→ Choquequirao Trek: The Cradle of Gold 5-Day Adventure

The purpose of the Trail to Choquequiraw was religious and ceremonial, a pilgrimage that included rituals to honor the mountains and peaks of the route, like Salkantay sacred mountain.

It is situated in the mountain range of the Salkantay, at over 3030 meters above sea level, surrounded by the Apus (mountain gods) of Yamana, Ampay, Chokecarpu, Pumasiyo and Panta, on the left bank of the Apurimac River. During the time of the Incas, everything was connected and in communication with Machu Picchu through a complex network of trails.
Choquequiraw is considered "The Last Refuge of the Inca Empire". Visitors will have a chance to discover a complex hydraulic system, most likely for domestic, ceremonial and agricultural use. The geographic location of Choquequiraw in reference to other religious centers of the same period tends to indicate that its function was that Inca enclave toward the valleys of the Apurímac River. There are many similarities between Choquequiraw and Machu Picchu.

Day 01: Cusco | Capuliyoc – Playa Rosalina
Day 02: Playa Rosalina – Marampata
Day 03: Choquequirao Complex
Day 04: Marampata – Playa Rosalina
Day 05: Playa Rosalina – Cachora | Cusco

Itinerary

Day 1 | Choquequirao

Cusco | Capuliyoc – Playa Rosalina

Rosalina Beach Camp on the choquequirao trek

We will pick you up from your hotel by touristic transport to take you to “San Pedro de Cachora” (2800masl) a beautiful Andean Village; in Cachora we start the 4 hours hiking before to reach our lunch place. then we will head to Kapuliyoq sector, where we continue our trek. There in Kapuliyoq, during the way we can enjoy a big diversity of landscapes that belong to different climates, like Padriyoc snowcapped, flora and fauna Andean diversity that makes beautiful our trip.

We will be able to see the deepest canyon of the world, the Apurimac canyon where the Apurimac River flows and also is possible to see the first views of Choquequiraw. We will continue descending until Chiquisca, where we will have a short break.
After Lunch we will start with our last descent of the day, it will be about 2 hours approx. towards the La Playa Sector. La playa is about 1800 m.a.s.l Close to Apurimac “the sacred river”.

Meals: Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Minimum altitude: 1550 MASL – 4650 FASL
Maximum altitude: 3100 MASL – 9300 FASL
Distance: 14 km – 9 miles
Time: 5 hours (approximately)
Difficulty: Easy

Day 2 | Choquequirao

Playa Rosalina | Marampata

Sunset at Maranpata campsite on the Choquequirao route

fter organic breakfast, starts the climb up of 2 hours to Santa Rosa small village (break point) then continues the uphill for 3 hours to Marampata lunch spot. During the hike you get to enjoy the splendid of Apurimac canyon, the mountain of Choquequiraw and beautiful sharply mountains. After lunch the walk is very gentle to get the lost Inca city, Choquequiraw. The campsite is only outside of the Inca site (Chance to see the sunset and Condors).

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Minimum altitude: 1550 MASL – 4650 FASL
Maximum altitude: 3100 MASL – 9300 FASL
Distance: 16 km - 10 miles
Time: 5 hours (approximately)
Difficulty: Easy

Day 3 | Choquequirao

Choquequirao Complex

After breakfast, we will visit the magnificent archeological site of Choquequiraw for the entire day. Enjoy the private guided tour and explore all of the beautiful city sections: Temples, terraces, palaces, llamas’ quarters, and much more. We will return to the same campsite for tea and to spend the night.

Choquequiraw means “Cradle of Gold” in Quechua - the language of the Incas - although this is probably not its original name. It is another “Lost City of the Incas” rediscovered officially late in the 20th century. It is located high on a ridge spur almost 1750 meters/5741 feet above the raging, glacier-fed Apurimac River and is surrounded by the towering Salkantay and Humantay snow-capped peaks. Excavations and restoration of the 1810-hectare site began in the 1990s, and it is estimated that only 30% of the site has been restored to date. Every day archeologists are finding new things.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Minimum altitude: 1550 MASL – 4650 FASL
Maximum altitude: 3100 MASL – 9300 FASL

