Choquequirao Trek 5 Days / 4 Nights

The Choquequirao, known as the other Machu Picchu, the “lost city” (meaning “cradle of gold”) was discovered in the 18th century by a French explorer. It was also visited by Hiram Bingham prior to his discovery of Machu Picchu.

Grandiose and mysterious, this abandoned city has many parallels with Machu Picchu, with temples and agricultural terraces built on steep mountainsides similar to those of Huayna Picchu. A whole city built over 4,000 feet above the Apurímac River, high in the mountains yet embraced by the jungle.

Apart from the Choquequirao ruins, the trek offers spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, deep canyons, encounters with native families along the way, abundant wildlife, and magnificent Andean Condors—the largest flying birds. It is a perfect adventure for those seeking less crowded treks and unforgettable life experiences.

Highlights

• Trek with our professionally trained local guides who love hiking and the mountains.
• Enjoy our premier camping equipment every night.
• Savor authentic Peruvian cuisine prepared by our chefs in the mountains. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, kosher, or have any special requests, they craft meals from scratch to delight you.
• Be awakened by our chef with a cup of coffee in your tent.
• Explore Machu Picchu’s sister ancient site of Choquequirao extensively.

• Type of tour: Historical, guided trip, train ride, trekking, camping
• Distance covered: 51.3 km (31.6 miles)
• Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
• Lowest elevation: 1,475m (4,839 feet)
• Highest elevation: 3,100m (10,170 feet)
• Level of difficulty (1 to 10): 7 (10 being impossible)

Group size: Our hiking groups are very important to guarantee the quality of our service by providing personalized attention. That is why we operate with an average of 2 to 7 hikers.

Imagine hiking silently along an isolated trail, carefully not disturbing the shy wildlife, with a huge group of travelers. Or trekking in a remote area to explore pristine wilderness alongside dozens of tourists. We believe that meaningful nature encounters are best experienced in small groups, which also makes the trip flexible.

Accommodation: This trek includes 4 nights in tents. We use 3-season roomy tents for 2 people. If you are a solo traveler, let us know so we can pair you with another traveler or provide you with a private tent upon request.

Our guides: Peru Trails is a dream realized in 2015 by Jose Condor, who has guided treks since 2014 and has visited Machu Picchu over 1,000 times. Starting as a porter on the Inca Trail and later earning a tourism degree, Jose and our team of top guides—both men and women—are professionals who receive yearly refresher training in Wilderness First Responder techniques. They are fully equipped to assist with any needs during your adventure. We invest in our guides because we believe they are the main ingredient of an unforgettable trip.

Location: This trip starts in Cusco city or the Sacred Valley upon your request. You will need to fly to Lima, the capital of Peru, and then to Velasco Astete or Cusco airport, a small domestic facility.

Departures: This hike is operated 100% by Peru Trails. When you book your hike or choose any tour package, you travel with us. We do not rearrange tours and depart every day, year-round. Our groups average 2 to 5 people, which allows us to provide personalized service.

Bookings are accepted year-round and this hike does not need to be reserved far in advance. Whenever you’re ready, contact us for any questions at our 24/7 WhatsApp number +51 987467790 or email us at info@perutrails.com.

Day 0: Briefing

At Peru Trails, we believe it’s essential that all guests receive the final details about the Choquequirao trek (the itinerary, challenges, what to bring, etc.) before embarking on this lifetime adventure. At a pre-arranged time, your guide will provide a comprehensive pre-trek briefing at your Cusco hotel the day before the trek begins.

Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoc – Chiquisca – Playa Rosalina

We will pick you up at 5:30 am for a 4-hour drive in our private transport to Capuliyoc (2,915m / 9,563 ft), with a breakfast stop in the town of Curawasi. The journey is scenic, offering spectacular views, herds of cows, sheep, and picturesque mountain villages.

Upon arrival at Capuliyoc, we meet our horsemen and horses and load all equipment onto the horses, including food, tents, and other gear.

We then begin our trek, ascending and descending through varied terrain to the Capuliyoc viewpoint. From here, enjoy breathtaking views of the deep Apurímac canyon, snow-capped mountains, and the majestic Choquequirao high in the mountains.

After reaching Chiquisca, we stop for a nutritious organic lunch while taking in the views of the Apurímac Canyon and mountains such as Padreyoc. After lunch, we descend for two hours to our first campsite at La Playa Rosalina, at the base of the canyon where we will spend the night.

