Choquequirao — 4 days
An Inca citadel contemporary with Machu Picchu, reachable only on foot via the Apurímac canyon.
- Duration
- 4 days / 3 nights
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Maximum altitude
- 3,050 m
- Group size
- Maximum 10 people
- Departures
- Subject to availability, please enquire
- Acclimatisation needed
- 2 days in Cusco
- Best season
- May to September
Choquequirao dates from the same period and building style as Machu Picchu, with an estimated extent around three times greater, and only about a third of the complex is thought to have been excavated. It receives fewer visitors in a year than Machu Picchu receives in a day.
Access is on foot only: there is no rail link and no road to the site. The route descends into and climbs out of the Apurímac canyon with more than 1,400 metres of elevation change each way, with high temperatures at the canyon floor.
It is the most demanding trek in our catalogue — not because of altitude, since it reaches the lowest maximum of all our routes, but because of the cumulative elevation change. Prior experience of multi-day mountain hiking is recommended; for a first multi-day trek the Salkantay is more suitable.
Itinerary
Day 1
Cachora – Chiquisca
Transfer from Cusco and the start of the descent into the Apurímac canyon. You drop more than 1,400 metres, all of which has to be climbed on the way back.
1,900 m above sea level
Day 2
Crossing the Apurímac and climbing to Marampata
The hardest day of the trek. You cross the river at the lowest point and climb almost 1,500 metres of elevation up to Marampata.
2,900 m above sea level
Day 3
Choquequirao
A full day at the site: the ceremonial plaza, the terraces with llama figures in white stone, and the residential sector. You will most likely be almost alone.
3,050 m above sea level
Day 4
Return to Cachora
Down to the river, final climb to Cachora and transfer to Cusco. Arrival in the evening.
What's included
- Transport Cusco – Cachora – Cusco
- Entry to Choquequirao
- Certified professional guide
- Mules and muleteers for shared equipment
- Tents, sleeping mat and dining tent
- All meals from lunch on day 1
- Cook and first-aid kit with oxygen
Not included
- Sleeping bag (available to rent)
- Trekking poles (available to rent)
- Personal mule to ride
- Tips for the crew
What to bring
- Broken-in hiking boots — the long descent punishes feet
- Trekking poles, strongly recommended here
- Insect repellent, there are mosquitoes at the bottom of the canyon
- Light clothing for the day and warm layers for the night
- Head torch
- Rehydration salts
Frequently asked questions
Why is it so empty if it is so large?
Because there is no train, no bus and no shortcut: the only way in is two days on foot. That filters out 99% of visitors. It is also estimated that only about a third of the site has been excavated.
Is it harder than the Inca Trail?
Yes, clearly. Not because of altitude, which is lower here, but because of the elevation change: you descend and climb the canyon twice, more than 1,400 metres each way, and it is hot at the bottom. It is the most demanding trek we offer.
Can I do it without previous trekking experience?
We would not recommend it. For a first multi-day experience, the Salkantay is the right choice. Choquequirao asks for some familiarity with steep, sustained walking.
Can I hire a mule to ride?
Yes, arranged in advance and paid separately. Many people use one for the final climb on the last day.
When not to go: January to March — rain and landslide risk in the canyon