Choquequirao Trek the Lost City 3 Days
23 reviews 
Choquequirao Trek the Lost City 3 Days
23 reviews
Overview
The Choquequirao ruins was most likely built during the reign of the Inca king Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. It is considered to be the last bastion of resistance and refuge for the Sons of the Sun, who had fled from the city of Cusco when it was under siege in 1535. Led by Manco Inca Yupanqui, they took refuge in this incredible sister site to Machu Picchu. Presumably, it was used both a check point to access the Vilcabamba Area and a cultural and religious center. The name Choquequirao means the golden cradle and hints as its prestigious use for the royal Incas. The city also played an important role as a connection between the Amazon Jungle and the city of Cusco. The region has a lot of microclimates and a landscape full of snow-covered peaks above 6000 m.a.s.l (19685 feet). The Choquequirao trek is a magical way to discover the great citadel of the last Inca kings, as well as immerse yourself in the beautiful local environment.
Highlights
The Choquequirao Trek 3Days takes us to know Choquequirao whose meaning means (Cradle of Gold) is a partially excavated city that belongs to the Inca culture and is located in southern Peru, exactly in the region of Cusco.
It has a striking similarity in its structure and architecture to Machu Picchu and is known as the New Machu Picchu for being a large Inca city but still covered with vegetation for the most part.
Choquequirao today receives far fewer tourists than Machu Picchu, but the archaeological site is no less charming and is a good alternative to the much visited citadel of Machu Picchu.
Trip Details
- Altitude: 1500 – 3030 m.a.s.l. / 4921 – 9941 f.a.s.l.
- High season: March to November
- Duration: 4 days – 3 nights / 5 days – 4 nights
- Level of difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- *A minimum of 2 people is needed for the Choquequirao trek.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoc - Chiquisca - Maranpata
Our trip to choquequirao begins with the first meeting with our guide one day before starting this magnificent adventure, where the guide will be able to exchange some information with you, welcoming you.
The next day you will be picked up between 03:30 and 04:00 am from your hotel, and then travel for four hours passing through several villages.
In Capuliyoc at an altitude of 2,800 m.a.s.l., will be the final point of the trip in our mobility to then take our breakfast.
From this point begins our hike, we will arrive at the viewpoint where we can appreciate the Vilcabamba mountain range with its impressive glaciers, the Apurimac River with its canyon and its incredible panorama.
The first two and a half hours we will descend by a zig zag road to the village of Chiquisca 1,800 m.a.s.l., where we will have a traditional lunch, then we will continue descending for 50 minutes more until we reach the bridge of Playa Rosalina 1,500 m.a.s.l., the lowest point.
After crossing the bridge we will begin the ascent for 2 hours aprox until we arrive to Santa Rosa and then another 3 hours more until we arrive to Marampata 2,900 m.a.s.l., approximate time of arrival 07:30 at night, where we will spend the first day.
 Hiking distance: 15 Km. / 9.3 mile.
Hiking time: 7½ to 8 hour approximately.
Climate: hot in the day and warm in the night.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
Maximum Altitude: 2850 masl. / 9350 ft. (Marampata)
Minimum Altitude: 1475 masl. / 4839 ft. (Playa Rosalinas)
Day 2: Marampata – Choquequirao - Chiquisca
Very early in the morning after breakfast we will go to the Archaeological Complex from Choquequiraoto a hour by walking and we will be able to observe the dawn of Choquequirao, we will saty there for approximately 3 hours accompanied with our guide who will you explain about this important Inca refuge. At a suitable hour we will begin the return to our camp and descending until Santa Rosa where we will have lunch, then will descend to Rosalinas beach and to go to the town of Chiquisqa which is at two hours from Rosalinas where we will take our camp.
Hiking distance: 8 Km. / 4.9 mile.
Hiking time: 6½ to 7 hour approximately.
Climate: hot in the day and warm in the night.
Acomodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Maximum Altitude: 3106 masl / 10190 ft. (Choquequirao)
Minimum Altitude: 1475 masl. / 4839 ft. (Playa Rosalinas)
Day 3: Maranpata -Chiquisca - Capuliyoc - Cusco
This day we will wake up early at 7:00 am to have breakfast and charge us with energy and then start our hike descending 2 ½ hours to reach first the bridge at Rosalina beach 1,500 m.a.s.l., then we will climb for 50 minutes to Chiquisca 1,800 m.a.s.l., where we will have a rest and lunch.
After recharging energy in Chiquisqa, we will return by the same way to reach Capuliyoc 2,800 m.a.s.l. From Chiquisqa it will be a tough stretch due to the temperature as the sun goes down.
In Capuliyoc we will have our lunch, where also the transport will be waiting for us to return to the city of Cusco in a 4 hours trip.
Hiking distance: 8 Km. / 4.5 mile.
Hiking time: 7½ to 6 hour approximately.
Climate: hot in the day and warm in the night.
Transfers to Cusco: 4 Hours from Capulioc.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Maximum Altitude: 2850 masl. / 9350 ft. (Marampata)
Minimum Altitude: 1475 masl. / 4839 ft. (Playa Rosalinas)
Notes Itinerario
Included
- Pre-Trek briefing the night before the trek to go over the itinerary, meet your guide(s) and answer any questions
- pick up of your hotel in the morning or our departure point (you choice) Plaza Regocijo
- Private transport to starting point of the trek
- Personal porter to carry your overnight gear up to 8kg/17.6lbs
- Dry bag in which to put your overnight gear so it won’t get wet or dusty on the trail
- 3 person, 4 season tents (2 people in large and comfortable Mountain Hardwear Expedition tent)
- Extra-thick foam mattress sleeping pad to put under your sleeping bag
- English speaking professional guide
- Full meals (3 meals per day, tea time every afternoon, snacks on the trail)
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
- Emergency horse (1-2 per group depending on group size)
- Chef and cooking equipment and kitchen tent
- Dining and cooking tents with tables and stools
- Dietary needs: able to cater to any dietary preference/need
- Horsemen and horses (to carry tents/food/cooking equipment)
- Hot water every morning/evening for hand washing purposes
- Boiled water to fill water bottles every morning/afternoon
No Included
- Sleeping bag
- Day 1: Breakfast
- Lunch and Dinner on the last day
- Walking Sticks: you can hire from our company
- Inflatable mattresses
- Tips: Please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish
Recommendations:
- Although you do not need to be an expert mountaineer to visit Choquequirao, some exercise is recommended before the adventure.
- Due to the altitude at which Choquequirao is located, altitude sickness or soroche can cause discomfort during the ascent. It is advisable to acclimatize to the climate of Cusco (or Abancay) before starting the trek.
- Unlike Machu Picchu, Choquequirao receives only a handful of visitors per day. It is recommended to enjoy nature and the archaeological site but with responsibility.
What To Bring
- Backpack with rain shelter.
- Â Sleeping bag.
- Â Clothing for warm and cold climates, like a waterproof jacket.
- Â Rain pants and lightweight pants.
- Â Trekking shoes.
- Â Slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs).
- Â Woolen or synthetic socks and a sweater.
-  Long- and short-sleeved polo’s / T-Shirts.
- Â Rainponcho and a hat.
- Â Bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes).
- Â Sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel, water bottle and sterilizing tablets, toiletries and toilet paper.
- Â Camera (wrapped in a plastic bag), a flashlight and extra batteries.
- Â Some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit.
- Â Original passport, original ISIC student card (if you are a student) and extra money in soles.
- Since the weather can be very cold and moist, your clothes – once wet – will not dry at night. So take some extra clothes to change into.
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