Private Tour Guide, Amazing Trek to Choquequirao “Sister of Machu Picchu”: Choquequirao is much different than Machu Picchu Choquequirao sits in the saddle of a high Andean ridge (3033m/9948ft) above sea level and 1500m/4920ft above the roaring waters of the Apurimac River.
Day 1 – Cusco, Cachora / Chiquisca
Pick up from the Hotel at 5:00am and transfer in our private transportation to Cachora (2850m/9348ft) the journey will take around 4hrs. While the group is having breakfast the crew will arrange the horses for the trek. We start to walk from Cachora observing the majestic Padrayoc snow covered peak, the highest (5482m/17980ft). The hike on this first day is 16 km around 6hrs walking starts by flat part. From the viewpoint of Capuliyoc where it might see condors, the descent towards the Apurímac Canyon, and the vegetation changes from Agave and Tunacactus to dwarf tree forest, having lunch at Cocamasana, then we continue to Chiquisqa (1950m/6398ft), campsite in Chiquisca
Meals Included: Box-lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 16 km (9, 93 miles)
Estimated walking time: 5- 6 hours
Maximum altitude point: (2850m/9348ft)
Day 2 – Chiquisca / Choquequirao Archeological Site
Breakfast; early in the morning we start to walk from here and continue the descent to the abundant Apurímac River (1550m/5028ft) in the impressing deep canyon of the same name. After a short rest continue the hike going up to Choquequirao Archeological Site. The first 2-3 hours are going up steep until Santa Rosa, then it will change between flat and climb the rest of the way surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. Lunch at Maranpata (2850m/9348ft) then continue to Choquequirao (3033m/9948ft) after 2hrs walking arrival to our camping place from where we have a spectacular view of the canyon, it is also possible to see Andean Condors soaring in the mountains. Campsite near Choquequirao
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 14 km (8, 70 miles)
Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours
Maximum altitude point: (3033m/9948ft)
Day 3 – Explore Choquequirao
Breakfast; this day enjoying a complete guided tour of the Choquequirao complex means “Cradle of Gold” visiting the high parts (Hanan), and the lower parts (Urin), and some areas that are still covered in wild foliage and ready to be restored into the way it was when the Incas owned it. The steep mountainside below the main plaza features several clusters of newly-discovered buildings, including the so-called Ridge Group, and the Waterfall Temple, an intriguing ceremonial complex facing the cascades of a steep ravine.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Choquequirao / San Ignacio / Carmen Huerto
Breakfast; we start to walk down route pretty different from the ones walked before. Going through this new pass we will have some impressive views, for instance at the canyon of Apurimac, in its´ greater length, and a lot of flora and fauna. We will go through a height difference of 1500m/4920ft between Choquequirao and Playa San Ignacio (1500m/4950ft). Lunch in San Ignacio, after lunch ascent to our camping place at a paradisiacal place known as Carmen Huerto (2000m/6560)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total distance: 12 km (7, 45 miles)
Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours
Maximum altitude point: (3033m/9948ft)
Day 5 – Carmen Huerto / Huanipaca / Back to Cusco
Breakfast; after early breakfast, hiking up out of the Apurimac Canyon, with the river receding to a distant, white ribbon below visitors and the glaciers of the Vilcabamba Range filling the sky ahead. On the route we will be visiting communities like Pacobamba and Huanipaca (3150m/10332ft). From Huanipaca we will have the most impressive view of the glacier chain ´Sacsarayoc´, located in the region of Vilcabamba ”the last shelter of the Incas”, our trek will end in Huanicapa, where our private transport will be waiting to take us and back to Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Total distance: 10 km (6, 21 miles)
Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours
Maximum altitude point: (3150m/10332ft)