CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK

To make a trek from Cusco, you can go through an agency or organize things on your own. Buy your food before leaving, including the muleteer and yourself, and bring mosquito repellent, a hat and water.

Take a bus towards Abancay to the junction for Cachora. At this point, it would be a shame to miss the Saywite site (S/ 10). Then go down, in 1h30, by the path which cuts the road, until the village of Cachora where you will easily find a muleteer (from S/ 35 per day and per mule).

Be careful, the difference in altitude is important (3,000 m then 1,500 m then 3,000 m again) and it is physical. You can also rent a horse to do the climbs if needed. There are 4 campsites along the trek, including one just below the ruins.

Day 1 : 10 km of gentle ascent, then 10 km of steep descent to the Apurímac river, which you cross on a bridge. From there, you will only have to climb 3 km (300 m difference in altitude) to the place called Santa Rosa (water point) where you will set up your camp.

Day 2 : leave early to arrive at the ruins before noon. 4 hours of climbing on 10 km (500 m of difference in altitude), pass Marampata, last straight line, here you are below the site. Either we spend only the afternoon on the site, or we stay there the next day, which we advise you knowing that we can camp there.

Day 3 : day on the site and beginning of the descent to the camp located on the banks of the river, on the other side of the bridge, Playa Rosalinas.

Day 4: 10 km of very steep ascent, then 10 km of gentle descent to Cachora and transfer to Cusco

There is another access to the Choquequirao from the village of Huanipaca, where the shortest and most direct way of access is located, 17 km and 8 hours of walking. A few years ago, this road was blocked by rain and mudslides, but it seems that the problem has been solved. It is therefore an ideal starting and/or finishing point.

Departures are organized from Cusco and the tours include transportation, lodging and food. The shortest trek is 4 days/3 nights. A day's walk to and from the site is necessary and we camp below the archaeological site which we explore for a full day. We recommend the 4 night formula with a real night's rest before and after the walk. We can also organize a loop starting from Cachora and ending in Huanipaca at the Villa Los Loros which makes it possible not to see the same landscapes with the outward journey and the return.