Choquequirao Trek 4D/3N

Cusco, Choquequirao

From

Duration

4 days

Tour Type

Overview

We take you to discover Choquequirao, a magical Inca city located southeast of Cusco, between the Apurímac River and the Vilcabamba mountain range, with the Salkantay snow-capped peak standing at 6,271 m (20,575 ft.). This is an exciting trek that combines the varying altitudes of the Peruvian highlands with diverse wildlife and flora. Along this trek, you may see some endangered species such as the Andean condor, puma, and spectacled bear. This area served as a refuge and natural fortress for the sixteenth-century Inca resistance. According to local oral tradition, El Dorado may still be hidden in this region. There is also another Inca road network connecting Espíritu Pampa, Ñusta Hispana, Vilcabamba la Antigua, Vitcos, and Rosas Pampa.

Travel Information – Choquequirao Trek

Tour Name: Choquequirao 4 Days / 3 Nights
Tour Operator: Amazon Andes Peru
Location: Choquequirao Archaeological Complex, Southeast of Cusco, Peru (between Apurímac River & Vilcabamba Mountains)
Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging – trekking on steep slopes and high-altitude trails (1,550 m – 2,850 m / 5,085 ft – 9,350 ft)
Best Season: April to November (dry season)
Tour Category: Cultural & Historical – Explore the Inca heritage and Choquequirao ruins

We Recommend Bringing:

Backpack
Original passport
One change of clothes
Warm clothing
Hiking shoes
Small towel
Swimwear (if visiting hot springs)
Rain poncho
Water bottle
Camera and batteries
Insect repellent, sunscreen, hat
Flashlight
Toilet paper
Water and purification tablets

Optional:

Trekking poles with rubber tips
Snacks: cookies, sweets, chocolate, energy bars
Extra porter for personal gear (if carrying more than 6.5 kg, can carry up to 18 kg)
Sleeping bag (rental available at our office)
Extra horse or mule for personal equipment (day 1–4)
Extra services such as tips

Included/Exclude

Private bus pickup from your hotel to the start of the trek (Cachora).
Entrance tickets.
Professional bilingual guide (English/Spanish) throughout the trek.
Meals: 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners.
Camping equipment (tents, kitchen, dining area, chairs, tables, mattresses).
First aid kit.
Emergency oxygen tank.
Cook responsible for meal preparation.
Muleteers and mules (for transporting all camping equipment).
Accommodation for guides, cooks, and muleteers.
Return transport from Cachora to Cusco and hotel transfer.

Breakfast on the first day (usually provided by hotels).
Dinner on the last day (arrival in Cusco is around 8:00 p.m.).
Visit to Qonoc hot springs.

Tour Plan

Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Chiquiska

We pick you up from your hotel at 6:00 a.m. to start the journey to Cachora, passing through Izcuchaca and reaching the Tarawasi Archaeological Complex. We continue to the Cunyac Bridge, passing through the districts of Curawasi and Saywite, finally arriving in Cachora around 10:00 a.m. Here we prepare the pack animals and muleteers, then start our hike along a gentle slope to the Capuliyoc pass (2,800 m), where we will have lunch after about two hours of walking. Then we proceed to the village of Chiquisca (1,930 m). Along this path, we will enjoy stunning views, beautiful landscapes, warm climate, Vilcabamba glaciers, and the impressive Apurímac canyon. Our first camp is set up here.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Chiquisca – Marampata – Choquequirao

After breakfast at around 5:00 a.m., we continue hiking toward Playa Rosalinas (1,550 m), starting the early steep ascent to Santa Rosa (2,100 m) in approximately 3 hours. We then continue ascending to Maranpata (2,850 m), where the slope is gentler, allowing us to admire the route from the first day and the local vegetation. We may observe orchids and violets, and if luck is on our side, wildlife such as deer, anteaters, and various birds and insects. We then continue toward Choquequirao, setting up camp about one hour from the Archaeological Complex.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Choquequirao – Chiquisca

Early after breakfast, we hike to the Choquequirao Archaeological Complex (about one hour) to witness the sunrise over Choquequirao. We spend around three hours exploring this important Inca refuge with our guide, who will explain its history. At the designated time, we return to our camp and descend to Santa Rosa for lunch. We then continue descending to Playa Rosalinas and head back to Chiquisca, about two hours from Rosalinas, where we will set up camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Playa – Aguas Calientes – Cusco

After a good breakfast at our camp in Chiquisca at 6:00 a.m., we begin our return along the same route to Cachora, ascending gently for about two hours to reach Capuliyoc pass, then descending to Cachora, arriving around 12:00 p.m. During this route, we will see exotic flora and fauna, panoramic views of majestic snow-capped peaks, and the impressive Apurímac canyon, considered the most spectacular in South America. Optionally, in the afternoon, we visit the Qonoc hot springs for about an hour, then continue our return to Cusco around 8:00 p.m., ending with transfer to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch