Choquequirao 5 Days / 4 Nights

We will leave Cusco bright and early at 4:00 a.m. We will arrive at the town of Cachora at 7:30 a.m., where we will enjoy breakfast and meet up with our wranglers and arrange our equipment, mules, and horses. It is a 2-hour hike to Capuliyoc (2,915 meters/9,564 feet above sea level) where we can enjoy our first beautiful views of the Apurimac Valley stretching out below and the snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora above. We will then descend toward Coca Masana (2,330 meters/7,644 feet above sea level) where the climate becomes noticeably warmer and the flora and fauna begin to change. Finally we arrive at Playa Rosalina (Rosalina Beach) at 1,550 meters/5,085 feet above seal level, right beside the raging Apurimac River, where we will set up camp and spend the night. B/L/D

Day 2 is the toughest of our 5-day hike. After an early breakfast, we will climb a steep trail. Our 5-hour hike will take us to Raqaypata beside the Chunchullumayo River, where we will enjoy a late lunch and a well-deserved rest. Along the way, we will have the chance to see orchids, wild flowers, and a number of bird species. From Raqaypata to Choquequirao (3,035 meters/9,957 feet above sea level) it is a 2-hour hike, and we will arrive at the Choquequirao archaeological site in time to enjoy the sunset and maybe even to see a condor flying nearby. Our campsite will be just outside the Choquequirao ruins. B/L/D

Day 3 will be dedicated to exploring the incredible Choquequirao archeological complex. Our guide will explain the history and importance of the site, and afterwards we will have free time to visit the various sectors of the archeological complex. Late in the afternoon we will start the return trek, and we will make camp at Raqaypata B/L/D

After breakfast we will continue our return journey, beginning with a steep descent down to the Apurimac River where we will stop and have lunch. In the afternoon, we will climb for approximately 4 hours and then make camp at Coca Masana. B/L/D

Day 5 will be the last of our trek. We will be able to appreciate the canyon of the Apurimac River as we follow a new trail that crosses the throat of the canyon. We will have an impressive view of the canyon from Wayna Qalli - considered to be one of the most spectacular in South America. We will ultimately arrive at Cachora and take our bus back to Cusco. B/L *Campsites are subject to change, depending on the size of the group