Passengers
Days
If you want to leave the crowds behind and venture out on a challenging, exciting and breathtaking trek, this route is perfect for you. You can join us as a couple or with a group of family or friends. We take care of every last detail so that you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.
The Choquequirao Route is truly spectacular and very little visited by tourists. In other words, it is hardly known, little visited and rarely explored. Choquequirao is believed to have been the legendary last city inhabited by the Incas when the Spanish conquest reached Peru. You will be amazed at the size of the site, much larger than Machu Picchu.
Prepare yourself for a trip back in time, leaving modernity and worries behind as you stroll through the stony streets of Choquequirao. You can easily imagine a way of life in which great importance was given to community and in which there was a deep love and respect for Mother Nature or Pachamama, as she was known to the Incas. This intense and valuable connection between humans and nature allowed the ancient civilization to create true marvels of architecture and engineering.
During this incredible adventure, you will travel the ancient roads that the Incas used hundreds of years ago, climb high Andean peaks, contemplate the majesty of the glaciers, descend through deep canyons where the giant condors fly and cross completely different ecosystems in this country of fantastic biodiversity.
- Day 01 Cusco | Capuliyoc – Chiquisca – Playa Rosalinas – Santa Rosa
Enjoy this first day by taking in the incredible scenery of the Apurimac River and valley before you get to Santa Rosa, where you’ll spend the night. - Day 02 Santa Rosa | Marampata – Choquequirao Archaeological Complex – Marampata
You hike to Marampata this morning and enjoy amazing panoramic views, then follow the trail to Choquequirao. Remember to save your energy because you will return to Marampata for the night. - Day 03 Marampata | Santa Rosa – Playa Rosalinas – Chiquisca
You will depart from Marampata observing more impressive landscapes and refresh yourself in the cold waters of Rosalinas beach. Later, you will arrive at Chiquisca village to spend the night. - Day 04 Chiquisca | Capuliyoc – Saywite Monolith – Conoc Hot Springs – Cusco
You will hike to Capuliyoc and at this point, you will say goodbye to the trekking team before heading to the Saywite Monolith. Afterwards, you will explore the Conoc hot springs to relax. In the afternoon, you will return in our private transportation to Cusco.
Your exciting adventure begins at 4:30 am when we pick you up at your lodging in Cusco and depart by private transport to Capuliyoc, a five-hour journey that will give you spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains Salkantay and Humantay.
Upon arrival at Capuliyoc, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast and meet the cook and muleteer, who will be part of your trekking team. They will make sure that your belongings arrive at each camp without any problems and that you enjoy every meal.
We will start the trek descending for three hours through the impressive landscapes of the Apurimac Valley. Along the way, you will see two more majestic mountains: Padreyoc and Qoriwayrachina, before arriving at Chiquisca, where we will enjoy an energizing lunch.
Refueled and ready to continue, we will walk for another hour and fifteen minutes until we reach the bottom of the valley, where we are greeted by the mighty Apurimac River, known in Quechua as the “God Who Speaks.” This river, with class V rapids, is ideal for those seeking adventure in canoeing or rafting.
Finally, we will make a final two-hour descent to reach our first campsite at Santa Rosa (1,970 m / 6,463 ft). There, you will enjoy a comforting dinner before resting and recharging your energy for the next day.
In the morning, you will be served a hearty breakfast to give you the energy you need for the day’s trek. Then, around 5:30 a.m., you will begin a three-hour zigzag ascent to Marampata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft.). Here you will be amazed by the breathtaking scenery and have the opportunity to capture views of the canyon and snow-capped peaks. After a short break to organize your equipment, we will continue hiking for another hour and a half until we reach the Choquequirao complex (3,050 m / 10,007 ft).
This day will allow you to immerse yourself in the environment and feel the energy of this ancient site. You will have time to explore every corner of the complex, located in the deep canyon. You can probably already imagine the spectacular scenery that awaits you. Your guide will take you around the site, sharing the history and fascinating stories of the area.
Choquequirao is much larger than Machu Picchu, although experts estimate that only 40% has been discovered, so it is likely that there will be even more to explore in the future. You will visit impressive plazas, temples and terraces that will make you reflect on how this civilization was able to build such a grandiose wonder high in the mountains.
