- Itinerary
4-Day Choquequirao Trek Itinerary from Cusco
Day 1 - Cusco to Capuliyoc - Chiquisca - Santa Rosa Camp
Highlight of the Day: Trek through some of the most beautiful Andean landscapes in the world.
Your epic adventure begins early at 4:30 a.m. when our private transport picks you up from your hotel in Cusco. Enjoy a scenic 5-hour drive with breathtaking views of the Salkantay and Humantay snow-capped mountains.
Upon arrival in Capuliyoc, savor a delicious breakfast and meet your trekking team — including your expert guide, cook, and horsemen. They will carry your gear and prepare fresh meals throughout the journey.
The hike starts with a 3-hour descent through the vast Apurímac Valley. Along the way, you’ll admire towering peaks such as Padreyoc and Qoriwayrachina. Lunch is served at Chiquisca, where you can recharge before continuing.
After lunch, descend another 1 hour and 15 minutes to the powerful Apurímac River (known as the “Speaking God” in Quechua), famous for its Class V rapids. The final 2-hour descent brings you to Santa Rosa Camp (1,970 m / 6,463 ft).
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Walking Distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
- Walking Time: 6–7 hours
- Highest Elevation: 2,890 m / 9,482 ft
Day 2 - Santa Rosa to Marampata - Choquequirao Archaeological Complex
Highlight of the Day: First breathtaking views of the epic Choquequirao ruins.
Start your day with a hearty breakfast and depart around 5:30 a.m. for a steep 3-hour zigzag ascent to Marampata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft). The panoramic views of the canyon and snow-capped mountains are absolutely stunning.
From Marampata, continue for another 1.5 hours to reach the Choquequirao Archaeological Complex at 3,050 m (10,007 ft). This massive Inca site is three times larger than Machu Picchu, though only about 40% has been uncovered so far.
Spend the day exploring plazas, temples, impressive agricultural terraces, and the famous white stone llamas that guard the mountain known as Apu Qoriwayrachina. Your knowledgeable guide will share fascinating history and stories about this “Cradle of Gold.”
Enjoy lunch with incredible views of the ruins, then return to Marampata camp for dinner under a sky filled with stars.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Walking Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
- Walking Time: Approximately 6 hours
- Highest Elevation: 3,050 m / 10,007 ft
Day 3 - Marampata to Santa Rosa - Playa Rosalinas - Chiquisca
Highlight of the Day: Discover the ancestral secrets of Cambray – the “liquid diamond of the Andes.”
After breakfast, begin your return journey along the same scenic trail. Stop at Santa Rosa (1,970 m) to visit a local family’s sugarcane hacienda and learn how they produce Cambray, a traditional Andean liquor.
Continue descending to Playa Rosalinas (1,500 m / 4,921 ft), where you can refresh your feet in the cold waters of the Apurímac River. After lunch and a short rest, start the ascent (about 1 hour 15 minutes) to Chiquisca (1,900 m / 6,234 ft).
Relax at camp, enjoy a tasty dinner, and share stories with your trekking companions about the wonders you’ve seen.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Walking Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
- Walking Time: Approximately 7 hours
Day 4 – Chiquisca to Capuliyoc - Saywite Monolith - Conoc Hot Springs - Cusco
Highlight of the Day: End your challenging trek with a relaxing soak in natural hot springs.
Enjoy your final breakfast while listening to the roaring Apurímac River. Start early to avoid the midday heat and complete the last ascent back to Capuliyoc.
Say farewell to your dedicated trekking team, then board our private vehicle. Next, visit the mysterious Saywite Monolith, a massive carved stone of great religious importance to the Incas, closely linked to water.
Continue to the beautiful Conoc Hot Springs, where you can soothe your muscles in the warm thermal pools. Enjoy your final lunch here before the scenic drive back to Cusco, arriving around 6:00 p.m.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Difficulty: Moderate (shorter hiking day)
- Walking Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
- Walking Time: 3–4 hours
- Included
What’s Included in Our 4-Day Choquequirao Trek
Permits & Entrance Fees
Permits & Entrance Fees- Full Choquequirao Archaeological Site entrance ticket
- All necessary permits and access fees
Expert Service & Safety
- Pre-Departure Briefing — Meet your guide and group the evening before departure (5:00 pm) at our office. You’ll receive your duffle bag and important trek information.
- Professional English-Speaking Guide — Certified, experienced, and passionate guides who are experts in local history, culture, flora, and fauna.
- 24/7 Customer Support — Round-the-clock assistance before, during, and after your trek.
- Satellite Phone — Carried by your guide for emergencies — allows calls from anywhere in the mountains.
- Medical Kit & First Aid — Fully stocked kit plus trained guides who receive annual first-aid refreshers. Oxygen available if needed.
- Backpack Rain Covers — Provided to keep your gear dry.
Camping Equipment & Comfort
- 3 Nights of Comfortable Camping — High-quality Eureka Timberline or Mountain Hardwear tents (2 people per tent, 4-person capacity).
- Spacious Dining & Kitchen Tent — Enjoy meals comfortably even in bad weather.
- Inflatable Sleeping Mattress — Thick and comfortable for a good night’s rest.
- Duffle Bag — Personal duffle bag (max 5 kg / 11 lb) carried by horses.
- Portable Toilet — Private eco-friendly toilet tent and bag.
Meals & Hydration (4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners)
- Delicious meals prepared fresh daily by our experienced Andean chef.
- Vegetarian, vegan, and special dietary options available at no extra cost (please inform us in advance).
