Choquequirao Trek 4 Days by Lodge + Sayhuite
Proper beds each night on the way to Choquequirao, plus a stop at the Sayhuite Monolith.
The Choquequirao Trek 4 Days by Lodge is the ONE tour that solves this — the ONLY Kondor Path combo delivering a FULL DAY Choquequirao guided tour on Day 3 + Sayhuite Monolith bonus on Day 1 WITHOUT Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain bundles.
Five reasons discerning Choquequirao enthusiasts choose this specific 4-day trek:
1. FULL DAY Choquequirao Day 3 — CHEAPEST option in catalog. No other Choquequirao-only combo offers 4-5 hours archaeological immersion at this price. $348 vs $875 for 8-Day DEEPEST = $527 savings for those wanting Choquequirao FULL DAY without MP/Rainbow additions.
2. Sayhuite Monolith bonus Day 1 — UNIQUE in cluster. No other Kondor Path Choquequirao combo includes Sayhuite Monolith (pre-Inca ceremonial site with sacred stone carvings representing Inca cosmology). 30-minute guided visit en route Cusco → Capuliyoc adds historical depth to the adventure.
3. Balanced 4-day pace — comfortable + immersive. Unlike the fast-paced 3-Day PURIST (rushed, 6-8h daily) or extended 6-9 Day combos (excessive for Choquequirao-only interest), this 4-day format delivers balanced comfortable pace — Day 3 completely dedicated to Choquequirao exploration from Marampata base.
4. 3 LODGE nights with hot showers + soap + towels. Unlike traditional camping Choquequirao treks, this combo delivers 3 basic lodge nights included (Chiquisca Day 1 + Marampata Day 2 + Marampata Day 3) — private beds + pillows + hot or lukewarm showers with clean towels + soap at all lodges. Adventure with essential comfort.
5. Optional Llamas sector OR Choquequirao waterfalls extension Day 3. Weather permitting, extend your Choquequirao exploration with either the famous white-stone llama terraces (Choquequirao’s iconic UNIQUE feature) or the Choquequirao waterfalls (a natural extension) — flexibility not available in the shorter 3-Day option.
| ⏱️ Duration | 4 days / 3 nights |
| 🎯 Category | COMFORTABLE + FULL DAY + SAYHUITE + LODGE |
| 📅 Day 1 | Cusco → Sayhuite → Capuliyoc → Chiquisca Lodge |
| 📅 Day 2 | Chiquisca → Playa Rosalina → Marampata Lodge |
| 📅 Day 3 ⭐ | FULL DAY Choquequirao guided tour (4-5h) |
| 📅 Day 4 | Marampata → Chiquisca → Capuliyoc → Cusco |
| 🕐 Day 1 pickup | 05:00 AM Cusco hotel |
| 🕐 Day 2 start | 05:30 AM Chiquisca |
| 🕐 Day 3 start | 08:30 AM Marampata |
| 🕐 Day 4 start | 04:30 AM Marampata |
| 📍 Pickup location | Cusco hotels ONLY (NOT airport) |
| 🏛️ Sayhuite Monolith Day 1 | 30-min guided visit ⭐ |
| 🏛️ Choquequirao Day 3 | FULL DAY 4-5h guided tour |
| 🏛️ Optional extensions Day 3 | Llamas sector OR Choquequirao waterfalls |
| ⛰️ Max altitude | Choquequirao 3,064m Day 3 |
| ⛰️ Lowest elevation | Playa Rosalina 1,500m |
| 🌊 Apurímac crossings | 2 (Days 2 + 4 — Playa Rosalina bridge) |
| 🥾 Total distance | ~39 km |
| 🎫 Sayhuite entrance | INCLUDED |
| 🎫 Choquequirao entrance | INCLUDED (60 soles) |
| 🏠 Lodges included | 3 nights (Chiquisca + Marampata × 2) |
| 🚿 Hot showers + towels + soap | All lodges |
| 🍽️ Meals included | 10 (3B + 2L + 3D + 2BL) |
| 🎯 Format | PRIVATE TOUR |
| 👥 Group size | 1-10 travelers (+10 contact) |
| 🎓 Minimum age | 14 years with a guardian |
| 📅 Operating | March 1 to January 31 — Daily |
| 🚫 CLOSED | February |
| 💪 Difficulty | Demanding (experienced hikers) |
| 💲 From | $348 USD per person (group of 10) |
Here’s what makes the Choquequirao Trek 4 Days by Lodge + Sayhuite worth 4 days. – SAYHUITE Monolith Day 1 ⭐ UNIQUE catalog. – FULL DAY Choquequirao Day 3 (4- 5 h guided tour). – CHEAPEST FULL DAY Choquequirao combo — $348. – Balanced 4-day pace — comfortable, not rushed. This is the heart of the Choquequirao Trek 4 Days by Lodge + Sayhuite experience.
