Private Service info: The price of ou Imperial (private) service (depends very much on the number of people in your group (more people, less price).In this service NO other people you don't know/want will be part of your group unlike the in which you can be a part of a group of up to 16 people from different countries, ages, gender, level of fitness, etc, etc.Private service is generally recommended for families traveling with children, honeymooners, older people, group of friends, etc, etc
What are the benefits of doing a private trek?- One of the main reasons why the private option is sought after is because you do not need to worry about which dates we have departures set for or if our departures have enough space…Your only concern is whether or not there are permits available…You can choose almost any date that you want if permits are available… In addition to the convenience and flexibility in booking, the private option provides a more personal trip experience for your group. We will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel….The guide will focus all of his energy and attention on your group. You can also be more specific about the foods that you would like to be served during the trek. It is a truly wonderful experience to go on such an amazing journey with only your friends and loved ones. Ask a South Adventure Peru Tours Rep how you can arrange your own private tour..
A Brief history of Choquequirao.- Choquequirao Complex is very interesting and one of the most popular treks in Cusco area. Choquequiraw is situated in the spur of the mountain range of Salkantay, over 3030m surrounded by the Apus of Yamana, Ampay, Chokecarpu, Pumasiyo and Panta, on the left bank of Apurimac river. In the time of the Incas, it was united and in communication with Machu Picchu by a complex network of trails. The reasons are many: The fantastic nature with valleys, snow-capped mountains and great variety of plants, birds and animals. Choquequiraw is considered as "The Last Refuge of the Inca Empire". Visitors can view a complex hydraulic system, most likely for domestic, ceremonial and agricultural use. The geographic location of Choquequirao in reference to other complexes of the same period would tend to indicate that its function was that of an Inca enclave toward the valleys of the Apurímac River. There are many similarities between Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. The latter was a sanctuary dedicated to the worship of the Inca Pachacútec; Choquequirao was also a sacred site, but one dedicated to other functions that could have had to do with war or with the surrounding apus. Each is located beside Mt. Salcantay and both are situated above, far above, a great river: in the case of Machupicchu, the Urubamba and in that of Choquequirao, the Apurímac…The ecotourism, fulfilling all the norms of conservation and control, will lead a sustainable development of the zone. The Inca trail to Choquequirao is encounters with the nature area that is without disturbance or contaminating, with a specific abject of admire and enjoy the landscapes along with Sylvester plants, wild animals and cultural manifestations.
Itinerary:
Day01: Cusco – Limatambo Ruins - Cachora – Chiquisca.- At 5am we pick up from your hotel and we leave from Cusco in our private van will take us to the town of San Pedro de Cachora (2800m) where you have plenty of time for breakfast (additional cost) Here we met the rest of our team (cook, horses and horse handlers). Begin the long trek which will take us between 7 to 8 hours. Along the way we will also be able to observe diverse landscapes that belong to different climates such as Pedroyoc snow-capped, diversity of flora and fauna that embellish our walking. Today will trek 7 to 8 hours on the mountainous region. Finally arrive to el Capulichayoc Viewpoint, from where we will be able to observe the deepest canyon in the world which is known as the Apurimac and by where the majestic Apurimac flows. It is here where we will have our first lunch and from where is possible to see the first sights of Choquequirao. Will continue descending until CHIKISKA (1800m) where will set up the tents and spend night surrounded by majestic landscape Meals buffet lunch and dinner / Accommodation: Camping.
Day02: Chiquisca.- Maranpata – Choquequirao Ruins.- After a good breakfast we start our strenuous hike up hill for about 5 hours to our lunch stop at Marcapata and then completely guided tour of Chokequirao = "Golden Cradle" is considered the Sister City of Machu Picchu, as there are several similarities. It hangs 1500 meters above the Apurimac Canyon. Machu Picchu hangs above the Urubamba canyon. It is at the same latitude and it is a large citydel with more of 8 hectares, only one third has been uncovered and every day the archeologists find something else of interest. We will observe the three levels of the excavated ruin, where we can appreciate houses, terraces and other parts of this late Inca-town, like the ruin in progress of excavation. Camping next to Marcapata Meals Breakfast, Buffet lunch and Dinner / Accommodation: Camping.
Day03: Choquequirao Ruins –Chiquisca.- BrAt dawn we can see the sun rise over the ruins and after a good breakfast start back down for the same way we came in, until we reach our camp at Chiquisaca Meals Breakfast, Buffet lunch and Dinner /Accommodation: Camping.
Day04: Cchiquisca - Cachora- Cusco.- BToday we will walk up at 6am to have early breakfast accompanied by first sun rising over the Apurimac canyon. 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 back to Cusco Meals Breakfast and lunch, except dinner.
