Choquequirao Sunset Observation Tour – 5 Days Trip
Duration
5 Days
Difficulty
Medium
Tour Type
Trekking
Reviews
Overview
Choquequirao Sunset Observation tour: It is one of the best trekking programs in Peru, a hike that combines nature, culture, history and archaeological, where you can really enjoy the experience of observing on of the best sunsets in the Andes. It is located in the spurs of the Salkantay mountain range, at 3,100 m.a.s.l. At anta province and cusco region, Surrounded by the incredible Andes mountains, above of the Apurimac river, the hike shows beautiful scenery, waiting us to enjoy its beauty.
But to have this reward, you have to work first, the trail is one of the hard trekking paths in Peru, deep canyon and steep uphill challenges everyone, where our Choquequirao expert guide will take care of every step of the train, with our team of muleteers and cooks to make from this trip a history to tell.
Choquequirao sunset observation tour, through the hardest trekking tour in the world.
Highlights
- Explore the picturesque countryside of Britain and Ireland
Included / Excluded
- Private transport to huancalle.
- Horses to pack all equipment to camp.
- Inflatable mattresses.
- Fee for the park.
- English speaking tour guide.
- Trekking cook, cook helpers.
- Emergency Horse.
- Tents.
- Muleteers.
- First Aid Kit.
- Return Transport.
- Sleeping Bags.
- Souvenirs,
Itinerary
Day 01: Cusco – Huancalle – Chiquisca
At: 06:00 hrs, our transfer personnel will pick you up and you can go towards west, on the drive you will pass by a canyon and villages, after 4.5 hours’ drive, you will reach huancalle and start the walk at this point, the trail shows incredible views from start to end, the hike takes path by a downhill section with switchbacks, all the way up to the lunch at Cocamasana.
At this place there a house and a camp spot, after a good break and getting meals the group will continue the remaining 3 kms, then reach Chiquisca and spend the 1st night at the best place to spend the night in a warm place.
Day 02: Chiquisca – Maranpata
Early wake up to enjoy the fresh morning, then breakfast, then we walk down to the bottom of the canyon, then climb up the hardest points of the trail, after about 1.5 hours of walk we will reach santa rosa baja, a place where couple families live and grow avocados, they sell drinks as well, we can take a break then continue we are going to, we continue with our hike, we’ll pass by some clear water springs, then climb up all the way to reach maranpata and stop for lunch.
After lunch take afternoon free to enjoy the nicest view, and spend the night in a great scennic place.
Day 03: Maranpata – Choquequirao - Maranpata
This is going to be a nice day, from the camp hike 4 km, and visit the lower part of Choquequirao, see magnificent terraces, then climb up to visit pikiwasi sector and the house of the priests, then find a good place to have our picnic lunch.
After lunch we will take relax and get energy, then visit the main plaza, climb up to the upper sector, and also visit the terraces of the Llamas, then reach the Usnu then spend the rest of the evening observing the sunset, the sun will get behind the mountains projecting rains that makes it an experience, then we will get down to the camp site and spend the night.
Day 04: Maranpata – Coca masana
After breakfast, we will return re-start the return, the 1st part goes by little uphill and flat part, then it gets in to downhill for about 3 hours, then you can have a break at playa rosalina and after some relax time, begin the uphill and after 1.5 hours cocamasana, from here you can enjoy the view of nice mountains above the apurimac river, the sunset is also spectacular, the night in going to be very fresh to spend the night.
Day 05: Coca masana – Cusco
In the morning, we will breakfast and walk the last uphill section, the train is ornate by some trees and plants, then reach capuliyoc for the last stop, after a break we will walk to the start point and have lunch, after lunch you will catch our private transport to return to cusco. As optional our transport can drive you to the hot springs of cconoc and have relaxing bath, then return to cusco city arriving by 19:00 hrs, where our trip ends.
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.
