Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco to Choquequirao Trek Start
You'll get picked up from your Cusco hotel for a 4-hour drive to San Pedro de Cachora at 2,800m/9,186 feet. The hiking starts at Capuliyoq where you get views of snow-capped peaks in the distance. From there, you'll trek for about 4 hours through different terrain and get your first look at Choquequirao ruins. After lunch at Chiquisca, the trail goes downhill for 2 hours to Playa Rosalina, then continues to your campsite at Santa Rosa (1,950m/6,398 feet). By the end of the day you'll have hiked roughly 7 hours covering about 10.56 miles total.
- Start point
- Plaza de Armas de Cusco, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Cusco 08002, Peru (Centrally located hotels in the city of Cusco)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Chiquisca), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Cusco hotel to San Pedro de Cachora
- Hike from Capuliyoq with views of snow-capped peaks
- First views of Choquequirao ruins
- Lunch at Chiquisca
- Hike downhill to Playa Rosalina and Santa Rosa campsite
Landmarks Choquequirao Apurimac Canyon - Day 2
Choquequirao Archaeological Site
Following breakfast, you'll hike uphill for 3.5 hours through the Apurimac Valley to Marampata, with nice views of the valley the whole way. The trail leads to the Choquequirao campsite at 2,800m/9,186 feet, right near the archaeological site itself. Lunch happens after a guided tour of the ruins where you'll walk through squares, temples, and platforms while learning how it connects to Machu Picchu. You can watch the sunset from the religious area and might spot condors, foxes, and pumas around the site. Later in the evening, your guide shows you the Milky Way. The day involves roughly 8 hours of hiking and takes you to the highest point at 3,400m/11,155 feet.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Uphill hike through Apurimac Valley
- Rest and views at Marampata
- Lunch
- Guided tour of Choquequirao ruins
- Explore squares, temples, and platforms
- Sunset view from religious area
- Milky Way viewing with guide in evening
Landmarks Choquequirao Apurimac Valley Marampata - Day 3
Choquequirao to Chiquisca
After breakfast, the trek heads downhill for 5 hours as you leave Choquequirao (known as the Cradle of Gold) behind. You'll pass through Marampata at 2,870m/9,416 feet and Santa Rosa at 1,914m/6,280 feet, then reach Playa Rosalina at 1,500m/4,921 feet for a brief rest. From there, an uphill section for 1.5 hours takes you to Chiquisca where lunch and your overnight spot are set up. The weather here stays warm and dry, and the afternoon gives you time to check out the local plants and animals in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Chiquisca), Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Downhill trek from Choquequirao
- Pass through Marampata
- Pass through Santa Rosa
- Rest at Playa Rosalina
- Uphill hike to Chiquisca
- Lunch at Chiquisca
- Exploration of local fauna and flora
Landmarks Choquequirao Marampata Playa Rosalina - Day 4
Chiquisca to Cusco
The day starts very early from Chiquisca so you get last views of the canyon before heading out. You'll hike uphill for 4 hours to reach Capuliyoq at 2,885m/9,465 feet, where lunch is optional and you can hang out at the viewpoint taking in the trek views, snowcapped peaks, and the canyon below. Then comes a 3-hour drive back through the Andean town of Cachora and on to Cusco, where you'll be dropped off at your hotel.
- End point
- Plaza de Armas de Cusco, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Cusco 08002, Peru (Centrally located hotels in the city of Cusco)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Chiquisca
- Early morning hike uphill to Capuliyoq
Optional Activities
- Lunch at Capuliyoq (optional)
Landmarks Capuliyoq San Pedro de Cachora
