Marampata in Cusco is located at kilometer 28 of the Choquequirao tour 4 days / 3 nights and at 2,850 meters above sea level, from here you have a beautiful view of the archaeological complex of Choquequirao Peru, which is 3,003 meters above sea level.
The Marampata camp in Cusco is a small town with several campsites, shops to buy food and even a small hotel. It is the best place to rent a mule if you are too tired to continue the trek on your own.
Marampata in Perú is a true town before being a camp, this is an additional 1-2 hour climb from Santa Rosa, and very scenic. Here are decent camping options and hot food, and Choquequirao is in sight.
Marampata on the Choquequirao route is a small town with a couple of houses selling food.
Services at Marampata in Cusco
- Camping - yes, 5 soles / tent
- Hotel - no
- Shop - yes
- Cooked food: yes
- Hygienic services with running water: yes
- Toilet - yes
- Shower - yes
Camping in Marampata Cusco and some rooms
The rooms were nothing more than a bed in the room and there is no heating. I wouldn't trust the rooms, as the owners are sometimes out of town or a tour company has already booked them. There are also other places where you could camp.
Food to buy in Marampata Perú
Here are several small kiosks that you can buy. They also have eggs, vegetables, soups, pastas, cookies, chips, chocolate, and some canned goods.
Food cooked in Marampata Perú
There are several families offering cooked food here. Don't expect fast service, but you can choose from a couple of different meals. However, realistically don't expect meat. Quinoa, rice, potatoes, soup, some vegetables, and eggs are likely options.
Toiletries
Most toiletries are available at different kiosks.
Mules
You may be able to secure a mule to take you or your things back to Playa Rosalina. Of those who asked, the cost was 80-100 per day. They do not seem to abuse their animals here and will not take them from Marampata to the Mirador in one day. It will be divided into 2 days stopping at Playa Rosalina. Also note that mules may not be available as they may be "reserved". Some tourism companies hire them to transport supplies for their tourists.
Choquequirao: trekking to the secret Inca city
Larger than Machu Picchu, Choquequirao rests practically desolate on top of the deepest canyon in America. Tourists do not arrive here in comfortable trains, but real adventurers who, after days of strenuous walking, find the absolute silence of its mysterious ruins. Archaeologists have estimated that only 40% of the city has been exposed, with various government projects underway to squeeze its tourism potential. So you must trek to Choquequirao now, before the crowds rob you of an authentic encounter with our historical past.
How to trek to Choquequirao?
There are two alternatives, the classic Choquequirao Trek 4 Days with transfers from Cusco (includes the return), the Choquequirao Trek 5 Days, and the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek with a larger extension on an 8-day trek. The information in this article corresponds to the classic circuit. It is important to mention that, to ease your burden, there are muleteers who carry camping equipment and your backpack on mules, from one camping to the next.
The trek to the Inca citadel begins in the small town of Cachora, to cross the Apurímac canyon until you reach the Choquequirao ruins. It is a difficult circuit, 3 times more demanding than the classic Inca Trail, since on one day you go down 1 kilometer (which takes approximately 5 hours) and the next day you climb it again (and then you have to go back). But the effort is rewarded every second thanks to the impressive views that the canyon offers. While in Machu Picchu you fight side by side with 2500 tourists to take the best photo, approximately 30 people a day arrive in Choquequirao in high season, making it the true lost city of the Incas.
What does trekking to Choquequirao consist of?
Flooded with a feeling of satisfaction when completing it, trekking to Choquequirao is an adventure you will never forget. Our recommendation is that you take advantage of doing it as soon as possible (before it becomes too popular) and then convince the rest of your friends to dare.
Information and route
- Duration: 4 days
- Distance: 32 kilometers
- Difficulty: High
- Trails: The trail is well maintained and easy to follow.
- Maximum height: 3050 masl
- Entrance ticket: 60 soles per person / 30 soles students
- Best time: May to October.
Day 1: Cusco - Cachora - Chiquisca - Santa Rosa.
We will leave the city of Cusco in a mobility that will not take us to Cachora 2,903 m.a.s.l. (9, 524 ft) whose trip duration is around 4 hours, already in Cachora (Punta Carretera) we find our staff already waiting for us with some horses and mules.
Once there, we will organize the equipment and luggage on mules and horses. This day we will walk through large stages and we will arrive at the Capuliyoc viewpoint 2,885 masl (9,465 ft) where we will have a magnificent view of the Apurimac canyon and that is where we will take a break. Then we will walk down to Chiquisca where we will have our Lunch.
After lunch we start the walk again towards the Rosalina Beach 1,500 masl (4,921 ft), which is the lowest area of the route where we cross the Apurimac river, then we find a path where the route is only uphill, there is where the practice of agriculture is almost impossible but the inhabitants of the area take advantage of some water currents to cultivate sugar cane and with this they produce EL CAMBRAY (produced from sugar cane).
We will arrive at Santa Rosa 1,914 masl (6,279 ft) place of our first camp.
- Total distance: 15 km.
- Estimated walking time: 6 to 7 hours.
- Maximum altitude: 2,885 masl (9,465 ft).
- Camp altitude: 1,914 masl (6,279 ft).
Day 2: Santa Rosa - Marampata - Choquequirao
After a healthy breakfast we start walking towards the community of Marampata 2,870 masl (9,416 ft) from where you can already see the archaeological complex of Choquequirao.
Marampata Perú will be our camp, we will leave our things in this place and we will take only what is necessary and we will start our walk towards Choquequirao, after a walk of almost 2 hours we will arrive at Choquequirao 3,100 masl (10,170).
This day we will have the whole day to visit Choquequirao and its surroundings, all this in a guided tour, including the recently discovered areas where the government through the Institute of Culture INC continues to work. In the afternoon we return to the camping place for lunch, so you can visit the lower area where there are cultivation terraces, water channels and warehouses.
- Total distance: 14 km (8.7 miles)
- Walking estimated time: 8 to 9 hours
- Maximum Altitude: 3,100m.s.n.m (10,170ft)
- Camp height: 2,870 masl (9,416 ft)
Day 3: Marampata - Rosalina Beach - Chiquisca
We will take the same way back to Playa Rosalina where we will enjoy a lunch and a rest to recover energy because later we will walk to the Chiquisca Camp 1,910 masl (6,266 ft) where we will spend the night.
Total distance: 14 km (8.7 miles).
- Walking estimated time: 6 to 7 hours.
- Maximum altitude: 2,870 masl (9,416 ft).
- Camp height: 1,910 masl (6,266 ft).
Day 4: Chiquisca - Cachora - Cusco
Early breakfast around 04:30 am in the morning and then we will walk to the Capuliyoc viewpoint and then the town of Cachora where we will say goodbye to the services of the muleteer and his horses to continue by car to the city of Cusco.
- Total distance: 7 km
- Estimated walking time: 5 to 6 hours
- Maximum Altitude Point: 2,885 masl (9,465 ft)
