Itinerary
Choquequirao Trek Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoc – La Playa
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4 a.m to start your trekking Choquequirao experience. You will ride our private van with your tour guide and drive for about three hours until you get to the trailhead, called Capuliyoc (3,200 m). You will meet your horses and horsemen. Your Choquequirao trekking chef will provide the first breakfast, and your trekking guide will introduce the team.
The views of the snow-capped mountains are beautiful. After a group photo, you will start the expedition to Choquekiraw Ruins. It will be a three-hour, downhill hike with a few stops, as needed until you arrive at your first lunch spot. The trail can be dusty and slippery, but with good trekking shoes and trekking poles, you won’t have a problem. In addition to the stunning views of the Apurimac river, travelers will enjoy picturesque landscapes and an array of vibrant flora and fauna. After lunch, you will hike another three hours until you reach your campsite, which is at the bottom of a valley, called La Playa (1,800 m).
Choquequirao Trek Day 2: La Playa – Marampata – Choquekiraw
After an early breakfast, you will get ready for the day. You will begin the day by crossing the breach, and then it will be four hours uphill, with zigzags. Moreover, as you continue on the trail, you will encounter some sugar cane farms, stunning flora and fauna, and possibly even catch a glimpse of some soaring condors above. This climb is one of the most challenging parts of the Choquekiraw Trek, so we will have an emergency horse in case you get tired and want a ride. Once you arrive at Marampata, you will be done with the uphill portion.
You will have time to enjoy your lunch at 3,350 m high. After lunch, you can take a nap, and then we will continue on the last two-hour section until Choquekiraw. This will be the most impressive section of your entire trek because you will have amazing views from the summit to the canyon of Apurimac. You will also be able to see Choquekiraw, where you will see the whole Inca site, orchids, among other flowers, and black bears. Upon your arrival at the campsite, our porters will set you up in your tents. This campsite is amazing because it will be right at the foot of the Inca site. If you still have some energy left, you will be able to take a 30-minute walk to enjoy the sunset from the Choquekiraw Inca site.
Walking Distance: 16 km /9.16 m
Weather: Hot
Meals Included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, happy hour, and dinner
Choquequirao Trek Day 3: Exploring Choquekiraw
After an early breakfast, you will prepare for the most spectacular day exploring Choquekiraw. It will take about 30 minutes to get there. Once you arrive, you´ll then begin your history lesson and tour of this impressive Inca site. Choquekiraw is considered to be bigger than Machu Picchu, although it´s almost all hidden by the forest. This Inca site is extremely spread out because the Incas had to study which areas of the mountain to build various buildings, terraces, and houses. The most impressive sections of this site are the temples, astronomical observatories, and water channels.
After touring around for about four hours, you will head back to camp for lunch and a rest. You will have more time afterward to continue exploring the site with our expert tour guides. Additionally, you will get to explore areas of the site like the llama area, which is a steep downhill 30-minute walk where you will see narrow farming terraces. All of the llama depictions on the terrace walls are from white stones. These were probably built by the Incas to represent the llama constellation in the Milky Way. You will also get to visit the Usno area, where you will enjoy the sunset over the mountains. Following, you will walk back to your campsite for the second night at Choquekiraw.
Weather: Hot with mosquitoes
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner
Choquequirao Trek Day 4: Choquekiraw – Marampata – La Playa – Chikiska
After another early breakfast, we will prepare for our journey back to Cusco. Returning to Marmpata will take approximately two hours, but the journey offers stunning views of the Apurimac canyon. Moreover, the tour guide will take the opportunity to point out any flora and fauna you might have missed during your earlier trek to the Inca site. You will see impressive waterfalls in the distance, as well as the clouds lifting from the bottom of the canyon. Also, if the weather is pleasant, you will get to enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the Andes. Starting from Marampata, you will embark on a challenging 4-hour steep downhill hike to La Playa. Due to the steepness of the trail, it’s recommended to bring trekking poles for support. About halfway through, you’ll have the opportunity to take a break and savor some delicious locally farmed fruit. Cactus fruit is the main attraction.
