Choquequirao Trek
5 Days / 4 Nights
Overlooking the Apurimac River, Choquequirao -- or the “Cradle of Gold” -- holds great importance, being one of the last standing sanctuaries of the Inca civilization following the Spanish invasion.
This less-trodden trek winds entrancingly amid breathtaking scenery,
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Price:
$610 - $770 USD per person
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Peak Elevation :
3,400 m / 11,150 ft
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Low Altitude:
1,500 m / 4,920 ft
Overall Difficulty:
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Itinerary
Please note that all distances and elevations are approximate. Trek times are estimated; various factors -- such as weather conditions, individual fitness levels, and how each trekker manages at altitude -- may affect the time it takes to reach each point.
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PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING
The evening before your trek, you will meet with your tour guide at your place of lodging (hotel, hostel, etc.). Your guide will give you an overview of your trek to help you prepare and pace yourself for the physical and mental challenges that lie ahead. S/he will answer any questions and address any concerns you may have regarding the trek, and can offer suggestions on where you may purchase last-minute supplies. You will receive a duffel bag to hold up to 7 kg / 15 lbs of your personal belongings; this will be carried by the horse accompanying you on your journey. Your pick-up time will be confirmed.
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DAY ONE
Cusco | Ccachora | Capuliyoc | Chiquisca | Playa Rosalina
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You will be picked-up at your place of lodging around 4 am. You will travel by private van about 4 hours to Ccachora, having breakfast along the way. Then, it's another 40 minute drive to Capuliyuc. (In the event of a landslide which makes passage by auto impossible, you will travel by foot, about 2 hours to Capuliyuc.) After you are introduced to the team, you will begin your 3 hour downhill trek to Chiquisca where you will be greeted with lunch. Then off you go, continuing along a steep zig-zagged downhill path for 1.5 hours to Playa Rosalina where you will camp for the night. You'll have a little time to get settled in your tent, freshen up, and relax before afternoon tea is served at 5 pm. Dinner will follow at 7 pm. Sleep tight!
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DAY ONE OVERVIEW
Hours of Trekking
5
Elevations for the Day
Cusco - 3,400 m / 11,150 ft highest
Ccachora - 3,000 m / 9,840 ft
Capuliyuc - 3,000 m / 9,840 ft
Chiquisca - 1,700 m / 5,575 ft
Playa Rosalina - 1,500 m / 4,920 ft lowest
Meals Served
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Snack + Tea
Accommodations
Camping
Notes
- Brave traveller, you will dive right in to a challenging day with some steep downhill passes.
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- You'll be at a significantly lower altitude than Cusco, so have your bug repellant handy!
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DAY 2 OVERVIEW
Hours of Trekking
7.5
Elevations for the Day
Playa Rosalina - 1,500 m / 4,920 ft lowest
Marampata - 2,900 m / 9,515 ft
Choquequirao - 3,030 m / 9,940 ft highest
Meals Served
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Snack + Tea
Accommodations
Camping
Notes
- This is the longest and most challenging of your 5-day trek.
- Sip your water. In this altitude, we recommend moving slowly and steadily versus moving quickly and stopping to take many breaks. Always be sure to watch where you step!
- The temperatures throughout the day will vary significantly, be sure to wear layers!
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DAY TWO
Playa Rosalina | Marampata | Choquequirao
5 am wake up. Breakfast will be served at 5:30. Eat up! It'll be a tough one. Protect yourself with bug repellant. At 6:30 you will depart camp and begin your 5-hour steep uphill trek along a zig-zagged path to your lunch site, Marampata. After you re-fuel, you'll continue gently, up-and-down, to the Choquequirao camp site. Relax for a bit, and we'll let you know when tea's ready at 6 pm. Dinner will be served at 7 pm. Afterwards, as Silverio likes to say, "may you sleep like a baby alpaca."
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DAY THREE
Choquequirao
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You will begin this gentle day with a 5:30 wake up. Breakfast will be served at 6, and from your campsite, you'll begin to explore at 7. The entire day will be dedicated to exploring the buildings and terraces of this 'other' Lost City of the Incas -- one just as significant, but much less visited than Machu Picchu. For about four hours, you'll walk up and down the stone steps on a guided tour of the Choquequirao Incan Complex. The Banderitas team will prepare your lunch at camp and take it to you, so that you may continue to enjoy the view of the archaeological site and the Apurimac River while you eat. You'll continue with a guided tour for another 2-3 hours. Back at camp, the same one as the previous night, you'll meet for tea at 5 pm. Dinner will be served at 7. Dulces sueños.
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DAY 3 OVERVIEW
Hours of Trekking
6.5
Elevations for the Day
Choquequirao - 3,030 m / 9,940 ft lowest / highest
Meals Served
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Snack + Tea
Accommodations
Camping
Notes
- You'll spend the entire day leisurely exploring the Choquequirao Incan Complex.
