CHOQUEQUIRAO 5 DAYS AND 4 NIGHTS

Choquequirao  is situated amongst the spurs of the south Andes Mountain Range at 3,104 m.o.s.l.  (10,183 feet), above the noisy waters of the Apurimac river. This is a walk through a sharp landscape, it takes us through different climates from the Andean valleys, descending to the arid Canyon of Apurímac to then arrive to Choquequirao whose environment is a cloudy exuberant forest, Choquequirao was a ceremonial center dedicated to the cult of the Gods of the Mountain, the river and the Natural elements  and it was also the fortress of Manco Inka; the legend says that this Inka  rebelled against the Spaniards and, taking all the gold and inka treasures ran away and hid in the forest. The rugged road to this marvelous makes it a challenge which will be rewarded with the incomparable beauty of the landscape. When we arrive to the Choquequirao plateau  with its impressive view of the Vilcabamba mountain range we will get the sensation to arrive to a forgotten place through the centuries and time has just passed by.

DAY 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – CHIQUISCA
Early departure starting by picking you up from your hotel and with the address to Cachora in our private deluxe bus, along the route we have a spectacular view of the agricultural lands of the plateau of Anta, surrounded by the snowy summits of the Andes. The rugged winding road plunges into the deepness at more than 1,800 m./6,000 ft. to reach to a bridge over the Apurimac Gorge, and then climbs through lush fields and orchards before making a final descent to the village of Cachora, located at 3,400m./11,100ft., From where we start walking and the crew which will go along with us is waiting for us in this place, along our tour we will be able to appreciate the flora and fauna, this tour lasts approximately 2 hours getting to the viewpoint of Capulilloc,which is at an altitude of 2800 m.o.s.l. to then arrive to Chiquisca which is at an altitude of 1650 m.o.s.l. Our first camp site is here and we will spend overnight.

DAY 2: CHIQUISCA - CHOQUEQUIRAO.
5.30 AM Breakfast. After that we begin our hike, after having a consisting breakfast, we get the last fifteen hundred feet to the elevation of the Apurimac River - "Great Spirit Speaker", in  Quechua, the language of the Incas, arriving to the Rosalina river banks which is at an altitude of 1550 m. to then ascend toward Santa Rosa which is at 1900 m.a.s.l.  where we will have a short  break. Then we proceeded with our journey, reaching Marampata this is at an altitude of 2800 m. where our lunch will be served, and, later, we will be arriving to Choquequirao  which is at an altitude of 2700 m. Also, we will have our first panoramic view of the buildings and terraces of Choquequirao, the final stretch of the walk today passes through the cold shadows of a native forest clouds. We get to our second camp site where we will camp the second night

DAY 3: VISIT TO CHOQUEQUIRAO - MARAMPATA.
After breakfast we visit the archaeological complex of Choquequirao the "golden cradle" built for ceremonial purposes and occupied by the Inca nobility, it’s considered as the last Inca refuge before the Spanish conquest, we start by ntering through the platforms that have a unique and perfect structure. Our experienced professional tour guide, during about 2 hours, will explain in great detail all about it, this place is very rich in flora and a wide variety of birds typical of the zone as it is located in a tropical forest. We will have the opportunity to observe the majestic “king of the sky”, the condor. then we will have some free time to explore on our own and walk around this archaeological complex, you can take photos and get a totally satisfying visi, After that we will be walking back to Marampata, where our lunch is ready waiting for us and also being able to appreciate the surrounding scenery, Dinner. Overnight in this camping site.

DAY 4: MARAMPATA - CHIQUISCA.
6.30 AM. Breakfast. After breakfast our down hill hike starts, we will be appreciating the beautiful landscape and flora and fauna while we are walking, this will be a quiet descending, it won’t be tiring, therefore, there won’t be fatigue, and later we will arrive to Santa Rosa where we will have a short break. Then we will continue our descent, to finally reach Rosalina river banks where we will get another short break and then we will continue our hike down to reach Chiquisca after an one-hour walk. The total hike from Marampata to Chiquisca will last approximately 4 hours and at this point we will have our fourth camp.

DAY 5: CHIQUISCA - CACHORA - CUSCO.
5.30 AM. Breakfast. After breakfast we will continue our walk back, this time we will ascent toward Capuliyoc , this part of the tour is not very tiring either, even though we have to climb up to a rough 400 mt higher point. Along our way we will be able to appreciate the breathtaking scenery and possibly, if we are lucky, some condors, different kind of birds and different varieties of plants to finally reach to Cachora where the bus which will take us back from Cachora to Cusco,  is waiting for us, to where we will be arriving approximately around 7.00 at night, once we are in Cusco you will be transferred to your hotel.

PROGRAMME INCLUDES:

• Private round trip bus Cusco - Cachora - Cusco and transfers to your hotel.
  Entrance tickets.
• Professional bilingual Tour Guide (English / Spanish.)
• Complete meals: 4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners. (with vegetarian options)
• Camping equipment (personal, two or three people tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, hairs, tables, mattress)
• First aid kit.
• Emergency Ball of oxygen.
• A professional Cook. Cooking gear.
• Horsemen and horses in charge of transportation of all camping equipment (not for passengers)
• Accommodation for guides, cooks and carriers.
• Snacks during the trip.

WE DON’T INCLUDE:

• Breakfast on the first day, dinner on the last night in Cusco.
• Sleeping bag.
• Walking sticks.

WE RECOMMEND TO BRING:

• Hiking shoes.
•  Rain jacket or poncho for the rain.
• Hat or cap for protection against the sun or cold.
• Appropriate clothing for the walk to the cold and heat.
• Sleeping bag (if you do not have one you can hire in our office).
• Small towel.
• Sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
• Original passport.
• Bottle of water purifying tablets (Micropur).
• Canteen.
• Energizers.
• Flashlight.
• Toilet paper.
• Camera film and batteries.

OPTIONAL:

• Rubber- covered walking sticks for the walk.
• Extra horse for passengers.