Don’t miss some of the highlights of the complex, such as the white stone llamas built to protect the sacred mountain, known as Apu Qoriwayrachina, which is located nearby. Choquequirao remains a mystery in many ways, and it is exciting to think that more secrets will be uncovered in the years to come. At midday, we will pause at this magnificent site to enjoy lunch.
In the afternoon, you will return to your camp at Marampata to enjoy a delicious dinner and rest for the night. Once the sun has set, you will notice that the night sky is full of stars and constellations, a perfect view to reflect on before going to sleep.
You will start the day with a comforting breakfast to recharge your batteries before setting off on your return journey, after having experienced unforgettable moments exploring Choquequirao.
You will return following the same route to Santa Rosa (1,970 m / 6,463 ft), where you will make a special stop at a local farm. There you will learn about the traditional process of sugar cane cultivation and how it is transformed into Cambray, an artisanal liquor typical of the region.
After a nutritious lunch and a short rest, you will continue your descent to Playa Rosalinas (1,500 m / 4,921 ft). Here you will have the opportunity to cool off in the crystal clear waters of the Apurimac River, a perfect moment to relax your feet after the hike.
Later, you will begin the ascent of approximately one hour and fifteen minutes until you reach Chiquisca (1,900 m / 6,234 ft). In this cozy place, you will enjoy a homemade dinner while sharing with your fellow travelers the experiences of the day. At the end, you will rest fully to regain strength for the next day.
Today you will enjoy the last breakfast of your adventure while listening to the mighty sound of the Apurimac River. You will start early to avoid the intense sun and take advantage of the coolness of the morning on this last stretch to Capuliyoc (2,890 m / 9,482 ft).
Upon arrival, it will be time to say goodbye to your trekking team, who have accompanied and supported you throughout this incredible experience. Then, you will board a private transport that will take you to explore the impressive Saywite Monolith. This place will allow you to learn more about its spiritual relevance to the Incas, especially in relation to water.
After this historical visit, you will head to the Conoc thermal baths, where you can soak in the relaxing waters to relieve accumulated muscle fatigue. Here you will also enjoy a delicious lunch before continuing your journey back to Cusco.
As you transfer, take the opportunity to admire the majestic mountains one last time and capture photos of the surrounding landscapes. Despite the physical fatigue, the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction will be indescribable. Finally, you will arrive in Cusco, where we will take you directly to your accommodation so you can relax and rest as you deserve.
Permits & Entrance Tickets
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Entrance Ticket for Choquequirao Trek
High Quality Service & Safety
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Pre-departure Briefing
You’ll meet your trekking guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. There, we’ll provide you with the duffle bags, which our horses will carry. The meeting will be at 5:00 pm the evening before the trip begins.
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Experienced Tour Guide
English and spanish speaking official tour guide. All our guides are graduates of the professional career of Tourism of the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. We choose them for their professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness, unbridled passion for exploring, and sincere desire to proudly share in our culture and history. He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time worry-free!
- Bilingual Tour Guide in group service or shared (English and Spanish)
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Private Camping Equipment
You’ll have spacious dining and kitchen tents where you can enjoy your food without problems. All our equipment like tables, chairs, cooking equipment, etc., will be carried by our horses.
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Portable Travel Toilet
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One Duffle Bag
On the trek, you can carry your personal belongings up to a maximum weight of 7 kg / 15.4 lb (this weight includes your sleeping bag).
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Inflatable mattress
Our camping mattresses will help you sleep comfortably whilst camping!
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Medical Kit or First AID Kit
All Riqchary Cusco guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers' diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
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Extras Included in our Service
We believe that attention to small details is what sets us apart from other local companies. You’ll receive a cover to protect your backpack on the road and a rain poncho.
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24/7 Customer Service
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication with Riqchary Cusco leading up to your trek.
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Satellite Phone
Our main priority will always be the tranquillity of our clients. All of our guides are prepared for emergencies in the mountains; however, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps you feel more secure. For this reason, each Riqchary Cusco guide has a satellite phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to call anywhere in the world in case of an emergency.
Accommodation
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3 Nights Accommodation in Tents
Riqchary cusco uses the best equipment to ensure your safety and comfort. Every 2 people will share Eureka Timberline or Mountain Hard Wear tents with a capacity for 4 people.
Meals
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4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, and 3 Dinners
Our chef prepares the best dishes in the middle of the mountain. Our passengers love our food! We respect all diets (vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost), so let us know if you have any particular allergies or restrictions on your reservation form and remind your guide during the briefing. You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in addition to hot drinks and snacks.
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Water on the trail
We’ll provide you boiled, filtered, and cooled water during your trek. For this, you need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle (we recommend a capacity of 2 liters).
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Wake up tea
Every morning at the campsite, you'll be woken up with a cup of hot coca tea. Our staff will provide you the tea in your tent so that you will be warm from inside out before you start your day.
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Tea Time or Happy Hour
Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide you popcorn, biscuits/cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you won't have to wait until dinner to relax, warm-up, and enjoy a bite to eat!
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Snacks on the trail daily
Before starting your trekking, your tour guide will provide you a cloth bag with local fruits, cookies, chocolate, caramels, etc. Every morning, we’ll refill it so that you can enjoy your snacks during the walk.
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One cloth snack bag per person
To avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment, we'll give you a cloth bag for your snacks.
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Hygiene Products
You’ll be provided with a small towel and soap before each meal to clean your hands.
Transportation
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Transport
- Day 1: You'll be picked up from your hotel in the morning and will travel in our private transportation to Capuliyoc, the trek's starting point.
- Day 4: Once you complete the tour, we'll take you back to the door of your hotel in Cusco.
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Cargo Mules
While trekking, cargo mules will carry all the camping equipment and your baggage allowance (7 kg / 15.4 lb). Our muleteers will be responsible for your duffle bag and personal items, and they’ll hand them to you when you get to each camp.
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Extras and important equipment
All our travelers need a sleeping bag to camp. Inflatable mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but highly recommended. If you do not have them, don’t worry, you can rent them with Riqchary Cusco.
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Sleeping Bag
You can rent one from our company if you don’t have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect you from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy-form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
- US$ 20.00 per person
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Walking Sticks
Walking Sticks (with rubber tips) can be very useful on rough terrain and for ascending and descending. You can rent a set from our company if you’d like.
- US$ 20.00 per person
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Day 4 Dinner in Cusco
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Hiking Clothes & Gear
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Travel Insurance
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Tips for our staff
Tipping is the norm on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they do. Typically, group participants collect their tips to hand out to the horsemen and chefs together.
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Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemia, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.
The Choquequirao tour generally lasts between 4 and 5 days, depending on the selected itinerary. This tour includes round trip transportation from Cusco, professional guides, camping equipment, full meals during the trip and entrance to the archaeological site. In addition, some options may offer additional services such as porters or extra visits to nearby sites.
The best time to do this tour is between April and October, during the dry season in Peru. In these months, the weather is more stable, with clear skies and less chance of rain, which makes the hikes more pleasant and safe. It is ideal for enjoying the panoramic views and capturing photographs of the incredible Andean landscapes.
This tour is considered a challenging level, so it is recommended to be in good physical condition and have previous experience in long distance treks.The tour includes steep ascents and descents, as well as demanding treks of several hours per day.If you are used to hiking or intense physical activities, you will be ready to fully enjoy this experience.
For this tour, it is essential to bring a light backpack with comfortable clothing suitable for variable climates, sturdy hiking boots, sunscreen, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle and energy snacks.
It is also advisable to include a hat or cap, sunglasses and a light raincoat in case of occasional rain.If you have specific needs, consult with your agency to customize your luggage.
The weather in Choquequirao varies according to the season. During the day, temperatures are usually warm, reaching between 18°C and 25°C, while at night they can drop significantly, oscillating between 5°C and 10°C. It is important to be prepared for sudden changes in temperature and to bring warm clothes for the nights in the camps.
Hiring a porter is not mandatory, but it is a recommended option if you prefer to walk with less weight, especially considering the demands of the terrain. Many agencies offer this service, which can include the transport of your backpack and personal equipment, allowing you to enjoy the trek with greater comfort and less fatigue.
$ 550.00 / días