About this trek
Choquequirao Trek 3 Days 2 Nights
Discover the majesty of the Peruvian Andes in a unique three-day adventure that will take you through stunning landscapes and towards the heart of the ancient Inca citadel of Choquequirao. This trek invites you to immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Incas, while you explore centuries-old agricultural terraces, ceremonial temples, and ancestral plazas that have withstood the test of time. For three days, you will walk along ancient trails, surrounded by towering mountains and the natural beauty of the Andes, in an experience that will challenge your physical and emotional limits. Get ready to discover Choquequirao in all its grandeur, while you marvel at the magnificence of a lost civilization and connect with the ancestral energy of this sacred place. Join us on this unforgettable adventure and let yourself be captivated by the magic of Choquequirao!
IMPORTANT: The Choquequirao Trek 3 Days 2 Nights is a challenging adventure that requires good physical and mental condition to complete successfully. For several days, you will walk on difficult terrain and face weather changes, which demands endurance and determination. In addition, the altitude and long days can test our physical and mental capacity.
To fully enjoy this CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS experience and achieve the journey successfully, it is important to prepare adequately, both physically and mentally. Training in advance, maintaining an adequate pace during the hike, and keeping a positive attitude are key. It is also essential to listen to our body, rest when necessary, and be prepared for the challenges that may arise along the way.
By overcoming these challenges, we not only reach Choquequirao, but we also strengthen our determination, endurance, and ability to face and overcome obstacles, which can be a transformative and enriching experience while doing the CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS.
If you are not used to exercising regularly, it is recommended to start hiking, trekking, or other aerobic activities several weeks before your trip. This will help you strengthen your muscles, improve your endurance, and prepare physically for the hike during your trip. Starting with short hikes and gradually increasing the distance and intensity will help you avoid injuries and condition your body safely. Consulting with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program is also a good idea to ensure you are in shape to do so. If you would like a longer version, you can check the Choquequirao 4 days 3 nights or Choquequirao 5 days 4 nights tours.
Day-by-day itinerary
Cusco – Cachora – Marampata
We will start our experience in Cusco with pickup from your hotel (preferably located near the Plaza de Armas) between 3:30 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.; we will begin the journey in private transport, enjoying impressive landscapes along the pampa of Anta and the Limatambo valley, then heading to the Apurímac region, passing through Curahuasi until we reach the town of Cachora, where we will enjoy an included breakfast with views of the majestic snow-capped Padreyoc; we will then continue by vehicle to Capuliyoc, the starting point of the hike, where we will meet the muleteers and horses, and we will pay for the entrance fees (not included); from here we will start the descent for approximately 3 hours, crossing beautiful landscapes and viewpoints such as Cocamasana until we reach Chiquiska, where we will have lunch; then we will continue descending for about 1 hour to the Apurímac River, in the area known as Playa Rosalina; after crossing the river over the bridge called Rosalina Bridge, we will begin the ascent towards Santa Rosa, a demanding section that will take between 1.5 and 2 hours approximately; after a brief rest, we will continue ascending for about three and a half hours until we reach the town of Marampata, where we will have dinner and spend the night, enjoying — if the weather permits — a spectacular sunset facing the Choquequirao archaeological complex.
Marampata – Choquequirao – Marampata
We will wake up early to make the most of the day; after breakfast, we will start the hike to the Choquequirao archaeological complex, a journey of approximately 2 hours; once on site, we will dedicate most of the day to exploring and discovering its most important sectors, appreciating its impressive architecture, terraces, and privileged views, in a deep and enriching experience; lunch will be a box lunch (snack) that we will carry with us to optimize the visit time; in the afternoon, we will return to Marampata, where we will enjoy dinner and spend the night, surrounded by an imposing and quiet natural environment.
Marampata – Chiquiska – Capuliyoc – Cusco
We will start the day very early, at approximately 4:00 a.m., descending for about 2 hours until we reach Santa Rosa, where we will enjoy a typical mountain breakfast; we will then continue descending around 1.5 hours more to the Apurímac River, where we will take a brief pause to rest and take photographs; then we will begin the ascent to Chiquiska, where lunch awaits us; in the afternoon, we will resume the hike ascending towards Capuliyoc for approximately 3 hours, the point where this incredible experience ends; there our transport will be waiting to start the return to Cusco, arriving approximately at 10:00 p.m.
Trek details
- Activity: Hiking
- Difficulty level: 5 High (requires good health and physical condition). Terrain: slopes, dirt roads, paths and royal trails with very steep ascents and descents, narrow and irregular paths with high difficulty. Altitude: ascents and descents up to 800 m. Recommended for people in good physical condition.
- Maximum altitude: 3,106 m / 10,190 ft
- Accommodation & meals: In rural lodges of the area
- Total walking distance: 42 km / 26 miles approx.
- Type of tourism: Trekking, hiking, ecotourism
- Departure day: Any day from April to November (dry season)
- Tour starts: In Cusco
- Ends: In Cusco, drop-off at your hotel (must be accessible and central)
Photos from the trail
A glimpse of what awaits you on the Choquequirao Trek.
What's included
- Pre-trek briefing with your guide, where they will explain the hike
- Private transportation from your hotel in Cusco to the starting point at Capuliyoc / Cusco
- 2 nights of accommodation in rural lodges
- Professional guide in Spanish
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners (vegetarian option at no extra cost, please notify in advance)
- Hot shower and WiFi internet at the Chiquiska and Marampata lodges
- Muleteer and mule to transport the client's luggage (up to 6 kg maximum)
- First aid kit and oxygen tank
Not included
- Day 3: Dinner
- 1 Saddle horse (recommended, must be requested at least 2 days in advance, total cost USD 50)
- Entrance fee to Choquequirao (60 soles for national or foreign adults · 30 soles for students)
- Trekking poles (recommended, available for rent)
- Tips: it is a tradition; the muleteers and the guide will be happy to receive them if deserved
- Expenses not mentioned in the itinerary (water, snacks, other drinks, etc.)
- TRAVEL INSURANCE (it is highly recommended to have travel insurance for any unforeseen events, remember this is an adventure trip)