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Classic 4-day trek to Choquequirao, Inca ruins near Machu Picchu
Juventino Martin Albino Caldua, an IFMGA-certified guide, takes you on this marvelous and stunning classic 4-day trek to Choquequirao, Inca ruins near Machu Picchu, a mind-blowing and awe-inspiring place full of mystery, mystique and amazing scenery.
Highlights
Trek to the incredible Incan ruins of the settlement of Choquequirao!
Learn about the mysterious and magical history of the area
Admire and take in the gorgeous scenery, views, flora and fauna
Description
Join me on this classic 4-day trek to Choquequirao, Inca ruins near Machu Picchu, and I promise you will witness and experience some of the most jaw-dropping and beautiful sights and scenery imaginable, as we traipse and travail around high passes, huge open valleys, an enormous range of exotic local flora and fauna and of course, the ancient Incan ruins of Choquequirao.
Choquequirao is located in South Peru, and is an Incan settlement that dates back to the 15th and 16 centuries. It was one of the last holdout areas from Spanish invasion, and has recently become increasingly popular to tourists as an alternative to Machu Picchu.
Our trip begins in Cusco, from where we drive to Cachora to begin the trek. We hike to our first overnight camp spot of Chiquiska, entailing a warmer climate, exotic flora and fauna and hut where local people live.
Day 2 entails climbing up to the ancient city, with highlights along the way including crossing the Apurimac River via cable car, trekking up to Santa Rosa and Maranpata, and observing the wide array of orchids, flowers, birds and vegetation that inhabit the area.
Day 3 is the undoubted highlight and focal point of the trip, as we reach the ancient Incan ruins of Choquequirao. We will have most of the day to wander around, explore and discover the fascinating and epic archaeological complex, with a guide informing you of the stories, myths and tales of the city.
There are stunning and truly awesome views from the complex, and after spending the whole day there and camping overnight back in Chiquiska, the final day is spent heading back to the start point of the trail via the canyon of Apurimac.
We say our goodbyes back in Cusco, happy, satisfied and weary at the absolutely amazing and magnificent sights and sounds we have experienced in this lovely place.
This trek to Choquequirao will be one of the most memorable experience of your life – book now so you don’t miss out!
If you want more time to get to Choquequirao and take in more of the countryside, try our 7-day trek to Choquequirao from Cusco, here!
Accommodation Camping every night. |
More info A good level of fitness is required for this trip. |
Meeting point Cusco, Peru |
Photos
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Chiquisqa
Before first daylight the day of your trek, we jump in the car to travel to where the adventure begins! Breakfast will be in your hotel at around 5 AM. Don’t forget any of your gear as we then start our journey to the village of Cachora, about a 5-hour drive from Cusco to the trail head. During this morning drive, we will first move toward the Cunyac Bridge between the departments of Cusco and Apurimac. Next, we will travel through the district of Curahuasi and the Saywite Andean Comunity, then arriving at Cachora (2800 MASL – 9186 FASL) at approximately 10 AM. Here, we will meet with our horsemen and other staff will begin our trek! We will walk for about 2 hours along sloping paths leading down to the pass of Capuliyoc (2915 MASL – 9563 FASL). Here, we will have an energizing lunch with our first views of the Apurimac valley stretching below and the snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora. From Capuliyoc, we will have the first view of Choquequirao from far away. Then, we will then descend toward Coca Masana (2330 MASL – 7644 FASL) where the climate becomes noticeably warmer and the flora and fauna begin to change. Finally, we arrive at Chiquiskä at 1900 MASL – 6233 FASL, closer to the Apurimac River, where we will set up camp and spend the night in tents. In this camping area, we will find humble huts where people from Cachora live offering refreshing soda to the trekkers.
Day 2: Chiquisqa – Playa Rosalina – Santa Rosa – Maranpata
Today will be full of adrenaline as we climb up to the ancient city! At the top are the highest views of the landscape. After breakfast around 6:00 AM, we will continue our trek. We will walk for about an hour downhill to cross the Apurimac River in the cable car, just for some more fun! Then, we will start trekking uphill toward Santa Rosa (2115 MASL – 6938 FASL) where we will rest after the hard climb. This stretch is the hardest, and it will take three hours. When we are ready, we will continue up to Maranpata (2850 MASL – 9350 FASL), a bit easier of a climb. During our journey, we will observe various types of Andean vegetation that exist in the area. When we will arrive at Maranpata beside the Chunchumayo River, we will have lunch and take another rest around 2 PM. Along the way, we will observe many orchids and wild flowers as well as different types of birds. In this same spot, we will again find small huts, and next to them we will make our camp.
