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Choquequirao, The sister of Machupicchu means “Cradle of Gold” in Quechua “Inca´s language”, although this is probably not its original name. It is another “Lost City of the Incas” rediscovered officially late in 20th century located high on a ridge spur almost 1750mts above the raging glacier-fed Apurimac River and surrounded by towering Salkantay and Humantay snow-capped peaks.
Choquequirao was build during the last days of the Inca empire in the government of the Inca Pachacutec 1490, by Tupac Inca Yapanqui, and probably after the Spanish invasion in 1532. Almost 40 years the Inca’s held stand against the spanish conquerors (between 1536 – 1572). The construction of the different levels of temples, palaces, canals and aqueducts is really fantastic. “Choquequirao is the city which demonstrates the inspiring example of an elite Inca ceremonial center. A city dedicated to worship the “Pachamama” the andean mother earth “the Apus” mountain gods and divinities, the river and the elements of nature.” Choquequirao finally burned down and left deserted. This happened probably after the execution of the last Inca, Tupac Amaru I in 1572.
By this occasion, the plaster covering the walls, carbonized and disappeared for the most part. At the east side of the complex more then 110 terraces with houses and squares are being revealed. At the west side another 170 terraces are hidden and covered by the forest, in some of these terraces can be seen now an amazing in straight line white color llamas in symetrical order, Until now only 25% is put to overdraft and conserved. With this Choquequirao is the largest Inca-town of the continent and much larger then Macchu Pichu. For the first time in 1710 they mentioned the existence of Choquequirao. The first drawings of the structure of the ruins were made about 1836 by the Frenchmen Léonce Angrand and them by Eugine Sartigues.
Dry season (April – November)
Your journey begins early in the morning as we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco. Around 5:30 AM, you’ll set off on a scenic 4-hour drive in our private transport through the Andean highlands, arriving at the traditional town of Cachora (2,900m / 9,514 ft). Here, you’ll meet the rest of your trekking team—including your muleteers and chef—before enjoying a well-deserved breakfast to fuel your adventure.
From Cachora, you’ll start your trek with a two-hour hike to Capuliyoc (2,915m / 9,564 ft). Along the way, you’ll catch your first incredible views of the Apurímac Valley stretching far below, and the majestic snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora (5,482m / 17,985 ft) rising in the distance.
After a break to take in the scenery, you’ll begin your descent along the eastern slopes of the Andes, where you’ll notice the climate warming and the environment gradually changing. As you make your way down, you’ll pass through Coca Masana (2,330m / 7,644 ft), where the landscape begins to shift from highland terrain to more lush, semi-tropical vegetation.
Your day ends at Playa Rosalina (1,550m / 5,085 ft)—also known as Rosalina Beach—where you’ll camp for the night beside the powerful Apurímac River. Falling asleep to the sound of rushing water under a sky full of stars will be your first unforgettable night on the trail.
The night.
You’ll wake up early once again, surrounded by the sounds of nature and the river flowing nearby. After a hearty breakfast, you’ll begin one of the most rewarding parts of your journey—the ascent toward Choquequirao.
The trail starts with a challenging uphill hike toward Marampata, a small Andean settlement perched on a ridge. Along the way, you’ll see the vegetation shift once again and feel the temperature cool slightly as you gain altitude.
By midday, you’ll arrive at the impressive archaeological site of Choquequirao—often called the “sister city” of Machu Picchu but far less visited. With your guide, you’ll explore this massive Inca complex step by step, learning about the engineering brilliance and spiritual significance behind its construction. As you walk through terraces, temples, and ceremonial areas, you’ll begin to feel the energy and majesty of the Inca civilization come to life.
In the afternoon, keep your eyes on the sky—around 3:00 PM, it’s common to spot Andean condors soaring overhead, taking advantage of the warm thermals as they glide toward higher altitudes. It’s a powerful and awe-inspiring sight that stays with you long after the trek is over.
After your visit, you’ll follow a quiet trail to Raqaypata, where you’ll set up camp for the night. After a warm dinner, you’ll rest under the stars, surrounded by the mystery and silence of the mountains.
This day we will dedicate ourselves exclusively to enjoy all the magic of history and splendor of Choquequirao, with a guided visit and time to know whole the site with its 8 sectors, like barns, houses temples and also we will observe the three levels of the excavated ruins of this late Inca-town, like the ruin in progress of excavation and finally unexplored areas that can tell us about this last refuge of the oppressed inca empire terraces. Again, like in the morning this afternoon we have the opportunity to enjoy the majestic flight of condors which with big luck will pass very close to you. In the afternoon we will return to our campsite to have our lunch and then rest and enjoy the quietness of Choquequirao.
