Choquequirao trek 5 days

Our adventure begins very early, we will pick you up from your Hotel in Cusco at 4 am. You will travel in our private van with your tour guide and drive approximately three hours to reach the trailhead, called Capuliyoc (3200 m). You will meet your horses and riders. Your trekking chef in Choquequirao will provide you with the first breakfast and your trekking guide will introduce you to the team. The views of the snow-capped mountains are beautiful. After a group photo, you will begin the expedition to the Choquekiraw Ruins. It will be a three hour downhill walk with a few stops as needed until you reach the first lunch spot. The trail can be dusty and slippery, but with good shoes and trekking poles you won’t have any problems. There will be spectacular views of the Apurimac River, landscapes and beautiful flora and fauna. After lunch, you will walk another three hours until you reach your camp, which is located at the bottom of a valley, called La Playa (1,800 m).

After an early breakfast, you will prepare for the day. You will start the day crossing the gap, and then it will be four hours of climbing, with zigzags. Along the way you’ll pass some sugar cane farms, plus great views of the valley from the opposite hill, possibly some condors above and some beautiful flora and fauna. This climb is one of the most challenging parts of the Choquekirao Trek, so we will have an emergency horse in case you get tired and want a ride. Once you reach Marampata, you are done with the uphill part. You will have time to enjoy your lunch at 3,350 m altitude. After lunch, you can take a nap, and then we will continue on the last two-hour stretch to Choquekiraw.

This will be the most impressive section of your entire hike because you will have incredible views from the summit to the Apurimac canyon. You can also visit Choquekiraw, where you will see the entire Inca site, orchids, among other flowers, and black bears. Upon arrival at the campsite, our porters will install you in your tents. This camp is amazing because it will be right at the foot of the Inca site. If you still have some energy left, you can take a 30-minute walk to enjoy the sunset from the Choquequirao Inca site.

On the third day, we will fully dedicate ourselves to exploring the grandeur of Choquequirao. Our guide will share detailed information about the entire archaeological site, as we visit the ancient homes, temples, and three levels of the excavated ruins of this late Inca settlement. Choquequirao is considered to be larger than Machu Picchu, and its vastness becomes evident as we explore its terraces, buildings, and structures. The Incas carefully studied the terrain before constructing their impressive architecture, making the site a remarkable example of Inca engineering and ingenuity.

After a long journey we will return to our camp where our delicious lunch will be waiting for us. Take a good rest and then continue visiting the archeological site of Choquequirao, visit the archaeological site of las llamas, which is a 30-minute walk but it will be worth it. You can visit the Usno area, where you can enjoy the sunset over the mountains.

After an early breakfast, we will begin preparing for our journey back to Cusco, bidding farewell to the magnificent Choquequirao archaeological site. Our first stretch will be a 2-hour walk to Marampata, where we will be treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of the Apurimac Canyon. As we continue our descent, the landscape will change, offering even more stunning views of the surrounding valleys.

Our next destination will be La Playa, approximately a 4-hour walk from Marampata. Along the way, we will take in the rich biodiversity of the region, with opportunities to spot local wildlife, such as spectacled bears, condors, and colorful hummingbirds. Upon arrival at La Playa, we will enjoy a well-deserved lunch to recharge our energy before taking a short rest.

After lunch, we will continue our descent to our camp in Chikisca, where we will settle for the night. This section of the trail offers more chances to experience the natural beauty of the area, with lush vegetation and vibrant flora surrounding us as we make our way down. The tranquility of the environment will provide a perfect end to another fulfilling day of our adventure.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we will begin our return journey to Cusco. The hike back will be a challenging four-hour uphill walk that will test your endurance, but the stunning views along the way will make the effort worthwhile. We’ll ascend through beautiful landscapes, passing by lush valleys and dramatic cliffs. Once we reach the top of the Choquequirao trail at Mirador Capuliyoc, we’ll take a well-deserved rest and enjoy panoramic views of the Apurimac Canyon. Our private transportation will then be waiting to take us back to Cusco, where we will reflect on the unforgettable journey we’ve experienced.