Choquequirao Salkantay Sacred Valley – 10 Days Trip
Duration
10 Days
Difficulty
Medium
Tour Type
Trekking
Reviews
Overview
Choquequirao Salkantay sacred valley, is 10 days trip leaving from cusco, starting in cachora town and ending in the Sacred Valley; the route takes us through several landscapes, microclimates, and and settlements.
We have decided to created this combo trekking tour, thinking of our most adventurous clients, a combo trip, in a multi day program, that will amaze you by the beauty of both sites and the incredible scenic views along the trail.
Choquequirao sits in the saddle of a high Andean ridge, 3000m./10,000 ft. above sea level and 1,500m./5,000 ft. above the roaring waters of the Apurimac River. Ringed by spectacular snow-capped peaks and flanked by plunging, thickly forested slopes, the city is an inspiring example of an elite Inca ceremonial center, dedicated to the worship of the mountain gods, the river and the elements of nature.
Choquequirao has been called ”Machu Picchu’s sacred sister”, because of the striking similarities of design and ceremonial architecture to its famous counterpart above the Urubamba Gorge. Yet it remains an enigmatic place whose history is a matter of speculation. This hike is a unique, for nature lovers and for those who wants to challenge by themselves because, the choquequirao and achu picchu is one of the most difficult trails in Peru.
Highlights
- Explore the picturesque countryside of Britain and Ireland
Included / Excluded
- Cusco to Capuliyoc – Private transport.
- Complete meals during trek.
- Inflatable mattresses.
- Park fee.
- English speaking tour guide.
- Cook, cook helpers.
- Horses to carry equipment.
- Muleteers.
- First Aid Kit.
- Return Transport.
- Sleeping Bags.
- Souvenirs.
Itinerary
Day 01: Cusco – Cachora – santa rosa
Early departure from Cusco at around 05:00 hrs, then drive for about 4.5 hours up to arriving at huancalle, with a previous stop at Cachora, the last town in the trek, then continue driving up to huancalle, a place with nice view of the majestic padrayoc mountain is seen from the trail and Wayna Cachora snow capped peaks, the hike give us the beautiful change of the landscapes, from precipices to snowy mountains.
We will observe the Apurimac canyon with its impressive depth, from this site also you can see at very large distance the famous Choquequirao; the trail leads by downhill up to playa Rosalina where we can have lunch, after lunch climb up to santa rosa baja where we can set up out tents and camp.
Day 02: Santa Rasa – Choquequirao
After breakfast we can climb upon switchbacks trail up to maranpata, a nice site with views to the canyon, the villages at the other site of the canyon and the view of path, which is going to be part of our next day, after taking a break, we will continue for 2 more hours and finally arrive to Choquequirao and have lunch, after lunch we can climb up to chquequirao park and enjoy the sightseeing.
Our guide is going to show you all sectors, including the llama terraces, usnu, upper residential area, the main plaza and etc, then after sunset, return to the camp and spend the night.
Day 03: Choquequirao– maizal
Wake up at 05:30 hrs, then have breakfast at 06:30 hrs, and at 07:30 in the morning continue the trek, reach the little pass at 3299 masl, then the trail leads by a large downhill to an inca site named pincha-unuyoc, then continue to rio blanco where we can lunch at the river back, have opportunity to take the feet out of shoes and refresh in the water, after lunch we can climb up between trees and get maizal alto, an spot with view of snow mountains. The camp is at 3000 masl.
Day 04: Maizal – Yanama
From camp site we start walking uphill, passing by the impressive inca mines called Minas Victoria, A long climb by amazingly beautiful area leads in to the cloud forest, then we gain altitude and be above the trees line, and finally reach the majestic view point at the pass named Victoria, where we can see original paved inca trails. We lunch at this spot, then enjoy the nice view of mountain such as: Choquetakarpo, and if lucky we can see the soar of condors.
Then we continue the walk, this time the trail goes all downhill towards Yanama, a small isolated settlement, at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains. Our camp is at 3800 masl.
Day 05: Yanama – Collpapampa
After breakfast we start climbing slowly to our higher pass 4668 masl, again the view is amazing, we are surrounded by snow capped mountains the Mt. Sacsarayoj and Mt. Padrayoc. We continue from Yanama through the valley towards the highest point of the tour, The Yanama Pass in 4500 m.a.s.l.
On the way we have a good view of the snow capped Sacsarayoc. New landscape is seeing at the other site, we can see the cloud forest areas, a downhill trail will take us to totora a settlement of farmers, then finally reach the campsite at collpapama, this is a could forest and the weather at night is very fresh.
