Can I buy food on the Trail?
Yes, in quite a few places.
The items available are limited but not expensive.
Last minute items you can pick up in Cachora at the start of the trek.
Campsites sometimes offer Coke, beer, junk food, etc. We even bought eggs & cheese.
Are there toilets on Choquequirao?
There are pit toilets en route. But some of the time you must purge out in nature.
Remember — as is the norm in South America — carry your own toilet paper.
What animals will I see?
We got lucky & saw a deer grazing high near Choquequirao. But you should expect mainly domestic animals; horses, cows, pigs, sheep, chickens & llamas.
Reportedly in the region are pumas, tigrillo (wildcat) as well as a few kinds of monkeys. There are species in danger of extinction in the area as well, such as the rock hen, spectacled bear, otter and mountain cat.
Other things to do near Cuzco?
For hikers, the other big treks close are:
For sightseeing, consider:
- visiting traditional villages of the Sacred Valley
- Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, & Ollantaytambo
- Qoyllur Rit'i festival, Cuzco (late May or June)
Additionally, you could head to Huaraz, in northern Peru. The great hikes there include Alpamayo & Huayhuash.
Many hikers organize other adventures in Cuzco or Arequipa, especially rafting & mountain biking.
The Nazca lines are not far. And many backpackers head to Ica for sand dune boarding.
Lake Titicaca is very convenient from Cuzco, as is travel to La Paz, Bolivia.
Nobody is bored in Cuzco!