Our PRIVATE trek includes:
- Official English speaking guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons)
- Transfer by private van from Cusco to Cachora
- Entrance to Choquequirao ruins (one time)
- Horses to carry food and camping gear and backpacks
- Experienced cook
- Cooking equipment
- Teatime everyday (coffee, tea, popcorn, biscuit)
- 4 capacity tent - 2 persons per tent with plenty space for backpacks
- Double thickness foam sleeping mattress
- All meals on the trail (3 breakfast - 3 lunches - 3 dinners and BOX Lunches)
- Water supply (boiled) after every dinner or breakfast
- Return by private van from Cachora to Cusco
- Kitchen and dining tent with camp tables and chairs
- Tents and food for our camp staff
- Trekking price include government sales tax (19% as know IGV)
- First aid kit and oxygen bottle for any participant and our camp staff
- South Adventure Peru Tours, gift (Private VIP Service only)
Our PRIVATE trek NOT includes:
- Backpack 65lt, if you plan to hire a horse take a big plastic bag to cover your personal backpack
- Sleeping bag can be hired from our office for $20 USD FOR WHOLE TRIP( Minus 20 degress selcius)
- Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco/Peru)
- Strong comfortable and waterproof footwear
- One complete change of clothing
- Sweater and jacket (something warm)
- Water bottle and purification tablets ( Micropur are recommended and can be bought in local pharmacies in Cusco)
- Flashlight and batteries
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
- Sun block (sun protection cream)
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
- Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits etc
- Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries
- Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs)
- You also need to bring your original passport on the trail
- Optional: walking sticks or poles
- Personal porter or extra horse to help you to carry your PERSONAL item cost 9 Kilos $60 USD or 18 Kilos US$120 must be booked in advance.
What you need to bring / Carry
- Original passport to be showed in the park control of Choquequirao.
- Original and valid International Student Card (ISIC), only if you booked the trek as student.
- Hiking boots (waterproof), sneakers is welcome to but for the rainy is not enough comfortable.
- Long pants or slacks & Warm sleeping bag Minus 20ºC
- A Daypack (for your personal porters we provide a duffle bag)
- Long-sleeved shirts to prevent you from the sunburn.
- T-shirts and Thermal underwear can be worn in the sleeping bag or cold conditions.
- Warm clothes , layers for variable temperature especially at night
- Sweaters and a jacket (something warm for the night).
- Gloves or Mittens, scarf, Wool socks, Woolen hat for cold nights.
- Rain wear or poncho for the rainy season December - April, but during the dry season can be raining too.
- Camera with extra batteries and flash light , head torch and extra batteries
- Bottle of water, more bottle of water can be purchase at Aguas Calientes town.
- Snack (dried fruits, chocolates, etc).
- Insect repellent to protect you from mosquitoes along the Trail
- Hat and sun block to protect you from the sun.
- Personal toilette items and personal medical kit.
- 2 Liter water bottle, disposable plastic bottles are forbidden along the hike.
- Water purifying tablets optional, since we provide boiled water.
- Extra money for drinks and tips , souvenirs in Soles
- First Aid kit (Band-Aids, cotton, bandages, alcohol, aspirin, tablets for stomach troubles, medicines to avoid altitude sickness).
- Day pack is good to bring to carry your camera, water, rain jacket.
- Optional: Binoculars if you like to appreciate birds along the trail route.
Weather in Choquequirao: Dry season (April – November) / Day temperature 20ºC/35ºC / Night temperature 5 ºC/10ºC /Wet season (December – March) / Day temperature 17ºC/22ºC / Night temperature 0 ºC/7ºC
Advice for Hikers.- Is recommendable have yellow fiber vaccination (malaria) because you will be 3 days in the high jungle. We never hear news about problems with malaria in this zone but are better to be prepared...It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude for that try to spend 2 nights in Cusco (3400m) prior to do the trek.
Local Kids and Adults.- Along the way you will met many people, specially kids walking long distance to arrive at school and study 5 hours and they back home after maybe 30 minutes or 2 – 4 hours depending how far they live from the school. Normally they are son or daughter of poor farmers living on the mountains. We strongly recommend help us to give some present to them like pencils, notebook, dictionaries, toys, clothes (socks, gloves, hat, t-shirt, etc) and something to eat. We don’t recommend giving them things like candies, chew gun, soda, camping knife or money. If you really like to make picture of them, especially of adults we strongly advise you to ask first. If you don’t speak any word of Spanish language (español) coordinate with your guide to see if is possible to have picture of them. Local people don’t permit take picture of them, because they believe you taking their spirit on your camera.
4D/3N PRIVATE trek to Choquequirao Service price for 2011-2012:
Nº of People Price per person $USA |
If you are interested in any of the tours we have on offer then simply e-mail us at info@southadventureperutours.com or reservas@southadventureperutours.com Indicate which tour you are interested in, when and we will send you relevant trip dossier outlining the itinerary with availability, tour price, terms and conditions. For contacting us regarding any of the tours or general issues fill in the form mentioned below. Fields mark with are required for processing the form correctly. We will response you as soon as possible.
