Choquequirao means "cradle of gold" in Quechua although this is probably not its original Inca name. It is another "lost city of the Incas" located high on a ridge spur almost 1750m above the raging glacier-fed Apurimac River and surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks.

The US explorer Gary Ziegler suggests that Choquequirao may have been the place where the last Inca, Tupac Amaru, was raised among Inca Priestesses. The abundance of many double jamb doorways and niches indicates that the place was held in very high regard.

The ruins were first visited by a French explorer during the 18th century, who described them to the world. Hiram Bingham visited the site in 1910. This was his first experience of "lost cities" prior to his discovery of Machu Picchu in 1911. The remoteness and inaccessibility have discouraged visitors until fairly recently when COPESCO constructed a footbridge over the Apurimac River below the ruins. Even today the ruins are still rarely visited, although with the enforcement of new regulations on the Inca Trail, Choquequirao is destined to replace the traditional hike as a serious trekker’s alternative.

• Activities: Archaeological sight-seeing, experience the culture, learn about the ecological aspects of Peru, and Hiking.
  
• Distance: 65 km. / 40.3 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 : Choquequirao - san Ignacio beach

We have the half day to explore this stunning Inca settlement. Almost as spectacular 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 discover and 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 the Inca nobility. The Apurimac River roars distantly below (1,450m / 4,800 ft.) visible on either side of a steep ridge to which connects to the Inca city. As we approach the heart of the city, a sweep of enormous curved terraces leads our eyes to an artificial hill and ceremonial platform overlooking the main plaza. Here it’s 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 has been 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 we get to San Ignacio beach (1500m / 4921ft) approximately. 3 hours by zigzagging downhill where we sleep.

Meals: B, L, D.
Total distance:  08 Km / 4.96 miles.
Estimated walking time: 04 hours.
Maximum altitude point: 3033 m / 9950 ft.
Campsite altitude: 1500m / 4921 ft.

Itinerary

Day 4 : San Ignacio - Tambobamba - Cusco

This morning after breakfast we start our hike towards Tambobamba ranch for four hours having ample opportunity to gauge the beautiful landscape, where we’ll have lunch and then we spend our time waiting for our private transport to go back to Cusco.  It will take around five hours estimated arrival time around 7:00pm.

Meals: B, L.
Total distance:  10 Km / 6.2 miles.
Estimated walking time: 04 hours.
Maximum altitude point: 2350 m / 7709 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 Tambopata 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

Note