Choquequirao Trek 4 Days Overview
Embark on a 4-day hike through the stunning wild beauty of Choquequirao. Explore ancient sites and get an insight into Incan culture as you traverse these remote and majestic mountains.
Is the Choquequirao 4 Day Hike right for me?
AT A GLANCE
Day 1: Cusco – Capulilloc – Playa Rosalina camp
Day 2: Playa Rosalina – Marampata – Choquequirao camp
Day 3: Choquequirao site – Chikisqa – Cocamasana
Day 4: Cocamasana – Saywite Stone – Cusco
CACHORA TO CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK. Cusco to Cachora: From Cachora, we go down the road, through the village, the countryside, and the grasslands. We followed the path and crossed a footbridge over a large stream. From Capiliyoc with a pair of binoculars, it is possible to recognize the ruins of Choquequirao, carved into the wooded hills to the west. Beyond Capuliyoc, the trail begins to descend along the Apirimac River. From Capiliyoc, the Aprurimac River is visible. At 16 km is Chiquisca, a beautiful wooded area with running water. The hiking trail from Playa Rosalina climbs steeply for 4h50 on the other side to get to Marampata. At Santa Rosa, clean water is available. From Santa Rosa, continue the steep zigzag climb to the Marampata viewpoints. From there, the hiking trail widened to Choquequirao ruins.
Choquequirao Trek 4 Days Highlights
Why you will love this experience
- Explore the remote Choquequirao ruins on off-the-beaten-path 2023. Discover the second lost city of the Incas (Choquequirao ruins). We were trekking through the deepest canyon in Peru, the Apurimac.
- Enjoy spectacular views in one of the most isolated areas in Peru! See the grandeur of nature as you trek across the gorgeous landscape of Choquequirao in four days. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
- Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience – hike in Choquequirao with KONDOR PATH TOURS in the Choquequirao Trek 4 days tourist circuit! Learn where to go and how to prepare, plus expert tips.
Choquequirao Trek 4 Days Detailed Itinerary
Travel to Choquequirao and experience its rugged terrain, untouched nature, and vast panoramic views. Don’t miss this epic Choquequirao 4-day hike!
Choquequirao Trek 4 Days: DAY 1
Travel by car from Cusco to Cachora – Hike from Capuliyoc to Chiquisca
We travel for 04 1/2 hours from Cusco city to get to Capulilloc.
- At Capulilluc here, our muleteers are waiting for us.
- After meeting with them, we must pack the mountain equipment on mules and donkeys.
- As we pack, we can see the stunning close-up views of the Vilcabamba range.
A few minutes into the trek, we first glimpse Choquequirao park. The trail path has a zigzag system that drops steeply towards the Apurimac River. There are mosquitoes all year round; beware!
TREK:
- Pick up from your Hotel to start the trip: 05:30 am
- Vehicle travel route: Cusco to Capuliyoc via Curahuasi and Cachora
- Travel time: Approximately four and a half hours
- Hiking information
- Elevation at the start of the hike: Capulilloc 2,975 meters / 9,760 feet. The views of the snow-capped peaks of the Andes are incredible.
- Walking distance: 10 km/6.2 miles. “The walk zigzags downhill to the banks of the APURÍMAC river.”
- Walking time: Between 3 to 4 hours.
- Trek Difficulty: Challenging.
- Descent from the mountain in meters and feet: 1,075 meters / 3,526 feet.
- Type of walking circuit: Stony path, slippery, with some steps. IMPORTANT bring a pair of hiking poles.
- Meals: Lunch, Afternoon tea, and dinner
- Camping: Chiquisca or Playa Rosalina 1447 meters /4747 feet.
Choquequirao Trek 4 Days: DAY 2
Ascent hike from Playa Rosalinda to INC camp + Guided tour in Choquequirao
We will try to start early to avoid the heat of the sun. We pass over a suspension Santa Rosa footbridge (1,550 meters/5,100 feet.). The mules and donkeys use the same hanging bridge. After some zigzags on the trail, we reach a green valley and the Marampata settlement. The vistas will be incredible for the rest of the way. We explore and visit the most outstanding parts of CHOQUEQUIRAO PARK, Peru; our camp is near the INC camp near Choquequirao ruins.
