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Apus Peru - recommended in Lonely Planet Peru 2010, Footprint South America Handbook 2010 & Rough Guides’– Clean Breaks: 500 New Ways to See the World

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The Choquequirao trek is a truly spectacular hike that plunges down into the Apurimac canyon and then up again to the fascinating ruins of Choquequirao. While this is a quite tough trek, you are rewarded with spectacular views the whole way. The Choquequirao 'comfort' trek enables you more time in the ruins and more time to get to the ruins. The ruins of Choquequirao, perched on a ledge high above the Apurimac are not as extensive as Machu Picchu, but probably more fascinating and much more remote. This is certainly a very unique trail in the high Andes.

Choquequirao comfort trek detailed Itinerary

Day 1: We depart Cusco at 9am in a private car. First we will take a break to visit the ruins of Tarawasiu Limatambo in the lower valley and lunch en route and then continue onto the archaelogical site of Saywite. We will stay the night at the Los Balcones hostal, which is a rustic, charming hostel which also offers modern conveniences. They have a full service restaurant: enjoy pizza cooked in an authentic wood oven, or an outdoor barbeque.  They have comfortable beds, hot showers and laundry service. We will also stay the night at this hostal, and the afternoon is free for you to wander the traditional mountainsides (with advise from your guide) or simply rest in the charming village. Enjoy the views of the snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora. In the evening your meal is at the Tres Balcones restaurant.Accommodation: Tres Balcones hotel, Cachora

Day 2: After breakfast, it is a 2 hour hike to Capuliyoc (2915 metres/ 9561 feet) from where we have our first beautiful views of the Apurimac valley stretching below as well as the snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora. We descend to have lunch at Chiccisqa, a charming oasis on the trail. From here,, we descend to the magnificent Apurimac River (1550 metres/ 5084 feet) before beginning our climb to Santa Rosa which is "half way" up the hill and a nice place to camp. Accomodation: Camping Santa Rosa.

Day 3: In the morning after breakfast we will climb for another two hours to Maranpata from where we can see the ruins of Choquequirao, from here we have two hours more hike to the ruins. (3110 metres/ 10120 feet) We will have lunch at th Choquequirao campsite and then have the rest of the afternoon to spend in the ruins, and climb up above the ruins. In the evening, we will watch the sunset and have the chance to see condors. Accommodation: Camping at Choquequirao campsite. The advantage of our 5 day Choquequirao comfort itinerary is that you can have more time at Choquequirao without spending an entire day there.

Day 4: In the morning we will set out early, back along the path we came, appreciating the many different plants and the ever-breathaking views. We will descend to Santa Rosa for lunch, before descending further into the Apurimac canyon. From there its another 1-2 hours pull uphill to camp at Chiquissica. Accommodation: Camping at Chiquisqa.

Day 5: Early in the morning, in order to escape the heat of the canyon of the Apurimac, we descend to the raging river, and then begin an arduous climb that is rewarded with spectacular views. We climb for about four hours, and have lunch in Capuliyoc. The final two hours of our hike into the village of Cachora refreshingly flat through pretty farming countryside. Our private car will be waiting to take us back to Cusco (4 hours drive). We will arrive in Cusco around 5pm.

Itinerary Notes

• The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group. Each guide has their own preferred route and it might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
• Choquequirao is probably the toughest hike in the region. Please read our client reports to see what other people have thought, but nearly all of them find that its harder than they expected. This trek shoud not be attempted by those who do not have some experience in trekking, plus a solid level of fitness!
• You will note that two days of this trip are spent returning over the same route that you have come. We highly recommend continuing on with an eight day itinerary to either Huancacalle (The Last Bastion of the Incas) or to Machu Picchu (Great Ruins and Real Adventure) for a truly incredible experience.

  What's included?

  For complete facts about many aspects of Apus Peru tours, check out our FAQs page!

  • Pre Trek Briefing
  • Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure in private car.
  • Transport from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek at Cachora (and return private car)
  • Entry fee to Choquequirao
  • Entry fee to Limatambo and Saywite
  • English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 8 people).
  • Tents - 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks. All tents were purchased in 07/08.
  • Basic foam mattress. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can hire you an inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest) for $5 per day.
  • Cook and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
  • Toilet tent
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes). Salads, if served, are washed in boiled water.
  • Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 5 kg per person). If you wish to take more, you can hire an extra mule at a cost of $9 per day.
  • 1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower
  • Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
  • Tents for our staff to sleep in
  • First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
  • Accomodation in hostal, meal and breakfast in that hotel day 1

  What is not included?
  

