Tour Availability

Every Day

Arrival City

Cusco

Minimum Age

8

Maximum Age

60

Group Size

2 - 14

Difficulty

Extreme

OVERVIEW

Throughout the journey, you’ll enjoy meals and accommodations provided by the local community, contributing to the revitalization of their economy. The camp, led by an officially accredited tour guide, is situated along the route to Choquequirao.

We offer an organized tour to this impressive archaeological site. Our team is 100% local, based in the district of San Pedro de Cachora, which is the busiest and safest access point to Choquequirao.

This 4-day, 3-night experience allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty and history of the region, with the support and expertise of local guides.

Day 1 :

CUSCO – CACHORA – SANTA ROSA BAJA

We will pick you up between 5:30 and 6:00 am to begin our adventure. After a journey of approximately 4 hours, we will reach the community of Cachora and then Capulliyoq (2,890 m / 9,482 feet), a privileged spot to observe the snow-capped mountain of Padreyoq (5,771 m / 18,930 feet) and the Apurímac Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world. We will then descend for about two and a half hours to a place called Chikiska (1,900 m / 6,234 feet), where we will enjoy a delicious lunch. After a refreshing break, we will continue our descent to the bridge at the Rosalina Beach area, where we will reach the lowest point of our trek (1,550 m / 5,085 feet). Then, we begin a 3-hour ascent to our first campsite, Santa Rosa Baja, where we will camp in tents, and our cooking team will be waiting with dinner.

Day 2 :

SANTA ROSA BAJA – MARAMPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO

At 5:00 a.m., we will enjoy a hearty breakfast to ensure we have plenty of energy for today’s hike. At 6:00 a.m., our ascent will begin, and after 2.5 hours, we will reach Marampata (2,870 m / 9,416 feet). From here, we will walk for another 2 hours to Choquequirao, the Inca citadel, where we will visit the different main sectors of this Inca city. After lunch inside Choquequirao, we will continue exploring the citadel. After a day of visiting Choquequirao, it’s time to return to Marampata where we will enjoy a delicious dinner and spend the night in tents.

Day 3 :

MARAMPATA – CHIKISKA – COCAMASANA

On this day, after breakfast, we will begin our walk at 6:00 a.m. We will start our descent to Santa Rosa Alta, then to Santa Rosa Baja, and continue on to Rosalina Beach (1,550 m / 5,085 feet). From there, we will ascend to Chikiska (1,900 m / 6,234 feet), where we will enjoy our lunch. After a refreshing break, we will continue the ascent to Cocamasana, our third campsite.

Day 4 :

COCAMASANA – CAPULLIYOQ – CUSCO

At 6:00 a.m., after breakfast, we will face our final physical challenge, which will be a 3-hour ascent to reach the Capulliyoq pass again. There, the bus transport to Cusco will be waiting for us. After 4.5 hours, we will arrive in Cusco, where we will drop you off at San Francisco Square, two streets away from the main square in Cusco.

FAQs

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How difficult is the Choquequirao Trek?

Hard! This trek is not for the average hiker because you need to cross the Apurimac canyon on foot.

It includes a steep ascent from the valley floor to the crest of the mountains and high cloud forests that hide the archaeological site of Choquequirao. There are plenty of zigzag turns to deal with the steep incline, but the final part towards the Choquequirao is luckily flat. Even though the Choquequirao trek is very challenging, it is definitely worth it! Besides, it is very likely that no other person will be around, and you will have the Choquequirao ruins just for yourself!

When is the best time to trek to Choquequirao?

We have two main seasons in the Andes Mountains: the rainy season (November-March) and the dry season (April-October).

During the rainy, warmer season, temperatures average around 15°C / 60°F during the day and 5°C / 40°F at night. However, these temperatures may feel a lot colder to you.

During the dry season, the weather is sunny and clear, and on average 20°C / 70°F during the day but much colder at night, around -3°C / 26°F.

What should I pack for the Choquequirao Trek?

One personal daypack (a 30 to 50 L backpack is sufficient). Before your trek, we will give you one extra duffle bag from our office to carry your extra clothes and personal items (max. 5kg).
Reusable water bottle
Small coins in Peruvian Soles (Keep small change on hand too for water bottles, snacks, and toilet paper.)
Rain jacket or rain poncho
Strong footwear (Waterproof trekking boots recommended.)
Sleeping bag (also available for rent)
Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
Enough clothes for the whole period of the trek (long-sleeve trekking shirts, short-sleeve shirts, leggings or trekking pants, shorts, pairs of underwear, sweatpants for the night, pairs of hiking socks, a rain poncho, an insulated jacket, gloves, beanie, a hat with a brim, hiking boots, and sandals to rest your feet at the campsites.)
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Additional snacks (remember that we supply you with plenty of food already.)
Original passport

How can I prepare for the hike and prevent altitude sickness?

The best way to prepare yourself for this trekking experience is easy: spend at least 2 to 3 days at a high-altitude place like Cusco, so your body gets used to the high altitude. If you have already been to a high altitude destination before arriving to Cusco, we still recommend you spend at least one full day in Cusco to rest, recuperate from your trip, and enjoy the beautiful views of the city before your trek.

Additionally, taking good care of your body helps deal with the extra pressures that altitude creates. We recommend you to eat healthy food, drink lots of water, and stay away from alcohol. Chewing coca leaves and drinking coca tea helps to alleviate any discomfort associated with the altitude.

I’ve made my reservation, now what?

Congratulations, adventure awaits you! We sent you a confirmation e-mail with more details about your trekking adventure. The day before your departure at 17:00, 18:00 or 19:00, please stop by our office located in Portal Espinar Nro 163 to receive the informative briefing. Our professional guide will tell you everything about your trek and clarify any last questions you may have.

What type food is served on the trek?

We serve a variety of local superfoods and traditional Peruvian dishes with rice, chicken, beef, salad, potatoes, vegetables, delicious soups, and fruits. Everything will be freshly prepared by our local chef.

We have a lot of vegetarian travellers, and our cooks have some great options for them to enjoy their meals. We can cater to all other types of dietary requests with adequate preparation and clear communication.

Can I leave extra luggage in your office?

Yes, you can leave extra luggage in our office free of charge.

What are the minimum and maximum group sizes?

The minimum group size for private tours is 2 people and the maximum group size is 15 people. There will be an assistant guide for groups over 12.

What are your cancellation and refund policies?

Please feel free to review our Terms & Conditions and let us know if you have any questions or requests regarding our cancellation policy, which is available on our website.