The Choquequirao trek is widely considered one of the most scenic and rewarding routes in the Cusco region. Known as the “Cradle of Gold,” Choquequirao is a remote and mysterious sister city to Machu Picchu. It remains largely covered by cloud forest and jungle, with only one-third of the site excavated to date. It is estimated to be three times larger than Machu Picchu, yet it receives a mere fraction of the visitors, offering you a rare, intimate connection with history.
This is a rugged, high-stakes adventure into the depths of the Apurimac Canyon. You will cross roaring rivers, navigate mountain switchbacks, and climb to the cloud-drenched summit where the Inca elite once retreated. This trek is designed for the adventurous spirit who craves solitude, pristine landscapes, and the raw beauty of a site that truly feels lost in time.
We are the specialists for this route. We are the only company that takes you to the soothing hot springs of Conoc after the trek and ensures a comprehensive exploration of the unique Inca ruins of Saywite.
5571 m.s.n.m
Up to 8
Group or private
Trekking
Formidable
5 days / 4 nights
Your day starts with a 5:30 AM pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We travel by private transport for 4 hours to the trailhead at Capuliyoc. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of rural villages, dramatic valleys, and snow-capped peaks. After meeting our team and loading the horses, we begin our descent with a view of the Choquequirao ruins in the distance. We hike for 3 hours to Chikisca for a delicious lunch, then continue for 2 hours to our first camp at Playa Rosalinas.
After a hearty breakfast, we cross the river bridge and begin the steep ascent. We hike for 4 hours to Maranpata, where we stop for a refueling lunch while enjoying the first clear views of the Choquequirao ruins. We hike for another 20 minutes to our second campsite, located just outside the archaeological site. Being this close allows us the unique opportunity to explore the ruins in the quiet of the late afternoon and watch for condors circling in the skies above.
We dedicate the entire day to the mystical archaeological site of Choquequirao. Your guide will provide a comprehensive private tour of the temples, terraces, palaces, and the famous stone llama sections. We spend the day discovering the history of this “Lost City,” perched 1,750 meters above the glacier-fed Apurimac River and surrounded by the towering Salkantay and Humantay mountains. Excavations began in the 1990s, and every day archaeologists uncover something new.
Today is a more relaxed pace. We hike downhill for 2 hours to the magnificent Apurimac River (1,450 m), cross the bridge, and hike uphill for 1 hour to San Ignacio for lunch. Relax and take in the beautiful scenery and the nearby waterfall. After lunch, we continue with a gradual incline to the beautiful valley surrounding the Villa de Loros mountain peak (2,600 m), where we set up camp for our final evening.
Today is focused on Inca culture and relaxation. After breakfast, we take private transport to the Inca site of Saywite to explore the mysterious monolith, water fountains, and platforms. Afterward, we drive to the thermal hot springs at Conoc—the perfect way to soothe your muscles after the trek. We return to your hotel in Cusco in the early evening.
Our trekking days flow through natural phases, designed to keep you energized and safe while maximizing your time in the mountains:
The Choquequirao Trek (5 Days) is available on any date that suits your schedule, provided we have a minimum of 2 hikers.
#This price includes a personal porter who will carry your belongings (up to 7 kg / 15 lbs), ensuring you have a more comfortable trek. We provide a professional-grade duffle bag for your items.
We believe in providing an all-inclusive, worry-free experience. The following items and services are included in your trek price at no extra cost:
Start by clicking “BOOK NOW” on our homepage. We require a deposit of US$200.00 per person to purchase your permits. When booking, please have the following information for each participant ready: Full name (exactly as it appears on your passport), Gender, Passport number, Date of Birth, and Nationality.
We appreciate it if you can pay your balance in cash (US dollars or Peruvian Soles) at our office here in Cusco; there are many cash machines in the historical center. Alternatively, you can pay via VISA or PayPal online, but please note there is a 5.5% service charge. To pay via PayPal, please log into your account using our email address: info@incatrailhikeperu.com.
Generally, no. Once tickets are purchased, government rules do not allow changes. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. If you cancel, the deposit is non-refundable. For alternative treks, we may be able to change dates for a fee depending on what has already been purchased. Contact our office as soon as possible if you face issues.
Yes. You must bring the exact same passport you used to book your trek. Rangers will check this at the entrance to Choquequirao. If you renew your passport, we can update your details for a $25 fee per person (we need copies of both the old and new passports). If you do not wish to pay the fee, you must carry both your old and new passports to enter. If you do not have both, you will not be allowed to enter the site.
You will meet your guide the evening before your trek departs at 6:00 PM. The briefing is held at our office: Garcilaso Street 210, Office Nº 213 (2nd Floor), inside “La Casa del Abuelo.”
Of course. During the Choquequirao Trek, your main luggage can be stored at our office or your hotel, both free of charge.
Absolutely. Included in the package, on the final day, we will drop you off at your hotel in Cusco. If you have booked accommodation in the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo or Urubamba), we will drop you there as well.
The maximum group size is 8 people. Usually, our groups are between 2–6 people. We specialize in small, private groups to provide a personalized service.
You will have 1 cook per group. The number of porters scales with the group size.
The evening before departure, you will receive a small duffel bag (7kg/15lb allowance). Porters carry this bag plus food and camping gear. You will not have access to this until the end of each day. You must carry a daypack (30–50 liters) for essentials like a warm jacket, rain gear, camera, sunscreen, snacks, and water.
Yes. We provide private, sanitary facilities. Unlike government-run facilities, we set up an individual tent with a “camping toilet with a seat” at a comfortable distance from the campsite. It is kept clean and is readily accessible at night.
Train departure depends on availability. We aim to maximize your time, so we typically book the train for 4:22 PM to allow you to enjoy the views on the way back to Cusco.
Yes, it is considered difficult. You need to be in good physical condition and well-acclimated to the altitude. If you do not exercise regularly, we advise you to do extra walking, hiking, or aerobic activity in the months leading up to your trip.
We will assist you to the nearest town for transportation. We always carry oxygen for respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pickup can be arranged at your own expense (travel insurance is required). There are no refunds if you are unable to finish.
If you exercise regularly and spend 2–3 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley acclimatizing, you should be fine. The recommended “medicine” is water, coca tea, and oxygen (which we carry). Our guides are trained to treat altitude sickness. We also offer day tours of Cusco and the Sacred Valley to help you acclimatize.
The weather is unpredictable and difficult to forecast. You will pass through numerous microclimates, so temperatures will vary significantly depending on your location. We highly recommend bringing warm clothes and good rain gear in your daypack.
Tipping is not compulsory, but it is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry and is of great significance to the team taking care of you. If you are happy with the excellent service provided, it is appreciated and inspires our staff. You are free to tip what your budget allows based on your perception of the service quality.
Yes. We are a local, sustainable, and responsible operator. We incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protecting the environment and benefiting local communities by respecting their culture and religion. Our local staff are trained to know, understand, and respect the places we visit and the people who live there.
To ensure you are fully prepared for the variable mountain conditions and the demands of the Apurimac Canyon, please use this checklist to prepare for your journey.
(Rental items available upon request: Sleeping bag, Air mattress, Trekking poles)
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