Essentail Info For Choquequirao Trekking

Essentail Info For Choquequirao Trek king

The XV Century settlement of Choquequirao is amazing ruins of Incas situated in the region of Cusco, Peru. It is a great alternative in relation to the famous Machu Picchu, because is not so crowded and for some even more spectacular. The Trekking to this famous Inca ruins is from Moderate to Challenge, but definitely worth the effort.

  What is trekking?

Trekking means a multi-day hike on trails through the Vilcabamba mountains range and the Apurimac canyon. Choquequirao Trekking typically take you through areas where hiking is the only means of transport since the mountains are too remote to build roads. Most treks take you through villages that have been around for centuries and the trails you hike on have historically been used by locals.

Trekking along the mountain and canyon trails to Choquequirao is a special experience. Choquequirao is unlike any other region in the world. The vastness of the mountains, the awesone views, the friendly people and the slower pace of life when movement happens on foot all contribute to the fact that many travelers who come to Choquequirao for the first time describe their experience as life-changing.

  Why SPT for Choquequirao Trekking?

• Because all our treks are only and strictly operated by “SUNRISE PERU TREK” and its professional staff; other agents operate their treks jointly with other companies in service rotation. Hence, you book a departure with tour operator A, which risks to be finally operated by tour operator B without you knowing. “SUNRISE PERU TREK” have a quality of service and a high reputation, which is only possible by ensuring that only “SUNRISE PERU TREK” staff operates our treks. Even if we only have a single traveler, this will be operated by us.
• Because we have and can prove an excellent treatment to our staff, including chefs, porters and wranglers; “SUNRISE PERU TREK” not only complies with the Porter Law and Regulation, but our wages are over the minimum requested by law and above the average paid by most of the tour operators, all our staff eats well and more than enough, they are provided with sleeping bags, thermal clothes, sleeping tents, trekking boots, thick rain ponchos, harnesses and lumbar support for their duty on field.
• Because we are professionals and dedicated team in field of Tourism
• Expert travel adviser for tailor made itinerary focusing on entire requirements from basic level.
• Legal travel organizer in Peru with affiliation to major tourism departments, thus possessing all necessary authorization documents to operate travel and tour to Choquequirao and Machu Picchu in Cusco and through Peru.
• Thousands of happy clients with their recommendation in travel sites

  How to get Cusco

Many tourists travel each year between Lima and Cuzco. Situated on the coast of the South Pacific Ocean, Lima is Peru’s capital and primary port of entry. Cuzco lies to the east, high in the Andes Mountains. This beautiful city was once the capital of the ancient Inca Empire, and many visitors flock here as a jumping-off point for tours of nearby Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and Choquequirao Trekking.

The airport in Cusco currently is only for domestic flights, so all international travelers by plane must disembark in Lima the capital of Peru. Even if your flight to Cusco is the same day by the same airline carrier, you must grab your bags in Lima and then check them back in.

The best way to get to Cusco is by air and there are several options in airlines. LAN tends to be the most expensive, but has the most options and flights. Expect delays or flight cancellations. Due to the high altitude of Cusco, it tends to be difficult to land and any acclimate weather will stop air traffic. Bus travel is always available and while the trip can be long, especially from Lima (20 hours), the buses in Peru are very well maintained and comfortable. This option is strongly encouraged if coming from a city closer to Cusco, like Puno.

  As per arrival to Cusco

As per arrival representative of SUNRISE PERU TREK will greet you in airport’s arrival terminal and shift to hotel in Cusco for first overnight stay; you also will receive a briefing. After you do the checking in the hotel we continue with the planer tour or trek.

  Luggage Storage while in the Trek

During the trek we advise you to store your main luggage at your hotel in Cusco- all hotels or hostels should provide you with luggage storage as a courtesy service.

At your briefing you will be loaned a small duffel bag to pack clothes for the trip. Please limit your luggage in this duffel bag to 7kg (15lbs) each person. Mules will carry these bags together with the food and equipment for the trail. Duffel bags are waterproof but it is still advisable to put your things inside a plastic bag within the duffel bag. The approximate dimensions are 60cm by 30cm. PLEASE RETURN YOUR DUFFEL BAG AT THE END OF THE TRIP!!! You can do this by leaving it in the reception of your hotel. We have continued to «lose» the duffel bags so please be conscientious and return your bag!

Most people carry their own day pack with up to 5kg of their things – a change of clothes and wet weather gear etc. However, if you think that you will have much luggage and you want a very light day pack (eg. just camera, sunscreen and water) then it’s advisable that you hire an extra mule. Please note that you will not have access to these items until the end of each day as the muleteers travel at a different pace than the group.

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco the morning of your trek and return once you are back in Cusco. Make sure your bags have some kind of identification on them so they are easy to locate.

  Weather for Choquequirao Trekking

This is the most difficult part to answer, since the weather in the Andes is very unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December – just be prepared. No matter what month you are doing the Choquequirao Trekking or the Inca Trail; please make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, and poncho and waterproof gloves. Many people forget about gloves, but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.

Also prepare for four seasons. Many of the treks through the Andes involve many micro-climates and you will need to be prepared for all seasons. Layers are always the key as they are easy to adjust to the different temperatures. And evenings will always be cold, so please be prepared with a warm winter-weight jacket.

