Trekking Choquequirao 7 days / 6 nights
Booking & Contact
Tour details
- Type:
- Trekking Perú
- Code:
- AE13
- Visited Destinations:
- Cusco
Resume
Due to its remote locate, Choquequirao ("cradle of gold" in Quechua, native language of the Incas) is relatively new to the trekking circuit. Only since 1992 have people been working to restore the ruins. Very few visitors come because of its remoteness and difficult hike. Nestled on a prominent ridge overlooking the chasm created by the ApurÃmac River, this mythical city must have rivaled Machu Picchu in terms of beauty. Little is known about this seldom visited site which was first mentioned in the writings of British historian Sir Clement Markham. It was explored briefly by Hiram Bingham in his search for Vilcabamba.
Itinerary
1st day:
Transfer by bus from Cusco to Santa Maria (8hours) and then to Santa Teresa (3½ hours). There you start the hike, with horses carrying the equipment. The entire day is spent slowly climbing from 1,500mt-4,920ft with tropical vegetation to about 2,300mt-7,545ft. After crossing the bridge at Suriray, pass the communities of Lucma and Sahuayaco before reaching camp at Lluzcamayu (6-hour walk).
2nd day:
An other day of climbing but you pass a nice hot spring. Bath time!!! Today you reach a village also called Lluzcamayu. It seems to have been abandoned place (even the teacher has fled). From here it's an easy walk across the wide, flat pampa to the campsite at Totora - 3,400mt-11,150ft (7-hour walk).
3rd day:
A difficult day but worthwhile. You have to climb to 4,560mt-14,950ft.- Yanama pass. The first part (2½ hours) leaving Totora isn't too difficult and there are great views at Salkantay. Then the climb becomes steeper (about 2½ hours) before reaching the pass. There is a good chance of seeing condors here. Beyond the pass, there are glaciers very close by and a great view the Pumasillo massif. Maybe you'd like to climb one? From here it's a downhill walk to Yanama (2½ hours) at 3,450mt-11,315ft. All along the way are lot of lupines, waterfalls, and still all those peaks surrounding you!
4th day:
High in the Andes! See the village of Yanama below and climb (2½ hours) to an other pass, La Victoria. Here you can enter the abandoned silver mines and probably see condors. The mines were worked here until the 60's. Leaving the La Victoria mines, itâ's downhill to Maizal; just 1 house..... the farmer would love a small chat! You can either camp here or 2 hours farther down at Rio Blanco. Don't forget your machete to cut your path.
5th day:
You start at Rio Blanco, cross it and go on in a rather steep climb (2 hours) before finally reaching the ruins of 'Pinchu Unuyoc, still covered, but very interesting with its walls and baths. Continue the climb! There is a fantastic viewpoint to see condors at the remains of the control point. Then it's still a 2-hour walk to cross Choquequirao pass and then 40 minutes down to enter the ruins of the same name. Wonderful, impressive; find your words. Camp in the lower part of the terraces or in the workers camp.
6th day:
Take your time to explore this amazing area. Choquequirao was an important Inca site. It's the remotest of the major sites, located on a ridge spur almost 1,800mt-5,900ft above the Apurímac River. It is suggested (Gary Ziegler) to have been the place where the last Inca, Tupac Amaru, was raised by Inca priestesses Another suggestion (Vincent Lee) is that it was built as a "royal estate" for Topa Inca, son of the great Inca Pachacutec. Next, walk down into the Apurímac valley, have a "caña" (fiery, cane liquor) in Santa Rosa and cross the Apurímac river. You can take a swim here. Either camp here or 1 hour farther on near a small stream in Chikisqa.
7th day:
It takes about 6-7 hours to reach the village of Cachora. There is another pass to cross, lots of climbing to do. Be prepared, there is no water for about 4-5 hours! After the last climb, the bus will be waiting to take you back to Cuzco.
Include
- English speaking guide and trip briefing before departure.
- Bus transportation
- Cook
- Meals from first to last day lunch
- Mules / horses and handlers. Including back-up horse
- All camping equipment
Notes
You should bring a sleeping bag, warm clothes, raincoat or poncho, water bottle, first-aid kit, water purification pills, repellent sun, glasses, hat, etc.
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