Travel by car from Cusco to Cachora; hike from Capuliyoc to Chiquisca

We travel for 4 1/2 hours from Cusco City to get to Capulilloc.

1. At Capulilloc, our muleteers are waiting for us.
2. After meeting with them, we must pack the mountain equipment on mules and donkeys.
3. As we pack, we can see the stunning close-up views of the Vilcabamba range.

A few minutes into the trek, we first glimpse Choquequirao Park. The trail path has a zigzag system that drops steeply towards the Apurimac River. There are mosquitoes all year; beware!

TREK:

• Pick up from your hotel to start the trip: 05:30 am
• Vehicle travel route: Cusco to Capuliyoc via Curahuasi and Cachora
• Travel time: Approximately four and a half hours
• Hiking information
  • Elevation at the start of the hike: Capulilloc 2,975 meters (9,760 feet). The views of the snow-capped peaks of the Andes are incredible.
  • Walking distance: 10 km/6.2 miles. “The walk zigzags downhill to the banks of the APURÍMAC river.”
  • Walking time: between 3 and 4 hours.
  • Trek Difficulty: Challenging.
  • Descent from the mountain in meters and feet: 1,075 meters or 3,526 feet.
  • Type of walking circuit: stony path, slippery, with some steps. Necessary: bring a pair of hiking poles.
  • Meals: Lunch, Afternoon tea, and dinner
  • Camping: Chiquisca or Playa Rosalina 1447 meters (4747 feet)

Ascent hike from Playa Rosalinda to INC camp + Guided tour in Choquequirao

We will try to start early to avoid the heat of the sun. We pass over a suspension Santa Rosa footbridge (1,550 meters/5,100 feet). The mules and donkeys use the same hanging bridge. After some zigzags on the trail, we reach a green valley and the Marampata settlement. The vistas will be incredible for the rest of the way. We explore and visit the most outstanding parts of Choquequirao Park, Peru; our camp is near the INC camp near Choquequirao ruins.

HIKE: 

• Activities begin at 4:30 a.m. The explorers start ascending the mountain in the shade to avoid the sweltering sun; temperatures in the Apurmac Canyon fluctuate between 25 and 39 degrees Celsius (77 and 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Lunch: Marampata, 2890 meters (9,481 feet).
• Camping: Close to the Choquequirao ruins (INC campsite).
• Walking distance: 11 km/6.82 miles.
• Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours.
• Difficulty: Challenging!
• Elevation difference: 1,335 meters/4,379.91 feet; descent: 235 meters/770.99 feet.

Guide service in Choquequirao

The Choquequirao guided tour service begins with the Marampata walk; once we arrive at the Choquequirao ruins, we visit the most outstanding parts of the Choquequiro park, such as the main square below and above, the liturgical water sources, the entrance gate main square of Choquequirao, the ceremonial plaza, the system of agricultural terraces, the royal houses of the Inca rulers of Choquequirao, the Temple of the Condor, the path or Trinphal Inca Trail named after Hiram Bingham, etc.

Hike back, passing Marampata and Santa Rosa, until reaching Chiquisca or Cocamasana.

We return to the depths of the Apurmac Canyon, enjoying beautiful panoramic views of the cloud forest and the Apurmac Canyon. From the camp of the National Institute of Culture of Choquequirao to the Marampata farmhouse, it takes an hour and a half to walk, and from Marampata to the banks of the Apurimac River, it takes about three and a half hours.

Once we arrive at Playa Rosalina, we begin the mountain ascent until we reach the Chiquisca camp. It takes 1 hour of walking, and if there is a little strength, we can continue to the Marampata camp for “1 hour and a half more walking”.

TREKKING BACK

• Start of the return walk: At 07:00
• Lunch: at Playa Rosalinda or Chiquisca.
• Maximum Altitude Point: None
• Hiking distance: 14 km/8.68 miles.
• Base camp: Chiquisca, 1,880 meters (6,467 feet).
  • Cocamasana: 2,400 meters (7,874 feet).
• Estimated walking time: between 6 and 7 hours.
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Difficulty Slope: 900 meters/2,952.74 feet; Descent: 1,300 meters/4,265 feet; Challenging.

The last stretch of the trek, and before returning to Cusco, explore the Saywite monolith.

One enters the grasslands of the mountains through ​​cacti and Andes trees, extending to the belvedere of Capulilloc. In Capulilloc, it’s time to say goodbye to our adventure crew.

Our private tourist vehicle awaits us in the surroundings of Capuliyoc to transfer us back to the city of Cusco.

Before returning to Cusco, we visit the spectacular Sayhuite model with a little effort; we can continue to explore the Sayhuite altars, the temple of the puma, and the sundial.

LAST HIKE

• We start the walk of the last section at 5:00.
• Walking distance: 09 km/5.5 miles.
• Estimated walking time: 3 hours and a half.
• Lunch: Around the Capuliyoc viewpoint.
• Highest point: Capulilloc, 2,975 meters (9,760 feet).
• Difficulty: Challenging.
• Difficulty Slope: 572 meters (1,876 feet) Descent: 325 meters (1,066 feet). Challenging and moderate
• On the way back to Cusco, explore the Saywite Monolith.
• In the afternoon, a private transfer service from van Kondor to Cusco