The trek choquequirao is one of the most spectacular and popular in Peru, the name Choquequirao means “Golden Cradle”, after two days of adventure passing numerous ecological zones, microclimates, abundant tropical flora and fauna, tropical valleys, subtropical vegetation ,and finally we are in the mysterious Inca building of Choquequirao, explore this amazing Inca architecture design, temples, living houses, religious areas, sacred plazas with large designs and the Inca residence, choquequirao is considered, the sacred sister of Machu Picchu, 3 times larger than Machu Picchu is waiting for you
CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK OVERVIEW
Pick up at 5:00 am, and drive for the next 4 hours to capuliyoc (2800m / 9.186ft.), there we will start our adventure, also we will meet with our support team, horseman, chef, they will join us for the adventure.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Our Itinerary is as follows:
Briefing/ smoothllamaperu Cusco office.
It will be in our office which is located at Street Lizandro Montero Ñ – 4
All travelers are required to visit the Cuzco office for a mandatory briefing on your trek one day prior to departure at 6:00 pm. At this meeting you will receive detailed information on the route, a list of what to bring, confirm your pick-up for the morning of the trek and be able to ask questions. However, if you wish to receive all the information in your hotel, let us know and our guide will kindly approach your hotel for the informative meeting.
Early in the morning at (5:00 am) we pick you up, and drive for the next 4 hours to capuliyoc (2800m / 9.186ft.), along the way there are many spectacular views of Snow Mountain, Andean villages, deep valley and beautiful landscapes, we will stop at curahuasi town for the breakfast in the local restaurant (not included).
Once we arrive to capuliyoc there we will start hiking, from where we enjoy a spectacular view of Apurimac Canyon, Apurimac River, snowcapped mountains in the distance, we also will be able to spot choquequirao in the distance, lunch time, after a delicious Peruvian meal we start descending for around 2 hours to our first campsite at chiquisca (1930m / 6.331ft.). Where we spend the night.
Inclusions: Cuzco Accommodation Pick-Up, Bus Cuzco – capuliyoc (starting point of trek), 1 Night Camping
Meals: 1 Lunch / 1 Dinner, (Plus afternoon tea time)
Trekking: 14 kilometers / 6 – 7 hours
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy – Moderate
We will begin our second day with a special wake up coca tea, after breakfast we will start descending toward magnificent Apurimac River (Rosalinas beach) (1500m / 4.921ft.), then for about 3 hours We will ascend using a winding trail which will take us away from the Canyon in direction to the area of Santa Rosa (2290m / 7.513ft.), then around half day we reach at village of Marampata for the lunch (2850m / 9.350ft.), while we enjoy the amazing view of choquequirao. Afterwards we will continue walking 1 more hour to the Inca’s last refuge place Choquequirao “Golden Cradle” (3150m / 10.334ft.), enjoying the vast and enchanting vegetation of the area, in which the orchids take the first and most important place, there is a chance to see deer and different varieties of birds.
When we arrive to this majestic Inca building of choquequirao, there is a private guided tour for us in the afternoon, our guide will show us all the important buildings, such as: the plazas, palaces, temple, ceremonial water fountains, farming terraces, beautiful Usnu (ceremonial platform), llamas section and more, then finally we go to our campsite 20 minutes away from the Inca side.
Inclusions: 1 Night Camping
Meals: 1 Breakfast / 1 Lunch / 1 Dinner, (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
Trekking: 14 kilometers / 6 – 7 hours
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate – Advanced
After an early breakfast We need to emphasize that Choquequirao is also known as “Machu Picchu’s Sacred Sister” due to the similarities in architectural design and structure, We explore and visit the most outstanding parts, and then head back towards therural community of Marampatafor lunch, after lunch we will start descending for 3 hours to magnificent Apurimac River (1500m / 4.921ft.), then we start ascending a moderate uphill for about 1 hour toward the last campsite at chiquisca (1930m / 6.331ft.).
Inclusions: 1 camping
Meals: 1 Breakfast / 1 Lunch / 1 Dinner, (Plus snacks and afternoon tea time)
Trekking: 14 kilometers / 6 – 7 hours
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy – Moderate
After breakfast in chiquisca, we will start ascending for around 2 and 30 minutes toward capuliyoc pass (2800m / 9.186ft.), here our vehicle waits for us to transferring to cachora village (2850m / 9.350ft.), for the lunch, afterwards our vehicle will take us to the archeological site of Saywite (3500m / 11.482), having enough and plenty of time to explore it, then finally our transport will take us back to Cusco city.
