Choquequirau sits in the saddle of a high Andean ridge, 3,000 m above sea level and 1,500 m above the roaring waters of the Apurimac River. Ringed by spectacular snow-capped peaks and flanked by plunging, thickly forested slopes, the city is an inspiring example of an elite Inca ceremonial center, dedicated to the worship of the mountain gods, the river and the elements of nature.
Departing from Cusco in the early morning, we take a spectacular drive across the farmlands of the Anta Plateau, surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes before hiking into the Apurimac River Canyon where we camp.
Today we descend to the Apurimac River before hiking out of the valley, past sugar cane plantations, upland meadows and the cool shadows of native cloud forest to our camp site close to the remote Inca ceremonial site of Choquequirau.
We spend the entire day exploring this stunning Inca settlement and once again camp close to the ruins. We then retrace our steps, back down to the Apurimac River Canyon and our final night under canvas before hiking to the trailhead where our transport will be waiting to drive us to Cusco.