The Choquequirao Trek 4 Days by Lodge is the CHEAPEST FULL DAY Choquequirao option in the Kondor Path catalog — the ONLY combo delivering a FULL DAY Choquequirao guided tour on Day 3 + the Sayhuite Monolith bonus on Day 1 WITHOUT Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain bundles.
This IS the tour for:
Choquequirao (“Cradle of Gold” in Quechua) is one of Peru’s most spectacular archaeological sites:
Why FULL DAY vs 2-hour rushed visits:
Sayhuite Monolith — pre-Inca ceremonial site en route Cusco → Capuliyoc:
This lodge-based version of the 4-day Choquequirao trek swaps tent camping for proper beds each night, while still covering the same iconic route — the Sayhuite Monolith, the descent into the Apurímac Canyon, and a full day dedicated entirely to exploring the Choquequirao ruins from a base camp at Marampata.
As with the camping version, Choquequirao’s ruins at 3,064 m represent the trek’s highest point, with the canyon’s dramatic elevation changes posing the real physical test rather than thin air at altitude. Having a full, dedicated day at Marampata for the ruins tour — rather than combining arrival and exploration into a single day — gives trekkers a genuine rest day at that elevation before the return descent and climb back to Capuliyoc.
BRIEFING: 6:30 PM at hotel reception the day before departure.
Your Kondor Path driver meets you in the lobby at 05:00 AM.
Pure 4-day lodge framing: this is the only Choquequirao tour in our catalog with Sayhuite Monolith built into the Day 1 itinerary. Sayhuite is a pre-Inca archaeological site (Wari or early Inca, depending on current research) that sits on the Cusco-to-Choquequirao highway and is almost always skipped by faster tours. This tour makes Sayhuite part of your archaeological experience, not a drive-by stop.
What goes with you:
Important — You carry your own gear on this 4-day lodge expedition. Cargo horses are NOT included. If you want cargo-horse assistance, it’s available as an optional extra you book in advance:
Why no cargo horse included: the 4-day lodge version is designed as a self-sufficient trekking expedition. Lodge-based accommodation reduces camping gear needs, so most trekkers manage with a well-packed backpack. If you’d rather not carry your own weight, request a cargo horse at booking.
Drive west from Cusco through the Andean highlands toward Sayhuite.
Your guide uses this time for the dual archaeological briefing:
The Sayhuite Monolith.
A single carved stone block approximately 2.5 meters wide containing more than 200 carved figures — platforms, terraces, water channels, animals, humans. Archaeological theory suggests it may be:
Guide archaeological insight: Sayhuite is older than Choquequirao. If current dating holds, this monolith was already ancient when Pachacuti commissioned Choquequirao’s construction around 1450. You’re seeing the archaeological context that Choquequirao’s builders worked within.
Continue driving west toward Capuliyoc at 2,956m. Breakfast stop en route (not included).
First serious view of the Apurímac Canyon.
The canyon drops 1,058m below your viewpoint to Chiquisca.
What you see:
If you pre-booked the optional cargo horse ($140-150): this is where you hand your 8-kg bag over to the muleteer. If you didn’t book one, you continue carrying your own gear.
8 kilometers of descent to Chiquisca at 1,898m.
Pure 4-day lodge pacing framing: faster tours (the 3-day Classic) push to Santa Rosa Alta at 2,204m on Day 1 — a longer, harder day. This 4-day lodge version stops at Chiquisca at the canyon’s lower edge, giving your body a shorter Day 1 to protect you for the Day 2 Marampata ascent and Day 3 full-day exploration.
Trail progression:
Important: hiking poles mandatory for this descent. We provide them.
Simple family-run lodge in the lower canyon.
Pure 4-day Chiquisca framing: most Choquequirao tours skip Chiquisca lodge entirely (passing through on their way to Santa Rosa Alta). The 4-day lodge version uses Chiquisca specifically because the lower-altitude night helps your body prepare for tomorrow’s major climb to Marampata.
| 🎯 Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| 🥾 Trekking time | ~3.5 hours |
| 🚐 Vehicle time | ~5 hours |
| 📏 Distance | 8 km |
| ⬇️ Elevation loss | -1,058 m |
| 🏔️ Max altitude | 2,956m (Capuliyoc) |
| 🗿 Archaeological bonus | Sayhuite Monolith (30-min guided) |
| 🏨 Lodge | Chiquisca Lodge |
| 🍽️ Meals | Box lunch + Dinner |
1BL, 1D
Intense
10km (6.2 miles)
3-4 Hrs.
