CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK & MACHU PICCHU 6 DAYS
CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK & MACHU PICCHU
6 DAYS
Overview
Highlights
- This unique trek features two of the finest examples of Inca architecture: Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. Choquequirao is larger than Machu Picchu and there is not much known. It is more reclusive and you will feel as you are the first to discover it. Due to its remote location, Choquequirao (“cradle of gold”) receives fewer visitors. Nestled on a prominent ridge overlooking the chasm created by the Apurímac River, this mythical city must have rivaled Machu Picchu in terms of beauty. It was explored briefly by Hiram Bingham in his search for Vilcabamba. After a fantastic time continue to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. This is a perfect alternative to the Inca Trail but a tough one. If, you are an experienced hiker in fit condition, then this is the trek for you.
Itinerary at a Glance
Days | Destinations | The Experience |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Cusco – Cachora private bus – Capuliyoc hike down to Apurimac River – Santa Rosa Walking distance: 15km/10.5miles L, D included | Impressive views of the Apurimac Canyon |
Day 2 | Santa Rosa – Marampata – Choquequirao Walking distance: 13km/8miles B,L, D included | Have the first view of Choquequirao ruins |
Day 3 | Choquequirao Second visit Walking distance: 8km/5miles B, L, D included | Today is focus is on the exploration of Choquequirao |
Day 4 | Choquequirao – Playa Rosalina Walking distance: 15km/9miles B, L, D included | Learn how to make liquor from sugar cane |
Day 5 | Hike to Capuliyoc – Private bus to Cachora & Ollantaytambo-Train to Machu Picchu Walking distance: 13km/8miles B, L included | Spend the night on Aguas Calientes |
Day 6 | Machu Picchu – Tourist train back to Cusco B included | Visit Machu Picchu and make a tour over the citadel and then enjoy a scenic train ride back to the Sacred Valley transfer to Cusco |
Day 1 Cusco – Cachora by private bus– Hike down to Apurimac River – Santa Rosa
We depart Cusco early in the morning heading northwest of Cusco (3300m/10800ft) in the direction of Cachora (2909mt/9543ft), a 4-hour drive. In Cachora you will have the opportunity to stop and stretch or a rest room stop. Continue our drive to Capuliyoc (2915m/ 9561ft) with lovely views of the Apurimac Valley stretched out in front of us. Here we meet the Mule handlers with their mules that will carry all the camping equipment during the expedition. From here, we will walk down a steep trail to the Apurimac Canyon taking in spectacular views as we descend for 3.5 to 4 hours to Chiquisca (1836m/6023ft), with breathtaking drops to our side. After an hour we arrive at the roaring Apurimac River (1550m /5084ft). From the river, we begin to climb to Santa Rosa, which is a tough climb of 2 hours but makes the next day easier! The campsite is further along than the most popular camp, which is often quiet. The area is rich in flora and fauna. Our camp for the night is in Santa Rosa (2200m/7215ft.).
Lunch and dinner included
Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours
Distance: 15km/10.5m
Day 2 Santa Rosa – Marampata – Choquequirao (Cradle of Gold)
After an early breakfast, we start our hike around 5:00am to avoid the hot sun. Our hike starts with a tough uphill climb from Santa Rosa to Marampata (3110m/10120ft) which will take about 3 hours. We will set up our campsite here. Take a break here and have our first view of the Choquequirao ruins. From here we hike another 1.5 hours which is a gentler walk to the archeological site. We will begin our tour of the magnificent site and hope to catch views of the amazing condors. Only around 40% of the Inca remains of Choquequirao have been excavated. What can be seen today however, is most impressive and very much worth the challenging trek to get here. The stonework in Choquequirao is not as sophisticated as that found in Machu Picchu, because the stones found here are very difficult to carve, but the buildings are impressive and suggest a site of high status. Choquequirao evokes a sense of awe simply because of the sites’ surrounding beauty and isolation and condors can be seen frequently soaring the skies. Return to our campsite.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: 13k – 8m
Day 3 Choquequirao second visit
Today’s focus is on the exploration of Choquequirao. Waking up early we head out on a guided tour of the site which shows you the most important and interesting sections of the city and the opportunity to learn about the Inca culture and the close relationship between Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. Compared to Machu Picchu little is known of Choquequirao although the people were aware of its existence. Originally discovered in the 17th century by the Spaniards but abandoned and forgotten until a few years ago, when tourism raised the profile of the city and began exploring it. Walk down the side and be amazed by the series of enormous agricultural terraces, each decorated with a llama motif. After our intense visit we will walk back to the campsite.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: 8k – 5m
Day 4 Marampata – Choquequirao – La Playa Rosalina
This morning we will sleep in and catch up with some rest after a challenging hike the last 3 days. Enjoy a delicious breakfast before starting our hike. We start our hike around 8:00AM before the hot sun sets in towards Santa Rosa where we could intermingle with the farmers that live there. Time permitting, we may have an opportunity to learn how to make liquor from sugar cane. (We don’t recommend to drink the liquor.) Continue to our next campsite La Playa Rosalina (1,550m/5,085ft) about a 4-hour hike down sightseeing the immensity of the Apurimac sacred river.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Hiking: 6 hours
Distance: 15k – 9m
Day 5 Hike up to Capuliyoc – Private bus to Cachora & Ollantaytambo – Tourist train to Machu Picchu Village
After Breakfast, we will ascend about 5 hours to Capuliyoc (2915m/9561ft) where our transport will be waiting to take us to Cachora and continue our drive to Ollantaytambo for about 4 hours. We can walk around the village before boarding the tourist train to Machu Picchu Town to spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
Hotel Machu Picchu Town
Breakfast and lunch included
Hiking: 5 hours
Distance: 13k – 8m
Driving distance: 4 hours
Day 6 Incredible Machu Picchu tour – Tourist Train back to Cusco
After breakfast, our guide will meet you in your hotel to take the first bus for a 25 minute ride up to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. Take pleasure in a professional guided walking tour, visiting the citadel once lost in time. Our first visit will be of the guard house to observe the agricultural farming terraces, Funerary Rock where the Incas were mummified and catch spectacular views of Sungate up above and Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu below. Stroll to the extraordinary Temple of the Sun with exceptionally carved stones, The Sacred Plaza with the Temple of the Three Windows which features the huge trapezoidal windows. Walk up to the Intihuatana the solar clock and finally visit the temple of the Condor. After a mesmerizing experience, feeling the energy of the past, exit the park with your guide back to town. Have lunch on your own before boarding your train to the Ollantaytambo or Poroy station. Arrive in the station where our private transportation will be waiting to take us to Cusco.