Day 3: Maranpata – Choquequirao – Chiquisca
Waking up in the middle of the Andes is one of the delights of spending these days as a trekker! It is an amazing experience! Breakfast will be ready early, around 6:00 AM, and afterward we will walk from Maranpata to Choquequirao (3035 MASL – 9957 FASL); a 2-hour hike. The wildlife in Choquequirao is already active by sunrise and will fill you with a deep joy! We will arrive at the archaeological site in time to enjoy the impressive views of the deep canyons and maybe even have the opportunity to see a Condor flying nearby. We will walk around the archaeological complex once we arrive. Your guide and his knowledge of this important and mystic Incan town will make you feel as though you have travelled through time! Around 3 PM, we head to Maranpata to have lunch and rest with the magnificent view. Soon we start the descent into the forest back along the same trail to the cable car crossing. Our base camp for the night is called Chiquisca.
Day 4: Chiquisqa – Capuliyoc – Cachora – Cusco
The last Andean breakfast is the biggest and most special with the noise of the river hanging in the background. We spend most of the day heading back to the beginning of the trail. We will return along the same route to Cachora (2800 MASL – 9186 FASL). During our journey, we will observe the exotic flora and fauna as well as sights of the majestic snow-capped peaks and the impressive canyon of the Apurimac. After we get to Capuliyoc where the climbing path finishes, we will have lunch. We have our final view of the apurimac valley and Choquequirao from here. It will take us another four hours to get the village of Cachora at around 3pm. In the afternoon, we will drive a car back to Cusco (approx. 5 hours). Arriving around 8 PM, trekkers will be dropped off at their hote
About the guide
IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide from Peru.
He was born in 1960 in Huaraz / Peru. With his 15th Age he learned the world of trekking and mountaineering know by he accompanied his father on trips with his clients.
To this day he is still working as a mountain guide and tour operator. For many years he was able to acquire a lot of knowledge about the mountains, making it one of the most experienced certified mountain guides.
He runs a family travel agency based in Huaraz, which was founded by his father, and is now managed by Juventino and his son, Eric.
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What people are saying about Juventino Martin Albino Caldua
Tony Hoffman
5.00
September 2020
Mrs Erin Leigh Hardy
5.00
August 2019
We are a group of friends and a mountain club, we have made trips with Eric since 2007, we have done the most classic tours in Cusco: Ausangate trek, Choquequirao trek, Salkantay trek, all tours always with Machu Picchu ending, the Inca culture is very interesting and if you travel to Peru you must visit it - and not missing Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. In Huaraz we have running out the tours: Santa Cruz trek, Alpamayo trek, Huayhuash trek, and the climbs, and Nevado Pisco trek, Nev. Vallunaraju, Tocllaraju, Alpamayo and Huascaran. Every year our club members go from 15 to 20 people to Huaraz, and in Cusco culture we have groups from 18 to 30 people, and all these trips are made by our partner Eric and Juventino in Peru. And friends always return very happy with the services they perform on the tours we sell. We recommend them to make a quality and safe trip, they have about 30 certified guides working for them, Juventino is the head of the company and is a member of UIAGM - IFMGA. They also have a family Hotel called \"Alpamayo Guest House\" this is in Huaraz, and every time our group ends their trek, climbing or expedition trip, the Juventino family invite us to a special dinner called (Pachamanca) as a very Inca Traditional food, this meal is prepared by JUVENTINOS wife Dina, she is a typical person of the area and they live in the Unchus village, this is an unforgettable dinner for all group participants. Next year we will extend our trip with mountain bike MTB around the Huascaran and the Huayhuash mountain range, and we will also have new trips from Lima: Nazca Lines, Arequipa Cañon del Colca, Cusco Inca Trail, Puno Floating Islands Lake Titicaca and the Tiawanaco culture peace.
