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The Choquequirao Trek 4 Days / 3 Nights
Wonderful best option Alternate to the the Classic 4 days inca trail
Introduction
A spectacular 60 km trek that will lead you to the enigmatic last refuge of the Incas. Choquequirao (3.103m/10178ft) is a huge archaeological complex still under cleaning and restoration process located in the surroundings of the Salkantay sacred mountain (6.271m/20569ft) and the Apurimac River canyon. You will enjoy amazing mountain scenery as well as lots of Andean flora and fauna.
Introduction: Many of you have heard of the Inca Trail , a very popular hike in the mountains of Peru. There is a relatively new trail through this region, and it is the hike to the lost city of Choquequirao. This trail is 20 miles in one direction, or 40 miles round trip, and takes a total of 4 days. This comes out to an average of 10 miles per day.
This is rather difficult to maintain, and the trail covers a total of 5 vertical miles (for every 8 miles you cover, you ascend or descend 1 mile (5,280 feet).
You can also continue on to Machu Picchu, that trip takesa total of 8 daysand is even more difficult but a really and unforgettable
trip, highly recommended.(well know as the combo, choquequirao to Machupicchu)
Visit this link please: http://andeanlife.com/choquequirao_8_day_trek.htm
Background : Choquequirao was the last stand of the Incas. They fled to this city after their stronghold of Machu Picchu was
discovered, and the Spanish followed them here and destroyed them.
An alternate to the Inca Trail:The Inca Trail is trekked on by 500 people daily (the maximum allowed by a law passed in 2000), and more than 1000 people visit Machu Picchu daily(The end of the 35 mile long Inca Trail) . United Nations evaluators just recommended that Machu Picchu be placed on a list of endangered world sites. It is now pretty impossible to go on the Inca Trail as reservations must be made months (at least 3 months in
advance)
and you must be accompanied by a tour guide. The hike to
Choquequirao is now offered by Andean Life,
Tour Operator as best option
Alternate to the Classic 4 days Inca Trail to MAPI.
Fixed Departures 2008:We can depart
on any day
of the week, it means according to your own schedule!!!
Please Note: We do offer two options of Services:
1.-Private One 2.-Shared Service
Please find the differences below, thanks.
Prices per person 2009: 2 persons: US$520, 3 persons: US$490, 4 persons: US$440, 5 persons: US$420, 6 or more persons: US$390.
We can offer a US$40 discount to children under the age of 12 years old.
Tenneger discount:
Departures: To suit group requirements February - November Departures are available throughout the year, including Sundays. However, due to weather conditions, the recommended period for this trek is between February - November.
Minimum 02 passengers at the time of departure (actually we are o.k. if you are 02 people, we can leave any day which is fine for your plans)
Group Size: Please note that this is a private group trek. This means that if there are just two of you interested in doing this trek, the trek will be organized just for you
i.e. US$500 per person.Obviously with more people in your group the cost per person becomes more economical. We do not add other people to you trek and unfortunately it is not possible to join another group.
Prices per person 2009: US$420.00
Minimum 02 passenger at the time of departure
We can offer a US$ 40 discount to children under the age of 12 years old.
Group Size: Please note that this is a shared service group trek and offers visitors the most economical method to trek the Choquequirao Trek.
A Shared service is basically a group that you can just join. You'll be trekking with like-minded hikers from all over the world, a great chance to meet new friends and travel companions
Fixed Departures 2009: On every Monday, Wednesday,
Friday and Saturday of every week.
If
you party is 02 people, We can depart
on any day
of the week, it means according your own schedule!!!
What is Included: (in both options,1,2)
Collection from your hotel in the morning
Transportation by bus to the start of the trail (Town of Cachora, beggining of the trip)
English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 7 people)
Igloo tents - 2 persons in each 4-person capacity tent with plenty of space for your backpacks and better comfort. 3 season Ones.
Double thickness foam mattress
Kitchen tent, Dining tent with camp tables and chairs
Accommodations: 3 nights camping
Accommodation for our crew
First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Choquequirao Inca Site entrance fee
Hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes (while hiking)
Cook and Cooking equipment
Excellent Meals (04B,04L,03D + 04 morning snacks)
food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude
We supply boiled water to fill in your water bottle all the time,(while hiking) if you may need more, please request it with enough time ahead to your crew
Teatime the first three days (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn)
Horses days 1-4 (for equipment and personal items, actually your main heavy stuff,will be carried by the horses, it means you only will carry a small day bag, day by day), we included 01 emergency horse to ride on, every 06 persons, including horsemen
Private Bus returning from Cachora Town to Cusco City
Transfer to your hotel, .
What is Not Included: (in both options,1,2)
Dinner on day 4 of the program.
Personal Drinks
Sleeping bags (4 season) can be hired in our office for US$15 for the 4 day trek.
Tips for the guide, cook and porters
Personal equipment
What you need to bring/carry:
Backpack,
Sleeping bag 4 season suitable for temperatures down to -5C (can be hired from our office for US$15 for the 4 day trek)
Sleeping mattress (we will provide you with this)
Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco for a few dollars)
Strong, comfortable footwear
One complete change of clothing (you can afford to carry more changes of clothing if you hire a personal porters, see options below)
Sweater and jacket (something warm)
Water bottle, ideally non disposable canteen (boiled drinking water will be provided)
Torch / Flashlight and batteries
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
Sun block (sun protection cream)
Insect repellent, absolutely the most important item for this hike is bug spray. Anything with a lot of DEET with do the job, anything less is simply not sufficient. Bug spray MUST be bought in Cuzco, as it cannot be found even in neighboring towns.
Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, energy bars etc,
Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries, cash in soles and US$
Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs at Aguas Calientes after the trek)
Optional: walking Poles /sticks rubber covers necessary (can be hired from our office for US$06 each one for the 4 day trek )
You also need to bring a copy of your passport on the trail.
Options:
(1) Personal horse for riding while on the trek with and extra cost of US$60, you can have a personal horse to ride any time you may need.
(2) Vegetarian Meals. We can provide vegetarian meals or cater for special diets with no extra cost. Just let us know at least 2 days prior to trek departure.
(5) Sleeping bag hire. If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the the to Peru with you then we have sleeping bags in our office for rent. The price is US$15 per person for the 4 day trek.
Reservation details: All trek reservations must be made at least 4 days in advance (however 15 days in advance is recommended especially during the months of June, July and August)
Payment details: We will require a non-refundable trek deposit of US$150 per person payable within 3 days of Andean Life confirming your trek booking. The deposit is to be paid by Our VISA Payment On-Line, Western Union money transfer and Mail Order System, these are our fastest & most secure form of payment in Peru. Further details of how to send the deposit are included with our trek booking confirmation email. The remaining balance is to be paid in our office at least two days prior to your trek departure date. Payment can be made in cash US$, local currency (Peruvian Soles), or American Express Travel Cheques (3%)or by VISA (6% surcharge - VISA's cost not ours).
For a trek deposit Payment by Amex and Master Credit Cards, please let Us know by email and we will send ASAP further details about how to proceed with it, thanks.
Other information:
(1) Luggage storage. When you go on the trek it is best to leave any luggage that you are not going to need behind in Cusco. Nearly all the hotels in Cusco provide a secure luggage deposit. Put any valuables in their safe. Very rarely do hotels charge for this service especially if you are returning to the same hotel after the trek. If there are any problems with your hotel we can arrange to store your luggage at our office.
(2) Time of arrival in Cusco. you will return to your hotel in Cusco for approximately 8:30pm on the 4th day of the trek.
(3) Trek Itinerary: For a detailed description of our 5 day trekking itinerary see below.
Trek Itineray 2009
Day 1: Cusco to Chiquisca
We leave Cusco at around 7.00 am in our private transport and drive towards Cachora, an Andean community located 4-5h from Cusco. After driving for two and a half hours, we stop in Tarawasi, where we visit the archaeological remains of an Inca Usno, a place were ceremonies and celebrations to mother earth were conducted. We leave Tarawasi and continue along the road, across the Apurimac River and up again through Curawasi and to Saywite, our second stop an hour and a half later. Here we visit the famous Inca rock that was believed to be the construction plan for
the Tahuantinsuyo Empire, with carvings of animals representing the main deities. From Saywite, we continue on to Cachora only 30 minutes away and at 2800m/9184ft, where we will enjoy our box lunch. In the afternoon we start our hike climbing for two and a half hours towards the Abra Capuliyoc at 2750m/9020ft, where may we enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding mountains
and the Apurimac River Canyon. We then continue descending for two more hours towards Chiquisca, where we set our camp and spend the night. Meals: L, D
Day 2: Chiquisca to Choquequirao
We leave Chiquisca as early as 6.00am to go down to Rosalina Beach, which will take about one hour. We then cross the Apurimac River and start climbing towards Santa Rosa, zigzagging up a steep slope. This climb will take an approximated 2h, and it is important that we leave early so that the heat does not make it more difficult than it has to be. In Santa Rosa, we make a half an hour break, where those who wish may try Cambray, a local sugar cane extract. Afterwards, we continue our hike slowly climbing for two and a half hours until we reach our lunch spot in Marampata. From here we walk another two hours until we reach the archaeological complex of Choquequirao, located at 3103m/10178ft, where we will set up camp and enjoy some free time to explore the terraces and buildings. When the sun starts to set, you might want to sit and contemplate the canyon, where condors are sometimes spotted. Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Choquequirao to Rosalina Beach
Today, we enjoy a complete guided tour of the Choquequirao complex during the morning: we will visit the high parts (Hanan), and the lower parts (Urin), and some areas that are still covered in wild foliage and ready to be restored into the way it was when the Incas owned it. After the tour, we start our walk back towards Santa Rosa, where we have lunch. We then continue descending for another 2 hours until we reach Rosalina Beach at 1450m/4756ft, where we might have time to take a refreshing dip in the waters of the Apurimac River. We camp and dine here. Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Rosalina Beach to Cachora
We leave camp after breakfast to start the two to three hour climb to Chiquisca, to then make our way back to the Abra Capuliyoc, close to which we have our lunch. In the afternoon, we continue on our two-hour return route to Cachora, where a private transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusco. Estimated arrival time around 9.00pm. Meals: B, L
* Departure and arrival times are approximated.
** Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the group progress.
Difficulty degree of this Hike:
Challenging: The route has steep ups and downs, with changes of altitude in one day of over 1600m/5200ft and usually warm weather during the day due to the lower altitude vs Cusco. We
recommend allowing one-day acclimatization in Cusco prior to the trek departure.
