This trek will allow you to visit the canyon of the Apurimac River where you`ll discover Choquequirao that means "Cradle of Gold", an amazing archaeological site build by the Incas.

• Activities: Archaeological sight-seeing, experience the culture, learn about the ecological aspects of Peru, and Hiking
  
• Distance: 64 km. / 39.68 miles.
  
• Average hiking time: 8 - 9 hours per day.
  
• Duration: 04 days.
  
• Maximum height: 3033 meters (9.950 ft.) above sea level.
  
• Departures: contact us
  
• Number: Minimum 2 passengers
  
• Months of Operation: All year
  
• Service Type:
  Private: This service is exclusively for groups of friends, couples, families, coworkers, etc. And the itinerary is planned according to your requirements, and on the dates that choose
  Shared: Usually this is a large group where the tourists are all different nationalities and the itinerary is fixed.
  
• Degree of difficulty: High.

OVERALL INFORMATION

Day 01 : Cusco - Cachora -  Chiquisca

We`ll leave Cusco (3350m / 10990ft) at 04:30 approx. we will come to pick you up from your hotel and then we’ll go   through Abancay – Lima way until we reach the Ramal, then we go right and take an unpaved route to get at (2800m / 9186ft) in the province of Apurimac, surrounded by majestic snow-peaks such as the Padreyoc (5571m / 18 277ft) It's the place where we meet with our horsemen and their mules, which will carry all our camping equipment, and then start hiking. The road to the pass of Capuliyoc (2800m / 9186ft) is flat and we get to see the extraordinary sight over the Apurimac Cañon and see the trail direction to the archeological remains of Choquequirao.  After six hours hike we finally arrive at our first campsite, a place called Chiquisca (1930m / 6332ft).

Meals: L, D
Total distance:  19 Km / 11.78 miles.
Estimated walking time:  6 - 7 hours.
Maximum altitude point: 2800 m / 9186 ft.
Campsite altitude: 1930 m / 6332 ft.

Itinerary

 Day 02 : Chiquisca - Rosalina beach - Marampata - Choquequirao

We leave Chiquisca as early is possible to go down to Rosalina Beach (1550m / 5085ft), which will take us about one hour going downhill. Then we cross the Apurimac River and start climbing towards Santa Rosa, zigzagging up a steep slope. This climb will take approximately two hours, and it is important that we leave early so that the heat does not make the journey more difficult than it has to be. In Santa Rosa, we´ll stop for about 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(3033m / 9950ft), where we`ll 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 look at the canyon, where condors are sometimes spotted. We hike about 7 hours on this day in a rather warm climate.

Meals: B, L, D
Total distance:  13 Km / 8.06 miles.
Estimated walking time:   7 - 8 hours.
Maximum altitude point: 3033 m / 9950 ft.
Campsite altitude: 2,800 m / 9186 ft.

Itinerary

Day 03 : Choquekirao -Marampata - Chikisca

We`ll leave the base camp after beautiful breakfast at 06:30 approx. we`ll go to visit the citadel of Choquekirao (3033m / 9950ft) for around three hours  the most important sectors like a main square ceremonial platform overlooking the main plaza. Here is possible to see Andean Condors soaring over the complex of temples, mausoleums, royal residences, ritual baths, water channels, great halls for gatherings, storehouses, hidden gardens and a giant stairway. Afterwards we will head to Choquekirao, which means the Cradle of Gold, and we will then head to Marampata  (2850m / 9350ft) where we`ll have lunch and reflect on our day. Finally after four hours of walking downhill the same distance that it took to arrive, we get to the breach of Rosalinda where we start hiking up until the base camp of Chikisca (1930m / 6332ft).

Meals: B, L, D
Total distance:  13 Km / 8.06 miles.
Estimated walking time:   7-8 hours.
Maximum altitude point: 3033 m / 9,950 ft.
Campsite altitude: 1930 m / 6332 ft.