• Lowest Elevation: 1,475m / 4,839 ft
• Highest Elevation: 2,915m / 9,563 ft
• Distance to walk: 10.3 km / 6.4 miles
• Approximate walking time: 6 hours
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2: Playa Rosalina – Choquequirao Campsite

We will rise by 5 am and enjoy an early breakfast. Ascending 1,400m / 4,600 ft, we reach the small town of Maranpata for a delicious lunch. After the meal and a brief rest, we continue towards the Choquequirao campsite near the ruins. This 2-hour hike is easier than the morning trek.

Upon arrival at camp, tents will be promptly set up to help you cool off after the uphill climb. If desired, you can freshen up with a cold shower or simply relax and watch the sunset.

• Lowest Elevation: 1,475m / 4,839 ft
• Highest Elevation: 2,817m / 9,242 ft
• Distance to walk: 10 km / 6.2 miles
• Approximate walking time: 6 hours
• Level of Difficulty: Demanding

Day 3: Choquequirao – Ruins Exploring

This day is dedicated to exploring the ruins of Choquequirao. After a nutritious breakfast, we will trek up to the main area to visit the central plaza, ceremonial platform, storehouses, and more.

You will also visit the “Llamas and Snakes” section. Don’t worry about the snakes—the Incas carved agricultural terraces decorated with motifs of llamas and snakes in stone. We then descend for lunch and a well-deserved rest.

After lunch, we head to the terraces area known as Pacchayoc, which boasts numerous agricultural terraces on steep slopes that seem to hang off the mountain. We return to camp by 4 pm for tea before dinner.

• Highest Elevation: 3,010m / 9,875 ft
• Distance to walk: 7.3 km / 4.5 miles
• Approximate walking time: 6 hours with breaks
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Choquequirao – Playa Rosalina – Chiquisca

Today is a long day as we descend to the Apurímac River. We will drop about 2,000 feet to the river, where we stop for lunch and a well-timed rest.

The trek offers spectacular views, especially at our camp overlooking the canyon, with sunsets that are truly memorable.

As night falls, enjoy a final dinner prepared by our cooks.

• Lowest Elevation: 1,475m / 4,839 ft
• Highest Elevation: 3,010m / 9,875 ft
• Distance to walk: 12 km / 7.4 miles
• Approximate walking time: 8 to 9 hours
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate to demanding

Day 5: Chiquisca – Trail Head – Cusco

On the final day, we climb back to the start of the trail at Papuliyoc. This ascent takes about 3 hours, accompanied by fantastic views, with lunch prepared and waiting by our cooks.

This is our last farewell to our horse riders, a perfect moment to thank our incredible crew who made this trek possible. Afterwards, enjoy a scenic ride back to Cusco.

• Lowest Elevation: 1,475m / 4,839 ft
• Highest Elevation: 3,010m / 9,875 ft
• Distance to walk: 12 km / 7.4 miles
• Approximate walking time: 8 to 9 hours
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate to demanding

Why Peru Trails

• Peru Trails offers tailor-made treks and tours that cater to your interests.
• We are committed to delivering world-class tours with exceptional customer service.
• We are a locally owned and highly experienced travel company based in Cusco, Peru.
• Our team has decades of first-hand experience in the Peruvian tourism sector.
• All staff at Peru Trails speak English, Spanish, and Quechua.
• Our guides and staff are professionally trained in Inca history, Peruvian culture and traditions, wilderness first aid, trekking and tour guiding, local fauna and flora, and tourism management.
• We are committed to protecting our environment.
• We work to create jobs and empower local communities through fair labor practices and respectful treatment of all our employees.
• We support local communities with programs such as tree planting and providing school supplies for underprivileged families.
• We honor the native communities that have cared for the lands you visit.
• We have established an Education Fund to support the schooling of porters’ children, allocating a percentage of every tour’s income to those in need.
• Our trips are carefully designed to meet your needs with diverse, unique itineraries ranging from 1 to 15 days.
• Peru Trails organizes worry-free trips so you can fully enjoy your adventure.

Peru Small Group Specialists

Our tours are designed for adventurers who love exploring new places, experiencing local culture, savoring good food, enjoying history or photography, and are suitable for all ages—whether traveling alone, with friends, as a couple, or with family.

We keep our groups small, averaging 4 to 8 people. Small groups allow us the flexibility to take you on adventures to off-the-beaten-path locations, ensuring a personalized experience.