Capuliyoc: 2,956m (9,698 ft)
Chiquisca: 1,898m (6,227 ft)
Early start. Headlamps for the first hour.
Final hour of descent to the Apurímac River.
Short descent compared to the 3-day Classic version (which descended all the way from Capuliyoc on Day 1).
The historical Inca Empire western boundary.
Pure 4-day lodge framing: the bridge crossing happens at dawn in this itinerary, giving you a different experience than the 3-day Classic (afternoon crossing) or 8-day Deepest (mid-day crossing). Dawn light on the brown Apurímac is worth waking up for.
The major climb of the expedition. Gain 1,350m through subtropical cloud forest.
This is a different ecosystem than most Peru treks pass through — subtropical mountain cloud forest, a biome unique to specific Andean canyon systems.
Ecosystem progression:
Lower zone (1,500-2,000m):
Middle zone (2,000-2,500m):
Upper zone (2,500-2,850m):
Important: this is the longest trekking segment of the expedition. Your guide monitors pace, hydration, and signs of fatigue. If you need to rest more frequently, say so. The 4-day pacing accommodates this.
Lunch served at Marampata Lodge upon arrival (included).
You’ve completed the major climb. Tomorrow is the citadel day.
Afternoon free time (13:30-19:00):
Important: go to bed by 20:30. Tomorrow begins at 07:30.
| 🎯 Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| 🥾 Trekking time | ~6-7 hours |
| 📏 Distance | 8 km |
| ⬇️ Elevation loss | -398m (morning descent) |
| ⬆️ Elevation gain | +1,350m (afternoon ascent) |
| 🏔️ Max altitude | 2,850m (Marampata) |
| 🏨 Lodge | Marampata Lodge |
| 🍽️ Meals | Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner |
1B, 1L, 1D.
Challenging
08 km (4.9 miles)
6-7 Hrs.
Capuliyoc: 2,956m (9,698 ft)
Playa Rosalina: 1,500m (4,921 ft)
Marampata 2,850m (9,350 ft)
Full breakfast at Marampata Lodge. Prepare your box lunch for the on-site picnic.
Final kilometer and a half of climbing to the citadel.
The approach trail wraps around the mountainside, giving you progressively larger views of the archaeological complex as you ascend.
Pure 4-day lodge full-day framing: the 3-day Classic gives you 2 hours at the site. This 4-day version gives you a full 4-5 hours of guided exploration. If you want deeper archaeological immersion (6-7 hours covering all 9 sectors with a specialist guide), that’s our 8-Day Deepest expedition. This 4-day version is the balanced middle option — significantly more time than the 3-day Classic, in a more accessible 4-day format.
Sectors covered in your 4-5 hour tour:
Box lunch at a canyon-view spot within the archaeological zone (included). 45-minute rest and discussion.
Choose ONE of these two optional extensions:
Option A — Llamas Sector (~1 hour):
Option B — Choquequirao Waterfalls (~1 hour):
Guide decision factor: your guide recommends based on group energy and weather. Both are rewarding; neither is strictly better.
Walk back down to Marampata lodge.
Important: tomorrow begins at 04:30 AM. The ascent back to Capuliyoc is the expedition’s hardest climb. Pack daypack tonight.
| 🎯 Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Site exploration | 4-5 hours guided |
| 🥾 Approach + return | ~3-4 hours |
| 📏 Distance | 7 km |
| 🏔️ Max altitude | 3,064 m (Choquequirao) |
| 🏨 Lodge | Marampata (second night) |
| 🍽️ Meals | Breakfast + Box lunch + Dinner |
1B, 1L, 1D.
Moderate
7km (4.3 miles)
3 Hrs.
Marampata: 2,910m (9,547 ft)
Marampata: 2,910m (9,547 ft)
Choquequirao Ruin: 3,064m (10,052 ft)
The return day. 1,587m of total elevation gain back to Capuliyoc.
Your guide wakes the group at 04:00 for a quick coffee and bread. By 04:30 AM, you’re walking in pre-dawn darkness.
Descend for three hours back to the Apurímac River.
Cross the bridge. Climb 400m to Chiquisca.
Welcome breakfast at Chiquisca lodge.
Full cooked breakfast — eggs, bread, local fruit, coffee or coca tea.
Important: this 1.5-hour rest is strategic. The next 3.5 hours are the hardest climbing of the expedition. Rest here properly.