Inclusions:
Meals: 1 Breakfast / 1 Lunch, (Plus snacks)
Trekking: 14 kilometers / 6 – 7 hours
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate
WHAT IS INCLUDED
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Tips for the staff (smoothllamaperu staff receives a fair and decent payment immediately after they end their trip.), Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.
EXTRAS:
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Tips for the staff (smoothllamaperu staff receives a fair and decent payment immediately after they end their trip.), Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.
EXTRAS:
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Tips for the staff (smoothllamaperu staff receives a fair and decent payment immediately after they end their trip.), Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.
EXTRAS:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
“Please read carefully the following information; it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and the trek to Machu Picchu”.
ABOUT THE BRIEFING:
All travelers are required to visit the Cuzco office for a mandatory briefing on your trek one day prior to departure at 6:00 pm. At this meeting you will receive detailed information on the route, a list of what to bring, confirm your pick-up for the morning of the trek and be able to ask questions. However, if you wish to receive all the information in your hotel, let us know and our guide will kindly approach your hotel for the informative meeting.
It will be in our office which is located at Street Lizandro Montero Ñ – 4
WHERE CAN I LEAVE MY LUGGAGE SAFETY?
Of course! During the “Choquequirao trek” your large luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, both are for free. Please do not pack anything you will need for your hike.
HOW TO BOOK THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK?
FIRST, to book your “Choquequirao trek”, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
To book your “Choquequirao trek”, we need the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an Inca Trail permit without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of US$250.00 per person in order to purchase a permit for the Choquequirao trek. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page or click here on the payment of your choice, either VISA or PAYPAL.
WHAT ABOUT THE PAYMENT BALANCE?
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 6% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of smoothllamaperu@gmail.com
WHO QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?
Those passengers who booked their trip using the discounted price for ISIC Student Holders must bring their original and valid CIIU card (not a copy and not expired). This document must be shown at the Control Gate. Unfortunately, if you do not bring your card, you will be denied entry to the Trail as the permits won’t be valid without your card.
SCHOOL STUDENT
With the passport or national ID – original ones, from 8 to 17 years old
IS IT POSSIBLE TO CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE?
Unfortunately the answer is “No”. Once the tickets have been bought for the Choquequirao trek the government does not allow any changes, Due to the strict regulations of the Archaeological Park of Choquequirao, once your reservation is made, you cannot cancel the reserved space that you have, with alternative treks we may be able to change dates for a fee depending on what has been already purchased. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.
*** If you cancel your Choquequirao Trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!
IS IT NECESRY MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK?
Yes for sure! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book Choquequirao trek permit. The rangers will check when you enter at Choquequirao. In case you are renewing your passport, go ahead and send us your old number to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number…if so, please send the new passport number as soon as possible.
HOW CAN I AVOID THE ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
For those trekkers that come to Cusco directly from places at sea level; we recommend arriving 2-3 days before your trek. Two of the most common health issues among tourists in Cusco are: The Altitude Sickness (Soroche) and stomach pain provoked by slow digestion.
In general if you have regular exercise and spend a couple of days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour or Sacred Valley Tour that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our Day Tours on our Home Page.
WHAT ABOUT THE DUFFEL BAG AND DAILY BACK PACK?
The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFLE BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/15lbs. Your team of porters or mules will carry your duffle bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffle bag until the end of each day, as the porters or mules will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. Usually a 30 to 50 liters back pack is sufficient.
HOW DIFFICULT IS THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK?
The Choquequirao trek is located in the mountains and it is part of the Peruvian Andes in Cusco region which make advanced trek and you should be well prepared and healthy prior to starting it. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise. In preparation: try walking 15kms in a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
We offer the Cusco City Tour or Sacred Valley Tour that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our Day Tours on our Home Page.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOME ONE IS UNABLE TO FINISH THE TRAIL?
In the scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health
reasons, smoothllamaperu will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We
always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. There are
no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
WILL THE CAR IS GOING TO DROPP OFF US AT THE HOTEL?
Absolutely! Included in our packages is dropping you off at your hotel on the return from your trek or tour. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too!
WHAT ABOUT TIPPING?
Tips for the staff (smoothllamaperu staff receives a fair and decent payment immediately after they end their trip.), Please remember that tipping is 100% optional and depends entirely on the service you received. It is customary to give tips in Latin America, however it is NOT mandatory. If you do wish to give a tip, these are our recommended guidelines.
ARE YOU PART OF THE SUSTAINABLE WORK?
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator in that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism, protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and its people.
THINGS YOU MUST BRING WITH YOU
TOILETRIES
