3150 m.s.n.m
8 person(s)
Group
Hike, Bus, Train
The name Choquequirao means “Cradle of Gold.” and is located above the wild, raging Apurimac River, surrounded by high snowcapped peaks and set on a high ridge. The Inca archaeological site is considered the sister of Machu Picchu but is less known even though it is 3 times larger than Machu Picchu. It was one of the last safe havens for the Incas who continued to resist the Spanish after the conquest. The site was eventually abandoned and became covered by dense cloud forest vegetation and to this day archeologists continue to discover new sectors of the city. On the 4-Day Choquequirao trek, we hike through high Andean landscapes with beautiful glaciers, descend into deep canyons where the condors fly and pass through cloud forests with astonishing bio-diversity. We will also observe native animals such as Andean Condors, other types of birds, native flora and fauna such as numerous varieties of orchids and much more. We are specialists in this amazing route and offer the most frequent departures with experienced and professional guides.
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 5am and you will drive for the next 4 hours in our private van to Capuliyoc (2,850m/9,407ft). Along the way, there are wonderful views of villages, valleys and snow-capped mountains. Once at Capuliyoc, we meet our horsemen and give him our duffels so he can pack all of our equipment onto the horses. From here, you will only carry your daypack.
After a picnic breakfast, we start walking to Chiquisca, overlooking the Apurimac Canyon and snow-capped mountains such as Padreyoc (5,571m/18,387ft). You will also have your first glimpse of the Choquequirao site off in the distance. We will have lunch along the trail followed by a two hour descent to our first campsite at la Playa (1,900m/6,270ft). Hot drinks and appetizers will be waiting for you. Your tents will already be set up for you, so you can settle in before dinner.
After an nice breakfast, we descend to the beautiful Apurimac River (1,550m/5,117ft) and then hike uphill to the rural village of Maranpata (2,850m/9,350ft), where we have lunch while enjoying the amazing views of the Choquequirao archeological site (3,150m/10,397ft). As we trek, we walk through a natural garden of flora and fauna to Choquequirao, where we will have a private guided tour. During the tour, we will explore all the important sections, such as the palaces, temples, ritual water fountains, amazing Usnu (ceremonial platform), agricultural terraces, llama area and much more. Finally, we head to our campsite, located just 20 minutes from the Choquequirao ruins, where we will have tea time and dinner before settling in for the night.
We will have an early breakfast and explore some more of the incredible areas of Choquequirao before heading back to the indigenous community of Maranpata for lunch. Afterwards, we descend for 3 hours back down to the magnificent Apurimac River (1,550m/5,117ft). Finally, we walk for one hour up a moderate hill to our campsite at Chiquisca (1,990m/6,270ft).
We have a lovely breakfast in the morning before we start our walk up a moderate to difficult hill towards the Capuliyoc pass. From the pass, we can appreciate the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the Apurimac Canyon. Then, we walk for another 2 hours towards Cachora (2,850m/9,407ft) for lunch. After lunch, we take our private transport to the archeological site of Saywite, where we have plenty of time to explore. Finally, our driver will take us back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel, arriving in the evening around 8pm.
The Choquequirao trek 4 days is available on any date that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers!
| No. OF PEOPLE | PRICE |
| 2 to 8 people | $ 537 USD per person |
Please read the following information carefully. It will help with your questions about our services and the Choquequirao trek 4 days
We will pick you up from the Cusco airport and take you to your hotel in Cusco. Please let us know your flight details at least 14 days before arrival. Our representative will be holding an orange sign reading ORANGE Nation outside the arrivals. You must exit the terminal to find our representative as they cannot enter. (Please let us know if your hotel is in the Sacred Valley so we can make the necessary arrangments).
The Briefing will be the night before the trek at 6pm in our office which is located on Garcilaso Street 210 , Office Nº:213 (2and Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
Of course! During the Choquequirao 4 day trek your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both are for free.