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DAY 4 OVERVIEW
Hours of Trekking
7.5
Elevations for the Day
Choquequirao - 3,030 m / 9,940 ft highest
Marampata - 2,900 m / 9,515 ft
Playa Rosalina - 1,500 m / 4,920 ft lowest
Chiquisca - 1,700 m / 5,575 ft
Meals Served
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Snack + Tea
Accommodations
Camping
Notes
- Hopefully, your legs and lungs had a chance to rest yesterday. Today will be a challenging day as you retrace your steps back toward Capuliyuc.
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DAY FOUR
Choquequirao | Marampata | Playa Rosalina | Chiquisca
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Today you will begin your return to the trailhead. Wake up at 5:30. Breakfast will be served at 6. At 7 you will depart from camp, and follow a gradual up-and-down path for 2 hours to Marampata, followed by 3 hours of a steep, zig-zagged downhill where you will re-fuel at Playa Rosalina. You'll continue climbing steeply uphill on a zig-zagged path for 2 hours until you reach the Chiquisca campsite. Tea will be served at 5, and dinner will follow at 7. Buenas noches.
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DAY FIVE
Chiquisca | Capuliyuc | Cusco
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You've almost made it! 5 am wake up. Breakfast will be served at 5:30. You depart camp early at 6 to avoid trekking when the sun is at its hottest. For your final ascent; it will be a zig-zagged and steep for about 4.5 hours. You'll have your final Banderitas lunch after which you'll pack up your gear and head back to Cusco by private transport, arriving after 4.5 hours. You'll be dropped off at your hotel. Please leave your Banderitas duffel bag at the front desk. Thank you!
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DAY 5 OVERVIEW
Hours of Trekking
4.5
Elevations for the Day
Chiquisca - 1,700 m / 5,575 ft lowest
Capuliyuc - 3,000 m / 9,840 ft
Cusco - 3,400 m / 11,150 ft highest
Meals Served
Breakfast / Lunch + Snack
Accommodations
Final Day - No Overnight Accommodations
Notes
-The final day of your Choquequirao, and one final steep ascent.
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- Thank you, team! You'll be parting ways with the cook and porters after lunch.
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Price
prices per person in USD
Group of 2: $770*
Group of 3: $715
Group of 4: $660
Group of 5: $610
please inquire about pricing for larger groups
* a solo traveler would pay for two = $1,540
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Automatic upgrades
a high quality, inflatable sleeping pad, a pillow,
and the use of a private portable toilet + toilet tent
What is Included
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TEAM SUPPORT
- Experienced, Professional Tour Guide
- Responsive, U.S.-Style Customer Service
SUPPORT STAFF
- Experienced Cook
- Reliable Horseman and his horses
- Safe, Responsible Drivers
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TICKETS / ENTRY FEES
- Entry Fee to Choquequirao Archaeological Site
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TRANSPORTATION
From hotel pick-up on Day 1 to hotel drop-off on Day 5:
- Private transport from your hotel in Cusco to Capuliyoc
- Private transport from Capuliyoc back to your hotel in Cusco
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MEALS and BEVERAGES
From Breakfast on Day 1 to Lunch on Day 5:
- 14 Fresh, wholesome meals prepared by Banderitas' Cook: 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners
- We respect dietary restrictions and preferences, and will accommodate special requests
(i.e., vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, etc.)
- Snacks -- unpackaged, unprocessed, and healthful (e.g., fruit and cereal bars)
- Variety of teas including whole leaf coca
- In the morning, freshly ground, organic coffee from Quillabamba
- Drinking water (boiled and cooled, from lunch on Day 1)
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EQUIPMENT / ACCOMMODATIONS
- First Aid Kit
- Oxygen Tank
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- Eureka Timberline Tent
- Inflatable Thermarest ProLite Plus Sleeping Pad
- plus an additional foam pad for extra comfort
- Private portable toilet / toilet tent for your group
- Pillow
- Hot water bottle
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DUFFEL BAG
- At the Pre-Departure Briefing on the evening before your trek, you will be provided with a Banderitas Duffel Bag which you may fill with up to 7 kilos / 15 pounds of your belongings. This will be carried on horseback. While we recommend that you carry all you will need for the day in your daypack, you will have access to your duffel bag at all lunch stops and campsites. The duffel bag may be left at the front desk of your hotel following your trek.
These extras and upgrades come as standard services when you book with
Banderitas Adventures in Cusco
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WHAT IS NOT Included
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EQUIPMENT for RENT
- Down Sleeping Bag $25 USD
- Trekking Poles (rubber-tipped, per pair) $15 USD
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SINGLE-OCCUPANCY ACCOMMODATIONS
(Not applicable to solo travelers paying double)
- For your own tent $35 USD
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GRATUITIES