Trekking & Adventure Travel Specialists
Choquequirao Tourist Information
Choquequirao Quechua name meaning "Golden Cradle," although this is probably not its original Inca name, the mysterious and dazzling Inca city of Choquequirao is located in the beautiful landscape of the Vilcabamba range over the Apurimac River Canyon, It is another "lost city of the Incas" located high on a ridge spur almost 1750m above the raging glacier-fed Apurimac River and surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks. According to historians, Choquequirao was the dwelling of the last rebel Incas of Vilcabamba, and like Machupicchu , the Spanish were thought never to have discovered it. Hiram Bingham visited the site in 1910. This was his first experience of "lost cities" prior to his discovery of Machu Picchu in 1911. This route offers us a formidable trek across diverse ecosystems. We will enjoy beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range.
Choquequirao the second huge archaeological complex in the south side of Peru is made adventure tours from Cusco or Abancay departments, this trek Hill take the hikers around 60 kilometres, starting point in Cachora 2800 masl. 154 kilometres paved way from Cusco plus 15 kilometres unpaved way to Cachora. This “lost city” fascinated 19th century explorers and Hiram Bingham visited it two years before he discovered Machupicchu. Difficult to reach, the ruins are rarely visited by travellers. The southern approach to Choquequirao from Cachora requires a steep descent from almost 2800 metres down to the Apurímac river at 1200 metres, followed by an even steeper ascent up to the ruins. The site is perched a magnificent 1150 metres above the Apurímac, surrounded by densely-forested mountain slopes in the shadow of the huge, snow-capped Salkantay massif. In recent years, the ruins have been partially-cleared by Peruvian archaeologists, and can be easily explored by those intrepid enough to undertake the demanding trek required to get there
The archaeological complex CHOQUEQUIRAO is 47 km from the small town of Cachora where the trek starts with beauty, colorful vegetation and landscapes make this trek an unforgetable experience; the Canyon of the Apurimac river can be appreciated while it descendes, at the play rosalina where we have to cross the rive of Apurimac.
Choquequirao Weather
The CHOQUEQUIRAO weather can be unpredictable, despite the sharp divide between dry and wet seasons. The dry season runs from May to October or November; the rainy season goes from December through April. Nevertheless, Choquequirao lies in the forested fringes of the Amazon basin, where showers can occur at any time of year. Therefore, even in the "dry" season, your daypack should always include full rain gear (both jacket AND trousers).
Daytime temperatures can vary greatly, with daytime highs ranging from 10ºC/50ºF to 32ºC/90ºF and nightime lows ranging from 10ºC/50ºF to a cold 4ºC/40ºF, though seldom much lower. The floor of the Apurimac Canyon gets very hot during the day. Bring your swimsuit for a delicious dip in the river.
What special gear should I bring? Choquequirao the second huge archaeological complex in the south side of Peru is made adventure tours from Cusco or Abancay departments, this trek Hill take the hikers around 60 kilometres, starting point in Cachora 2800 masl. 154 kilometres paved way from Cusco plus 15 kilometres unpaved way to Cachora. This “lost city” fascinated 19th century explorers and Hiram Bingham visited it two years before he discovered Machupicchu. Difficult to reach, the ruins are rarely visited by travellers. The southern approach to Choquequirao from Cachora requires a steep descent from almost 2800 metres down to the Apurímac river at 1200 metres, followed by an even steeper ascent up to the ruins. The site is perched a magnificent 1150 metres above the Apurímac, surrounded by densely-forested mountain slopes in the shadow of the huge, snow-capped Salkantay massif. In recent years, the ruins have been partially-cleared by Peruvian archaeologists, and can be easily explored by those intrepid enough to undertake the demanding trek required to get there
The archaeological complex CHOQUEQUIRAO is 47 km from the small town of Cachora where the trek starts with beauty, colorful vegetation and landscapes make this trek an unforgetable experience; the Canyon of the Apurimac river can be appreciated while it descendes, at the play rosalina where we have to cross the rive of Apurimac.
Choquequirao Weather
The CHOQUEQUIRAO weather can be unpredictable, despite the sharp divide between dry and wet seasons. The dry season runs from May to October or November; the rainy season goes from December through April. Nevertheless, Choquequirao lies in the forested fringes of the Amazon basin, where showers can occur at any time of year. Therefore, even in the "dry" season, your daypack should always include full rain gear (both jacket AND trousers).
Daytime temperatures can vary greatly, with daytime highs ranging from 10ºC/50ºF to 32ºC/90ºF and nightime lows ranging from 10ºC/50ºF to a cold 4ºC/40ºF, though seldom much lower. The floor of the Apurimac Canyon gets very hot during the day. Bring your swimsuit for a delicious dip in the river.
Don’t forget:
- warm clothes (6 layers!)
- sunglasses
- toilet paper
- waterproof jacket
- sufficiently warm sleeping bag to -15 Celsius
- lip protection from sun and wind
- emergency cash (about US$50)
- disinfectant alcohol gel