HIKE:
- Activities begin at 4:30 am. The explorers start ascending the mountain in the shade to avoid the sweltering sun; temperatures in the Apurímac Canyon fluctuate between 25 to 39 degrees Celsius / 77 to 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit”.
- Lunch: Marampata 2890 meters / 9,481 feet.
- Camping: Close to the Choquequirao ruins (INC campsite).
- Walking distance: 11 km/6.82 miles.
- Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours.
- Difficulty: Challenging!
- Elevation difference 1,335 meters /4,379.91 feet. – Descent 235 meters/770.99 feet.
Guide service in Choquequirao
The Choquequirao guided tour service begins with the Marampata walk; once we arrive at the Choquequirao ruins, we visit the most outstanding parts of the Choquequiro park, such as the main square below and above, the liturgical water sources, the entrance gate main square of Choquequirao, the ceremonial plaza, the system of agricultural terraces, the royal houses of the Inca rulers of Choquequirao, the Temple of the Condor, the path or Trinphal Inca Trail named after Hiram Bingham, etc.
Choquequirao Trek 4 Days: DAY 3
Hike back, passing Marampata, Santa Rosa, until reaching Chiquisca or Cocamasana.
We return to the depths of the Apurímac Canyon, enjoying beautiful panoramic views of the cloud forest and panoramic views of the Apurímac canyon. From the camp of the National Institute of Culture of Choquequirao to the Marampata farmhouse, it takes an hour and a half to walk, and from Marampata to the banks of the Apurímac River, it takes about three and a half hours.
Once we arrive at Playa Rosalina, we begin the ascent of the mountain until we reach the Chiquisca camp; It takes 1 hour of walking, and if there is a little strength, we can continue to the Marampata camp “1 hour and a half more of walking”.
TREKKING BACK
- Start of the return walk: At 07:00
- Lunch: At Playa Rosalinda or Chiquisca.
- Maximum Altitude Point: None
- Hiking distance: 14 km/8.68 miles.
- Base camp: Chiquisca 1,880 metres/6,467 feet.
- Cocamasana 2,400 meters / 7,874 feet.
- Estimated walking time: Between 6 to 7 hours.
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Difficulty Slope: 900 metres/2,952.74 feet – Descent: 1,300 m/4,265 feet – Challenging.
Choquequirao Trek 4 Days: DAY 4
The last stretch of the trek, and before returning to Cusco, explore the Saywite monolith.
One enters the grasslands of the mountains through cacti and Andes trees, extending to the belvedere of Capulilloc. In Capulilloc, it’s time to say goodbye to our adventure crew.
Our private tourist vehicle awaits us in the surroundings of Capuliyoc to transfer us back to the city of Cusco.
Before returning to Cusco, we visit the spectacular Sayhuite model with a little effort; we can continue to explore the Sayhuite altars, the temple of the puma, and the sundial.
LAST HIKE
- We start the walk of the last section at 05:00
- Walking distance: 09 km/5.5 miles.
- Estimated walking time: 3 hours and a half.
- Lunch: Around the Capuliyoc viewpoint.
- Highest point: Capulilloc 2,975 meters / 9,760 feet.
- Difficulty: Challenging.
- Difficulty Slope: 572 meters / 1,876 feet – Descent: 325 meters / 1,066 feet. – Challenging and moderate
- On the way back to Cusco, explore the Saywite Monolith.
- In the afternoon, a private transfer service in van Kondor to Cusco.
Read all frequently asked questions of Choquequirao Trek 4 Days
Enjoy spectacular mountain scenery as you hike for four days in historic Choquequirao. Read our comprehensive KONDOR PATH TOURS guide for tips and advice on trekking this sacred site.
The lost citadel of Choquequirao does locate at 3,035 meters above sea level, and at the lowest point of the trek, you will be at 1,461 meters above sea level. The climate is similar to Cusco’s, so it is advisable to acclimatize to the altitude before the hike. Who should note that the road to Choquequirao is warm due to the Apurimac Canyon?
Of course, you can. That is why we offer you an exclusive tour package to visit the ruins of Choquequirao and the citadel of Machu Picchu.
