Choquekirao Trek (CHQT)

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Description

This is a spectacular though challenging hike that crosses the Canyon of the Apurimac River and ends up at the mysterious ruins of Choquekirao. The ruins are in an incredible location - perched high on a ledge above one of the deepest canyons in the world! Choquekirao was an Inca city on the same scale as Machu Picchu with scattered and fascinating sectors. The different parts seem to have diverse functions and communicated with the main square by a series of footpaths. The main square has a ceremonial character and also two different living levels. You can see the Temples of the Sun and Earth, residences, sleeping rooms for Mitimaes (indentured workers to the Incas) and farmers´ residences. From the remains it is clear that the city was suddenly abandoned, probably for the same reason as Machu Picchu with the arrival of the Conquistadors. Choquekirao is made all the more special by its location –overlooking one of the deepest canyons in the world – the Apurimac.

This is a challenging trek both due to the terrain and the hot climate. The standard length of the trek is 4 Days, but there is also the option to take it a little easier and do it in 5 days. Ask us for more details on this option.

Itinerary

First Day:
At 5.30 you will be picked up from your hotel and by local bus you will be brought to the village of Cachora. This trip of 4 hours will be the start of the big adventure. We will arrive at Cachora at approximately 11 a.m. and there we will prepare ourselves for the walking tour by putting our backpacks and all equipment on the pack mules.

After that, we are going to walk for approximately 6 hours. During the route we will enjoy a very nice lunch at a place called Capulioc. Then we will hike to the bridge Rosalinas over the Apurimac River, which is situated 1500 meters above sea level. This is also the place where we will camp this first night.

Second Day:
We will leave the bridge Rosalinas and go in the direction of the next camping site named Sunchupata. During the trail we can observe a change of vegetation and climate. We will walk till 2900 meters above sea level. In Maranpata we will have lunch and we will continue the hike till we reach Sunchupata.

Third Day:
Starting from the camping site of Sunchupata we will walk towards Choquekiraw. We will have the whole day to visit these archeological ruins. Afterwards we will go back to the nice place Sunchupata where we will have camp for the second time.

Fourth Day
On our final day we will hike back along the same route from Sunchupata to Cachora. In Cachora there will be a bus waiting to take us back to Cusco.

Fifth Day:
This day we will walk from Puente Rosalinas back to Cachora. In Cachora is a bus waiting to bring us back to Cusco.

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Practical Information

Leaving: For more information send us an email
Transport: By bus
Length: 5 days/4 nights or 4 days/3 nights
Price 2012:

Bring With You

Bring a good sleeping bag;

Plastic to cover your bag;

Raincoat;

Good hiking shoes;

2 pairs of clothes (packed together in a plastic bag);

Warm sweater;

jacket;

Waterbottles and tablets to purify the water (very important);

Cap;

Sunblock;

Insect repellent;

Caramels;

chocolate;

dried fruit;

cookies etc.

Included	Not Included
Pick up at your hotel; Transport by car to Cachora; Pack mules; cooks; Bilingual Guide; Tents and mattresses; Medical help; Transport from Cachora to Cusco; 4 breakfasts; 4 lunches; 3 dinners or 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 3 Dinners (or 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners for 5 day trek).	Sleeping bag.

OTHERS.

Minimum 4 people requiered to run this program.

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS.

Fourth Day:
hike from Suchupata to Puente Rosalina. Along the way we’ll pass by a farm where they make ‘Cambray’ – a type of brandy made from cane sugar known as ‘Chicha de caña’ here. We’ll stop for lunch here and then continue to Puente Rosalina where we’ll spend the night.

Fifth Day:
Today we’ll walk the last part of the trail back to Cachora, where a bus wil be waiting to take us back to Cusco.

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