Breakfast included
Optional extra cost: Huayna Picchu or Montaña Hike
Upgrade extra cost: Vistadome Train, 360 Inca Rail, Hiram Bingham Luxury train with dinner
End of services
Services Included:
- Professional guide, Chef to cook meals, horses to carry the tents, food, cooking equipment, sleeping pad, kitchen/dining tents, tables, stools, and all kitchen gear.
- One staff in charge exclusively to keep the bathroom clean.
- Horses to carry your belongings in the duffle bag we provide 12kilos/24 pounds per person. Emergency horse included.
- In the city you will have your trip coordinator is available 24/7 for any assistance and needs that you may require. She/He will be in care of the details of your trip: Changing money, check in at the different hotels, what activities you can do on your free time, luggage, local and return flight reconfirmation, translating, etc.
- Eureka Expedition or North Face V-25 tents for overnight, inflatable thick mattress (Therma rest) 2.5 inches, pillow, dinning tent, kitchen tent, biodegrade soap, portable chemical biodegradable toilet safe for the environment, First-aid kit and oxygen, walkie-talkies, and duffel bags.
- Satellite phone on trail.
- Menu to choose before the trek. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, intolerant lactose diets accommodated on request (advance notification required). For other diets, consult your travel specialist before making a reservation.
- All in-country transfers as scheduled and upgrade Vistadome class ticket train.
- Comfortable private vehicles with professional drivers.
- Day by day itinerary improved by you and your ToursTrekperu travel designer.
- This itinerary is based in 2 people travelling together in double or twin occupancy.
- All of our treks are operated by ToursTrekperu, we provide almost all the group equipment that you will need.
- Trek briefing before departure.
- All trash produced during the trek returns to Cusco.
Services NOT Included:
- Travel and health insurance (highly recommended)
- International flights, nor local flights within Peru.
- Personal items like individual gear, room services, medicines, laundry, telephone calls, airline excess luggage charges, visa fees, vaccinations, etc.
- US$25.00 per person Walking Pole set
- US$35.00 per person Sleeping Bag with liner. Top quality Marmot sleeping bags -17C
- (1.4 F).
- US$35.00 Single Tent
- US$85.00 per person Huayna Picchu or Mountain Peak
- Meals or other services not listed on the itinerary.
- Any unexpected situations occurred during the journey and which are beyond our control, including changes in scheduling trains or flights, delays, strikes, cancellations, missed connections, etc., shall be covered by the passenger as a whole. If you cannot continue the trek due to physical or health reasons and you would require emergency evacuation then all charges incurred such as transportation, hotel, ambulance, doctors, medication, hospitalization, etc., will be at passenger’s expense. You will be accompanied by one of our staff members back to Cusco or Machu Picchu. This is why we recommend purchasing travel and health insurance. This is money well invested! Trekperu will help you obtain all the necessary documents for you to file a claim with your insurance company.
- Tips to the local staff.
Our prices are per person in double occupancy (matrimonial or twin) in US dollars, thus if you want a single room you will need to add a supplement cost.
Occasionally, after coordinating your trip with our travel consultant, there could be slight changes in your itinerary or hotels because you want to spend more time in places that interest you, avoid long distances, have more free time or avoid tourist concentrations. These changes will increase or reduce the final price. It is important to mention that most hotels increase their rates during special holidays but our Travel Consultant will inform you and make other suggestions.
Contact Information:
- +1-800-566-1305 – Toll-free – (USA/CAN)
- +51-84-650603 (to Peru).
- Skype: ttrekperu, ttrekperu2, ttrekperu3
- Live chat
- Whatsapp Carlos Ruiz +51 969168622
- Whatsapp Doris Freire +51 969290203
- Whatsapp Henry Apaza +51 969228980
- info@trekperu.com
Accomodation
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