Finally, you will reach La Playa for lunch. Following, it will be another two hours, uphill to Chikiska Camp, which is in the backyard of a family’s home. You may also see some Spectacled Bears, Condors, Humming Birds, and more.
Trekking Distance: 18 km /11.32 m
Weather: Hot with mosquitoes
Meals Included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, happy hour, and dinner
Choquequirao Trek Day 5: Chikiska – Capuliyoc – Cusco
After an early breakfast, you will get ready to return to Cusco. It will be a four-hour uphill hike until you arrive at the end of the trek, where you will enjoy your last lunch with your tour guide, porters, and horsemen. You will say goodbye to your team and then continue with your tour guide to Cusco for about three more hours by car. You will drive through Curawasi, where the famous local tea Anis is farmed & arrive in Cusco at around 6 p.m. We will drop you off at your hotel.
Walking Distance: 8 km /4.17 m
Weather: Hot
Meals Included: Breakfast, snacks, and lunch
Inclusions
- Included in the Choquequirao Trek:
- A briefing at your hotel (6 p.m.) the night before you depart
- Pick up from your hotel and private van transportation to the trailhead
- Professional English-speaking tour guide
- Professional trekking chef
- Porters, horsemen
- Horses to carry the camping equipment, food, and your personal belongings (up to 8 kg)
- Meals, breakfast, snacks, happy hours, dinner
- Camping equipment, sleeping tents, foam mats, dining tents, kitchen tents, chairs, dishes, and more
- Entrance fee to Choquekiraw
- First-aid kit
- Private, portable toilets
- Drinking water three times a day
- Emergency horse to ride in case you feel tired
- Taxes included
2. Satellite Phones: Our top priority will always be the safety of our clients and our team. While all our guides are prepared and trained to deal with most issues clients have on the mountain. Being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps everyone feel assured that they are safe. Radios, which all our guides have, are limited in how far they can reach, so Apple Travel Peru has added Satellite Phones to every trek. Every guide will have a fully charged phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to connect us anywhere in the world. Our clients can use them for non-emergencies as well. While they are not cheap to use, they are available just in case you need to check in on the puppy you left at home with grandma.
Not Included in the Choquequirao Trek:
Sleeping bag (rentals available from Apple Travel Peru)
Inflatable air mattress for extra comfort – 3 in /8 cm thick (rentals available from Apple Travel Peru)
Walking sticks (rentals available from Apple Travel Peru)
Prices
Price
Our 5D/4N Choquequirao Trek includes a personal porter to carry up to 8 kg/16 lbs of your belongings. We do book by the size of the group because this trek does not go to Machu Picchu, so it tends to be less popular.
Priced for the Choquequirao trek per person
2-3 Trekkers: $650 per person
4-5 Trekkers: $600 per person
6 or more Trekkers: $550 per person
Important Info
ALTITUDE
As soon as people book their trip to Peru, specifically Cusco, they start wondering about altitude sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs. Over several days at high altitudes, your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air. For this reason, we always recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before beginning any trek in the Andes. Cusco is a marvelous city with lots to do, so if you have more time to acclimate, you won´t be bored.
With altitude sickness, you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, and trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe, please contact our office, and we will help you get to a doctor.
Most of the time, these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easing into the activity slowly, allowing your body to adjust. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or coca tea. Coca-tea has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness. Leaves from the Coca Plant contain alkaloids that help bring oxygen into your blood, helping your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee, since they will cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated. Avoid smoking. Smoking makes it more difficult for your body to get oxygen. Avoid sleeping pills. They may cause shallow breathing at night, making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.
Remember, the trek to Machu Picchu is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness if they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Go slow, and it will give your body time to adjust to the elevation. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication such as Acetazolamide and Dexamethasone to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to a high altitude, and continue to take it while you are at a high altitude.
You must remember that this is your holiday and you do not want to stress out about the possibility of getting sick from the mountains. Do everything slowly and drink lots of water, and enjoy the coca tea. If anything does happen and you, unfortunately, get sick, let your guide know right away. Apple Travel Peru guides are trained to help you get through it.
