The name Choquequirao means “Cradle of Gold.” Located above the raging, glacier-fed Apurimac River, surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks and seated on a high ridge, Choquequirao is a remote and rarely visited ¨Lost City of the Incas.¨ The Inca archeological site is considered to be the sister to Machu Picchu. It is less known and less visited but three times larger than Machu Picchu. It was one of the last refuges for those Incas who continued to resist Spanish occupation 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. Choquequirao is situated between the jungle and the Peruvian Andes, on a mountain at 3033m/9,951ft. Keeping the crowds away the crowds is part of this site’s charm, as it is only accessible by footpath. It’s a relatively strenuous 40k/25 mile trek roundtrip, with highs and lows between 1400m/4,593ft. and 3100m/10,170ft. If you are looking for an adventure you’ve found it! Book your tour now and make unforgettable memories!
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This incredible adventure begins at 4:30am, with your pick up at the hotel and drive for 4 hours in our private van to Capuliyoc (2,850m/9,407ft). Along the way, there are picturesque views of villages, spectacular valleys and snow-capped mountains. Once at Capuliyoc, we meet our horsemen and hand our duffel bags over. You will only carry a small daypack with the essentials you will need on the trail.
Then we start walking all the way down to Playa Rosalinas (1,475m/4,840ft) where we have lunch. Along the way, enjoy great views of the Apurimac Canyon and mountain peaks such as Padreyoc at 5,571m/18,387ft.
After lunch, walk for two hours to our first campsite at Santa Rosa, (1900m/6234ft) where hot drinks and appetizers will be ready. Have time to settle into your tents, which will already be set up, before dinner. The challenging thing about this hike, is the dramatic elevation changes. You hike down towards the canyon as low as 1, 475m/4,800ft and climb up again to 1900m/6,230ft. This rollercoaster trekking is prevellant on all 4 days. You do need to be fit to take on this challenging journey.
Your guide will wake you with a hot mug of tea or coffee to enjoy before you get up. After an early breakfast, start our adventure by walking uphill for 2 hours to the rural village of Maranpata (2,850m/9,350ft). We enjoy the scenery and then walk through a micro-climate of an astonishing variety of flora and fauna to the magnificent archeological site of Choquequirao! Have lunch here and then we will have a private guided tour of the fascinating site in the afternoon.
During the tour, explore all the important sections, such as the palaces, temples, ritual water fountains, amazing Usnu (ceremonial platform), agricultural terraces, llama’s section and much more. The guide will be excited to tell you all about the fascinating history of these amazing sites! Finally, we head back to our second campsite located at Maranpata which is 1.5h from the Choquequirao ruins, where we will have tea time and dinner.
After an early breakfast, descend to the magnificent Apurimac River (1,550m/5,117ft) hike alongside it for two hours. This is a very sacred river in traditional Inca beliefs and you will understand why as you marvel at its strength and power. Walk up for one hour to our third campsite at Chiquisca (1,990m/6,270ft). Once again, your already set up tents will will welcome you, along with a delectable spread of hot drinks and appetizers. After a short time to relax and unwind, we get ready for a well deserved dinner prepared by our excellent chef.
After a delicious breakfast, walk up a moderately difficult hill towards the Capuliyoc Pass. Once there, enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the Apurimac Canyon. Take our car to Cachora (2,850m/9,407ft) for lunch. Afterwards we take our private transport to the archeological site of Saywite and spend plenty of time to explore and take memorable photos with it. Finally, our van will take us back to Cusco to your hotel, arriving in the evening, around 6pm.
The 4 day Choquequirao Trek is available on any date that is best for you, as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers.
***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.
***The cost for a private trek is an extra $100 per person.
Group of 5 or more: $30 USD. – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.
SAM CORPORATIONS is a family owned travel agency and a tour operator that specializes in tours all over Peru. We are based in Cusco with many years of personal experience trekking and traveling every nook and cranny of Peru. SAM CORPORATIONS is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.
Our focus is on creating small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in personalized and high quality services. We guarantee a luxurious service and promise to never cut corners.
We take pride in our reputation as a responsible and sustainable tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We support them financially and ensure long term growth by offering them a fair salary. We are proud of our team, without them we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.
SAM CORPORATIONS knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create an unforgettable adventure while in Peru. We stand by our word and deliver on our promises
To ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at SAM CORPORATIONS we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups. This trek normally has smaller groups averaging 2-4 people. The hike is secluded, private and truly off the beaten path with very few people embarking on this hike daily.
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. BUT you will experience different temparatures as you pass through the numerous microclimates and it will depend on your location. We highly recommend you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack.
In general if you exercise regularly and spend 2 to 3 days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be just fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is water, coca tea and rest; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our day tours on our Main Page.
