About this trek
Discover the majesty of the Peruvian Andes in a unique five-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, as you explore centuries-old agricultural terraces, ceremonial temples, and ancestral plazas that have withstood the test of time.
For five 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, marveling at the magnificence of a lost civilization and connecting with the ancestral energy of this sacred place.
Day-by-day itinerary
Cusco – Cachora – Chiquiska
We will start our journey in Cusco, meeting at Plaza Regocijo (parallel to Plaza de Armas) between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. We will begin the trip enjoying the wonderful views of landscapes that cross the pampa of Anta as well as Limatambo, and then pass to the Apurímac region and continue towards Curahuasi to later reach our first destination, the archaeological park of Saywite, about 3 and a half hours travel from Cusco. Here we can admire a stone carved by the Incas, where they designed numerous miniature structures as models. We will also explore other ceremonial centers. After the visit, we will continue towards Cachora, specifically to Capuliyoc, where we will enjoy lunch overlooking the Apurímac Canyon and the Padreyoc snow-capped mountain. After lunch, we will start our adventure descending for about 3 hours, passing through the viewpoints of Cocamasana until we reach Chiquiska, where we will have dinner and spend the night in a rural accommodation.
Chiquiska – Santa Rosa – Marampata
We will start early this day after breakfast. We will descend for about 1 hour until we reach the Apurímac River, in a place known as Playa Rosalina. We will cross the river and begin to ascend towards Santa Rosa, a journey that will take us between an hour and a half to two hours approximately. This section requires considerable physical effort, so we will try to climb when the sun has not yet fully risen. After a short rest in Santa Rosa, we will continue ascending for about three and a half hours until we reach the town of Marampata, where we will have lunch and free time in the afternoon to rest. Marampata offers a spectacular view to witness the sunset if we are lucky. After having ascended about 1,500 meters above sea level, we will rest for the rest of the day. There we will have dinner and stay overnight.
Marampata – Choquequirao – Marampata
We will wake up early to make the most of the day. After breakfast, we will head to Choquequirao, a journey that will take us approximately an hour and a half. Once there, we will explore and learn as much as possible during the day, as we will dedicate much of the day to touring this wonderful archaeological site. Lunch will be a snack that we will take with us. In the afternoon, we will return to Marampata, where we will have dinner and spend another night.
Marampata – Chiquiska
We will start the day calmly and after having breakfast we will start the return journey for about two hours until we reach Santa Rosa. After resting, we will continue descending for about another hour and a half until we reach the Apurímac River. We will stop to take photos and rest for a while, then we will begin to ascend towards Chiquiska, where lunch awaits us and where we will have dinner and spend the night to continue the next day.
Chiquiska – Capuliyoc – Cusco
We will start the day relaxed and have breakfast and then continue our walk towards Capuliyoc for about 3 hours approximately. There we will finish our walk and this incredible experience. Then, we will return to Cusco arriving around 5:00 pm.
What's included
- Hot showers in all rural lodges along the trail
- Free WiFi in all rural lodges
- Private transportation Cusco – Capuliyoc – Cusco
- 4 nights of accommodation in rural lodges
- Professional English-speaking guide
- 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners (vegetarian option at no extra cost)
- Muleteer and mules to transport your luggage (up to 6 kg per person)
- Emergency horse (for groups of more than 6 people)
- First aid kit and oxygen tank
What's not included
- Day 1 breakfast and Day 5 dinner
- Entrance fee to Choquequirao (S/ 60 adults · S/ 30 students)
- Trekking poles (available for rent)
- Tips for the guide and muleteers (customary if service was good)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended for adventure travel)
- Extra expenses not mentioned in the itinerary (bottled water, snacks, other drinks)
Trek facts
- Activity: Hiking
- Difficulty: Level 5 (High) — requires good health and physical condition
- Distance per day: up to 16 km
- Total walking distance: 42 km / 26 miles approx.
- Terrain: Slopes, paths, royal roads with steep ascents and descents — narrow and irregular
- Altitude changes: Ascents and descents up to 800 m per day
- Maximum altitude: 3,106 m / 10,190 ft
- Accommodation: Rural lodges with hot showers and WiFi
- Tour type: Trekking, hiking, ecotourism
- Departure days: Group — only on scheduled dates (see departures ↗) · Private — any day with 4+ people
- Start & end: Cusco, near Plaza de Armas
What to bring
- Original passport (and student ID if applicable)
- Copy of travel insurance
- Small backpack — sturdy and comfortable, for essentials
- Hiking boots — broken in, with good ankle support
- Technical clothing in light layers — 2–4 t-shirts, 2 trekking pants (no jeans)
- Waterproof / windproof jacket
- Hat or cap for sun protection
- Sunscreen and insect repellent — broad spectrum
- Energy snacks — dried fruit, nuts, bars
- Camera or phone + power bank, flashlight
- Personal hygiene — toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitizer
- Hiking poles (we rent them if you don't have your own)
- Sandals for lodge use
- Extra cash in soles — approximately S/ 700 for personal expenses
Responsible traveler code
We ask all our travelers to walk this trail with the same respect the Incas had for this sacred place. Travel with openness to connect with local communities, respect cultural differences, learn from local customs, and remember that as visitors we are part of a larger community. When bargaining, remember the poorest merchant may be sacrificing their dignity. Travel responsibly and sustainably.