CHOQUEQUIRAO: A STILL PARTLY UNDISCOVERED INCA CITY

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Choquequirao (Cradle of Gold in Quechua) is another lost Inca city, just as Machu Picchu. It was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham, just as Machu Picchu. Its history is unclear: just as Machu Picchu, Choquequirao was once considered the last Inca bastion when the sons of the Sun had to flee from Cusco around 1536. Finally it has lots of similarities in architecture and structure with Machu Picchu, but that’s where the comparison ends.

There’s no easy way to reach Choquequirao, a partly still unexcavated ruin that is majestically situated at the junction of three valleys in a cloud forest high above the canyon of the Apurímac River. The only way to get there is a 2-days hike. And that’s why you’ll meet virtually no-one while exploring the vast city: in 2006 only 1% of the amount of visitors of Machu Picchu visited this amazing citadel. And also the hike to Choquequirao is in our opinion a very good alternative for the Inca Trail!

Program

In the early morning we pick you up at your hotel and drive in about 3 hours to the village of Cachora where we will have breakfast and pack our mules. In about 7 hours we walk to our first campsite at Chiquisca. Our first stop will be after 2 hours at the pass of Capuliyoc (2915 m.a.s.l.) where you can observe one of the deepest canyons in the world. After that we descend towards Chiquisca at 1900m, with a very different climate and flora and fauna.

The second day starts with a descent of an hour to the bridge over the Apurímac River. Then follows the hardest part of the whole trek: up to our lunch stop in Santa Rosa at 2115 meters: it will take us about 3 hours. After that it’s again climbing toward Maranpata (2850m), where we’ll stay for the night.

Today we visit Choquequirao, situated at about 2 hours walking distance from Maranpata. We’ll have a guided tour of about three hours and of course you’ll have all the time to walk around by yourself. Until today only an estimated 30% of the total ruins are excavated. Quite impressive to be virtually alone in a place like this! With a bit of luck you’ll see condors circling high above you and you have an amazing view on the deep canyons below. In the afternoon we return to our camp in Maranpata.

The next 2 days we take the same route back to Cusco, sleeping during night 4 at Chiquisca and returning from Cachora to Cusco around 8pm of day 5.

Included
- transportations as described above
- transfers from and to your hotel
- entrance fee to Choquequirao
- all applicable taxes
- Mules for camping equipment and food, and mule drivers
- cook, kitchen equipment and 3 meals per day (vegetarian food available on request)
- English speaking guide
- camping equipment, including tents and mattress

Not included
- breakfast day 1, dinner day 5
- sleeping bag (we rent sleeping bags for $ 5 a day)
- walking sticks (we rent sticks for $ 5 a day)
- tips

Please contact us for prices, more information and availability.