Peru · Trekking

4-Day Choquequirao Trek Tour from Cusco

4 Days Round trip from Pickup service provided in Cusco. Challenging pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 4-day guided trek from Cusco to Choquequirao
  • 02 Hike through the dramatic Apurimac Canyon
  • 03 Explore the Inca archaeological site of Choquequirao
  • 04 Enjoy views of snow-capped peaks, valleys, and canyon landscapes
  • 05 Camp along the route with full camp equipment included
  • 06 Spot Andean flora and fauna along the trail
  • 07 Learn about Choquequirao’s connection with Machu Picchu
  • 08 Experience sunrise, sunset, and night skies in the Andes

Set out from Cusco on a rewarding 4-day trek to Choquequirao, one of Peru’s most remarkable Inca archaeological sites. This journey combines challenging hiking with dramatic Andean scenery, taking you through the Apurimac Canyon, mountain viewpoints, and remote campsites before reaching the ruins.

Along the way, enjoy changing landscapes, rich flora and fauna, and sweeping views from places such as Capuliyoc, Marampata, Santa Rosa, Chiquisca, and Playa Rosalina. At Choquequirao, explore plazas, temples, and terraces with your guide, and discover the site’s connection to Machu Picchu.

Ideal for active travellers seeking adventure, archaeology, and unforgettable mountain scenery, this multi-day trek offers an immersive experience in the Peruvian Andes.

Set out from Cusco on a rewarding 4-day trek to Choquequirao, one of Peru’s most remarkable Inca archaeological sites.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Challenging
Accommodation Included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Cusco, Santa Rosa, Machu Picchu, Choquequirao
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

DAY 1 Cusco - Cachora - Rosalina - Santa Rosa

San Pedro de Cachora

You will be picked up from your hotel located in the city of Cusco to go towards the starting point in the village of San Pedro de Cachora, 4 hours away from Cusco at 2,800 meters above sea level.

Capuliyoc

The trekking to Choquequirao starts at Capuliyoq and here you will enjoy great views of snow-capped peaks in the distance. We will hike for 4 hours with amazing landscapes and different weathers, and unique flora and fauna.

We will admire the Apurimac River that pass through the depths of the Apurimac canyon, and you will get the first views of Choquequirao ruins.

Chiquisca

Going downhill we are going to reach Chiquisca to enjoy lunch and take a short rest. 

Playa Rosalina

Later, we will begin the last path downhill of the day for 2 hours until reach Playa Rosalina located at 1,800 meters above sea level. The hike continues to the campsite located in Santa Rosa at 1,950 meters above sea level. Distance traveled: 10.56 miles – Approximate time of walk: 7 hours.

Choquequirao

The hike to Choquequirao continues towards the campsite located near the archaeological site Choquequirao with a high altitude of 2,800 meters above sea level. You can enjoy lunch, make a tour to the ruins and be amazed with the sunset view from the religious area of Choquequirao. Spend an amazing time with a guided tour around this place and learn about the connection with the Inca site of Machu Picchu.

The complex has different areas like squares, temples and platforms. It has a rich biodiversity in fauna like condors, foxes, vizcachas, bears, pumas, among others. The Andean flora is wonderful such as ichu and orchids. Explore Choquequirao, a jewel in the middle of the Andes with amazing Inca architecture.

In the evening, you can see the Milky way together with your guide. Distance traveled: 5.59 miles – Approximate time of walk: 8 hours, reaching the highest point at 3,400 meters.

Back to Cusco

Then, our transport will take you to Cusco, passing through the Andean town of Cachora first. It is going to be a 3-hour journey until reach the city of Cusco, to drop you off at the hotel.

2
Day 02

DAY 2 Santa Rosa - Marampata - Choquequirao

Marampata

After breakfast, the hike starts uphill for 3 hours and a half through the opposite side of the Apurimac Valley until reach Marampata, a nice place to rest and admire lovely views to the valley.

3
Day 03

DAY 3 Choquequirao - Marampata - Chiquisca

Playa Rosalina

After a good breakfast, we are going to start a trek of 5 hours downhill until reach Playa Rosalina, located at 1,500 meters above sea level. We will leave behind the Inca ruin of Choquequirao, also known as Cradle of Gold.

Along the way we are going to pass through different places such as Marampata (2,870 meters), a small village with campsite areas and stores to buy food. Then, we will reach Santa Rosa with a high altitude of 1,914 meters.

Chiquisca

Once upon arrive to Playa Rosalina we are going to take a short rest and continue uphill, for one hour and a half, until we reach Chiquisca. In this place you will have a lovely lunch and spend the night.

In the afternoon you can enjoy a well-deserved rest. It is better to stay here because of the warm and dry weather and tomorrow we are going to wake up before sunrise. You can walk around this place to admire local fauna and flora.

Distance traveled: 11.18 miles – Approximate time of walk: 6 hours.

4
Day 04

DAY 4 Chiquisca - Capuliyoc - Cachora - Cusco

Capuliyoc

Very early in the morning we will leave Chiquisca while you are having the last views of the canyon. Going uphill in a hike of 4 hours, we will reach Capuliyoc to have the last lunch here at 2,885 meters (optional).

Capuliyoc has an amazing viewpoint that shows wonderful views of the trek to Choquequirao, as well as snowcapped peaks and the magnificent canyon. Choquequirao was built in 1536 during the Inca Empire. It was declared as a National Cultural Heritage.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Cusco. 4 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Full camp equipment: Dining tent with tables and chairs, kitchen tent, high mountain tents and one inflatable sleeping pad per person
  • Mules to carry tents, food, cooking equipment
  • First Aid Kit with oxygen bottles
  • Hot water every morning and night for personal cleanness, and boiled water for your thermos.

What's Not Included

  • Sleeping bag
  • Walking sticks
  • Gratuities to guides, porters and chefs
  • Last lunch and dinner
  • Extra services not mentioned in the program
  • Travel insurance
  • Mules to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 6kg per person (extra cost)

Know before you go

  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for people with heart conditions
  • Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost, prior coordination.
  • This activity is not recommended for children 12 and younger
  • A short briefing one or two days before starting the tour
  • You must be able to walk in unpaved or uneven terrain
  • You must be able to climb and descend stairs
  • We have a first aid kit and oxygen bottle for the tour
  • Pick up from centrally downtown Cusco hotels

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Cusco.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Cusco.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Cusco..

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