Day 4 | Choquequirao

Marampata | Playa Rosalina

Choquequirao archaeological site from the Sunchupata view point

This morning we will start our walk back towards Santa Rosa, where we are going to have lunch. Then we will continue descending for another 2 hours until we reach Rosalina Beach at 1450m/4756ft, where we might have time to take a refreshing dip in the waters of the Apurimac River. We camp and dine here; also, we spend the night close to the river exactly in the first campsite.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Minimum altitude: 1550 MASL – 4650 FASL
Maximum altitude: 3100 MASL – 9300 FASL
Distance: 16 km - 10 miles
Time: 5 hours (approximately)
Difficulty: Easy

Day 5 | Choquequirao

Playa Rosalina-Cachora – Cusco

Cocamasana viewpoint on the Choquequirao trail

Today we will leave the campsite extremely early in the morning after the breakfast, we’ll hike 4 hours uphill to Capuliyoc, where will you have the last lunch with your expedition team. After lunch we still have 2 more hours of hike to Cachora Andean village, finally since this point we are going to take the bus to Cusco we will be arriving in the afternoon.

About Choquequiraw Campsites:
Please note: Campsites may change (be different from this itinerary) depending on booking time and availability, weather conditions or on restrictions undertaken for safety reasons by the Peruvian Government.

Meals: Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Minimum altitude: 1550 MASL – 4650 FASL
Maximum altitude: 3100 MASL – 9300 FASL
Distance: 14 km – 9 miles
Time: 5 hours (approximately)
Difficulty: Easy

What's Included?

Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your Choquequiraw Trek” guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. In case you can’t come at this time “please let us know” to coordinate another time.
Touristic Transport: You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco in the morning and will travel by private transportation to Capuliyoc the starting point of the trek to Choquequiraw.
Adventure Experienced Inka Choquequiraw trek Tour Guide: English speaking, professionally educated, and official tour guide with tourism certification. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings along the entire route, including leading your group in ancient ceremonies! He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time along the Inca path and will ensure you are safe and happy.
Private campsites: Each campsite is carefully choosed for having a very local experience.
- Night 1: Enjoy the 1st night in Playa Rosalina campsite on the route Choquequiraw trek and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4-man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Night 2: Enjoy the 2nd night in Marampata on the route Choquequiraw trek and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4-man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Night 3: Enjoy the 3rd night in Marampata on the route Choquequiraw trek and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4-man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Night 4: Enjoy the 4th night in Playa Rosalina campsite on the way back to Cusco and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4-man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra.
- Note: It is not usual that campsites, lodges or hotels change after the confirmation, however it can vary per government regulations and authorization, also for bad weather conditions and maybe because physical condition of our visitors: Any changes in this matter, ITEP travel will be informing you previously and as soon as possible.
Camping equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment (all carried by our porters and horses).
Entry ticket to Choquequiraw trail and Inca city
Professional Trekking Chef: A professional chef specialized in cooking on the trail, with an assistant, will prepare all of your delicious meals along our journey on the Trail to replenish your energy every day. You will never go hungry!
Meals: 4Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners (Vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost) Please be in mind (1st breakfast and last lunch is not included”
Boiled Water: Beginning from your first lunch until your last breakfast, Inka Trail Expeditions will supply all the water needed. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled, before distributing. You must supply your own water bottles or camel back. We recommend carrying about 3L worth. We will refill our waters at each meal.
Wake up tea: Every morning at the campsite, you will wake up with a cup of coca tea! Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
Tea time daily during the Trek: Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide our tea time with popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you will not have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up, and enjoy a bite to eat!
Products for hygiene: You will be provided with a small towel before each meal to clean your hands and every morning will be also a bucket with warm water for washes your personal hygiene.
Medical kit and Oxygen bottle: Our crew will bring a first-aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
Transfer back to Cusco: Private touristic transport from Capuliyoc to your hotel in Cusco (Day 5)
24-hour guest service: We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.

What's not Included?

Sleeping Bags: You can rent one from our company if you do not have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use.
Walking Sticks: You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
Day 1: Breakfast: approx. Usd5 to usd 10.00, Price can vary according your selection.
Last Day: Lunch and Dinner in Aguas Calientes. Approx. Usd 20 to 25.00, Price can vary according your selection.
Personal clothing and gear
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff: Please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish “Recommendation usd 6 to usd 8 per day per traveler for all the trek staff”- Once again it is optional and can vary according your satisfaction.
Additional costs or delays out of control of the management (landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.)