Choquequirao Trek

Choquequirao Trek

Choquequirao Trek–Tucked away between the mountains of Vilcabamba mountain range you’ll find the majestic lost city of the Incas and its many small neighborhoods and big terracings like terraces with llamas of the sun. Perched on a cliff and with beautiful architecture like the religious temples, this part of Cusco is a must-experience. Make your adventure uniqueness to this site with local families from this part–Choquequirao for a genuine adventure on a fully-supported trek with private Peru Summit Adventures crew.

On the remote western side of Cusco lies the Choquequirao, one of the largest and fewest explored Inca sites famous for its terraces with llamas facing to the sunrise side and span over a deep gorge. The picturesque views are incredible on their own, there’s really nothing quite like enjoying the views with a cup of coca tea from the campsites. When hiking with us you can mingle with locals, sit down at our home to listen to the stories from our home’s head (Dad or Mom), savor the jaw-dropping mountains in Vilcabamba range, dropping anchor the tents in a new spot every night with amazing vistas in every direction and discovering all the Andean life, culture, and traditions. A place whose ancient buildings still remain underneath the thick forest and only 35% of them were uncovered so far. It’s the only place that makes you feel like Indiana Jones, embark on this lifetime adventure, and make it all yours.

We have a great selection of Choquequirao treks, treks which even connect with Machu Picchu or linking with Vilcabamba (the last Incan civilization stronhold) for an absolute exploration of the great Incan cities from the collision times with Spaniards. Please select the trek that is suitable for you or to your interest and let us know to organize it–Choquequirao Treks.

Highlights | Choquequirao Trek

  • Trek to Lost Incan citadel with a tour operator run by families from Choquequirao, that’s a real plus for a genuine experience.
  • Stay at our cozy and roomy tents, our gear is the best, modern, and state-of-the-art.
  • Quiet trekking trail (without the permits and other restrictions that are imposed on the Inca Trail).
  • Professional, storytellers, and funny local trek leaders, they even speak Inca language “Quechua” learn some words from them.
  • Soak in views of snowcapped Andean peaks, awe-inspiring ruins sites, deep canyons, and cloud forest.
  • Direct local tour operator, no middleman.
  • Want to reduce the use of plastic and help the planet a better place for everyone? then hike with us!

Choquequirao Trek

Peru Summit
Peru Summit Activity Type:
Hiking, Archaeology & Cultural Adventures
Peru SummitPhysical Rating:
Strenuous
Peru SummitService Level:
Upgraded Comfort
Peru Summit
Peru Summit Activity Type:
Hiking, Camping, Archaeology & Cultural Adventures
Peru SummitPhysical Rating:
Strenuous
Peru SummitService Level:
Upgraded Comfort
Peru Summit
Peru Summit Activity Type:
Hiking, Camping, Archaeology & Cultural Adventures
Peru SummitPhysical Rating:
Very Strenuous-Challenging
Peru SummitService Level:
Upgraded Comfort
Peru Summit
Peru Summit Activity Type:
Hiking, Camping, Archaeology & Cultural Adventures
Peru SummitPhysical Rating:
Strenuous
Peru SummitService Level:
Upgraded Comfort
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Additional Information

Choquequirao Trek – History and Background

Choquequirao Trek—Choquequirao whose meaning is the cradle of gold is perched in the mountains of Vilcabamba range and high above the Apurimac canyon which is deeper than the Grand Canyon reaching a depth of 4,691m/ 15,390ft. The area of Choquequirao could have been already inhabited before the arrival of Incans because pre-Incan archaeological pottery was found during the research. The ninth Incan emperor whose name is Pachacuteq was the one who brought a lot of changes for the empire, providing great public works and enlarging the empire to take advantage of each conquered province, it’s how, he started the campaign to conquer the tropical jungle side of Cusco, this place was suitable for him for the Coca production, extract the gold from the river’s banks, and tropical fruits production.