  • Breakfast on the first morning.
  • Sleeping bags (can be hired from us for US$5 per day) If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.
  • Tips for the guide, cook and porters
  • Additional horses for passengers luggage. If there are any substantial items or backpacks, passengers will need to hire an additional mule at a cost of $9US per day.

  You should bring:
  

  • A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek - prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco.
  • Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
  • Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them. there are basic cold showers at most campsites on the Choquequirao route and therefore plastic shoes are useful for showering too.
  • Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
  • Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
  • Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
  • Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
  • Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
  • Sun block
  • After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
  • Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - although no malaria risk has been reported
  • Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
  • Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
  • Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
    We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
  • Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
  • Small towel or sarong as there are some cold water showers on this route.
  • Cash - sufficient for your final lunch in Aguas Calientes, tips and souvenirs.
  • Original passport & ISIC (international student identity card - if you have one).
  • Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)
  • Binoculars (if you have them)

  optional extras We can hire the following to you:

  • Sleeping Bag suitable for -5 degrees celsius. ($4.00 per day)
  • Deluxe Sleeping Bag suitable for -10degrees celsius. ($6.00 per day)
  • Walking stick lightweight aluminum ($1.00 per day)
  • Inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest) ($5.00 per day)
  • Two sticks are recommended for tough hikes.
  • Mule - $9.00 per day Most people carry their own day pack with up to 5-10kg of their things - a change of clothes and wet weather gear etc. However, if you think that you will have much luggage and you want a very light day pack (eg. just camera and water) then its advisable that you hire an extra mule .

Only after the last tree has been cut down... Only after the last river has been poisoned ... Only after the last fish has been caught... Only then you will find out that money cannot be eaten
- Cree Indian Prophecy

How would you rate your overall enjoyment of your trip? 10

How would you rate your guide? 10 Very nice, sympathetic and competent guide (Felix).

How were your meals? 10

What did you think of the route? (Choquequirao 5 days)Very nice but the second day was very hard. Thanks to the horse we made it.

What was the highlight of your trip? The nice views, especially of Choquequirao and discovering the ruins. Very nice camping spot in the ruins.

Name not given, Germany, March 2008

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How would you rate your overall enjoyment of your trip? 9

How would you rate your guide? 10 Fue very chevere que fuimos a lugares que fueron muy especiale con nuestros "guide". La comida fue excelente.

What did you think of the route? (Choquequirao 5 days) El "route" fue bien. Tuvimos mucho tiempo para tomar fotos y tambien fue tiempo qu ecada persaon pudemos caminar a su tiempo.

What was the highlight of your trip? Cuando fuimos a Choquequirao y pudemos ver todo el naturaleza fantastica de arriba (el rio, las llamas, los mines) y tambien los caminos especiales.

Any other comments : Fue mi primera experiencia subir en montana, fue grande pero fue tan hermoso para mi. Gracias Felix!

Judith, Germany, March 2008 Email: judith-schenk@gmx.de

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How would you rate your overall enjoyment of your trip? 8

How would you rate your guide? 10 the trip was very well organised, up to tiny details, excellent food with a lot of extras, they would have done everything for us :) I didn't like getting up very early much, but it was necessary I think.

Did the trip meet your expectations? Yes. but the fifth day should be more recommended for people who are not used to trips like these and I would recommend it to everybody who is interested in the ruins.

What did you think of the route? (Choquequirao 5 days) The first day was like "warming up" but the second day "kicked my bottom" and I was pushed to limt and thought I couldn't go anymore. But thanks to my friends I did it. After that day my stamina was very much improved that all the walks were more or less alright. it was such a good feeling to have manged this trip and I'm very proud of me. But I should have trained more before.

What was the highlight of your trip? When we finally reached the top of the mountain on day 1 and when we came to see the tracks where no tourists go. Our guide Felix was very spontaneous and flexible and met our wishes and needs.

Leni, Germany, March 2008 Email: friedaleni@web.de

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366 Cuichipunco, Centro Historico, Cusco, Peru- Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

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