Mrs Erin Leigh Hardy
5.00
August 2019
We are a group of friends and a mountain club, we have made trips with Eric since 2007, we have done the most classic tours in Cusco: Ausangate trek, Choquequirao trek, Salkantay trek, all tours always with Machu Picchu ending, the Inca culture is very interesting and if you travel to Peru you must visit it - and not missing Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. In Huaraz we have running out the tours: Santa Cruz trek, Alpamayo trek, Huayhuash trek, and the climbs, and Nevado Pisco trek, Nev. Vallunaraju, Tocllaraju, Alpamayo and Huascaran. Every year our club members go from 15 to 20 people to Huaraz, and in Cusco culture we have groups from 18 to 30 people, and all these trips are made by our partner Eric and Juventino in Peru. And friends always return very happy with the services they perform on the tours we sell. We recommend them to make a quality and safe trip, they have about 30 certified guides working for them, Juventino is the head of the company and is a member of UIAGM - IFMGA. They also have a family Hotel called \"Alpamayo Guest House\" this is in Huaraz, and every time our group ends their trek, climbing or expedition trip, the Juventino family invite us to a special dinner called (Pachamanca) as a very Inca Traditional food, this meal is prepared by JUVENTINOS wife Dina, she is a typical person of the area and they live in the Unchus village, this is an unforgettable dinner for all group participants. Next year we will extend our trip with mountain bike MTB around the Huascaran and the Huayhuash mountain range, and we will also have new trips from Lima: Nazca Lines, Arequipa Cañon del Colca, Cusco Inca Trail, Puno Floating Islands Lake Titicaca and the Tiawanaco culture peace.
Mrs Erin Leigh Hardy
5.00
August 2019
We are a group of friends and a mountain club, we have made trips with Eric since 2007, we have done the most classic tours in Cusco: Ausangate trek, Choquequirao trek, Salkantay trek, all tours always with Machu Picchu ending, the Inca culture is very interesting and if you travel to Peru you must visit it - and not missing Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. In Huaraz we have running out the tours: Santa Cruz trek, Alpamayo trek, Huayhuash trek, and the climbs, and Nevado Pisco trek, Nev. Vallunaraju, Tocllaraju, Alpamayo and Huascaran. Every year our club members go from 15 to 20 people to Huaraz, and in Cusco culture we have groups from 18 to 30 people, and all these trips are made by our partner Eric and Juventino in Peru. And friends always return very happy with the services they perform on the tours we sell. We recommend them to make a quality and safe trip, they have about 30 certified guides working for them, Juventino is the head of the company and is a member of UIAGM - IFMGA. They also have a family Hotel called \"Alpamayo Guest House\" this is in Huaraz, and every time our group ends their trek, climbing or expedition trip, the Juventino family invite us to a special dinner called (Pachamanca) as a very Inca Traditional food, this meal is prepared by JUVENTINOS wife Dina, she is a typical person of the area and they live in the Unchus village, this is an unforgettable dinner for all group participants. Next year we will extend our trip with mountain bike MTB around the Huascaran and the Huayhuash mountain range, and we will also have new trips from Lima: Nazca Lines, Arequipa Cañon del Colca, Cusco Inca Trail, Puno Floating Islands Lake Titicaca and the Tiawanaco culture peace.
Norbert from Austria
5.00
June 2019
There were bad conditions for the first mountain we wanted to climb, so we had to search for other mountain, which was possible to climb with the bad conditions. NO PROBLEM for Eric and his team. Eric made within 1 day another program for the following 2 weeks. I really want to say \"thank you for this expedition\". I enjoyed the whole trip/expedition, because of his professional competence. Hope we see us soon!
Emmet
5.00
June 2019
Eric and Juventino are family and they treat each one of their clients as family. It\'s truly a fun time being out in the mountains with them! I did with them many tours throughout Cordillera Blanca, Including Pisco, Chopicalqui and all of the lakes.
Veronika
5.00
June 2018
I can warmly recommend Eric and his company Peru Expeditions Tours. Eric and his team are very professional. They speak fluent English and Eric speaks German. They answered very quickly to questions before the trip. Eric helped me to organize an excursion to the high camp of Alpamayo. He also helped me to rent the right equipment. I also enjoyed ten fantastic days trekking Cordillera Huayhuash and climbing Nevado Pumarinri (5465 m) and Nevado Diablo Mudo (5350 m) with Eric and his team. The organization and the equipment (tents etc.) of the trekking were perfect and the team surprised me with a birthday cake at the Cashpapampau Camp (at 4500 meters) and they also prepared delicious vegetarian food for me on the hike. After Huayhuash we climbed Mount Tocllaraju (6034 HM), organized by Eric and Peru Expeditions Tours. All the guides who work for Eric are local people with a lot of experience and education in the mountains, they speak perfect English and try to do everything to make the clients happy! Thanks to Peru Expeditions Tours I really enjoyed the time in the mountains around Huaraz. I am looking forward to more treks and climbing with you in the future!
John Farris
5.00
May 2018
5 star guide. Nothing but the best.
Nicole et Catherine
5.00
April 2017
A very, very sympathic guide, who knows all the secrets of the places and itinerarys the most beautiful ; organization top ; food excellent too ; marvellous souvenirs.
The hike was canceled. We didn’t go anywhere. Didn’t even get into the country.