Description

Choquequirao (chuqi Aymara, gold, and the Quechua K'iraw, "cradle of gold"), are the ruins of an Inca city located between the foothills of the snowy Salkntay, in southern Cusco-Peru. Choquequirao Archeological remains are comprised of buildings and terraces distributed in different levels from the lowest to the top Sunch'u truncated leg higher, which was leveled and fenced with stones to form a platform with an approximate area of 150 square meters.

Choquequirao (sometimes also referred to as Choqequirau or Choquekiraw) is known as the "sacred sister" of Machu Picchu on the structural and architectural resemblance to it. Recently, still partially excavated, has attracted the interest of the Peruvian government to claim still more complex and making it a more affordable alternative for tourists interested in learning more about the Inca culture.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cuzco - Cachora

We go by bus to the town of Cachora, which is located in the department of Apurimac, on the south bank of the Apurimac River. We head east across the plains of Anta and cross the watershed from the high puna to high tropical valleys running into the Apurimac. We cross the river and travel among the fertile valleys of the province of Apurimac, where the river has been bridged directly below Chokequirao. On the way we will visit the complexes of Sawite and Tarawasi. The Rosalina beach at the bottom of the gorge is also an optional place to camp.

Day 2: Climb up to the ruins: Condors.

We descend 7000 feet to the river, cross the suspension bridge over the raging Apurimac River, climb back up to a pass that is 6000 feet above the river, and then navigate to the ruins, 5800 feet above the river. This will take all day. In the evening we encounter a refreshing cataract of glacial water and know we are nearly at the end. At night we camp among the ruins. Bingham writes, ´As we mounted, the view of the valley became more and more magnificent. Nowhere had I ever witnessed such beauty and grandeur as was here displayed.
The white torrent of the Apurimac raged through the canyon thousands of feet below us. Where its sides were not sheer precipices or scarred by recent avalanches, the steep slopes were covered with green foliage and luxuriant flowers. From the hilltops near us other slopes rose six thousand feet above to glaciers and snow-capped summits...´

Day 3: Outlying buildings

The guide will give an explanatory lecture about what we see. We will go on excursions to the outlying buildings. Bingham writes, ´At the top of the southern and outer precipice, five thousand eight hundred feet immediately above the river, stands a parapet, and the walls of two buildings without windows. The view from here, both up and down the valley, surpasses the possibilities of language for adequate description...´ The ruins have two main sectors, one above and NW of the other, reminiscent of Machu Picchu, and many outlying suburbs.

Day 4: Descend to the Apurimac river

Today we return to Cachora. We may see Condors or high jungle vegetation. Bingham says, ´Far down the gigantic canyon one catches little glimpses of the Apurimac, a white stream shut in between guardian mountains, so narrowed by the distance that it seems like a mere brooklet. Here and there through the valley are marvellous cataracts, one of which has a clear fall of over one thousand feet. The panorama in every direction is wonderful in variety, contrast, beauty, and grandeur.

Day 5: Cachora - Cuzco

We will take the bus to Cuzco. Once we re-cross the river, we pass Limatambo, whose ruins may have been the main communication point between Choquequirao and Cuzco.

Included:

• Professional English speaking guides.
• Private Bus in and out to the beginning of the trail (Cuzco-Cachora, Cachora-Cuzco).
• Round-trip transfers.
• Double Occupancy Tents.
• Camping Equipment: Bathroom tent, kitchen tent, dining tent, chairs, tables and comfortable mattresses.
• Muleteer and Cook.
• Horses and Mules to carry our equipment.
• Coffee breaks in the afternoons.
• All meals (including breakfast on the 1st day, not including dinner on the 7th day).
• First aid kit/Oxygen

We recommended to bring:

• Personal Sleeping Bag.
• Backpack and daypack.
• Hiking shoes or boots.
• Light clothes.
• Windbreaker.
• Insect repellent.
• Bottle of water.
• Rain coat, hat, sun block, sunglasses.
• Chocolates, candies or other snacks
• Camera + Film/Video camera (optional)
  

Prices (US $):

More details at: info@cuscotoursguide.com