  Horses or Porters for Choquequirao Trekking

On this trek we provide horses to carry your food and the camping equipment, but there will be one cook and his assistant, two horsemen. You will have a personal allowance of 7kg for your gear. This will not be available during the day as the horsemen will be ahead of the group.

  Choquequirao Trekking Guides

Most of our guides began as porters before they went to Cusco University and Institute where they learned about the Inca history. Our trekking guides are always training in order to be the best guide. Every Guide speak English beautifully and of course all of them speak Spanish and Quechua, the Inca Language.

They are all able to communicate with natives from around the area and of course he will have lots of history to share with you.

  Foo on the trek

Definitely one of the highlights of the tour is the food. It is always fresh and most of it is organic. There is always a lot to eat and lots of options including vegetables, meat, chicken, fish and other types of protein and carbohydrates. Everyone sits down to eat together and we go out of our way to accommodate all dietary requirements including vegetarian options and any food allergies. We do not provide any alcoholic drinks on the trek but if you would like you can bring your own.

Camping Equipment

We provide 4 man tents for only 2 people and foam mattresses for everyone. Our dining equipment includes a spacious dining tent, tables and chairs, plates and utensils and air mattresses. We do NOT supply sleeping bags, or walking sticks, but all can be rented from SUNRISE PERU TREK. We bring small pillows for all our hikers. Just ask and your guide will provide you with this. Please note that if you are over 1.95 meters / 6´4″ tall then you won´t be able to rent a sleeping bag in Cusco. In this case it is recommended to bring your own.

  Fitness

Choquequirao Trekking is certainly not easy but you do not need to be an athlete or a trekking expert to complete it. Fitness is naturally important but the Choquequirao Trekking is the kind of trek that anyone with a positive attitude and determination can do. Obviously the more fit you are the more you will enjoy the trek 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 some extra walking or some kind of aerobic activity in the months leading up to your trip.

Many people worry whether they will be able to cope physically but complete failure is rare and would usually only result from severe altitude sickness or a person lacking even a basic level of fitness. People of all ages (from teenagers to pensioners) complete the trek and age itself is no barrier if you are positive minded and lives an active lifestyle. Before departing for your tour, we recommend visiting your doctor who will be able to provide you with more information.

  Travel Insurance

Normally while walking in lower elevation steadily, taking enough acclimatization days we can avoid chance of acute mountain sickness however we cannot totally avoid mountain sickness instead we can lower the chance of occurrence by following some rules and paying lot attention for personal hygiene. Since the remote mountain area are not facilitated by motor roads and modern hospital so in case of strong mountain sickened one and only option is to descend as down as possible which is feasible with use of helicopters only.

Such kind of expenses in high elevation area extremely off the edge and cannot be offered easily as sometime cost more than one million rupees, so it is better to have a personal health insurance. As we do not deal with such kind of health insurance but we do have good enough information about insurance providing company as some deal very quickly promptly for case where as some try to avoid and create some unnecessary delays in evacuation process.

  High altitude sickness

Often known as acute mountain sickness are most dangerous things and any one can be victim of AMS apart from their physical strength. There is no such specific medicine for AMS so one needs to be careful from beginning. Major Symptom of AMS is dizziness, vomiting, nausea, and loss of appetite, weakness and insomnia so in order to rid of AMS major thing is to drink plenty of water and enough acclimatization in high alpine area. Although our crew leader will have adequate first aid medicine and kit sometimes one might need to cancel the trip and descend down in case of increasing symptom of AMS and in case of emergency situation clients will be airlifted immediately for further treatment in hospital.

  Environmental Impact

SUNRISE PERU TREK uses biodegradable soap and transports all our garbage back to Cusco. Our porters are trained to look after the trail and pick up any waste from other groups, as well. We also use environmentally-friendly chemical portable toilets that allow us to pack waste out. We believe in leaving no footprint behind.

  Booking Choquequirao Trekking

Choquequirao Trekking is available to depart any day of the week as long as we have two people. You still need to book in advance.

  CONTACT US

Should you encounter any difficulties meeting your transfer from the airport to the starting hotel, depending on which country you are in you can contact a SUNRISE PERU TREK representative on the following:

• Mauro Pedraza – Operations Manager
  Mobile: +(51) 984 734633
• Henrry Chauca – Operations
  Mobile: +(51) 950 313131
• Sharon Ovalle – SUNRISE PERU TREK Representatives Supervisor
  Mobile: +(51) 974 359484

  IN CASES OF EMERGENCY

While we hope you never have to use it, if for any reason you need to contact someone from SUNRISE PERU TREK, whether it be that you have missed a trip departure meeting, have become separated from your trip on the road or any other unforeseeable problem, the following options are available to you.

• Cusco Office
  Your best recourse to assistance during the day is to call our team between 8am-9pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am-4pm.
  Telf: +51 84 237404
• Emergency Contact
  If you need to contact SUNRISE PERU TREK outside of the above hours the following number is available:
  Mobile: +(51) 984 734633

Please remember if it is a genuine emergency, we of course want you to call us; however, if it can wait until the next day, we ask that you call during our office hours. Thank you.