Choquequirao Trek

<p>We will pick you up from the hotel at 5:00 am to start our trip to the town of Cachora (2, 800 m.a.s.l.). On route, we will go through different typical towns and also the anta’s pampa (3, 391 m.a.s.l.). This area is known for its agricultural and livestock production, as well as its' wide pampas, prairies, fertile valleys, and long rivers. All of this makes the area an extraordinary landscape. Upon arrival to Cachora, we will meet with our trekking team, muleteers, mules/horses, and our staff that will carry all of the camping equipment and your personal duffel bags (up to 8 Kg.). After a brief rest and a light breakfast, we will start our trek. The first hours of the trek will be on mostly flat terrain until we reach the lookout point and pass of Capuliyoc (2, 800 m.a.s.l.). Here we will see exquisite views of the mountain chain of the area, the Apurimac Canyon, and the Apurimac River which is twice as deep as the famous "Grand Canyon" of the United States. This river is long and abundant and is the source of the world's largest river system, the Amazon. It goes through all of the Andean mountains until it arrives at the Atlantic Ocean. We also will be able to spot Choquequiraw in the distance. After lunch we will continue with the trek, descending to our campsite Chiquiska (1,930 m). We will spend the night here, in the longest canyon of the Andes.</p><p></p><p> Meals: Lunch/Dinner</p><p> Accommodations: Camping at Chiquisca</p><p> Lowest Elevation: 1,900 m/ 6,270 ft</p><p> Highest Elevation: 2,915 meters/9,564 feet</p><p> Distance to walk: 8 km / 5 miles</p><p> Approximate walking time: 3-4 hours</p><p> Level of Difficulty: Moderate</p>

<p>After breakfast, we will continue our trek towards Rosalina's beach (1,550 m.a.s.l.) Afterward, we will descend through the Apurimac Canyon until we reach the river. Here, we can take a dip in the water to freshen up. Afterward, we will cross over to the other side of the river using the hanging bridge. Right after that, the hardest part of the route will begin. We will ascend using a winding trail which will take us away from the Canyon in the direction to the area of Santa Rosa (2,290 m.a.s.l.) This is approximately a 3-hour walk with a brief rest stop. Later we will continue ascending towards Marampata (2,850 m.a.s.l.) During our trek, we will view the vast and enchanting vegetation of the area in which the orchids take the first and most important place. There is a chance to see deer and anteaters in the distance and different varieties of birds. At this place, we will spend the night.</p><p></p><p> Meals: Lunch/Dinner</p><p> Accommodations: Camping at Chiquisca</p><p> Lowest Elevation: 1,900 m/ 6,270 ft</p><p> Highest Elevation: 2,915 meters/9,564 feet</p><p> Distance to walk: 8 km / 5 miles</p><p> Approximate walking time: 3-4 hours</p><p> Level of Difficulty: Moderate</p>

<p>After breakfast in Marampampa (2,850 m.a.s.l.), we will begin our trek to the Inca’s last refuge place: Choquequiraw or “Gold Crib” (3,033 m.a.s.l.) which was abandoned in 1572. This route will be approximately 1.5 hours of walking.</p><p></p><p>Choquequiraw is made up of 9 areas. These areas were built as small towns surrounding a square to which all the streets from each town will end up. The following areas have been identified: The upper areas (Hanan), the storage areas (Qolqa), main square (Huaqaypata), the lower square (hurin), the Andenes system where crops used to grow (Shaqra Anden), the ceremonial platform (Ushno), and the priest houses on the lower part of the hill.</p><p></p><p>After this exciting visit and exploration of Choquequiraw, we will return to Marampata (2,850 ma.s.l.) where we will have lunch. Afterward, we will descend to the Apurimac Canyon crossing over the river through the Rosalina beach area (1,550 m.a.s.l.) later we will continue to Chiquiska (1,930 m.a.s.l.). Here we will have dinner and spend the night.</p><p></p><p> Meals: Lunch/Dinner</p><p> Accommodations: Camping at Chiquisca</p><p> Lowest Elevation: 1,900 m/ 6,270 ft</p><p> Highest Elevation: 2,915 meters/9,564 feet</p><p> Distance to walk: 8 km / 5 miles</p><p> Approximate walking time: 3-4 hours</p><p> Level of Difficulty: Moderate</p>

<p>At 8 am, after breakfast, you will get ready to return to Cusco. It will be the last 4 hours uphill to arrive at the end of the trek where you will enjoy your last lunch with your guide, porters, and horseman. You will say goodbye to your team other than your guide and then continue for about 3 hours, this time by car, drive back to Cusco along the nice landscape. You will get to pass Curawasi where people farm the famous Anis (local tea) then you will be arriving in Cusco around 6 pm in total with some stops on the way and we will drop you off at your hotel.</p><p></p><p> Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner</p><p> Accommodations: Camping at Choquequirao</p><p> Lowest Elevation: 1,550 m/ 5,117 ft</p><p> Highest Elevation: 3,150 m/ 10,397 ft</p><p> Distance to walk: 14 km / 9 miles</p><p> Approximate walking time: 8 – 9 hours</p><p> Level of Difficulty: Demanding</p>