Choquequirao Trek 9-Days

Choquequirao Trek 9 Days

Choquequirao Trek To Machu Picchu

Ancient Peru: Choquequirao is located above 3050 m/10,007 ft. northwest of Cusco and on a leafy green Andes mountain summit on the border of Cusco and Apurímac states. Choquequirao Park has impressive, majestic mountains with many Inca terraces, plazas, chambers, imposing walls, Inca niches, the lower and the upper Choquequirao, ritual areas dedicated to the sun and moon gods, the earth, the water, and the Apus. Choquequirao has been a controlled entry point of the Vilcabamba range. Vilcabamba is located in the Andes and the tropical jungle. This was a sacred place in ancient times where the Incas obtained tropical feathers from exotic birds and minerals to weave their royal ponchos.

Choquequirao was built in the 15th and 16th centuries and was known as the last resistance and refuge of the Inca people. For many centuries, Choquequirao was abandoned, but the INC (Peru National Institution) decided to take control of the Park in recent years. Choquequirao encompasses 103,814.39 hectares/256,530 acres and has unique flora and fauna. We invite you to walk in the Andes and visit Choquequirao and Machu Picchu in South America.

Choquequirao Archaeological Park and the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

Itinerary of Choquequirao Trek 09 Days

THIS TREK IS FOR EXPERIENCED TREKKERS! grade II

Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Playa Rosalina

At 4:30 AM, we will pick you up from your hotel with our Kondor transports. We must start early because we have a long 4-and-a-half-hour journey to Capulilloc, where the trek begins. The geography of the Andes is remote, and the paved road is wending. That's why we use modern Inka motors. During the trip, we will travel through many small villages of the Andean and Colonial cultures. At Cura Wasi village, we have our first stop to drink a local coffee (optional) or to get some fruit from the area. After 3 hours and a half of travel, we take a dirt road for about one hour and twenty minutes, bringing us to Capulilloc.

At Capulilloc, the horses and mules from the Yanama settlement are waiting for us. The landscapes of the hike are unique,  so bring extra batteries for your cameras or solar panels to charge your photo machines. Today we trek for 3 hours and a half–1,500 m/4,500 ft of downhill. We recommend bringing the best hiking shoes, you can buy them at home and a pair of hiking poles (If you do not have them,  you can rent them from us because they are recommended).

The first trek camp is Playa Rosalina, near the Apurimac River. Some mosquitoes are here, so we recommend you bring a good spray. At the camp, we provide you with the best camping equipment.

Day 2: Playa Rosalina – Choquequirao

It is an excellent idea to wake up early to avoid the sun's heat. We will bring a cup of Coca tea to your tent to help wake you up. Wear light pants today or shorts and hiking t-shirts. We start our adventure hike, walking up the giant Mountain. We will supply you with a lot of water because it is inevitable that you will need it. You will also have the chance to get more water at Santa Rosa 1 and Santa Rosa 2.

Above Santa Rosa is a landmark creek, and from there, we can count 18 switchbacks, which help us determine the distance left to travel and help motivate us to continue on this challenging trail, which leads us to Marampata, where we stop to eat lunch.

From Marampata, we have an uneven and rough trail, which leads us to Sunchu Pata, where we have a full view of the Choquequirao temple. We camp at the INC camp on the lower side of Choquequirao and enjoy the Andes sunset over the deep canyon.

Day 3: Choquequirao Trek Tour

We have a full day of trekking every day, including today, because Choquequirao Park is spread out over the Mountain. It's unlike Machu Picchu, which looks more like an Inca citadel because it is all in one place. Hiking Choquequirao Park allows us to appreciate the magnificent Inca temple all day. After breakfast, we walk to the central part of Choquequirao, where we can understand its Inca architecture. From there, we can explore, so we need to decide where. We recommend visiting the ceremonial Inca platform, the Inca Plaza, or the Llamas and Alpaca walls. Lunch is at INC camp, and the rest of the afternoon, there is time to explore the Inca cascade of the giant hummingbird below INC camp, have afternoon tea, and appreciate the panoramic Andes view.

