There is only one way to get to Choquequirao: hiking. And once you are there; there is one way to make it to Machu Picchu: Hiking. So you can be sure of two things: the adventure time is secured and not many people will be there, around 20 people visit it daily. Choquequirao is an archeological site located in the Quriwayrachina mountain range, in la Convencion, near Cusco. At 3050 m.a.s.l. you’ll need a whole day to tour it all, it is really big! and only 40% of the site has been excavated. It’s pretty much like any other Inca City, Many walls, terraces, temples. But how you get there? Our tour offers other complementary attractions like Tours in Cusco and in the great sacred valley. But the real challenge begins first with the 4 days trek to Choquequirao follow by the 5 days trek to Machu Picchu.
4 Days and 3 Nights
We pick you up from your hotel
A Mundo Mapi representative in Cusco, a professional bilingual Tour Guide, a chef, and horses on the Choquequirao trek
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character, extra porters and private transport.
4 – Demanding -High-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities.
he Short Choquequirao Trek was created for the all adventure people, who would like to know the second lost city of the Incas, this hike involves 4 day hke with a professional guide, chef, muleteer and horses.
Choquequirao (means golden cradle in quechua) is the sister city of Machu Picchu because of their architectural and structural similarity. It is considered as the last Inca refuge. This archaeological complex resisted for decades the Spanish conquerors. You can appreciate the grandeur of his work with a perfect architecture and aesthetics. This complex is part of the system of the Andean citadels in the Vilcabamba Valley. In the Inca times it was united with the archaeological group of Machu Picchu with a complex network of Inca roads. It is currently visited and toured by tourists as scholars of world history. Its flora and fauna of high forest and its topography also attract the attention of the visitors. This archaeological group has several Inca constructions and for that reason was declared Cultural Heritage by the Governments of France and Peru.
Enjoy the Llama Terrace: They appeary to be quite ordinary until you will walk along them and found enlaid llama figures made of white stones. By the time you will reach the lookout we could see hundreds of feet of lined terraces that come down the mountain
The trip from Cusco to Cachora Village last around 4 hours. From this location will start our trek on our Choquequirao hike 4 days way down into the Apurimac Valley. As we descend we appreciate the views of snow-capped peaks in the distance of the Apurimac Valley spread out before us throughout the day.
Some hours later, we will get our first views of Choquequirao Inca site on the far side of the valley. The area around Choquequirao. We will get to a quiet place at Santa Rosa (2200m / 7215ft.) to set our campsite for the night.
Lunch and dinner are included.
We will be ascending about 800m / 2, 624ft. over a distance of 14 km / 8.7 miles in hot and humid conditions. During our 5 hours walk, you will notice that the flora and fauna are diverse, many different kinds of birds and other animals.
Once we get to our next campsite close to Choquequirao at 3,050m / 10,005ft above sea level, we will notice the views of the sun setting down as they shade the condors soaring in the valley below us, all of this depending on weather conditions of course.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
We have been following our Choquequirao Trek and finally, we have got to Choquequirao. We will explore the ruins on a guided tour and take you to the most important part of this site and learning the Inca culture and their relation between Choquequirao and Machu Picchu.
Originally, discovered in the 17th century by the Spanish, it laid abandoned and forgotten until recent years. It has only a 25% been explored and many of Choquequirao secrets still wait to be discovered.
Finishing exploring Choquequirao, we will head back to Cachora using the path we come from. Our campsite for tonight will be Chiquiska (1,800m / 5,905ft.) in the base of the valley by the Apurimac River.
Once again we are using the trail in our way back to Cachora on the side wing of the valley and having our last views of Choquequirao as we getting far away.
By afternoon time will be arriving to Cachora and from there taking our bus to Cusco.
We would love to take everyone on the Inca Trail and guide you to Machu Picchu. We can leave any day of the week as long as permits remain with the government. Please remember, permits are only needed for your START DATE.
$550 per person
2 Trekkers: $1000 per person
3 Trekkers: $900 per person
4 Trekkers: $750 per person
5 Trekkers: $700 per person
6 Trekkers: $600 per person
7 Trekkers: $575 per person
8 or more Trekkers: $550 per person
MUNDO MAPI include a three (3) star hotel using La Cabana, Inti Punku, or Waman (based on availability at booking). Rooms are based on double or triple occupancy and there’s a single room surcharge of $50 US per person if you book alone. Rooms all include private bathrooms with hot showers and WIFI. We can also upgrade your hotel if you prefer something a little fancier. Please remember the service you receive in Aguas Calientes will not be quite as good as Cusco. Below is a list of possible upgrade options but we work with most hotels in Aguas Calientes.
– $25 off per person
Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using a University Student Card our under 17-years-old, we need to see a copy of their card or passport at the time of booking to receive the discount.
Please send all to info@theincatrails.com.
As seen in our Additional Items under Trip Overview there are several optional upgrades. Below is a quick list of prices but be sure to check our Overview section for more details.
Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It’s a 45-minute hike to the top of Huayna Picchu. The views of Machu Picchu from the top are incredible. However, if you’re afraid of heights you need to be warned that coming back down the path is quite steep. If you decide to take this hike then you would it after your tour of Machu Picchu. While this hike is on your own your guide will direct you to where it starts. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity.
Machu Picchu mountain is the mountain that stands above the Machu Picchu ruins. It offers even more stunning views than Huayna Picchu but takes an hour and a half to reach the top. You can book this with an additional entrance ticket that we can secure for you.
All our tours include the Expedition (Tourist) Train. This train is usually booked at 4:22 p.m. departing from Aguas Calientes. There is also the Vistadome train, which is an upgraded train that offers slightly larger seats, windows and some entertainment. Usually the Vistadome train is booked for 4:43 p.m. and travels to Poroy, a train station closer to Cusco. While this is an upgraded fee, we will still include your transportation back to your hotel.
You’ll have a full day at Machu Picchu arriving at the citadel around 6 AM and leaving no later than 2 PM to catch your 4:22 train. If you would like to tour Machu Picchu again on your own the next day that can be arranged for you.
