Discover Choquequirao
DAY 1: LIMA | INC: -
Arrival in Lima, meet and greet at the airport, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon we will have a tour through Lima’s streets and plazas. Starting at the Love Park in Miraflores, with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, and then heading to the Huaca Pucllana, ceremonial center of the Lima culture. After this, we go on to the Main Square where the Government Palace and the Town Hall are located. We will visit the Cathedral and explore the Santo Domingo Convent, along which corridors San Martin de Porras and San Rosa de Lima used to walk around in 17th century, and where their remains rest today. Stay in Lima.
DAY 2: LIMA/CUSCO | INC: B
Transfer to the airport and flight to Cusco. On arrival, meet and greet at the airport, transfer to your hotel. Free rest of the day. Stay in Cusco.
DAY 3: CUSCO/CACHORA/RIO APURIMAC | INC: B/L/D
The adventure starts in Cusco and on the road to Lima. The town is left behind as we cross Antapampa with spectacular views of the Salkantay and Huatanay, and later the Pitusiray, Chicon and Veronica mountains. Once we start the descent to Limatambo, we will stop for a visit to the Tarawasi archaeological site. The road continues to the impressive Apurimac river gorge. We will go pass the Curawasi (2,600 mt. / 8,530 ft.) town to see the famous Saywite rock which served as a stony plan to carry out the hydraulic work of the Empire. Then is off to Cachora (2,900 mt. / 9,514 ft.) where we will catch a first glimpse of the Apurimac canyon. It is time to start walking, backpacks on our shoulders, boarding the Capuliyoc mountain to later start the descent and set camp by the river (2,450 mt. / 8,038 ft.).
Distance: 8 km. / 4, 97 mi.
Estimated time: 4-5 hrs.
Maximum altitude reached: 2,900 mt. / 8,530 ft.
Campsite: near the river (2,450 mt. / 8,038 ft.)
Highlights: Saywite rock and view of the Apurimac canyon.
DAY 4: RIO APURIMAC/CHOQUEQUIRAO | INC: B/L/D
Our day begins by crossing the river over a pedestrian bridge. From there, a half day hike will take us to Marampampa, a small prairie where lunch will be provided. As we continue with the ascent, we can see the landscape of both sides of the Apurimac canyon. The afternoon trek is gentler as we approach the valley where the Choquequirao archaeological site is located. Camp will be set up near the area so as to be ready for our morning visit of the Incan sites.
Distance: 7 km. / 4,35 mi.
Estimated time: 7-8 hrs.
Maximum altitude reached: 3,400 mt. / 11,154 ft.
Campsite: Choquequirao (3,400 mt. / 11,154 ft.)
Highlights: View of the Apurimac canyon.
DAY 5: CHOQUEQUIRAO/MARAMPAMPA | INC: B/L/D
Morning visit of the main complex and some of the exterior sites located in front of the canyon while we head to the terraces. Lunch. In the afternoon we will descend to Marampampa (3,100 mt. / 10,170 ft.) where we will set up camp.
Distance: 2.5 km. / 1.55 mi.
Estimated time: 2 hrs.
Maximum altitude reached: 3,400 mt. / 11,154 ft.
Campsite: Marampampa (3,100 mt. / 10,170 ft.)
Highlights: Choquequirao archaeological complex.
DAY 6: MARAMPAMPA/COCAMASANA | INC: B/L/D
The day begins as we start going down towards the river and have lunch at the lowest and deepest part of the canyon. From here it is time to hike up to Cachora where we will find our next campsite: Cocamasana (2,235 mt. / 7,333 ft.), a small and beautiful place with an amazing view of the canyon.
Distance: 6 km. / 3.73 mi.
Estimated time: 6-7 hrs.
Maximum altitude reached: 2,900 mt. / 9,514 ft.
Campsite: Cocamasana (2,235 mt. / 7,333 ft.)
Highlights: view of the Apurimac canyon.
DAY 7: COCAMASANA/CACHORA/CUSCO | INC: B/L
This is the last ascent towards Capuliyoc and to the Cachora village where a vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Cusco following the same access road. Arrival in Cusco at night. (Distance: 4kms, Hike duration: 3-4 hours). From Cachora to Cusco: 4 hours by car.
Distance: 4 km. / 2.49 mi.
Estimated time: 4-hour hike and 4 hour car ride.
Maximum altitude reached: 2,900mt. / 9,514 ft.
DAY 8: CUSCO/LIMA | INC: D.
Departure transfer.
Important Note:
We recommend an additional day off in Cusco to get used to the altitude and be able to carry out other adventure activities such as river rafting, horseback riding or hiking.