YES! Its considered difficult by many, you need to be in good physical condition and well acclimated to the altitude. Fitness is naturally important for the trek, and obviously the more fit you are the more you will enjoy the trail and the more chance you will have to take in the scenery and appreciate the Inca ruins dotted along the way. 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 difficult.
We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate about their country. Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. They are adventure and travel enthusiasts, sharing only the best of what they have personally experienced. Our crew is fun loving, great sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.
The food on the trek has been highlighted by all our clients as delicious and abundant gourmet style meals. Peruvian and international cuisine are prepared by our professional and dedicated cooks from a mixture of local and exotic produce. If you have any dietary restrictions or have food allergies of any kind, we can cater to your needs!
Our team (Guides, cooks, and horsemen) and our equipment are what really makes SAM CORPORATIONS stand out from all the competitors…. For all our adventures we hike we include the following items:
At SAM CORPORATIONS, we have always believed that we should give back to the local isolated communities. Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we always do many service projects and hire locally.
SAM CORPORATIONS is proud to be able to support our beautiful local people. We use a holistic approach to sustanability and community development. We participate in multiple social projects, we employ from these communities and pay them an above average wage. Self- sustainibilty and long term growth is our main focus.
A beautiful reflection of our attitude in everything we do, is that we wish to make life richer and more meaningful for all involved.
Please read carefully the following information. It will help with your questions about our services and the Choquequirao 4 Day Trek.
You will be greeted at the airport in Cusco and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our friendly representative holding an orange “SAM CORPORATIONS” sign at the exit of the arrival terminals.
The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm in our office, which is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 213 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
Of course! During the Lares trek to Machu Picchu, your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.
FIRST, to book your Choquequirao 4 Day Trek, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click the link here: BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information, FOR 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 VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address samcorporations@gmail.com to complete the payment.
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 Trek 4 days, the deposit is non-refundable!
YES! 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 4 Day Trek, other entrances and reservations. In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name 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. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter, Machu Picchu or get on the train.
The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a small duffel bag to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/14lbs. Your team of pack horses will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the pack horses will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. A 30 to 50L backpack is sufficient.
In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, Sam Corporations 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). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Absolutely! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you at your hotel! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you off there too! If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, we can also pick you up from 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 people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Corporation destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception on the quality of service and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate 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 our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local 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 15 lbs including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight in your day pack. You can also request for an extra porter at booking at an extra price, which will give an allowance of another 7kg/15lbs. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos (4lbs) for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo (2lbs) for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos (8lbs) for your personal gear.
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40 Litres for hiking in the day. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
Cusco
Up to 8 People
Group
Trekking History and Adventure
Difficult/Challenging
all year around, best in dry season
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us:
+51 954 799 620 WhatsApp info@samcorporations.com
Sam Corporations
Our company is 100% locally owned. We directly contribute to economic development and environmental sustainability in Peru.
The quality of our service is one of our most important values which demands all our effort, determination, and courage to be successful in what we are doing and the services we provide
We aim to have a positive impact in all the areas that we visit. Through our training sessions and social projects, we empower women, indigenous communities and children
Our groups never exceed 10 people, giving you a personalized tour in our small comfortable vans
Interested in visiting only specific destinations? No problem, all our packages can be fully customized to suit your budget and schedule. Contact our travel advisors to plan the most comprehensive trip of a lifetime.
We commit socially and culturally to the community and adapt our business strategies to the preservation of the environment
Quality
Contact our travel advisors to plan the most complete trip of your life.
Simplified ease of communication, text us on WhatsApp, email or call us.
Our guides are local and have vast knowledge in Peruvian culture and history.
100% local company. Development and environmental sustainability
Our groups never exceed 10 people, giving you an unforgettable experience
Discover an exceptional journey where perfection meets adventure.
5.0
I enjoyed this trip of my life. Specialy thanks to our ports And Johnys amazing guiding. Thanks a lot. Martina group from Czech
5.0
An experience of a lifetime and much of this reason was because our tour guide Jhony who is incredibly knowledgeable, personable, kind, and has a great sense of humor. There were times on the trail where I struggled and went super slow and he really helped me push through in a non-pressuring way. He was honest about conditions and provided us with plenty of interesting information. Making it to Machu Picchu was so worth it. Only two others besides my boyfriend and I so it was really intimate experience . Transportation, food, facilities, all was perfect. The nature was indescribably magical. You have to see it to understand. Book this tour!
5.0
The company is amazing and jhony is an incredible guide. We had so much fun, the porters were so nice. I recommend Sam travel and jhony to anyone interesting in the Inca trail or any activity here in Peru. The food was delicious as well. This was an incredible experience with great people!