Choquequirao Trek 5 Days 4 Nights
If you would like to do this tour in fewer days, please check our Choquequirao 4 days 3 nights or Choquequirao 3 days 2 nights programs.
Live an unforgettable 5-day experience on the way to Choquequirao, one of the most impressive archaeological jewels of the Andes. During the journey you will cross ancient Inca trails, imposing mountains, and unique natural landscapes, until you reach this wonderful archaeological complex full of history, terraces, plazas, and ceremonial spaces.
Day-by-day itinerary
Cusco – Cachora – Chiquiska
We will start our journey in Cusco with pickup from your hotel between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. The hotel must be located near the Plaza de Armas in Cusco. We will begin the journey enjoying the beautiful Andean landscapes as we cross the pampa of Anta and Limatambo, then enter the Apurímac region and continue towards Curahuasi. Our first destination will be the Saywite Archaeological Park, located about 3 and a half hours from Cusco, where we will admire its famous stone carved by the Incas, with miniature representations of canals, terraces, stairs, and other ceremonial designs. We will also visit other important spaces within the complex. We will then continue to Cachora, where we will enjoy lunch with views of the snow-capped Padreyoc. Then we will head to Capuliyoc, the starting point of the hike, where we will meet the muleteers and horses that will accompany us during the journey, and we will also purchase the entry tickets. Once ready, we will start the descent for approximately 3 hours, passing through the Cocamasana viewpoints, until we reach Chiquiska, where we will have dinner and spend the night in a rural lodge.
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.
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
- Private return transportation from Capuliyoc, dropping you off near the Plaza de Armas in Cusco
- 4 nights of accommodation in rural lodges
- Hot showers and WiFi internet at the Chiquiska and Marampata lodges
- Professional guide — bilingual (English/Spanish) on group service · Spanish on private service
- 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners (vegetarian option at no extra cost, please notify in advance)
- Muleteer and mule to transport the client's luggage (up to 6 kg maximum)
- First aid kit and oxygen tank
Not included
- Day 1: Breakfast
- Day 5: Lunch and Dinner
- Saddle horse (recommended, must be requested at least 2 days in advance, total cost USD 80)
- 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
- TRAVEL INSURANCE (it is highly recommended to have travel insurance for any unforeseen events, remember this is an adventure trip)
Trek facts
- Activity: Hiking
- Difficulty level: 5 High (requires good health and physical condition)
- Distance per day: up to 16 km
- 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
- Maximum altitude: 3,106 m / 10,190 ft
- Total walking distance: 42 km / 26 miles approx.
- Accommodation & meals: In rural lodges of the area
- Type of tourism: Trekking, hiking, ecotourism
- Departure day: Any day, preferably from April to October
- Tour starts and ends: In Cusco
To learn more about us, visit our main site at: https://infocusco.com.pe
