Choquequiraw 4 days
Introduction
The archaeological site of CHOQUEQUIRAW is part of the complex system
of Andean towns in Vilcabamba Valley. In the time of the Incas, it was
united and in communication with Machu Picchu by a complex network of trails.
CHOQUEQUIRAW is situated in the spurs of the mountain range of Salcantay, at 3035 m.a.s.l, surrounded by the snowcapped Apus of Yanama, Ampay, Choquecarpu, Pumasillo and Panta on the right side of Apurimac river in the Santa Teresa district, The Convention province of the departament of Cusco.
Choquequiraw is an Inca town formed by small sites spread out in rubblework that in its adjoining constructs a complex metropolis similar to those of the other regions placed on the crest of the hill by the same name Choquequiraw.
Expedition Program
1st Day
We leave from Cusco at 4:00am in the morning. Arriving at Cachora town at 6:30 in the morning where we will have our breakfast. Hereafter we arrange the equipment on mules and horses. From that place we can observe the majestic PADRAYOC snow-covered peaks, it is 5482 m.a.s.l. The hike on this first day is 21.70 km of distance. On the way we will observe PADRAYOC Y WAYNA CACHORA snow-covered peaks, we can appreciate the beautiful change of the landscape from precipices to snowy mountains.
We have our lunch in a place called Playa Rosalina at 1:00 pm. On the way we will observe APURIMAC canyon with its impressive depth and in SANTA ROSA we will set up our campsite.
The approximate time of the hike is about 10 h. On this day we will pass the samall settlements: La Colmena (2870masl), La Aguada (2915masl), Capuliyoc (2915masl) impressive look out point where we can see all Apurimac Valley, Huayhuacalle (2970masl), Tinajayoc (2630masl), Mirador (2370masl), Cocamasana (2330masl), Torowisqana (2285masl), Chiquisqa (1950masl) grove place where we can find water, Playa Rosalina (camp in 1550 masl), La Huerta (2705masl) and finally we arrive in Santa Rosa (2115masl).
2nd Day
Early morning (5:00 am) after breakfast, we continue
our hike going up to Choquequiraw. We will arrive to the archaeological
place CHOQUEQUIRAW after 5 hours. Good time to enjoy that majestic
place. We will observe the three levels of the excavated ruin, where
we can appreciate houses, terraces and other parts of this late Inca-town,
like the ruin in progress of excavation and finally areas unexplored
that can tell us about this last refuge of the oppressed inca empire.
Approximately at 3 o'clock in the afternoon (depends of the weather)
we can appreciate "the flight of the Condors".
CHOQUEQUIRAW is considered as "The Last Refuge of the Inca Empire". The oldest reports assign to JUAN ARIAS DIAZ as one of the first persons that explored the zone in 1710. Our bilingual guide will explain the history and importance of the site after the Spanish arrived to Peru. We will have our lunch and dinner in RAQAYPATA (2910masl).
3th Day
After an early breakfast we pack and start walking back to CHIQUISQA. On the way we can observe again Apurimac canyon . Here we may be lucky to appreciate the flight of the Condors, the exuberant vegetation and its variety of flowers and orchids.
The time of the hike is about 10h. Altitude: 3033-1950 m.a.s.l. Passing the same small settlements as on the way up. We will stop in PLAYA ROSALINA where we will have our lunch and after that we'll continue to CHIQUISQA. Here we will spend the night on our campsite.
4th Day
CHIQUISQA CACHORA CUSCO Early morning after breakfast
(5:00 am), we continue to arrive to Cachora town. On the hike we
can appreciate again the majestic PADRAYOC snow-covered peak that
decorate to APURIMAC canyon.
The time of hike to arrive to CACHORA is about 7 hours. In the way back to CUSCO we make a stop in CCONOC and enjoy of the HOT NATURAL SPRINGS!! Showers are available the same time we can see native product of the area. We will arrive to CUSCO approximately at 10pm.
Price Information
2008 U.S.D. $ 220.00 Students: U.S.D. $ 195.00
Please note:
- We offer special discounts for groups and in the low season (December - April).
- Discount of 5% to holders of the international studentcard (ISIC).
- Fixed departures on Fridays.
Daily Departures all year round.
Included in the price
- Bilingual guide.
- 3 meals per day.
- 2 or 4 persons tents, matresses, rainponchos.
- Asistent horses and mules to carry food and camping equipment.
- Horsemen.
- transport.
- First-aid kit.
- Cookers and kitchen equipment.
- Entrance to Choquequiraw
- Pick-up at hostel on first day.
Do not include in the Price:
- Breakfast first day and Dinner last day.
- Tips ( in Peru tipping is expected )
- Entrance to the hot springs.
What we advice you to bring
- Trekking footwear;
- Sleeping bag;
- Change of clothes;
- Jacket;
- clothes for cold weather;
- Good socks.
- Purifying tablets.
- Camera with extra rolls of film.
- Mosquito repellent.
- Sun-block.
- Sunglasses or sunhat.
- Flashlight with extra batteries.
- Swim-suit.
- Walking cane.
design by Gissel Enriquez - development by Jeronimo Design