FIRST, to book your Choquequirao trek 4 days , we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here – BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).
SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person, in order to purchase a permit for the Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu. You can make you deposit by clicking on the PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many ATMs within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address orangenationperu@gmail.com.
Yes, but with some restrictions. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date. If you cancel your Choquequirao 4 day Trek , the deposit is not refundable at all!
Definitely! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your Choquequirao Trek, other entrances and reservations. They will check your passport when you enter the Choquequirao Trek and when you board the train.
In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us a COPY of your old passport to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get a COPY of your new passport for a fee of $25 USD per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.
If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you.
Remember to check your current passport to make sure it doesn’t expire within 6 months of your arrival to Peru!!! The Government of Peru is enforcing the existing law that requires all foreign travelers to have a passport valid for a minimum of six months past the time of entry into Peru. Peruvian authorities will deny entry into Peru for travelers not meeting this requirement.
Whatever month you decide to book your Choquequirao trek tour, keep in mind that the weather is always unpredictable. We can plan, and think the weather will be a certain way, but only Mother Nature truly knows what it has in store for us on a day to day basis. Come with an open mind, and the willingness to go with the flow as it will make your experience on your Choquequirao trek tour that much more enjoyable. We recommend being prepared for anything, cold weather, warm weather, wet and dry weather, no matter what nature has planned for your trek, we know it will be a great journey and a memorable adventure.
For some visitors, the first hours in Cusco can be summarized as: shortness of breath, a discomfort in the body, dizziness, headaches, stomachaches, even vomiting. As great connoisseurs of natural medicine, the Incas used coca leaves to counteract soroche, quechua for high-altitude sickness.
If you travel from Lima to Cusco, the effect can be immediate. This lack of oxygen, scientifically known as hypoxia, begins to manifest itself at 7,874 ft (2,399 m) above sea level. That’s why right after landing in Cusco, visitors can feel fatigued and have difficulty walking. It is advisable to take it really easy on the first day and, if possible, rest the first few hours to help the body acclimatize to the altitude.
How do people feel after a night of drinking? Thirsty. That’s how you’ll feel when you arrive in Cusco. As already stated, the body dehydrates quickly in high altitudes. It is recommended you drink lots of water before and during your trip to Cusco. Also, avoid heavy meals since your stomach takes longer to digest food at high altitudes. A diet of low proteins and high carbs is advisable.
No one knew better the effects of high altitude than indigenous peoples. Coca is the best natural medicine to combat altitude sickness. It was even considered sacred because of its curative powers and is still used in the same way now as it was in the time of the Incas. It contains iron, vitamins A, B1, B2 and calcium, among other nutrients. Coca makes it easier for your bloodstream to absorb oxygen, suppresses hunger, combats fatigue, headaches and can ease your stomach. Try drinking coca tea, which is found in the lobbies of most hotels in Cusco.
The maximum group size is 8 persons. Our groups are usually between 2-6 persons. ORANGE Nation specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provides a personalized service.
You will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days at the briefing the night before your Trek. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/14lbs. Your pack horse will carry your duffel bag, food and camping gear. PLEASE NOTE: You will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day as the horses will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day pack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, rain jacket, camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. A 30 to 40L backpack is sufficient.
The trail is not easy but you do not need to be an athlete to do it. It helps to be relatively fit for the trek, and obviously the better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy the trek. If you do not exercise regularly, it is advisable to do extra walking, hiking or some kind of aerobic activity in the months leading up to your trip. This trek is from moderate to difficult level.
In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, Orange Nation Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required).
Of Course! We will drop you at your hotel! If you booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley, we will drop you there as well. If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, we wil pick you up there!
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the staff (and their families) who will take care of you during the tour. It inspires them to give better service and is a major part of the tourism industry. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip.
Yes, we are a local, sustainable and responsible tour operator that incorporates the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all of our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the indigenous people.
As a direct local tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra pack horse which will carry up to 7 kgs or 14 lbs including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing.
