Discovering Choquequirao 9 Days – 8 Nights

Day 01: Departure from home to Lima, Peru.
Departure from home to Lima, Peru. First night in Lima. Check-in at a hotel in Miraflores.

Day 02: City Tour in Lima
This day we will take a tour of Lima, visiting the church of San Francisco and its Catacombs, then we will continue to the main square, where we can appreciate the colonial architecture of the 16th century and listen to the stories of our guide about the historical events that happened in this main square, after the tour we will return to Miraflores to enjoy a lunch with a Peruvian flavour. In the afternoon free time and dinner on your own. (B,L)

Day 03: Flight from Lima to Cusco
Morning flight to Cusco (1 hour flight) Check-in at the hotel, lunch included. Arriving in Cusco we will visit the Temple of the Sun, the cathedral of Cusco and the main square. Then we will walk around the historical centre and after lunch we will have free time to rest. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Cusco. (B)

Day 04: Sacred Valley Tour
Full day tour driving into the Sacred Valley to explore the nearby Inca ruins, we will see the typical markets and the local people interacting with us. After a very special morning touring the Sacred Valley we will have our lunch which is included. In the afternoon we will return to Cusco. (B,L)

Day 05: From Cusco to Santa Rosa

• Bus: 4 hours
• Distance Hikind: 12 miles
• Time: 7 hours
• Difficulty: Easy and Strenuous 
• Camp Elevation: 8000 ft.  

We leave Cusco very early in the morning and drive for almost 4 hours to Capuliyoq (trailhead).
We will start the trek down into the Apurimac canyon, to have our first view of Choquequirao, after three hours down we will stop for lunch in the Chiquisca area, then hike for 4 more hours all the way to Santa Rosa where we will camp for our first night. (B,L,D)

Day 06: Santa Rosa to Choquequirao

• Distance: 8 miles
• Time: 5-8 hours
• Difficulty: Very Strenuous
• Camp Elevation: 10’000 feet

This day is considered one of the hardest on the trail. We start climbing the trail every 4 hours to reach the Maranpata area. From this place we will have a breathtaking view of the Apurimac Valley and its surroundings. After lunch, we will hike for two more hours and finally we will approach the camping area of Choquequirao (10000 feet).
Tonight we will have a magical experience observing the milky way.(B,L,D)

Day 07: Choquequirao – Chikiska

• Distance: 13 miles 
• Time: 6-8 hours
• Difficulty: Difficult-Moderate
• Camp Elevation: 6000 ft

Today is the day of exploration at Choquequirao, where we will visit the most notable construction and sacred building of this site. We will begin our tour by walking along the stone path known as “the avenue of cedars” that runs along the Inca terraces.
We will stop to visit the lower plaza also known as the Great Hall and then continue along the western edge of the ridge to a group of sacred fountains.
After spending the whole morning discovering the Lost City of the Incas we will start our way back to Cachora by the route we came.
Our campsite for tonight is Chikiska (B,L,D).

Day 08: Chikiska – Capuliyoq – Cusco

• Distance: 13 miles 
• Time: 5-8 hours
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Elevation from Cusco: 10500 ft.

Today is the final leg of our trek, we will have the last trail up before approaching Capuliyoq, then we will have our last lunch included.
After lunch we will take our private transport back to Cusco.
Farewell dinner in Cusco (B,L,D)

Day 09: Transfer from the hotel to Cusco airport. 
This day we will take you from the hotel to the Cusco airport to take your domestic flight back to Lima.

• Domestic flights from Lima – Cusco – Lima.
• 4 star hotels.
• Meals included in the itinerary.
• Farewell dinner in Cusco.
• Tours in Cusco, Sacred Valley and Choquequirao.
• Private transportation, entrance fees, feet and tours.
• Private local guide.
• All meals provided along the way, camping equipment, etc.
• Horses carry clients’ equipment and duffel bags (clients only carry a small backpack with essentials for the day’s trek).
• Cook and cooking equipment.
• Authentic locally sourced meals.
• Transfers from airport, hotels, etc.

• Tips for field staff.
• Sleeping bags.
• Expenses incurred due to delays beyond our control.
• Individual travel insurance – required.

• 20-30 litre daypack.
• 3 litre water bag.
• Sleeping bag -20 f minimum (synthetic recommended).
• Travel bags, vinyl or large canvas expedition bags to be carried by mules.
• Footwear: light hiking shoes or trainers.
• Camping shoes.
• Waterproof trousers.
• Waterproof jacket.
• Fleece jacket.
• Insulated jacket.
• Long sleeve T-shirt.
• Lightweight trekking trousers.
• Capelina/Polypro top and trousers.
• Sun hat with visor.
• Socks at least 3 pairs.
• Sunglasses.
• Hygiene/toiletry kit – small.
• First aid items – we provide a large kit for the group.
• Head torch with spare batteries.
• Trekking poles – highly recommended.
• Camera.
• Nalgene bottle.
• Food to supplement standard meals.
• Ear plugs.
• Insect repellent with Deet (important, there are flies near the river).
• Plastic bags – rubbish bags for the backpack to protect from rain.
• Small camp towel.
• Disposable wipes.
• Hand sanitizer – small.
• Handkerchief – optional.
• Duct tape, blister, multi-tool knife.
• Label all equipment.
• Sunscreen of at least 30-45 SPF.

• Starting altitude: 2900m/ 9500ft.
• Maximum altitude: 3050m/ 10005ft.
• Walking distance: 40km/ 22miles.
• Overall difficulty: Difficult/ Challenging.
• Best time to visit: March-November.
• Acclimatisation strongly recommended.