Inca Gold Refuge 4 Days - 3 Nights
Summary Of Choquequirao Complex is very interesting and one of the most popular treks in Cusco area. Choquequiraw is situated in the spur of the mountain range of Salkantay, over 3030m surrounded by the Apus of Yamana, Ampay, Chokecarpu, Pumasiyo and Panta, on the left bank of Apurimac river. In the time of the Incas, it was united and in communication with Machu Picchu by a complex network of trails. The reasons are many: The fantastic nature with valleys, snow-capped mountains and great variety of plants, birds and animals. Choquequiraw is considered as "The Last Refuge of the Inca Empire". Visitors can view a complex hydraulic system, most likely for domestic, ceremonial and agricultural use. The geographic location of Choquequirao in reference to other complexes of the same period would tend to indicate that its function was that of an Inca enclave toward the valleys of the Apurímac River. There are many similarities between Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. The latter was a sanctuary dedicated to the worship of the Inca Pachacútec; Choquequirao was also a sacred site, but one dedicated to other functions that could have had to do with war or with the surrounding apus. Each is located beside Mt. Salcantay and both are situated above, far above, a great river: in the case of Machupicchu, the Urubamba and in that of Choquequirao, the Apurímac.
The ecotourism, fulfilling all the norms of conservation and control, will lead a sustainable development of the zone. The Inca trail to Choquequirao is encounters with the nature area that is without disturbance or contaminating, with a specific abject of admire and enjoy the landscapes along with sylvester plants, wild animals and cultural manifestations.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Cachora - Chiquisca
At 5am we pick up from your hotel and we leave from Cusco in our private van will take us to the town of San Pedro de Cachora(2800m) where you have plenty of time for breakfast for additional cost. Here we met the rest of our team (cook , horses and horse handlers). Begin the long trek which will take us between 7 to 8 hours. Along the way we will also be able to observe a diverse landscapes that belong to different climates such as Pedroyoc snow-capped, diversity of flora and fauna that embellish our walking. Today will trek 7 to 8 hours on the mountainous region. Finally arrive to el Capulichayoc Viewpoint, from where we will be able to observe the deepest canyon in the world which is known as the Apurimac and by where the majestic Apurimac flows. It is here where we will have our first lunch and from where is possible to see the first sights of Choquequirao. Will continue descending until CHIKISKA (1800m) where will set up the tents and spend night surrounded by majestic landscape.
Day 2: Chiquisca - Maranpata - Choquequirao
After a good breakfast we start our strenuous hike up hill for about 5 hours to our lunch stop at Marcapata and then completely guided tour of Chokequirao = "Golden Cradle" is considered the Sister City of Machu Picchu, as there are several similarities. It hangs 1500 meters above the Apurimac Canyon. Machu Picchu hangs above the Urubamba canyon. It is at the same latitude and it is a large citydel with more of 8 hectares, only one third has been uncovered and every day the archeologists find something else of interest. We will observe the three levels of the excavated ruin, where we can appreciate houses, terraces and other parts of this late Inca-town, like the ruin in progress of excavation. Camping next to Marcapata.
Day 3: Choquequirao - Chiquisca
At dawn we can see the sun rise over the ruins and after a good breakfast start back down for the same way we came in, until we reach our camp at Chiquisca.
Day 4: Chiquisca - Cachora - Cusco
Today we will walk up at 6am to have early breakfast accompanied by first sun rising over the Apurimac canyon. The trek time to Cachora will take 5 to 7 hours depending of your physical condition. In Cachora we will met our private van to take us back to Cusco.
Included
- Official English speaking guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons)
- Transfer by private van from Cusco to Cachora
- Entrance to Choquequirao ruins (one time)
- Horses to carry food and camping gear and backpacks
- Experienced cook
- Cooking equipment
- Teatime everyday (coffee, tea, popcorn, biscuit)
- 4 capacity tent (four season tent) - 2 persons per tent with plenty space for backpacks
- Double thickness foam sleeping mattress
- All meals on the trail (3 breakfast - 3 lunches - 3 dinners)
- Water supply (boiled) after every dinner or breakfast
- Return by private van from Cachora to Cusco
- Kitchen and dining tent with camp tables and chairs
- Tents and food for our camp staff
- Trekking price include government sales tax (19% as know IGV)
- First aid kit and oxygen bottle for any participant and our camp staff
| TOUR SCHEDULE & COST | ||
| DATE | TOUR | COST |
| Any day (Except January to March) |
CHOKEQUIRAO TREKKING Inca Gold Refuge 4 Days - 3 Nights |
Backpacker service (Join a group) 1 to more participants US$505 each Private VIP service (private guide) 2 participants US$723 each 3-4 participants US$695 each 5 to more participants US$633 each |
| Discount 5%: South American Explorers Club Members Discount 10%: Tour Operators or Travel Agencies Only Students: US$25 discount only with valid green ISIC card |
||
| Organized Groups: We offer private trekking at any time departure | ||
| Group size: 8-12 participants per 2 guides | ||
| Booking: We highly recommended to book space prior you arrive to Peru | ||
IMPORTANT:
Every night keep everything locked up in your tents to prevent any problems with robberies.Not Included
- Backpack 65lt, if you plan to hire a horse take a big plastic bag to cover your personal backpack
- Sleeping bag can be hired from our office for US$5 per day
- Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco/Peru)
- Strong comfortable and waterproof footwear
- One complete change of clothing
- Sweater and jacket (something warm)
- Water bottle and purification tablets (Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco)
- Flashlight and batteries
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
- Sun block (sun protection cream)
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
- Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits etc
- Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries
- Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs)
- You also need to bring your original passport on the trail
- Optional: walking sticks or poles
Choquequirao weather
Dry season (April – November)Day temperature 20ºC/35ºC
Night temperature 5 ºC/10ºC
Wet season (December – March)
Day temperature 17ºC/22ºC
Night temperature 0 ºC/7ºC
Advice for Hikers
Is recommendable have yellow fiber vaccination (malaria) because you will be 3 days in the high jungle. We never hear news about problems with malaria in this zone but are better to be prepared.It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude for that try to spend 2 nights in Cusco (3400m) prior to do the trek
Local kids and adults
Along the way you will met many people, specially kids walking long distance to arrive at school and study 5 hours and they back home after maybe 30 minutes or 2 – 4 hours depending how far they live from the school. Normally they are son or daughter of poor farmers living on the mountains. We strongly recommend help us to give some present to them like pencils, notebook, dictionaries, toys, clothes (socks, gloves, hat, t-shirt, etc) and something to eat. We don’t recommend giving them things like candies, chew gun, soda, camping knife or money. If you really like to make picture of them, especially of adults we strongly advise you to ask first. If you don’t speak any word of Spanish language (español) coordinate with your guide to see if is possible to have picture of them. Local people don’t permit take picture of them, because they believe you taking their spirit on your camera.
Hire horses
Horses cancarry up to 120Kg = US$180 for the full duration of the tour. Each horse comes equipped with saddle and assistant who will provide food and care the horse every day.
Riding a horse you will need to carry a daypack with your Camera, bottle of water, snacks, a fleece or something warm and a poncho in case of rain (unlikely in Dry season but as a precaution). Your bag will be waiting for you in your tent at campsites.