Weather
Of course, the weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December, so just be prepared. No matter what month you are doing the trek, make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Many people forget about gloves, but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.
Also, be ready for four seasons. Treks in the Andes involve various microclimates, and you will need to be prepared for each one. Layers are always crucial since they easily adjust to different temperature changes. Don’t forget to bring a warm packable down jacket since the evenings are cold.
First Aid
Every Apple Travel Peru guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training every February, and every single Apple guide attends. When guiding you, they will have with them a first aid kit for basic medical situations (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. They will take good care of you.
In case something unexpected happens, and you feel you can no longer complete the trek, they will figure out the safest and quickest way off the trail and to a clinic. You will never be left alone; you will have a member of the team escort you every step of the way until safely with a doctor. When you are feeling up to it, we will make sure that you still have the chance to visit Machu Picchu and reconnect with your group. This way, you can finish your trip, traveling by train comfortably.
Travel Insurance
To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Getting travel insurance before you leave home is strongly encouraged and very easy. We work with a great agency in the United States, that has helped to make it easy and affordable. What an excellent way to protect yourself while you are visiting Peru.
If interested in booking through our trusted partner, Ahart, Frinzi & Smith, click here.
Environmental Impact
Apple Travel Peru uses biodegradable soap and transports all our garbage back to Cusco. Our porters are trained to look after the trail and pick up any waste from other groups, as well. We also use environmentally-friendly chemical portable toilets that allow us to pack waste out. We believe in leaving no footprint behind.
Packing Checklist
- Day pack
- Copy of your passport
- Good hiking gear: hiking boots, warm jackets, gloves, hat warm fleece, and socks
- Sleeping bag
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Hat and gloves
- Warm clothes: layers for variable temperatures, especially at night
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Re-usable plastic/metal water containers, or camel bags
- Water for the first four hours of the trek, then we will provide you with drinking, previously boiled water
- Toiletries
- Personal medication
- Camera and films
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- Walking stick
- Bathing suit for the hot springs
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips
See you at the Choquequirao Trek!
Our Equipment
Every camping tour includes a spacious four-person tent that will be shared by only two people so you can spread out a bit. These are Eureka Timberline all-season tents. Our rentals are top-of-the-line: Black Diamond Adjustable Walking Sticks and Thermarest Luxury Air Matts. Sleeping Bags rented from us are mummy-style down bags rated for 15C and liners are always included.
Our Tents
No need to add some additional hiking in the middle of the night when you have to use the bathroom! We set up our clean, environmentally friendly, toilet tents right at your campsites and lunch sites, so you don’t have to bother with the park toilets that are not in good condition. We make our footprint on the environment smaller while adding the convenience and luxury of a private bathroom to your trekking adventure.
Our Toilet Tents
No need to add some additional hiking in the middle of the night when you have to use the bathroom! We set up our spotless, environmentally friendly, toilet tents right at your camping site and lunch sites so you don’t have to bother with the park toilets that are not in great condition. This is our way to lessen our footprint on the environment while adding the convenience and luxury of a private bathroom to your trekking adventure.
Our Mats
A foam mat is included to separate and insulate you from the ground. For added comfort, you may want to consider upgrading by renting an inflatable sleeping pad which adds 3 inches of comfort on top of the provided foam mat to help you sleep like a baby alpaca each night on the Andes. We use Thermarest and Eureka inflatable air mattresses.
Our Sleeping Bags
We use only mummy-style sleeping bags that are 100% down for -15°C/5°F. Please note that if you are over 1.95 meters / 6´4″ tall then you won’t be able to find a sleeping bag rental in Cusco. In this case, it is recommended to bring your own. For everyone else, you will have a great night’s sleep in this comfy, warm bag. We provide liners to everyone that are machine washed between every use. These do need to be included in your duffel weight and weigh 2kg.
Our Walking Sticks
All our sticks are black diamonds and fold up for when you are not using them. They are sturdy and adjust to your height. Even for those of you who are great trekkers, having a set of sticks is helpful on all treks. Especially if the weather turns bad or just heading down some of the steeper portions of the hike.
