CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK TOUR 5 DAY

Day 1: Training Day: Cusco – Cachora – Chiquisca​

Pick-up from your hotel is at 5:00 am. You’ll go on a 5-hour drive in our private transportation until we reach the first stop of the famous and impressive stone of Saywite. This stone is a remnant of an Inca blueprint of an unknown location. We will have a brief stop here so you can have breakfast and take pictures. We’ll continue our ride until we reach Cachora**. We make a brief stop in this village to pick up our horsemen for the tour and then set off towards Capuliyoc. Here you’ll have lunch and commence your downhill hike until you reach Chiquisca campsite where you will sleep overnight.

• Minimum Altitude: 6102ft / 1860m
• Maximum Altitude: 9514ft / 2900m
• Distance Traveled: 4.97mi / 8km
• Walking Time: 5 hrs

**Cachora village is the first town and point of entry to Choquequirao with a population of approximately 5,000 people. Tour Leaders Peru Adventure works with this population by giving employment to people of this village and involving them in the tourism sector. People from Cachora hold jobs such as horsemen, assistant chefs, horse rental, and much more. In this manner, we support our local economy and social work.

On the following day, between 5 am to 5:30 am your tour leader will pick you up from your respective hotel. You will go on a 3-hour drive towards Kilometer 82. A hearty breakfast will be served to you right before KM 82 checkpoint and any last-minute snacks can be purchased during this stop as well. Here you will have the chance to repack any personal belongings and then head to the checkpoint for the classic Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.

Hiking Miles

You will begin this trail hiking a gentle up and down path until you reach the first Inca remain called Llactapata. Your tour leader will give you information about this site and also begin their guiding introduction about the Incas and the many remnants left.

You will continue to hike for two hours and stop for your gourmet-style lunch. If there is extra time on our hands we can stop for a short nap, if not, we can continue our 3-hour hike towards the Yuncaypata campsite. A happy hour of hot drinks and popcorn awaits you here followed by dinner. Afterward, we recommend you get a good night’s rest because the following day is the most challenging day of all.

Miles

• Meals: B/L/D snacks, hot drinks, and popcorn
• Maximum Altitude: 3,300m/10,826ft
• Minimum Altitude: 2,700m/8,852ft
• Distance Travelled: 14 Km/8.5 miles
• Walking Time: approximately 8 hours

Day 2: Challenging Day: Chiquisca- Marampata -Choquequirao

We will wake you up nicely with hot coca tea before you begin your steep uphill hike. This is the steepest hike and also the toughest day of the 5-day trip. Halfway through the trek, you’ll have a brief rest and snack stop. You’ll resume your hike until you reach the small community of Marampata where you’ll enjoy lunch. After 3 more hours of walking, you’ll reach Choquequirao. You will have dinner and enjoy a good night’s rest.

• Minimum Altitude: 6023ft / 1836m
• Maximum Altitude: 9679ft /2950m
• Distance Travelled: 8.7mi/14km
• Walking Time: 6 hrs

Day 3: Full-Day Choquequirao

On this day you will have the opportunity to visit the entire archaeological citadel of Choquequirao. After an early breakfast, you will head towards Choquequirao and begin your guided tour.

Your tour leader will explore with you and guide you to the most recent excavations and findings in the last years. After your lunch, you’ll have the chance to see Peruvian Condors flying amongst the mountains. You’ll return back to your campsite where you’ll have dinner and enjoy a good night’s rest.

Hiking Details: Explore Choquequirao full-day tour

• Minimum Altitude: 9514ft / 2900m
• Maximum Altitude: 9843ft / 3000m
• Distance Travelled: 3mi / 5km
• Walking Time: 6 hrs

Day 4: Journey Back Home: Choquequirao- Chiquisca​

After breakfast, you will head back on the same route you took to arrive in Choquequirao. Your tour leader will organize your lunch stop. You’ll continue hiking downhill until you reach the Apurimac River and appreciate views of the Apurimac canyon.

Afterward, you’ll continue walking uphill until you reach the campsite of Chiquisca. You will have dinner and sleep here overnight.

• Minimum Altitude: 6023ft / 1836m
• Maximum Altitude: 9679ft /2950m
• Distance Travelled: 8.7mi/14km
• Walking Time: 6 hrs

Day 5: Chiquisca- Capuliyoc -Cusco​

On this last day, you’ll begin your trek very early to avoid the hot weather. You’ll reach the Capuliyoc viewpoint where you will have lunch and end your hike.

Transportation will be waiting for you here to take you back to Cusco. You will be dropped off at your respective hotels.

How Many Days Do You Need in Order to Hike In Peru

The Classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular combined routes. Each route varies in length from one to fourteen days, depending on the demand and availability of lodging along the way. All four journeys are one-way trips. You will generally travel back to Cusco using a combination of public and private transportation, depending on which tour company you use to make your trip reservations.

The One-Day Inca Trail Hike (1-day trek)

You can see Machu Picchu in one day if you’re short on time (but be prepared to wake up early!). You’ll take the train from Cusco to Kilometer 104, which is a location on the trail. Then, you’ll hike around 15 kilometers (9 miles) through the Sun Gate until you reach the Machu Picchu sanctuary. This option is great if you want to view Machu Picchu and experience a small section of the Inca Trail trek all at once.

The Lares Trek (3-day trek)

The Lares Trek, also known as the cultural alternative to the Inca Trail, is a three-day journey into the historical weaver communities on the eastern slopes of Machu Picchu. But don’t expect it to be a trip to the museum.

To glimpse into time-honored villages, you must earn access by obtaining passes that soar to over 15,000 feet and zigzag across Pumahuanca’s peak. On day four of your Lares trek, you may add another stop at Machu Picchu ruins.

Vilcabamba Traverse Route (1 – 2 week trek)

The trek to Machu Picchu is not for the faint of heart. At 65 kilometers long, this is regarded as one of the most difficult ways to see Machu Picchu. The route starts in Cachora and winds a mile-deep canyon to Choquequirao, or “Cradle of Gold.” The Vilcabamba Trail follows the same route that Hiram Bingham took when he rediscovered Machu Picchu in 1911, albeit via more isolated towns.

The Salkantay Route (1 – 2 week trek)

The Salkantay Trek is the only Inca Trail option that lets you sleep in a comfy bed and take a hot shower at the end of every day’s hike! Though it still requires reasonably fit participants, The Lodge Trek runs along the Salkantay Trail through the Cordillera Vilcabamba mountain range but permits nightly rest at fully serviced lodges placed along the route. Machu Picchu is reached by following the trail to an elevation of 15,000 feet.

The Classic Inca Trail Route (3 – 5 day trek)

The Classic Inca Trail Hike is the most popular trek of the four alternatives described in this piece. It begins at kilometer 82 along the route, at the village of Piscacucho. The first day is a moderate hike through the Andean foothills, crossing the Urubamba River and arriving at your campsite in Huayllabamba. On the second day, you’ll ascend what’s known as “Dead Woman’s Pass,” which is the highest point of the Inca Trail Elevation at 4200 meters (13,776 feet). After that, it’s all downhill to the Pacaymayo River campsite.