Choquequirao Trek 4 days 3 nights

Choquequirao Trek 4 days 3 nights

Choquequirao sits in the saddle of a high Andean ridge, 3000m./10,000 ft. above sea level and 1,500m./5,000 ft. above the roaring waters of the Apurimac River. Ringed by spectacular snow-capped peaks and flanked by plunging, thickly forested slopes, the city is an inspiring example of an elite Inca ceremonial center, dedicated to the worship of the mountain gods, the river and the elements of nature.

ITINERARY

(B)= breakfast / (L)= lunch / (D)= dinner

Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Santa Rosa
We leave from Cusco at 4:00 am in the morning. Arriving at Cachora town at 6:30 in the morning where we will have our breakfast. Here after we arrange the equipment on mules and horses. From that place we can observe the majestic Padrayoc snow-covered peaks, it is 5482 m.a.s.l. The hike on this first day is 21.70 km of distance. On the way we will observe Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora snow-covered peaks, we can appreciate the beautiful change of the landscape from precipices to snowy mountains.
We have our lunch in a place called Playa Rosalina at 1:00 pm. On the way we will observe Apurimac canyon with its impressive depth and in Santa Rosa we will set up our campsite.
The approximate time of the hike is about 10 h. On this day we will pass the small settlements: La Colmena (2870m.a.s.l.), La Aguada (2915m.a.s.l.), Capuliyoc (2915 m.a.s.l.) impressive look out point where we can see all Apurimac Valley, Huayhuacalle (2970m.a.s.l.), Tinajayoc (2630 m.a.s.l.), Mirador (2370 m.a.s.l.), Cocamasana (2330m.a.s.l.), Torowisqana (2285 m.a.s.l.), Chiquiska (1950 m.a.s.l.) grove place where we can find water, Playa Rosalina (camp in 1550 m.a.s.l.), La Huerta (2705 m.a.s.l.) and finally we arrive in Santa Rosa (2115 m.a.s.l.).

Day 2: Choquequirao – Raqaypata
Early morning (5:00 am) after breakfast, we continue our hike going up to Choquequirao. We will arrive to the archaeological place Choquequirao after 5 hours. Good time to enjoy that majestic place. We will observe the three levels of the excavated ruin, where we can appreciate houses, terraces and other parts of this late Inca-town, like the ruin in progress of excavation and finally areas unexplored that can tell us about this last refuge of the oppressed inca empire. Approximately at 3 o’clock in the afternoon (depends of the weather) we can appreciate “the flight of the Condors”.

Choquequirao is considered as “The Last Refuge of the Inca Empire”. The oldest reports assign to Juan Arias Diaz as one of the first persons that explored the zone in 1710. Our bilingual guide will explain the history and importance of the site after the Spanish arrived to Peru. We will have our lunch and dinner in Raqaypata (2910 m.a.s.l.)

Day 3: Raqaypata – Chiquiska
After an early breakfast we pack and start walking back to Chiquiska. On the way we can observe again Apurimac canyon . Here we may be lucky to appreciate the flight of the Condors, the exuberant vegetation and its variety of flowers and orchids.
The time of the hike is about 10h. Altitude: 3033-1950 m.a.s.l. Passing the same small settlements as on the way up. We will stop in Playa Rosalina where we will have our lunch and after that we’ll continue to Chiquiska. Here we will spend the night on our campsite.

Day 4: Chiquiska – Cachora – Cusco
Early morning after breakfast (5:00 am), we continue to arrive to Cachora town. On the hike we can appreciate again the majestic Padrayoc snow-covered peak that decorate to Apurimac canyon.
The time of hike to arrive to Cachora is about 7 hours. In the way back to Cusco we make a stop in Cconoc and enjoy of the hot natural springs Showers are available the same time we can see native product of the area.
We will arrive to Cusco approximately at 10 pm.