Classic Choquequirao Trek 4 Days

Today will be full of adrenaline as we climb up to the ancient city! At the top are the highest views of the landscape. After breakfast around 6:00 AM, we will continue our trek. We will walk for about an hour downhill to cross the Apurimac River in the cable car, just for some more fun! Then, we will start trekking uphill toward Santa Rosa (2115 MASL – 6938 FASL) where we will rest after the hard climb. This stretch is the hardest, and it will take three hours. When we are ready, we will continue up to Maranpata (2850 MASL – 9350 FASL), a bit easier of a climb. During our journey, we will observe various types of Andean vegetation that exist in the area. When we will arrive at Maranpata beside the Chunchumayo River, we will have lunch and take another rest around 2 PM. Along the way, we will observe many orchids and wild flowers as well as different types of birds. In this same spot, we will again find small huts, and next to them we will make our camp.

Distance: 17 km/10.6 miles
Climate: Warm
Hiking Time: 6 hours

Waking up in the middle of the Andes is one of the delights of spending these days as a trekker! It is an amazing experience! Breakfast will be ready early, around 6:00 AM, and afterward we will walk from Maranpata to Choquequirao (3035 MASL – 9957 FASL); a 2-hour hike. The wildlife in Choquequirao is already active by sunrise and will fill you with a deep joy! We will arrive at the archaeological site in time to enjoy the impressive views of the deep canyons and maybe even have the opportunity to see a Condor flying nearby. We will walk around the archaeological complex once we arrive. Your guide and his knowledge of this important and mystic Incan town will make you feel as though you have travelled through time! Around 3 PM, we head to Maranpata to have lunch and rest with the magnificent view. Soon we start the descent into the forest back along the same trail to the cable car crossing. Our base camp for the night is called Chiquisca.

Distance: 22 km/13.7 miles
Climate: Warm day and cold at night
Hiking Time: 8 hours

The last Andean breakfast is the biggest and most special with the noise of the river hanging in the background. We spend most of the day heading back to the beginning of the trail. We will return along the same route to Cachora (2800 MASL – 9186 FASL). During our journey, we will observe the exotic flora and fauna as well as sights of the majestic snow-capped peaks and the impressive canyon of the Apurimac. After we get to Capuliyoc where the climbing path finishes, we will have lunch. We have our final view of the apurimac valley and Choquequirao from here. It will take us another four hours to get the village of Cachora at around 3pm. In the afternoon, we will drive a car back to Cusco (approx. 5 hours). Arriving around 8 PM, trekkers will be dropped off at their hotels.

Distance: 17 km/10.6 miles
Climate: Warm
Hiking Time: 7 hours