Choquequirao Trek 5 Days / 4 Nights │ Auri Travel

Choquequirao Trekkings

CHOQUEQUIRAO THE LOST SISTER OF MACHUPICCHU

Choquequirao according to most scholars, was most likely built during the reign of the Inca king (Sapa Inca) Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui and has been suggested as the last bastion of resistance and refuge for the Sons of the Sun. The infamous Inca fled from the city of Cusco when it was under siege in 1535. Under the leadership of Manco Inca Yupanqui, they hid in the sanctuary of Choquequirao. It has been presumed to have been used as a check point to access the Vilcabamba area, as a cultural and religious center, as well as occupying a key position, as an elevated structure making uninvited guests visible to them. The city played an important role as it was a link connecting the Amazon Jungle to the city of Cusco. The region has many microclimates consisting of snow-covered peaks at around 6000m (19685f), amongst some of the most spectacular mountainous peaks, are deep rich valleys entering into the thick exotic jungle.

Adventure
Cusco
Challenging

Summary

Choquequirao, considered to be a sister city of similar significance to that of Machupicchu and built along similar lines. On this adventurous trek, we will walk on Inca highways, hike through high Andean landscapes with majestic glaciers, descend into deep canyons where the condors fly and pass through biologically diverse cloud forest ecosystems.

Choquequirao is a must see site in the Andes, surrounded by lush rainforest and snow-capped peaks, the Choquequirao route has new views at every turn and it should come as no surprise that this mountain-top city is being lauded as the “new Machu Picchu” and is widely considered one of the finest treks in South America.

View Full Itinerary

Overview

DAY 1

Cusco – Cachora – Chiquisca

We will leave Cusco (3350m/10991f) at approximately at 5:30 am on the first morning.

DAY 2

Chiquisca – Playa Rosalina – Marampata – Choquequirao

Enjoy of a real hidden Inka Gem!

DAY 3

Choquequirao as the Little-Know Gem of Peru

Be impressed by the remote Incan ruins of Choquequirao in the Peruvian Andes!

DAY 4

Choquequirao – San Ignacio – Carmen

Feel the Cloud shadows moving across the grassland and the sun picking out fields the colour of bracken!

DAY 5

Carmen – Tambobamba – Huanipaca

Enjoy the landscapes and come back to Cusco!

Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

***Level of difficulty: Average

DAY 1

Cusco – Cachora – Chiquisca (L, D)

We will leave Cusco (3350m/10991f) at approximately at 5:30 am on the first morning. On this leg of the trip we will head straight for the village of Cachora (2850m/9350f), there we will meet our horse guides, with horses and mules that will carry all the camping equipment during the expedition. From there we will continue our journey towards the pass of Capuliyoc (2800m/9186f). The trek offers a stunning view of the mythical mountain Padreyoc, the deep canyons and the river Apurímac which the locals call “speaking river”. Finally, we will descend towards the picturesque canyon’s interior named Chiquisca (1930m/6332f), where we will spend the first night.

Climate: Warm
Hiking time: approximately 7 hours

DAY 2

Chiquisca – Playa Rosalina – Marampata – Choquequirao (B, L, D)

Enjoy of a real hidden Inka Gem!

After enjoying breakfast, we will make the descent to La Playa Rosalina (1550m/5085f). From here, we’ll continue our journey to Marampata (2850m/9350f), where we can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the archeological complex of Choquequirao (3033m/9951f) and the surrounding area. Our camp site is located 25 minutes from the settlement.

Climate: depending on the day a mixture between cold and warm.
Hiking time: approximately 7 hours

DAY 3

Choquequirao as the Little-Know Gem of Peru (B, L, D)

Be impressed by the remote Incan ruins of Choquequirao in the Peruvian Andes!

At sunrise, we will first visit the archaeological site of Choquequirao. At this time of morning only 30% of this region known as the “golden cradle” has been exposed to light making it an incredible sight. Our expert tour guides will take you to discover the history and recent excavations of Choquequirao, whose importance is only starting to be fully understood, holding many ancestral secrets of the Inca and the nature they had been so deeply connected with. Hiking time: approximately 6 hours

Climate: reasonable climate with mosquitoes.

DAY 4

Choquequirao – San Ignacio – Carmen (B, L, D)

Feel the Cloud shadows moving across the grassland and the sun picking out fields the colour of bracken!

After breakfast, we’ll take our belongings, descending the Apurímac canyon’s to its deepest part called San Ignacio at 1500m/4921f and have lunch. Finally, we will hike up to our camping site for the night, in the beautiful gardens of Carmen located 2000m/6562f above sea level.

Climate: moderate climate with mosquitoes
Hiking time: approximately 6 hours

Note: Please be advised that due to the varied ecosystems of this region, there will be multiple changes to the scenery making day four one of the most picturesque of the tour and one day the avid naturists and photographers will enjoy immensely. It is also important to note that the route from Choquequirao to San Ignacio is quite slippery in some spots. For this reason we ask everyone to take care especially on the decent, and insist that everyone carry sufficient water with them.

DAY 5

Carmen – Tambobamba – Huanipaca (B)

Enjoy the landscapes and come back to Cusco!