We assure you that this trek will last six days of pure connection with all that the Andean landscape offers you from the heights, the ultimate adventure for those addicted to altitude with love for history. Join us for this excursion to the mountaintop of Choquequirao, free of tourist crowds, before continuing to Santa Teresa, the back door to Machu Picchu. With guided tours, you will appreciate the Inca Empire and feel like you are traveling back in time.
The construction project of a cable car that will connect Huañipaca with Marampata was not completed due to the frequent landslides, and this plan was lost little by little.
Having cable cars would benefit tourist activity. Still, we would also lose the hike, which is significant because the route is enjoyable and full of landscapes, flora, and fauna to discover.
- There is 43.8 km separating the archaeological site “Choquequirao” from the citadel of Machu Picchu.
- We also offer you an exclusive package for this trek: the “Choquequirao Trek 07 days”.
- This adventure is definitely for those who are addicted to heights. The route is one of the most complex in Peru; it is full of winding paths, unique panoramic views, deep valleys, a great variety of plants (orchids, small forests), animals in their habitat, etc.
- The Choquequirao to Machupicchu trek is unforgettable – KONDOR PATH TOURS is an agency specializing in this adventure.
Choquequirao is located in the Andes Mountains of Cusco, Peru, and belongs to the province of La Convención in the district of Santa Teresa.
Choquequirao is an Inca archaeological site with characteristics similar to Machu Picchu. Its name means ‘Cradle of Gold.’ Because it resembles the ‘Inca City,’ it is known as the ‘Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu.’
Choquequirao is in the Andes Mountains of Cusco, Peru. It belongs to the province of La Convención, in the district of Santa Teresa.
Choquequirao can get through Cusco or Abancay. The first destination is the town of Cachora and Capulilloc. From there, you ascend on foot to Choquequirao. The hike is for one day. The return is the same way.
Choquequirao is 3,033 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.).
Choquequirao houses Inca constructions as impressive as Machu Picchu, such as the Main Plaza, the Colcas, the Inca Cemetery, the Kallankas, the Ushnu, the Andenes, etc.
Choquequirao is still in the process of excavation. It estimates that only 30% of the original Inca precinct has did not restore to date.
According to research done at Choquequirao, it does estimate who built the Inca site around 1536.
Due to its similarity to Machu Picchu, it denotes believed that the Inca Pachacutec founded the site. His son Tupac Inca Yupanqui would be the one who ordered the construction of Choquequirao.
The Choquequirao archaeological site has a temperate climate. The hike to this place has warm weather due to the proximity of the so-called ‘Apurimac Canyon.’
Who can hike to Choquequirao on an organized tour or on your own? You need to walk from Cachora to the archaeological site in both cases.
Choquequirao tours are purchased online or at the Historic Center of Cusco. If you do the trip yourself, you must buy the entrance tickets when you arrive at Cachora or Capulilloc.
The prices of the tours to Choquequirao vary according to the tour agency and the number of people.
Prices vary from US$625 to US$303 per person.
The Choquequirao tour includes the following:
Camping equipment.
- 03-04- days of meals.
- A bus trip from Cusco to Cachora.
- Entrance tickets to Choquequirao.
- Tour guide service.
- Luggage carrying service on horseback.
- Trekking poles (sticks).
Choquequirao Trek 4 Days Cost
Discover the wild beauty of Choquequirao on an unforgettable 4-day hike with local guides who will take you to every corner of this incredible wonder.
PRICES PER PERSON [USD] 2023. We carry out this outdoor hiking circuit with camps through the third deepest canyon in Peru as a private service at unbeatable prices.
- 02 participants $740. “prices reduce if there are more people in your group.”
- 03 participants $535.
- 04 participants $425.
- 05 participants $390.
- 06 participants $360.
- 07 participants $330.
- 08 participants + $299
* Price based on 02 people sharing one tent.
HOW TO BOOK THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK 4 DAYS
Choquequirao 4 Day Hike – Take a break from your daily routine with an exciting 4-day trek in the magical Andes mountains of Choquequirao! Explore with KONDOR PATH TOURS to make it a trip of a lifetime.
1st. STEP