- Daily Snacks — Fresh fruit, cookies, chocolate, and energy bars.
- Wake-Up Coca Tea — Delivered to your tent every morning.
- Afternoon Tea Time / Happy Hour — Popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, and more.
- Purified Drinking Water — Boiled, filtered, and cooled water provided throughout the trek (bring a 2-liter bottle or hydration bladder).
- Hygiene Items — Hand soap and small towel provided.
Transportation
- Private Round-Trip Transport:
- Day 1: Hotel pickup in Cusco and transfer to Capuliyoc (trek starting point).
- Day 4: Return transfer from Capuliyoc to your hotel in Cusco (arriving around 6:00 pm).
- Porter & Horse Support — Your personal belongings (up to 5 kg / 11 lb) are carried by horses.
- No Incluye
- Rentals: Every traveler needs to have their own sleeping bag when camping. Inflatable air mattresses and walking sticks are recommended. These items are not part of the tour package so if you do not wish to bring any of own the above items, you may rent them following these ratest: Inflatable air mattress : $ 15 Walking sticks: $ 10 Sleeping bag: $ 20
- Backpacks for the Day: the agency does not provide backpacks, so you must bring your own. Note; Machu Picchu does not allow backpacks over 25 lb. Flashlights (lamps): it is recommended to bring flashlights for the campsites or headlamps.
- Flights: it is recommended to arrive one day before to Cusco or 2 days before. Flight delays are common in Cusco due to the frequent change of weather, therefore we recommend arrival to be a couple days before. Safe airline: Latam
- Tips: Tips are always welcome, and should be based on your travel satisfaction (not mandatory).
- Travel insurance: Travel insurance is recommended, but not mandatory. Normally many people get sick with altitude sickness, so we recommend adapting 1 day or 2 days before starting a trek
- Packing List
- Passport
- Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
- Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
- Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
- 2-3 wicking t-shirts
- 2-3 hiking pants
- 4 sets of undergarments.
- 4 sets of hiking socks
- 1 Fleece
- 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
- 1 Rain jacket and pants
- 1 sun hat
- Headlamp: essential
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
- Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
- Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
- Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
- Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Face moisturizer
- Handsanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and paste
- Toiletpaper
- Personal medication
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Camera
- Music (IPhone)
- Handsanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Earplugs
- Prices
Price per person
USD$ 600
Group Tour
- Student discount
-
The student discount applies only to people who present their valid UNIVERSITY CARD. Children under 17 years of age or younger. To grant the discount we need you to send us a copy of the university card. For children 17 and under, we need a passport copy for booking.
Discount: $ 30 off per person
- FAQs
Is the 4-Day Choquequirao Trek Worth It?
Yes, the 4-Day Choquequirao Trek is absolutely worth it for adventurous travelers who want an authentic, less-crowded Inca experience.
How difficult is the Choquequirao Trek 4 Days?
The 4-day Choquequirao trek is challenging. It features long hiking days with steep descents and ascents (up to 1,500 m / 4,900 ft elevation change per day).
- Total distance: ~44 km (27 miles)
- Longest day: 6–7 hours of hiking
- Terrain: Rocky trails, steep canyon walls, and high Andean landscapes.
It’s significantly more demanding than the Classic Inca Trail but very rewarding for fit hikers.
Can beginners do the Choquequirao Trek?
Not recommended for complete beginners.
You should have good physical fitness, recent hiking experience, and be well-acclimatized to altitude. If you’re a beginner, we strongly suggest starting with easier treks (like the Lares or Salkantay) or training for at least 2–3 months before attempting Choquequirao.
What is the highest altitude on the Choquequirao Trek?
The highest point is at the Choquequirao Archaeological Site — 3,050 meters (10,007 feet) above sea level. Most of the trek stays between 1,500 m and 3,050 m.
What is the best time to hike Choquequirao?
The best time is during the dry season: May through September.
- Clearer skies, less rain, and more stable trails.
- Shoulder months (April & October) offer fewer crowds and good weather. Avoid the rainy season (November–March) due to slippery trails and higher risk of landslides.
Do I need a guide for the Choquequirao Trek?
Yes, we highly recommend a professional guide.
What should I pack for the Choquequirao Trek?
Essential Packing List:
- Broken-in hiking boots
- Trekking poles (highly recommended)
- Rain jacket and waterproof pants
- Warm layers (fleece, down jacket) for cold nights
- Comfortable daypack (20–30L)
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Reusable water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Personal medications and basic first aid items
- Sleeping bag (rated for cold temperatures — can be rented)
Are horses or mules included in the Choquequirao Trek?
Yes. Horses (or mules) carry the group gear, kitchen equipment, and your personal duffle bag (up to 5 kg / 11 lb per person). This makes the trek much more enjoyable as you only carry a light daypack.
Is altitude sickness a concern on the Choquequirao Trek?
Yes. Although the maximum altitude (3,050 m / 10,007 ft) is moderate, the rapid changes in altitude and physical exertion increase the likelihood of altitude sickness. For this reason, our high-altitude team carries oxygen tanks in case they are needed.
Why choose the Choquequirao Trek 4 Days?
Fewer crowds: Enjoy one of Peru’s most impressive Inca sites almost all to yourself.
An epic adventure: spectacular views of the canyon, diverse landscapes, and a rich Inca history.
More accessible: no permits are required, unlike the classic Inca Trail.
Perfect duration: ideal for travelers with limited time who still want to experience an authentic multi-day hike..
- Map
Google Map. Choquequirao Trek 4 Days