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag waiting at camp.
$537USD Per Person
It was perfect! On the first day we had a great time exploring the Sacred Valley and see the main attractions and learn about the history of this beautiful place.
I would definitely recommend the short Inka trail, I think it was the best way to get to know Machu Picchu and the surrounding area. We arrived at Machu Picchu when most of the crowd was gone and it felt really special.
You won’t regret booking with this tour company, especially if Liz Montesinos is your guide. My boyfriend and I did the 4 day Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain (private) tour. The tour covered everything; from transportation, hotels, meals, tickets and entrance fees, to stops at local places we would’ve never known to go or check out. We did a private tour because for us we felt this would help us get the most out of our time and experience in Peru
Best mix of adventure, history and nature: Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
4-day trekking option seemed too intense for us, but we still wanted to experience the entrance to Machu Picchu through the ancient Inka trail, so we opted for Orange Nation’s combination of Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. I couldn’t be more happy about our decision.
We booked and paid the deposit to Orange Nation / Sam travel for the 4 day Inca Trail and Machu Pichu trip back in 2019. But we couldn't travel in 2020 and 2021 - but the company honoured our agreement and so we came back in 2022.
recommends Orange Nation Peru
You won’t regret booking with this tour company, especially if Liz Montesinos is your guide. My boyfriend and I did the 4 day Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain (private) tour. The tour covered everything; from transportation, hotels, meals, tickets and entrance fees, to stops at local places we would’ve never known to go or check out. We did a private tour because for us we felt this would help us get the most out of our time and experience in Peru. This tour had so many incredible things and places packed into 4 days.
recommends Orange Nation Peru
My girl and i did the Machu Pichu trek tour with Orange Nation. It was seriously the most amazing experience that we'll never forget. Gorgeous views! The long trek was worth the amazing view. The tour guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. We considered other tours but chose Orange Nation because we liked the idea of smaller groups and this was definitely worth it. I will be using Orange Nation again next year when I come back to Peru!
recommends Orange Nation Peru
Wow, what a wonderful trekking experience! My trip to Peru was amazing thanks to this awesome tour that i took with Orange Nation. I did multiple tours with this company. I'm a solo traveler and everyone in my group was always still friendly and did not make me feel left out. I loved going off the beaten track with this company. It's much better to pay extra to go off the path for the quality experience of this amazing guided tour They definitely helped guide us and gave us a quality experience with a small group and paid special attention to each one of us. I highly recommend using Orange Nation for your next tour in Peru!
Has one of the most outstanding meal services. Our chefs have been highly trained to prepare the best peruavian and International food our treks. You should be prepared to not only have a superb trekking experience, but also a culinary one. "The food has been the highlight for all our hikers"
Christian B
10/10 Amazing experience
If you’re thinking about which agency to use, look no further- Ray and Jimmy went well above and beyond and made this a memorable, safe, fun, and professional experience.
Ray is the most knowledgeable guide I’ve ever had in any country for any excursion - during both the Short Inka Trail and the actual tour of Machu Picchu, Ray’s expertise shined through in his ability to give us a detailed background on every aspect of the history, climate, nature, flora, animals.. anything!
Likewise, Ray and Jimmy were truly the friendliest, kindest hosts that I could have imagined our group having.
Thank you both so much and I will definitely book with you again if (when) I come back!
Matt A
Awesome experience!!
Did the 2 day Inca trail with Ray and Jimmy they were great and knowledgeable. Ray not only guided us along trail to Machu Picchu but also was an excellent photographer and taught us the history. It was a group of 10 and we had a great time. Even everything going on in Peru, we always felt in good hands.
Rius
Short Inca Trial (2-Day)
This tour was the perfect experience for our (group of 10) short trip to Peru. The trail was sometimes challenging, but the views and history made it all worth it. Ray and Jimmy were our guides and imparted sooo much knowledge about the history of Peru, Inca, and beyond. I would definitely recommend!