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Choquequirao Trek Imperial 5 Days

Choquequirao Trek Imperial 5 Days

The Quechua name “Choquequirao” means “Cradle of Gold” and this Inca site is located high above the raging Apurimac River, surrounded by lush tropical cloud forest. This was one of the last refuges of the Incas after the Spanish invasion. The route to Choquequirao will take you through breathtaking scenery, from arid slopes dotted with cacti to dense cloud forest inhabited by many bird species, watched over throughout the trek by the great snow peaks the Incas believed were gods. This trip is a wonderful opportunity to explore one of Peru’s remotest mountain regions and least well-known Inca cities.

This packages is create for the hikers who is looking to enjoy and stay plenty time in Choquequirao Trek, during the 5 days the distance is considerable with 6 to 7 hours hike, the land scape and wild life takes more time to make enjoyable and unforgettable journeys.

Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Chiquiska.

An early morning scenic bus ride of approximately four hours through high Andean plains will bring us to the village of Cachora, where we will meet our mule drivers. Leaving the village, we will begin with a gentle hike along an old mining road to Kapuliyoq Pass (2800 meters / 9,240 feet). From this pass we will have our first mesmerizing view of the deep Apurimac canyon and the surrounding snow peaks. After resting and enjoying the scenery, we will continue our descent of approximately three hours along a dusty trail, zigzagging down the arid wall of the canyon, to our first camp at the Chiquiska oasis (1800 meters / 6000 feet)

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Acomodación: Campamento, Chiquiska 1950 msnm
Climate : warm and sunny
Distance Travelled: Approximately 10km
Hiking time : 6 hour

Day 2: Chiquiska – Choquequirao.

After a nourishing breakfast we will continue our descent to the valley floor, where we will cross the Apurimac River (1495 meters / 5000 feet). From here we will start to climb the long, steep trail (approximately five hours) to our destination: the impressive archaeological complex of Choquequirao, where we should arrive just in time to enjoy a breathtaking sunset over the deep canyon and the surrounding mountains (3000 meters / 9,900 feet).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Acomodación: Campamento, Choquekiraw 3100 msnm
Climate : warm and windy
Distance Travelled: Approximately 13km
Hiking time : 6 hour

Day 3: Choquequirao.

During the morning we will visit the restored section of Choquequirao and explore some of the ruins that are still covered by lush cloud forest vegetation. Much work has been done in recent years to excavate, clear and restore the site. After lunch, those who choose to can visit the Cascade House(restored buildings and terraces some 300 meters (1000 feet) below the main structures of Choquequirao). Later, our evening meal will consist of a typical Peruvian “pachamanca” (traditional Andean ingredients cooked in the earth). Volunteers to help with the preparation will be welcome! From the highest point of the archaeological site (the “usno”, or ceremonial platform) there are fine views of the Apurimac canyonfar below, and if we are fortunate we may even see a great Andean condor soar above us.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Acomodación: Campamento, Choquequirao 3100msnm.
Climate : warm and sunny
Distance Travelled: Approximately 12km
Hiking time : 7 hour

Day 4: Choquequirao – Cocamazana.

After breakfast and a last chance to explore independently the main structures of the archaeological site, it will be time to begin the long descent to the Apurimac River, where we will stop for lunch and a rest, before the three hour climb to our last camp at Cocamazana (2300 meters / 7,600 feet). On our last night together we will enjoy an excellent meal with spectacular views of Choquequirao Trek and the Apurimac Canyon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Acomodación: Campamento, Cocamazana 2300msnm.
Climate : warm and hummed
Distance Travelled: Approximately 14km
Hiking time : 8 hour

Day 5: Cocamazana – Cachora – Cusco.

In order to avoid the intense sun, we will start our day early with the climb up to Kapulyoq Pass (2800 meters / 9,250 feet), from where we will continue along a flat country road to the village of Cachora, arriving before noon.

After a well-deserved rest we will say goodbye to the mule drivers and begin our return bus journey to Cusco. If there is time, along the way we will stop and visit Saywite, an enormous rock carved by the Incas into a 3-dimensional representation of their empire, complete with flora and fauna. We will arrive back in Cusco in time for a hot shower, before heading into town for a night out!