Itinerary

Day 4 : Chikisca - Cachora - Cusco

In the morning after breakfast we start our hike towards the Apurimac canyon after four hours walking uphill and viewing the astonishing landscape we`ll get to Capuliyoc (2800m / 9186ft) the first pass that we come to, and this place will be the last opportunity to take some beautiful photos of the Apurimac canyon, and Choquekirao archeological site.  Finally we`ll walk for another two more hours to get Cachora where we`ll have lunch and spend our time waiting for our transport to take us back to Cusco, it takes around four hours and our estimated time of arrival is 5:00pm.

Meals: B, L.
Total distance:  19 Km / 11.78 miles.
Estimated walking time: 06 hours.
Maximum altitude point: 2800 m / 9,186 ft.

Itinerary

• Your original passport, student card ISIC (if applicable)
• A Sleeping bag, a backpack for hiking, 2 pairs pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 4-poles (long and short), several pairs of socks, Sandals, towels, toilet paper, gloves, thermal jacket, a hat for cold days, sunglasses and sunscreen for when the sun comes out.
• A liter bottle of water.
• A Flashlight with spare batteries, matches, knives.
• Hiking boots (preferably waterproof with ankle protection).
• Insect repellent, cream to hydrate the face and/or body.
• A Raincoat (poncho for rain).
• Energy foods (dried fruits, candies, chocolates, cookies, etc...).
• Soap and other toiletries and clothes to change.
• Swimsuit (recommended for the hot springs).
• You should bring appropriate clothing for both hot and cold days of the tour.
• Also, depending on your interest, you could bring a camera or camcorder, binoculars, compass; all such equipment should be lightweight.
• Basic medical supplies.
• Extra money in soles and dollars.
• Optional: walking sticks.

WE SUGGEST YOU TO BRING

• An orientation to clarify all the details of the tour, 1 or 2 days before departure.
• Private transportation from your hotel to Cachora village.
• Entrance ticket to the Choquequirao Trail and Choquequirao Inca citadel.
• Guided Tour for the Choquequirao Trail and Choquequirao Inca citadel.
• Professional Guide: Bi-lingual, speaks both English and Spanish, 2 guides from more than 9 passengers.
• A Cook responsible for meals. (04 breakfasts, 04 lunches, 03 dinners) - Please notify us if you are a vegetarian.
• Horsemen and mules will be in charge to carry the camping equipment and food.
• Boiled water for each meal, and for the places where there are no shops to buy water.
• Bio-degradable personal hand soaps.
• Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff.
• Camping equipment: Tents 04 people capacity for 02 persons, sleeping pad, dining tent with table and chairs, kitchen tent, toilet tent, cutlery.
• Toilet tent with bio-degradable toilet facilities.
• Mules will carry 5 kg maximum from your personal stuff.
• Private transportation from Cachora village to Cusco
• Portable Radio (Walkie Talkies); Basic first aid and oxygen bottle.
• 24 hours assistance.

OUR SERVICE INCLUDED

• Meals: breakfast and lunch 1st day and 4th day.
• Sleeping bags (please note that you can rent them from us).
• Foods that are not listed.
• Personal expenses.
• Tips.

WE DO NOT INCLUDE

• Sleeping bag US$ 20.00 complete tour.
• Thermal-rest mattresses or inflatable sleeping pad for US$ 20.00.
• Discount of US$ 20.00 with International Student Card (ISIC Card).
• You can rent an extra horse if you are tired or you can`t walk any more for. US$ 40.00 per Day.
• Bag pack for, US$ 10.00 whole tour.

Optional

• We request that you give us all your relevant personal information to proceed with your booking.
• For each tour or service that you book, our online staff will send you an email of confirmation for your booking tour within 24 hours of you making the booking, which you must print and present before the beginning of the tour.
• Confirmation of your booking will be issued once the payment has been made. Upon our receipt of you payment, our on line staff will send you a Trip Boucher.
• Our staff on line will send you all the tour information you will require, such as office address, telephone number and name of the person who will provide you the services, by e-mail.
• ANDEAN TERRITORY EIRL is a tourism company with extensive experience in the tourism service and provides a high quality service, ensuring that our customers enjoy their respective trips or tours without having to worry about organizing and planning everything – We do that for you.

>> Andean Territory’s terms and conditions

Optional