Day 06: Collpapampa – Wayracpampa
After breakfast we start the trail on backward of the Salkantay trek people, it is their 2nd day path, the trail runs by the cloud forest, surrounded by flowers and dense vegetation, we will have lunch at rrayanpata, then climb up 3 more hours and camp by wayracpampa, the hike on this day is shorted, the idea is to safe energy and enjoy the views as well. The camp is at 3800 meters below Palkay Mountain.
Day 07: Wayracpampa Ichupata
Is time to summit the salkantay pass which is 4.657 masl, a great view from summit, lunch at noon on a small lake, after lunch descent to salkantaypampa, then from it about 2 hours slow trek to reach the camp at ichupata just meter from salkantay mountain. Dinner and camp.
Day 08: Ichupata – inca chiriaska – occoruro
The cooler morning temperatures will be excellent to ascend and summit the highest and toughest part of this trail section. the highest point “inka chiriaska pass” located over 5.100 masl near the majestic snow peaks, we also have the most amazing view of Salkantay and other snow mountains, then the trail leads smoothly downhill until canal inca, (Incas irrigation channels), we will see some of the original inca paths, then reach the camp site, at 3600 masl, the hiking time will be about 8 hours.
Day 09: Canal inca – Huayllabamba
A nice trek, mostly downhill, you will walk through a valley, little by little will get vegetation and temperatures will change in to warmer weather, then after some time reach a place named paucarcancha, here we can see the inca site, then reach a small village named Huayllabmaba, is a place by which the inca trail hikers camp on their 1st day, it will be our last day, then set up our tents and spend the night.
Day 10: Huayllabamba – km 82 – Cusco
After breakfast, walk by Kusi-chaca river, then walk by the inca trail stop at willca raqay and visit the inca site, then walk for 3 hours 2.5 hours to reach the km 82, where we can meet our transport that can take us back to cusco.
This choquequirao salkantay sacred valley trek, is passes over 5 high summits, and show the most impressive canyons and mountains. you may only want to hike the Salkantay trek, tehn follow the link.
FAQs
1: When is the best season to go?
The best season to hike to Choquequirao is during the dry season: April is transition and provides the most spectacular vies, same as October and November, while from May to September all dry.
There are still some hikers who wants to hike during the rainy season, if that is your situation, then we can evaluate the week and accordingly we can provide you an answer if it would be possible or not. Some years are more rainy, and some not.
2: What is the weather like?
The region has extremely variable weather conditions. Temperatures are mainly warm, but the Andes weather is very changing. Here are some general highlights:
During a sunny day you can expect temperatures of about 22 – 30°C, the coldest temperatures are at Choquequirao where the minimum could be 0°C. Depending the season.
Dry season (April-October) it tends to be hot during the day, and cold nights only at Choquequirao that can reach as lowest 0°C, (between June-August, even no rain at all). You should bring warm clothing for the camp, but light gear such as t-shirts o shirts for the day time). For rainy season (November-March) it gets nice gentle temperatures during the day, but you need to bring rain gear as well, if sunny the temperatures are very warm up to 35°C at the river ground. Overall, be prepared, sub-tropical and tropical weather conditions at the same area and the same day.
3: What is the food like, along the trek?
Our meals are based on organic food, managed by our expert trekking cooks, who will pack all fresh. We serve novo Andean food (Peruvian dishes, according season) where breakfast consists in: Omelets, pancakes, cereals, eggs, oatmeal, coffee, hot-chocolate, etc.; for lunch, we provide meals based on a quinoa, pasta, vegetables, soups and main course usually in a small version of buffet including lomo-saltado, rise, potatoes, meat, salads, and similar dinner that comes with a dessert.
Note: If you are vegetarian, or vegan, no worries, we provide this meals with no extra cost, you only have to let us to know on advance.
4: How about the terrain? How challenging is it?
The Choquequirao trail in Uneven, rocky, unpaved path, rated as the hardest and the most difficult trekking trails in Peru, and covers approximately 60 km / 36 miles on uneven, rocky terrain with steep uphill and downhill for the classic trail that can be done in 3 days, 4 days or 5 days. A trail which in terms of altitude, it is entirely at a lower elevation that Cusco city, but hard because the trail descend a lot to reach the river, then a steep climbing to reach to the Inca city.
5: How difficult is the trek.
It is considered the hardest trekking trail of Peru, it covers 64 kilometers of train (32 km to each way for the traditional trek), for the 3 days, 4 and 5 days programs, while if you decide continuing to Machu Picchu, the part covered by food is about 76 kms. The trail runs by the Andean highlands, with an average of 16 km per day. Expect downhill and uphill, that demand extra energy, and previous training before you come.