Meals: Breakfast
Climate : warm and sunny
Distance Travelled: Approximately 9km
Hiking time : 6 hour

Included

  • Private transport from Cusco to Cachora trail head.
  • The north face or Eureka tents- 2 persons.
  • Entrance fees to Choquequirao.
  • Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English).
  • High quality camping equipment, tents are big enough for 2 persons.
  • Mattresses, eating tent with table and chairs, bathroom tent).
  • Meals during the excursion (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks / option vegetarian.
  • Cook and cooking equipment.
  • Horseman and mules, for all camping equipment and customer’s luggage (Up to 8 kg).
  • Emergency horse over 6 persons.
  • First-aid kit and oxygen bottle.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: ZERO PLASTIC BOTTLES ON THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK FROM DECEMBER 1ST:

Due to New goverment regulations for the Inca Trail it will be 100% PROHIBITED to TAKE PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES. We believe that in the first days the new enforced regulations may NOT be 100% controlled however as the days go it will be more and more strict therefore WE KINDLY suggest you getting your aluminum plastic bottles to avoid any dissapointment at the check points along the Choquequirao city.

 

ALUMINUM 0.700ml BOTTLES:

As a way to avoid any inconvenience with our clientes Pacha Peru Explorers offers 0.700ml aluminum water bottles FREE, when our guide visit your hotel he bring you the bottle.

Also, if you are still at home and ready to fly to Peru for your trek we recommend you bringing aluminum water bottles or camel bags.

We look forward to meeting you…

Does Not Included

  • Sleeping bag.
  • Day 1: Breakfast.
  • Lunch and Dinner on the last day.
  • Walking Sticks: you can hire from our company.
  • Inflatable mattresses.
  • Tips: Please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish.

PLEASE NOTE: Times provided may vary depending on your acclimatization and level of fitness..

What you need to take

  • Backpack with rain shelter.
  • Sleeping back.
  • Clothing for warm and cold climate like a waterproof jacket.
  • Rain pants and lightweight pants.
  • Trekking shoes.
  • Slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs).
  • Woolen or synthetic socksand a sweater.
  • Long- and short-sleeved polo’s/T-Shirts.
  • Rainponcho cold and sun hat.
  • Bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes).
  • Sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel, water bottle and sterilizing tablets, toiletries and toilet paper.
  • Camera (wrapped in plastic bag), a flash light and batteries.
  • Some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit.
  • Original passport, original ISIC student card.
  • Extra money in soles (s/ 400.00 soles) emergency case and tips.
  • Since the weather can be very cold and mostly, your clothes – once gotten wet – won’t dry at night. So take some clothes to change.

TRIP LENGHT

5

DAYS

2021 LAND COST

FROM

$650

PER PERSON

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

PRE PAYMENT PER PERSON

$300

BALANCE

$350

  • Day pack.
  • Copy of your passport.
  • Good hiking gear: hiking boots, warm jackets, gloves, hat warm fleece and socks.
  • Sleeping bag.
  • Walking boots.
  • Waterproof jacket/rain poncho.
  • Hat and gloves.
  • Warm clothes: layers for variable temperatures, especially at night.
  • T-shirts.
  • Comfortable trousers.
  • Sun hat.
  • Sun screen.
  • Insect repellent.
  • Re-usable plastic/metal water container, or camel bags.
  • Water for the first four hours of the trek, then we will provide you with drinking, previously boiled water.
  • Toiletries.
  • Personal medication.
  • Camera and films.
  • Flashlight with spare batteries.
  • Walking stick.
  • Bathing suit for the hot springs.
  • Extra money for souvenirs, drinks and tips.

FAQs on the CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK IMPERIAL 5 Days 

PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP

BOOKING

We try to make booking as easy as possible at Pacha Peru Explorers. We need a booking form that is completed and includes all details for the entire party on one form please, and then a $300 deposit per person. We will then book your permits. When permits are in our hands, we will send you your invoice and confirmation that everything is 100% set. All start dates, once confirmed, are guaranteed.

PERMITS

Only licensed Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek tour operators, like Pacha Peru Explorers, can obtain permits from the government. Once your permit is secured, the name and start date can not be changed, under any circumstance. The only information the government permits us to change is the passport numbers.

UPDATING PASSPORT NUMBERS

The government will only allow us to change passport numbers if we have a copy of the new passport and old passport. If you no longer have your old passport, any government issue ID will be accepted, as long as the name is the same. Also, make sure your passport does not expire six months or less from your trip.