After having Breakfast we will begin to go down towards Santa Rosa, where the vegetation will become abundant and the weather hotter so then. We will continue to the sector of Chiquiska for camping.
We will wake up with birds’ songs and beautiful scenery. We will walk back to Cachora. The trek time to Cachora will take 5 to 7 hours depending of your physical condition. In Cachora we will met our private van to take us to Train station Ollantay tambo to take train to aguas calientes arriving at 9 pm
Early after a good breakfast re-live the history and the mysterious world of the Incas, we take the first bus up at approx 05.30am and arrive at the ruins at 06.15am. This time is still not so crowded so we take advantage of the tranquility of this sacred site ; Guided Tour of Machupicchu. This enigmatic city is explored for Approx 2 hrs and their mysteries and archaeological information will be explained by your expert guide, ( you generally have approx 6 hrs extra free time but depends on train timetables in high season.) Option to climb to the Huayna Picchu mountain ( Please check previously with your guide. Sometimes guided tour is after Huaynapicchu.)
Machu Picchu is a magical, mysterious place that for nearly a century has intrigued archaeologists and visitors alike. Perched atop a steep, emerald green peak 8,000 feet high in the Andes in southern Peru, it is reachable only by a long road that zigzags up the slope from the roaring Urubamba river, or by hiking four days along the challenging Inca Trail. One can imagine the excitement when intrepid Yale professor-explorer Hiram Bingham, led there by local peasants in 1911, first glimpsed the jungle-invaded citadel abandoned by the Incas four centuries earlier.Bingham eagerly surveyed the site over the next five years, clearing away brush and identifying palaces, temples, and a celestial observatory from what is believed to have been a summer palace or ceremonial center for the first Incan emperor, Pachakuteq. Most of its gold and other treasures had been looted around the time of the Spanish conquest, but he unearthed thousands of artifacts and carted them off to New Haven to study. The Incas built their mysterious city here to be closer to the gods. It was placed so high in the clouds, that the conquering Spaniards never found or destroyed it. Visitors to Machu Picchu see well-preserved ruins hidden among the majestic Andes: palaces, baths, temples, tombs, sundials and farming terraces, along with llamas that roam among hundreds of gray granite houses.
Choquequirao is an ancient Inca city often referred to as the “sister city” of Machu Picchu. It is located in the Vilcabamba mountain range in the Cusco region of Peru, at an altitude of around 3,050 meters (10,010 feet) above sea level. The site is known for its remote location and stunning archaeological remains.
The hike to Choquequirao is considered challenging, requiring a good level of physical fitness. The trek typically takes 4 to 5 days round-trip and involves steep ascents and descents, crossing valleys and rivers. The journey is demanding but rewarding, offering breathtaking views of the Andes and a unique experience at the less-crowded archaeological site.
While Choquequirao shares some similarities with Machu Picchu, such as its Inca architecture and mountain location, it is less excavated and much less visited. This gives Choquequirao a more authentic and serene atmosphere. The site is also larger than Machu Picchu, with many of its structures still covered by jungle, adding to its sense of mystery.
The best time to visit Choquequirao is during the dry season, which runs from May to September. During these months, the weather is more predictable, with clear skies and less rain, making the trek safer and more enjoyable. The rainy season, from October to April, can make the trails muddy and more difficult to navigate.
The trek to Choquequirao offers the chance to see a variety of wildlife, especially birds. You might spot Andean condors soaring above the valleys, as well as other bird species like hummingbirds and toucans. Mammals such as spectacled bears, deer, and foxes may also be seen, though they are more elusive. The diverse ecosystems you pass through, from cloud forests to high-altitude grasslands, are home to a rich array of flora and fauna.
Choquequirao is an incredible hidden gem! It’s like Machu Picchu without the crowds—remote, peaceful, and surrounded by stunning mountains. The trek is tough but totally worth it for the views and the sense of discovery. If you love adventure and history, this place is a must-see!
Experience an extraordinary adventure with the 6-Day Choquequirao & Machu Picchu Trek, exploring the impressive Choquequirao ruins and the majestic Machu Picchu in a compact yet immersive journey.