Choquequirao trek - the thinking man's Inca Trail?

Choquequirao trek

Choequequirao - Sister of Machu Picchu

The first time you see a photo of the Inca ruins of Choquequirao, you can be forgiven for confusing it with Machu Picchu. They were built at the same time, abandoned at the same time, and have the same stunning location, high in the cloud forest. One thing gives it away though... where are all the people?

There's no train to Choquequirao, no helicopter rides, just a good old-fashioned trek, taking you through some beautiful scenery before you arrive at this lost Inca city. Naturally this really cuts down on the number of people visiting Choquequirao and means that you can have the whole place practically to yourself!

The Choquequirao trek itinerary we've given here is a four-day trek but you can also extend the trek itinerary by a day or so to take in some other Inca sites or even make it a full 9-day trek which has you visiting Choquequirao AND Machu Picchu!

Difficulty: Moderate


Trek Itinerary

Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu Day One - Cusco to Chiquisqa

We leave Cusco early this morning in a private bus and pass through Limatambo the ruins of Tarawasi and the bridge of Kunyac before we disembark in Cachora, where we will arrive at about 10am. We will then walk downhill along winding footpaths for about two hours to Capuliyoc, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon we will continue downhill, passing through the town of Chiquisqa and emerging into the warmer, tropical climate of the lower valleys, where we will camp for the night.

Rosalina Day Two - Chiquisqa to Sanchupata

After an early breakfast, we will start this morning’s trek to the riverside beach of Rosalina, with the roaring waters of the Apurimac river before us. We will rest and relax here, before crossing by a footbridge and heading upwards on a winding path towards Maranpata. We will leave the tropical climate behind as we head up into the higher cloud forest and Sunchupata, where we will camp for the night.

Choquequirao Day Three - Choquequirao

Today is dedicated to an exploration of Choquequirao. From our campsite in Sunchupata, we will walk for approximately an hour until we arrive at this remarkable archaeological complex. We will have a guided tour of the site and lots of free time to visit the six sectors of the complex including the altar of the sun, terraces and all the other quarters of the town. After a full day at the site we will return to our campsite, and then head off downhill back across the Apurimac to our final night’s campsite.

Cusco Day Four - Back to Cusco

A little lie-in today as breakfast isn’t quite so early! We will have a gentle walk back through the lower valleys on our way back to Chiquisqa and Cachora. From here we will head on to the thermal springs at Qonoq, where we can relax and bathe in the healing waters! We will then head on back to Cusco, where we will arrive in the early evening.

Prices

This trek can fit into any of our tailormade Peru holidays and the price of £420pp includes the following:

  • Top-class trekking equipment, including tents, cooking equipment, sleeping bags and sleeping mats
  • All transfers to/from Cusco
  • The services of a guide, arriero and mules/horses for the duration of the trek
  • All meals on the trek
  • Entrance fee to Choquequirao
  • Guided tour of Choquequirao

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Choquequirao trek

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July 2006
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