HOW TO GET TO CUSCO

Most people will get to Cusco by air. Please remember that the Cusco airport is for domestic travel only. If you come directly from overseas through Lima, you must get your bags in Lima and re-check them for your flight to Cusco. Four airline carriers fly roundtrip between Lima and Cusco. That includes LATAM Airlines, AVIANCA Airlines, Star Peru, and Peruvian Airlines. They all offer similar schedules and in-flight service, but we usually recommend either LATAM airlines or AVIANCA. They tend to be the most helpful when unexpected flight cancellations or delays occur.

WHERE TO STAY IN CUSCO

While you can stay at any hotel in Cusco, the city is becoming more challenging to navigate by car. Many roads, especially near the main square, are open to pedestrian traffic only. We will notify you if it is not possible to pick you up by car and arrange another meeting point for pick up/drop off. For a list of recommended hotels, please ask your Pacha Peru Explorers sales rep.

CAN I SPEND AN EXTRA NIGHT IN AGUAS CALIENTES

Of course, if you are ok with taking the same train out of Aguas Calientes that is part of your original itinerary, which is typically at 4:22 that evening than there is no additional charge to move the train back a day. If you need us to secure your hotel or another visit to Machu Picchu, this will be an additional cost. If you do choose to spend one more night in Aguas Calientes, make sure you tell the Pacha Peru Explorers office at least one month in advance, so your train ticket is purchased for the right day.

WHAT TYPE OF ELECTRICAL OUTLETS ARE USED IN PERU

Most hotels and even homes in Peru now have the standard US outlet and also the South American outlet.


DURING YOUR TRIP

HOW CHALLENGING IS THE TREK

While you don’t need any specific training to do the 5 Day Salkantay Trek, being fit will help. The best preparation for the trek is treadmill exercises with steep inclines and stairs. The second day will be your toughest day, as you will climb up two peaks that day.

DO YOU NEED HIKING BOOTS

We always recommend light hiking boots if possible. Ones with ankle support are extra helpful, especially for the inexperienced hiker. Because you will be climbing down so many steps created by the Incas, now uneven and at varying heights, the extra support helps from twisting your ankles.

SHOULD I USE WALKING STICKS

Walking sticks are always helpful to trekkers, but particularly on this trek. There are so many stairs that you will walk down and all made by the Incas 400 years ago. They vary in height and are not all straight. Using walking sticks can help take the pressure off your knees while doing this portion of the trail. Plus they will help you get up the mountain as well. All our walking sticks are expandable black diamond poles that can be folded up and tied to your bag when you are not using them. For those who are bringing your own, make sure you have rubber tips, or the rangers will not allow you to use them. Rubber tips can be purchased in Cusco if you forget before you leave.

WHERE DO I STORE MY LUGGAGE

All of your luggage is not needed for the trek and should stay in Cusco. All hotels are very accommodating and quite used to storing luggage on-site, or you can safely store with the Pacha Peru Explorers team.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AS FAR AS WEATHER

Please understand that this is an impossible question for us to answer. Historically April through September is the dry season, November through February is the rainy season and March and October and bridge months – a mixture of both. But the clouds have not followed these rules in the last few years. Prepare for sun and rain no matter when you come. As far as temperatures go, that is consistent throughout the year. Mornings and evenings are always cold. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and a down jacket for the evenings. Once the sun is up you should be comfortable hiking and touring Machu Picchu in short sleeves. Long pants (yoga or hiking) are encouraged to help from the mosquitos which can be a nuisance in Aguas Calientes.

Please complete the form below to request a reservation. One of our Trip Coordinators will contact you, often within two business hours, to confirm availability of the trip and/or provide you with other options. Once availability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the tour. Please call us or write us by whatsap at (+51) 998 037474 with any questions or to confirm availability or write us directly to pachaperuexplorers@gmail.com

 

 

Group Travel

Personal Details

Trip Details

You are booking NOW:  

CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK IMPERIAL 5 DAYS

Number of Travelers  

14 years and above
Below 14 years

USEFUL INFORMATION

Locations Visited: Apurimac and Cusco area, vilcabamba valley and sta Teresa valley 5 hrs. drive from Cusco to start point.


Trip Style: Culture, Adventures and Trek on the Andes


Length: 3.103m/10178ft(Choquequirao)


Frequency: The dry season (March to December), Any day with two people. We offer affordably priced tours for 2 people so that you can depart when it suits you best.


Group: 2 pax min, max 12 pax


Difficulty: Moderate, scale (0 to 5) it is 2 relative