The gardens of Carmen are located in close proximity to the manor of Tambobamba (2500m/8202f), a region governed by landowners since the 19th and 20th century and considered to be one of the most fertile valleys, capable of cultivating maize and a variety of potatoes vital to the people of the region. We will pass little villages such as Pacobamba and Huanipaca (3150m/10335f), finally returning to Cusco by bus.

Climate: moderate, warm
Hiking time: approximately 5 hours
Transport time: approximately 5 hours

Note: Please be advised the trek to Choquequirao must not be underestimated. In particular day two involves great physical exertion completing the peaks, combined with high altitude and at times extreme weather (it can get very hot). We strongly recommend that you are well acclimatized before starting the trek, are in good shape, and healthy (we recommend trying Coca, or Muña tea, in preparation for your journey).

Day 1 Cusco – Cachora – Chiquisca
Day 2 Chiquisca – Playa Rosalina – Marampata – Choquequirao
Day 3 Choquequirao as the Little-Know Gem of Peru
Day 4 Choquequirao – San Ignacio – Carmen
Day 4 Carmen – Tambobamba – Huanipaca

Call us

All our experiences are tailored to meet your every need.

Toll Free: 1-800-590-5784

Included

What To Expect…

Explore Perú in a personalized way. Plan with your expert Travel Advisor the best itinerary based on your needs and interests.
Personalized assistance during your complete stay in the country, we want you to enjoy a hassle-free vacation!
We listen to you! So, we can adapt your itinerary based on your interests, it is possible to add or to cut the activities of your preference, just let us know.
We are available 24 hours per day, during the week, our operations area never stops. We are here to assist you whenever you need it.
We work with the most experienced English-Speaking tour guides around the country, every excursion, visit, activities, will be in short groups or absolutely private.

Included

Private Transport to Cachora (the trailhead) as well as return transportation to Cusco city.
A Professional tour guide
Experienced Cook with assistant, and mule herders
Horses/mules to transport camping equipment
4 Breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners (tea time) and daily snacks are included
2 persons per tent (spacious and comfortable tents)
A main dining tent , and kitchen tent
Carriage of 5 kilos of personal belongings per person (extra clothes or sleeping bags, etc.), to be carried by mules. You will need to carry your daypack with everything you need during the day.
Entrance fee to the Archaeological Park
Emergency horse/s
First aid kid.

Not Included

Breakfast on the first day
Sleeping bag
Trekking poles
Back pack
Tips for the crew, guide, cook, arrieros (horsemen/horse guides)

Recommendations:

Backpack & Daypack.
Sleeping bag.
Insect repellent.
Hiking boots.
Trekking Poles.
Different clothing layers for variable temperatures, especially at night.
T-shirts and trekking pants that zip off to shorter pants/shorts to enable you to have comfortable day walks regardless of the weather.
Flash light, or head torch.
Camera with extra batteries.
Sunscreen / hat and sunglasses.
Personal medical kit.
Rain Gear: poncho/ a good rain jacket for wet season.
Toiletries / toilet paper / small towel.
Water bottle water purifying tablets optional.
Passport.
Extra money for drinks & tips, souvenirs etc. (soles).

Remember for most of you this may be your only expedition to these amazing sites so please bring extra money, and rain protection to enable your journey to be as spectacular as the view. This packing list has been devised by some of the best experts in the tourism business in the Andes.

Welcome to the beautiful sights and experiences of Peru.

Pricing

The price is fully customizable and can be tailored and flexible to your personal preferences and style, the price is basically based on final accommodation, travel dates and other custom preferences during the tour.

Feel free to reach us via email at info@auriperu.com
or by calling us directly at 1(800)590-5784

José M

2024-09-05

Rainbow mountain and humantay lagoon We have an excellent vc in Cusco, our tour guide Herbert Alexander was something especial in our trip, he went over all our expectations of what should be a tour guide .

spcheulkar

2024-09-03

Outstanding Customer Experience The best customized tour our family has experienced. From the time we landed in Lima, travel to Cusco and returning to US was just an amazing time. Big shout out to Liz, Maritsa, Dima, Timateo, and culinary tour by Lydia. Highly recommend this company, and the individuals who made it so memorable for us.

TravelingMom

2024-08-22

Amazing Family Trip Had a great experience with AURI. From pre-trip planning to the trip itself to post-trip follow up, at every step, AURI staff were helpful, knowledgeable, and flexible. Our guide, Franco, was top notch. He was very knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. He was a true professional. We are a family with two teenagers, and he was able to connect with them in a way that really engaged them in learning more about the sites and local culture. Our driver, Temateo, was fabulous. Not only was he a good, safe driver, he was so friendly, courteous, and helpful, always making sure our water bottles were filled. AURI’s vehicle was clean, modern, and safe. And all the food was amazing, even the box lunch we had one day. The office staff was also great to work with. The AURI travel planners put up with my seemingly endless questions to develop an itinerary that was perfect for our family. They were focused on finding solutions, not obstacles like another company I inquired with. While on the trip, they checked in regularly to make sure everything was going smoothly. They even checked in on us on days we had no tours to make sure we were making it on our own ok. If we are ever fortunate enough to return to Peru, we will definitely use AURI again.