The final climb. 1,058m of elevation gain.
Your guide manages pace carefully. Rest breaks every 30-45 minutes.
Trail features:
Box lunch at Capuliyoc (included). Short rest.
Private vehicle return through Abancay.
Four days complete. Choquequirao + Sayhuite Monolith + full-day guided exploration — all lodge-based, no camping.
| 🎯 Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| 🥾 Trekking time | ~7-8 hours |
| 📏 Distance | 16 km |
| ⬆️ Total elevation gain | +1,587m |
| 🏔️ Max altitude | 2,956m (Capuliyoc) |
| 🚐 Vehicle time | ~5 hours |
| 🍽️ Meals | Breakfast + Box lunch |
Choose this 4-day Lodge + Sayhuite if:
1B, 1BL.
Challenging
16km (9.9 miles)
7-8 Hrs.
Marampata: 2,910m (9,547 ft)
Playa Rosalina: 1,500m (4,921 ft)
Capuliyoc: 2,956m (9,698 ft)
Transport
Accommodation (3 nights included)
Guides
Entrance Fees — All Included
Meals — 10 Included
Vegetarian + vegan options available (48h advance notice).
Safety
Other
Meals NOT included:
Other:
Cargo horse + muleteer (+$140-150 for 4 days):
WIFI at lodges (~S/10/hour):
Single room supplement:
Sleeping bag rental (Cusco): ~$5-10/day
Essentials:
⚠️ Non-recyclable plastics FORBIDDEN in Choquequirao archaeological area.
Choquequirao 4-Day is DEMANDING — experienced hikers only:
Physical preparation (2-3 months before):
Altitude preparation:
Day 4 endurance warning:
Note: page states Choquequirao has “higher demand than the Inca Trail or Salkantay”. Prepare accordingly.
Not suitable for: sedentary travelers, beginners, mobility-limited travelers, altitude-sensitive travelers, family with children under 14.
Two UNIQUE features in the Kondor Path catalog:
🏛️ FULL DAY Choquequirao Day 3 — 4- 5-hour guided tour (vs 2h in 3-Day PURIST)
Cluster comparison:
Lodge](https://www.kondorpathtours.com/choquequirao-trek/choquequirao-trek-by-lodge-6-days/) ($779): adds MP + Oroya
Choose this 4-Day if: want FULL DAY Choquequirao + Sayhuite + comfortable pace WITHOUT MP/Rainbow. Choose 6-9 Day combos if: want MP + Rainbow + more comprehensive experience.
Total: ~39 km / 4 days:
Note: distances can extend on Day 3 if visiting optional Llamas sector or Choquequirao waterfalls.
Sayhuite — pre-Inca ceremonial site en route Cusco → Capuliyoc:
cluster** — only 4-Day includes this bonus
Provides pre-Inca to Inca archaeological context before Choquequirao.
Physical demand extreme:
Alternative for younger travelers:
3 nights included:
Both lodges:
4-5 hours guided exploration from Marampata base:
Main sectors explored:
Optional Day 3 extensions (weather + energy permitting):
Advantage vs 3-Day 2-hour rushed visit:
Choquequirao entrance fee:
ALL included in tour price — no additional payment needed.
Sayhuite Monolith entrance: also included.
Low-moderate risk on this tour:
Recommendations:
Note: Choquequirao has warm-temperate climate + moderate altitude = altitude sickness (“Soroche”) unlikely.
If symptoms appear, coca leaf tea helps.
Yes — optional (extra cost):
Recommendation: cargo horse strongly recommended if carrying heavy equipment.
Perfect fit for this 4-Day tour! — you’ll appreciate:
visitors vs MP’s 4,500)
No — 05:00 AM Day 1 pickup requires Cusco hotel base + acclimatization time.
Recommended: fly to Cusco 2-3 days before tour for altitude acclimatization + rest.
Temperate-warm climate (Apurímac Canyon):
Clothing strategy:
Travel insurance STRONGLY recommended through World Nomads.
Yes — PRIVATE tour format:
Advanced customizations: contact at booking.
No — March-January daily, CLOSED February.
The driest, most reliable window is May through September. April and October-November bring fewer crowds but a slightly higher chance of rain. March, December, and January carry the highest rain risk, which directly affects trail conditions on this route.
February remains closed, matching the policy across Kondor Path’s entire Choquequirao cluster for trail safety.
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 1 | $ 1 420.00 USD | |
| 2 | $ 839.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 640.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 535.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 475.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 433.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 402.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 379.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 362.00 USD | |
| 10 | $ 348.00 USD |