To have a total control of this area he was setting up big cities which later on would become the last inhabited cities and strongholds for the Incan empire to resist the Spaniard’s collision. The constructions at Choquequirao were finished by the tenth Incan emperor Tupac Yupanqui, although this place was never finished in being built, as the Incans were still building more to keep enlarging the city. The last inhabitants who were still living in were moved due to reduction law to San Pedro de Cachora a Spaniard foundation village between 1590 – 1596 by viceroy Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza.

The First Steps at Site by White Explorers

Choquequirao became forgotten by the foreigners, but not for local indigenous people who were even under control of the Spaniards still had this last city in their minds, it’s how the indigenous people became enslaved by Spaniard landowners and were used to get information about some lost cities of the Incas where the would find gold of the Incans. In 1710, Juan Arias Diaz Topete was able to reach the area of Choquequirao, which was already abandoned in absolute and the city had been already covered by the shrubs and trees of the cloud forest. 1865 the Italian geographer explored the areas of Vilcabamba and Choouequirao, mapping the whole explored area.1909 Hiram Bingham arrives Choquequirao through the invitation of prefect Nuñez of Abancay a closest main modern city to Choquequirao to explore this area, it’s how Bingham was arriving, during the excavations they made, they did not find anything except some human skeletons and many pottery shards.

The First Proper Inhabitants Who Immigrated This Area – Our First Generation Who We Came From!

In the mid-century 20, two brothers were arriving at a place called Santa Rosa due to the country was in conflict with other neighbor countries, This Santa Rosa whose name comes because the day these brothers were reaching this place was the day of Santa Rosa de Lima, in honor on her the place was called this way. Located very close by to Choquequirao where they decided to settle down and start with farming labors, from this place they used to go to Cachora to get some goods for the week and at the same time they were meeting with their future wives, years later the formed proper families in this area of Choquequirao, once they had large families they decided to move forward to the site of Choquequirao, where they became the first explorers of the area and the ones who gave the importance to the forgotten Incan city again, they started to repurpose some Incan contructions for the wellness of them, they even reused the Incan terraces to plant some crops for their nourishment, we are talking about the Covarrubias family and I’m writing this piece in memory of my great grand parents, and grand parents, and in honor to my parents who still live in the place called Santa Rosa on the trail to Choquequirao, my mother Euphemia who is the 3rd generation of this proper families who arrived to inhabit this isolated area, she is very proud to tell her annecdotes and lots of stories about the Choquequirao, and me, I learned from my parents all the genuine stories about this wonderful place and that’s how we became with the idea of Peru Summit Adventures, a truly local family enterprise from Choquequirao to offer authentic trips with a local touch for experiences of a lifetime. If you are reading this small article about this cradle of gold of the Incans and thinking to explore, you are on the proper hands, we will be glad to organize that long waited adventure for you.

Saida & Carlos, Founders of Peru Summit Adventures

Get Inspired with Video From Our Choquequirao Trek

Explore and discover this amazing Incan treasure hidden behind the Andes mountains since the hands of local people for an authentic and unique experience. This Incan citadel is larger than Machu Picchu and far less known, Choquequirao still makes you feel as though you’re practically the first to arrive. On this footage, we show you just a tiny part of this wonderful place. Book your spot today and JOIN US!

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Prefer to speak with a local Expert?

CALL US TODAY
+51 984 464 391
Call us today until 8:00 pm

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Sunday | 8am - 8pm GMT
(excluding national holidays)

EMAIL

ADDRESS
Asociacion Manahuañuncca II, C-5, Distrito Santiago, Provincia Cusco
Award-winning Tour Operator

Peru Summit Adventures has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for the past five years in a row.

Start Planning Here

The experts at Peru Summit Adventures specialize in crafting highly-customized trips. We look forward to answering your questions about your upcoming travel plans. Get started by filling out the information below.

Modal form

Prefer to speak with a local Expert?

CALL US TODAY
+51 984 464 391
Call us today until 8:00 pm

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Sunday | 8am - 8pm GMT
(excluding national holidays)

EMAIL

ADDRESS
Asociacion Manahuañuncca II, C-5, Distrito Santiago, Provincia Cusco
Award-winning Tour Operator

Peru Summit Adventures has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for the past five years in a row.

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