Choquequirao Trek: hike to the so-called Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu

Solely a 4-hour bus experience from town of Cusco, you’ll find the improbable Inca ruins of Choquequirao, one other “misplaced metropolis of the Inca’s”. Choquequirao is extra intensive than Machu Picchu however virtually “undiscovered” (like every other distant a part of the Andes right here in Peru). Whereas the Inca Path to Machu Picchu is so well-known that it’s robust to get Inca Path Tickets, there may be additionally the Choquequirao Trek, an unexplored and off-the-beaten-trek various Inca Path to a distinct web site. In contrast to Machu Picchu, Choquequirao (or Choqueqirow) was not totally explored and excavated till the Nineteen Seventies.

How is it doable that Machu Picchu has 1,4 million guests yearly and Choquequirao solely 5,5 thousand? The reply lies within the remoteness of this archaeological web site. However, in fact, that is what makes it so distinctive too. Through the Choquequirao Trek, you’ll get a extra intense feeling of accomplishment; and, on the identical time, an immense appreciation of Peruvian nature. How is it doable the Incas have constructed this magnificent metropolis right here, at this unimaginable location within the saddle of a excessive Andean ridge, 3000, above sea degree and 1,500 meters above the roaring waters of the Apurimac River? The Sacred or the Misplaced Sister Metropolis of Machu Picchu – as Choquequirao is commonly referred to as – is just accessible by an (a minimum of) 4-day hike by the attractive mountains and valley passing over the wild Apurimac river.

Since there are not any each day departures and the paths are comparatively simple to observe, in case you are an skilled hiker, you would contemplate doing the hike with out an official tour operator or perhaps a information. Nevertheless, watch out. When you examine the costs fastidiously, the distinction in price won’t even be that massive. You could lease the required tools for the hike, transport, put together effectively and study in regards to the route, carry your individual stuff and so on.

Beneath you discover a journey report of the Choquequirao Trek of a gaggle of impartial travellers, who took off to, and we left, on our method to the conquer to ruins of Choquequirao. We’d do the Choquequirao: trek to so-called Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu!

Choquequirao Trek: hike to the so-called Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu

Solely a 4-hour bus experience from town of Cusco, you’ll find the improbable Inca ruins of Choquequirao, one other “misplaced metropolis of the Inca’s.” Choquequirao is extra intensive than Machu Picchu however virtually “undiscovered” (like every other distant a part of the Andes right here in Peru). Whereas the Inca Path to Machu Picchu is so well-known that it’s robust to get Inca Path Tickets, there may be additionally the Choquequirao Trek, an unexplored and off-the-beaten-trek various Inca Path to a distinct web site. In contrast to Machu Picchu, Choquequirao (or Choqueqirow) was not totally explored and excavated till the Nineteen Seventies.

Choquequirao Trek

On day one, you are taking the bus to Desvio de Cachora at 6.00 am to reach three hours later. From there you need to lease a taxi Mirador Capuliyoc, passing Cachora. Right here the highway ends, and the trek begins.

Most hikers begin the path in, Cachora, the place you’ll be able to lease mules to hold your stuff. Nevertheless, we determined to deliver our tents and backpacks ourselves and get a head begin by beginning in Mirador, saving ourselves from trekking 13km alongside the highway. So, after a fast breakfast upon arrival in Mirador (rice with fries, an egg, and a tomato slice), we began making our method down round 1 pm.

Nature on this a part of Peru – and elsewhere – is awe-inspiring. The path takes us by varied ecological zones, from Andean farming valleys, descending by a scorching and arid canyon surroundings with kapok bushes, cacti, and agaves, after which climbing once more to a area of the luxurious cloud forest. Subsequent to us are the snowcaps of the Vilcabamba mountain vary.

Whereas we overlook the entire Apurimac valley, we will already see Choquequirao far within the distance, on the very finish of the valley! How totally different look the slopes of the mountain on both sides of the river. On our aspect, it’s now dry – simply sand and rocks – with a crimson, yellow sand colour; the other aspect, nevertheless, the aspect of Choquequirao, is solely inexperienced, with bushes and waterfalls. Tomorrow we might be strolling there.