Day 4: Choquequirao Ruins to Maizal

Today we have to hike down and up around some of the big mountains. But everything is possible with our spirit of adventure. After our fortifying breakfast, we start walking very early. From the Choquequirao pass, the trail goes downhill to Rio-Blanco (03 hours and a half of hiking). At Rio Blanco, we have our lunch prepared by our local professional chef. You are also welcome to jump into the creek because this is a hotter area.

The rest of the hike is up the Mountain, so we look forward to a cold drink on top of the Mountain where we will camp. This super trek is the best one to help you forget the everyday stress routine at home. It is the number one trek in South America, with its contact with Pachamama (nature). Also, we will explore the Pinchaunuyoc Incan site before Rio Blanco. Afternoon tea is served with popcorn in the middle of the Andes Mountains.

Day 5: Maizal to Yanama

After a 3-hour trek up the Mountain, we reach the Pass. We enter high Andean grassland (the Inca grass, called Ichu). The Inca trail is visible from different angles, and we can walk on that ancient Inca trail, where the Chaskis, wandering Inca walkers, used those Inca roads many centuries ago. From the San Juan Pass, we can enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding Andes snow peaks, which look like magical panoramas.

Lunch is served on top of the Mountain with terrific views. After a 2-hour descending trek, we reach the Yanama community. Before reaching the camp, we cross the abandoned silver mines and explore the tunnels.

Day 6: Yanama to Collpapampa

Today is another full day of trekking in the Andes. We start with a smooth trail up to the Mariano Llamoja pass. The feeling is like walking on the moon because the hike is high elevation. If we are lucky, we can observe the Apu Salkantay Pass. We hike on a recent dirt road to Collpapampa, using our favorite shortcuts, until the last 2 hours when we follow the dirt road to camp. The downhill is easy using hiking poles, proper shoes, and trekking socks. As we travel, we are ever closer to Machu Picchu.

Day 7: Collpapampa to La Playa

Today is an easy walk along the glacial river and across lush vegetation through the sub-tropical jungle. This is a day exploring green nature, finding wild strawberries, passion fruit, coffee plantations, and avocado trees. We arrive at La Playa camp at midday, welcoming some ice cream and cold beer.

Day 8: La Playa / Llactapata to Machu Picchu Pueblo

Today is like the first day of the trek because it is almost the same weather (super-hot and humid). Early in the morning, we start our tour to avoid the hot sun and humidity. After breakfast, we cross the river and follow a dirt road for 1/2 an hour until we get to the well-preserved track of the Inca Trail "Lucmabamba." We pass through coffee plantations on the Inca trail, which is smooth compared to other days' routes.

At the top of the mountain pass, we have the first glimpse of the last cities of the Incas, which the Spaniards never got to. At this location, we have an Inca control area of Llactapata. This Incan site is in ruins but is known for being interconnected with the Machu Picchu temple. Then we have a 2-hour descent trek to the hydroelectric plant of Machu Picchu. We board a local train service to Machu Picchu Pueblo (30 minutes train ride). In the evening, together with your professional trek guide, we will organize how you would like to have your tour in Machu Picchu the next day.

Day 9: Machu Picchu Tour

The type of tour depends on the group's decision. We start in the morning with a guided walking tour in Machu Picchu. First, we board the tourist bus to Machu Picchu to enjoy the sunrise in this magical and spiritual place. We will discover all the enigmas with our expert guide to explore Machu Picchu Park for about 3 hours. If you booked Waynapicchu or Montaña in advance with us, you would be doing this trek too.

In the afternoon, you board the train service to Ollantaytambo, then travel by car to Cusco city to your hotel (3 hours and 20 minutes total ride). End of service.

Hiking & Trekking by Kondor Path Tours