovering hitherto unknown areas and structures. 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.
After lunch we continue with our hiking until san Ignacio beach (1500 masl) approximately. 3 hours by zigzagging downhill where we sleep.Meals: B, L, D

Day 4: San Ignacio, tambobamba to Cusco (1500, 2350)

This morning after breakfast we start our hike towards tambobamba ranch during four hours looking up beautiful landscape , where we’ll have lunch and then we spend our time waiting our private transport to go back to cusco it takes around five hours Estimated arrival time around 7:00pm. Meals: B, L