Happiness481359

2024-08-07

A spectacular trip!! A beautiful experience for a lifetime. Exceptional service and attention. A completely organized trip from start to finish. Grateful to the agency “ AURI TRAVEL” but more than anything with the person in charge of our whole trip, Lizbeth, just amazing!! This girl showed us an unmatched commitment to quality and excellence, making sure every detail of our trip was perfect. And so it was!! In addition to our Franco Guide, also very friendly and expert in explaining all the history and cultures. All the hotels where we stayed were excellent with all the amenities needed for our stay. But anyway, the communication all the time before and during our trip to Peru with Lizbeth was amazing. Recommended 100%! Unique attention, unsurpassed customer service. Again thank you Lizbeth, our trip was a unique experience that we will take with us always!

Jesús A

2024-07-26

Excellent Attention! The Agency helped us throughout our trip, organized the calendar and our activities and they were in charge of organizing all our special requests for our entire group of 9! Unforgettable destinations, perfect organization and punctuality, easy payments, immediate and excellent coordination. Proper transportation, sites of interest too.

Yero Flores

2024-07-17

Unforgettable Experience with Auri and Lizbeth in Peru I want to express my sincerest thanks to Auri and especially Lizbeth for the exceptional service they gave me in planning my itinerary for my visit to Peru. From first contact, Lizbeth demonstrated an unmatched commitment to quality and excellence, making sure every detail of my trip was perfect. The people selected for my tours were first class, experts in their field and with a great passion to share their knowledge and experiences. The hotels where I stayed were excellent, with all the necessary amenities for a comfortable and pleasant stay. What really stood out was Lizbeth's constant communication with me. From before my trip, during my stay in Peru, and even after my return, Lizbeth was always available, making sure everything went according to plan and answering any concerns you might have. I highly recommend Auri's services and in particular Lizbeth's attention. Their dedication, attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction are second to none. Thanks to Lizbeth, my trip to Peru was an unforgettable and worry-free experience.

USCtraveller

2024-04-23

Fantastic Peruvian Company for Private Tour! We had an amazing experience in Peru and could not have been happier with the service we received from Auri Peru Travel and particularly from our travel coordinator, Lizbeth. At first, we were hesitant to book our tour with a local Peruvian agency, but in the end we are so happy we did as Lizbeth arranged for us a completely private 8-day tour that included a diverse itinerary, some amazing food, knowledgeable and accommodating guides, a terrific driver and hotels that were all first class. All for a price that was lower than what we would have paid for a tour with a large group operator. Throughout the planning process, Lizbeth was extremely responsive and flexible. If you would like to amend one of their suggested itineraries, Lizbeth is most accommodating and will do everything possible to meet your needs. She has a wealth of knowledge on all aspects of Peru travel so is perfectly suited to tailor a tour to best meet your interests and desires. Lizbeth’s service does not end with the planning. While we were in Peru, she was in constant contact with us to make sure everything was going smoothly, and that we were enjoying our trip. We met up with her for dinner in Cusco where she suggested a restaurant with an amazing view over the town of Cusco. Lizbeth can be relied upon to not only plan a spectacular visit, but also to monitor that everything is going well during your time in Peru. We visited Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco. Our Cusco area guide Dimas and driver Timoteo were both most accommodating and excellent at their jobs. They made sure we were comfortable and enjoyed our visits throughout our time in the Sacred Valley. Overall, we were extremely pleased that we choose to use Auri Peru and Lizbeth to arrange our tour of Peru. I would highly recommend Auri to anyone looking to arrange a personalized, affordable, completely private tour of Peru.

Gaurav N

2023-09-11

Exceptional service and highly satisfied We had a wonderful experience in Peru all thanks to Auri Peru Travel and Lizbeth, who the main co-ordinator at Auri. Right from the initial discussions over WhatsApp texts/calls to planning to eventually executing on those plans - Auri was in constant and seamless communication with us. They were open to any questions and flexible in making changes to the itinerary. The guides that they offered were very experienced and offered deep history and perspectives beyond typical information. The hotels they booked were phenomenal as well. Once in Peru, alongside our guides, Auri was in constant communication and checking in on our well being. Overall, we are very happy with their services and would highly recommend them if anyone is planning for a comprehensive, well guided and pleasurable trip to Peru.

Happysabu

2023-08-15

Life time experience! This is once in lifetime experience ! total package was unbelievably organized. Combination of the people , food & the tracking --made this journey so memorable. Lizbeth was at the behind of all & she is just awesome! This is really a tough trail & the guide is very crucial. She customize guide as per the capability of the tracker. I was a bit slow, not that much fit , she tagged me with small group & amazing guide. The guide was so friendly & explained history, cultures in such a way i still remember. Lizbeth also planned my another perfect visit to the salad de Uni, Bolivia. Many thanks Liz for everything. Words are not enough to express how grateful i am. Hope to see you again for Galapagos!

Alynne B

2023-08-15

Amazing Experience Our Auri agent Lizbeth helped us plan our trip and made it easy for us to enjoy Peru hassle free. 😊😊😊

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