- Email address verified
- Email address verified
About this trip
Considered Machu Picchu's "sister city," Choquequirao is one of Peru’s most spectacular hikes, with sweeping Andean vistas and even the chance to spot condors. Choquequirao sits high atop the Apurimac Valley, in utter isolation. You’ll be awestruck as you take in the beautiful natural surroundings, and marvel at the Incas’ ingenuity to construct such impressive buildings.
TREKKERS WANTED!
Final rates are based on the number of paying participants that enroll for this trip. Maximum group size is 6 people.
We are currently accepting deposits to secure space on the trek. Please be advised once the deposit deadline is reached, we will, at that time, determine how many paying participants have enrolled and adjust the final cost of the trip. This information will determine the final balance per person.
If you have any questions please ask prior to signing up.
ABOUT THE GROUP
“Hello fellow adventurers. We are a couple from Ireland and Iran living in California. If you share our interest in the wild and the ancient, please join us for this epic trek to Choquequirao.”
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Solo travellers may incur a single occupancy supplement :
Group of 3 people: $1235 USD per person
Single Occupancy Supplement: $20 USD
Final balance is due 7 days prior to your trip departure.
Important Details About Your Booking
Dear Fellow Traveller,
This is your payment link for your upcoming 4-day trek. The price quoted here is the price per person. Please be sure to enter the correct number of passengers for whom you will be paying the deposit.
Please make sure you read and understand our Booking Conditions before paying your deposit. Please also download and fill out this Passenger Details Form and this Medical Declaration & Insurance Waiver Form. You will be prompted to upload these documents when paying your deposit.
Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you in Peru!
The Apus Peru team
Itinerary
- Total Walking Distance: 12 km
- Total Walking Time: 6-7h
- Minimum Altitude: 1520m (4986 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 2970m (9744 ft)
- Altitude of camp: 2095m (6973 ft)
- Approx. night temperature: 8°C
It’s an early start on the first day of the classic 4 day Choquequirao trek: after picking you up from your hotel early in the morning, we head for Capuliyoc, leaving the hustle and bustle of Cusco behind. After about an hour and a half of driving, we will have a short stop at Tarawasi (2675m / 8776 ft).
Tarawasi gets its name from two Quechua words: tara, a type of tree native to the Andes (latin name: caesalpina espinosa), and wasi, which means “house”. So Tarawasi is “the house of the Tara tree”. Tara is a multipurpose tree that produces large bean pods that turn orange when ripe. The seeds inside are used as a natural dye, and also have medicinal purposes.
Tarawasi is a ceremonial centre that dates to Incan times. One of the most striking features of this archaeological site is the presence of an usnu, a ceremonial structure where ritual offerings would be prepared.
From Tarawasi to the Trailhead
From here, we continue another 3 hours until we arrive at Capuliyoc (2970m / 9744ft) where we’ll have our first breathtaking views of the Apurimac Valley below, as well as the impressive Padreyoc and Huayna Cachora peaks.
We’ll meet our arrieros (muleteers) here and after a short 15 minute walk, we’ll stop to have our lunch at the Capuliyoc lookout point. Refueled and refreshed, we’re ready to start the steep 4 hour descent into the Apurimac Canyon until we reach Chiquisca (1950m / 6397ft), with incredible drop-offs at our sides.
After another hour of hiking, we reach the roaring Apurimac River (1520m / 4986ft) where we’ll begin the climb to the Santa Rosa campsite (2095m / 6873ft). This is a tough, 2-hour climb but you’ll be thankful for it the next day! This campsite on day one of our Choquequirao tour is further along the trail than the most popular camp, making for a more restful evening where you can soak up the stars.
This day is flexible and so the route you trek might not correspond exactly to the route described here. Walking times depend on the time of departure and on the nature of the group. The guide may change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group.
Please take note that there might be biting insects on the trail, thus repellent will be needed! It can get very hot on the trail (not just in the canyon!), going up to 30-35ºC (86ºF – 95ºF). It can get as hot as 40ºC (104ºF) in the canyon.