Cross the Apurimac River

The primary campsite is Chiquisca, and from there, you proceed all the way in which all the way down to Playa Rosalina. Right here we cross the Apurimac river by way of a contemporary footbridge, 1500 meters above sea degree. For a lot of, this can be a harder a part of the trek. The Choquequirao trek is at a comparatively low altitude (in comparison with, as an illustration, the Salkantay Trek), however the 1,500-meter descent into the valley is adopted by a 1,800-meter climb!

After just a few essential stops to relaxation and recognize the night time view, we hold climbing Within the night time. With just a few lights within the mountains, watch out with, amongst others, tarantulas. Tarantulas solely come out at night time and stand fully nonetheless the second you come shut (good for photographs). The area of the Choquequirao is understood for being the house of probably the most monumental spider on the planet: the Goliath Hen-Consuming Tarantula.

Waterfalls and plush cloud forest

After an early breakfast round 6 am (spaghetti with espresso), we pack and begin climbing (some with many blister). Day 2 is a tricky climb, with 13km of steep uphill between us and the ruins of Choquequirao.

After 25 minutes of climbing, we attain Santa Rosa, Alta. For the subsequent three and a half hours, we hiked up. We appreciated the attractive surroundings with numerous small waterfalls the place we may calm down (as soon as the solar comes out, it may possibly grow to be fairly scorching right here).

Within the tiny settlement of Marampata (2900 meters above sea degree with roughly 25 homes), we meet a beautiful girl that can make us some lunch. Though Morampata has a primary campground the place many hikers keep earlier than they proceed to see the Inca Citadel on day 3, we determined to proceed straightway.

The hike will get extra accessible as a result of we at the moment are on a extra gradual path towards Choquequirao. After one and a half hours, we handed the checkpoint the place we paid the doorway of 60 Soles. We rapidly dumped our stuff on the Choquequirao camp. After that, we confronted the final half an hour earlier than reaching the Choquequirao web site itself.

Cradle of Gold

Choquequirao is spectacular; it’s all you might have learn and heard about it and extra. All of the climbing and climbing aches had been rapidly forgotten after we wandered round this lovely web site. As a substitute, I admired the mountains and the environment. Right here we had been, on the most gorgeous spot in Peru, on high of the world, with hardly every other vacationers round!

Choquequirao is a formidable piece of Inca structure with terraces, plazas, chambers, imposing partitions with niches, and so forth. Choquequirao means ‘cradle of gold’ in Quechua. Some folks imagine it was the final refuge of the Inca when the empire fell aside. However it may possibly even have been an administrative hub and ceremonial heart, linking Cuzco with the Peruvian Amazon.

At present, there are solely two methods to get out of Choquequirao once more. One is to make the return trek to Cachora and highway again to Cuzco; the opposite method out is or proceed trekking to Machu Picchu and return by prepare to Cuzco.

Superb Starry Night time

It’s necessary to know there isn’t a meals obtainable on the Choquequirao campsite. Round 5:00, we had been able to make our method down. Whereas strolling, the mist began to look out of the earth, crawling over the ground, making method for every step. It circled the tops of some mountains, reminding me of the rings of Jupiter. We had breakfast in Marampata and lunch in Santa Rosa Baja. Then, by way of Playa Rosalina, we lastly reached Chiquisca for our final night time of tenting.

The night time began to fall. We had dinner and purchased just a few beers to have fun. In the entire space, there was no mild, and the clouds that had been there for the previous nights had gone, which allowed us to see all the sky for the primary time. I had by no means seen such a starry night time earlier than, full of colours. It was a full moon, and we didn’t even want a lantern to stroll round at night time. This was a terrific finish to a stunning hike I might suggest to any vacationers in Peru: Choquequirao: trek to the so-called Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu!
 

The 64 km Choquequirao (or Choquequirow) trek can actually not be referred to as a reasonable trek. In contrast to the Inca Path, it’s doable to do the Choquequirao Trek with no information. Nevertheless, because the Choquequirao trek is acknowledged as certainly one of Peru’s most difficult hikes, please test when you contemplate your self match sufficient. You could carry your individual tent, sleeping luggage, sleeping mats, rain gear, first–assist equipment, cooking tools, and so forth. However, the path is comparatively simple to observe. Right here at Dos Manos, we’re pleased to set you up for an organized Choquequirao trek that features the companion of a information, tenting tools, mules, meals, transportation, and so on. For extra info, please contact one of the Dos Manos journey advisors.