EN ROUTE TO CHOQEKIRAW, in 4 days and 3 nights

DESCRIPTION

Program with a lesser duration. We travel through Huanipaca, making use of Lodge installations on the first night of the trip. The tour includes the visit to the Arqueological Centre of Saywite. click here

ALTITUDES AND DISTANCES / CLIMATE.

The hike covers a distance of 34 Kilometers; Choqekiraw (Choquequirao) is the highest point (3.100 m.a.s.l), and Playa San Ignacio is the lower point of the route (1.450 m.a.s.l.). For more details see the map click here.

Throughout the journey you will experience different climates and microclimates, depending on the altitude. Also be aware that the rainy season is from January to the end of March.

ITINERARY

First day. - Cusco - Saywite - "Villa Los Loros" lodge

After picking up the passengers from their hotels, we leave Cusco at 6:30 a.m. in a private bus, arriving at the Archeological Park of Saywite (click here), where we will see the mysterious monolith and other nearby ruins. Continuing the trip, we descend in the Huanipaca valley until we reach "Villa Los Loros" lodge. After settling into our rooms we have lunch, and in the afternoon we'll have a briefing on the next day's trek.

Second day. - "Villa Los Loros" lodge - Playa San Ignacio - Choqekiraw (Choquequirao)

We leave after breakfast, at 5:30 am, and walk until we reach the riverbank of the noisy river Apurimac (in the native Quechua language, Apu Rimac means "God that speaks"). Crossing the hanging San Ignacio Bridge, we'll begin the ascent from the river (1,450 meters) until we reach the Choqekiraw (Choquequirao) campsite at 2,900 meters above sea level.

Along the route you can soak in the beauty of the natural surroundings, especially the great variety of flora and fauna. After lunch, we will visit the Cultivated Terraces of Phaqchayoq and the House of Waterfalls. Finally, we return to the campsite where we have dinner and spend the night.

Third day. - Choqekiraw (Choquequirao) all day

Today we have the entire day to visit the best sectors of the Archeological Park of Choqekiraw (Choquequirao). We will have lunch near the collection, as not to interrupt such a nice view, and with any luck we will be able to witness the flight of the majestic Andean Condor over the deep canyon of Apurimac. Finally, we will return to our campsite where dinner will be served and we will spend the night.

Fourth day.-Choqekiraw (Choquequirao) - "Villa Los Loros" lodge - Cusco

After breakfast, we will begin the return, descending into the imposing canyon of the Apurimac River until we reach San Ignacio Beach, and from there we will continue on horses until we reach "Villa Los Loros" lodge. After a shower and lunch we'll take a ride on the bus back to Cusco, arriving in approximately 5 hours, at 9:00 pm.

THE HIKER'S BACKPACK

Each hiker will carry in his backpack only items necessary for the trek (water, snacks, insect repellent, camera, etc.). All other items will be carried directly to the campsite by our cargo service.

THINGS THAT YOU SHOULD BRING

• Hiking shoes
• T-shirts and long-sleeve shirts
• Short pants or sports wear
• A cap for the sun and a hat for the cold
• A sweater and a jacket
• Insect repellent
• Sun block
• Personal care items

THE PACKAGE INCLUDES

• Round-trip transportation from Cusco to "Villa Los Loros" lodge and back to Cusco
• A bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
• Two nights lodging at "Villa Los Loros
• Two nights camping in the Archeological Park of Choqekiraw (Choquequirao)
• High quality camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, mattress, cooking tent, dining tent, camping tables and chairs, cooking equipment and dining items, lighting, etc.)
• Radio communication throughout the trek
• First-aid kit
• All the meals and drinks
• Muleteers, mules or llamas to carry equipment and supplies, a camp chef, porters
• Entrance fees to the archeological sites of Saywite and Choqekiraw
• Saddled horse from Playa San Ignacio to "Villa Los Loros" lodge

PRICES AND GROUPS

The program cost varies according to the number of people, so we invite you to ask about the price. We travel with a maximum group of 15 people.

A view of our Lodge, Villa Los Loros

A pause on the way to choqekiraw, bridge over the river Apurimac, sector of the beach San Ignacio

Llamayoc, a new sector was opened recently, showing a set of terraces and llamas in the walls

The archeological discoveries in Choqekiraw, a look to the mysterious past of the Inca empire

Excursionists' happy group, returning on horseback, from San Ignacio to Villa Los Loros Lodge

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