Choquequirao Trek 5D/4N

Choquequirao Trek takes you off the beaten path, far from the crowded places. This trip doesn’t take you to Machu Picchu. Instead, you’ll hike to another lost Inca Citadel. This spectacular archaeological site was hidden in the mountain for centuries and was recently uncovered. During the Choquequirao Trek, you may see less than a dozen travelers, making this place a truly unique and quiet retreat.

Highlights of Choquequirao Trek

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DAY 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – CAPULIYOC – LA PLAYA

The TreXperience team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:30 am-5: 00 am and drive you across the Andes towards Capuliyoc, arriving at approximately 8:30 am. We will enjoy a delicious breakfast together before starting your TreXperience to Choquequirao: one of the Incas’ legendary lost cities. It’s a 4-hour trek downhill from Capuliyoc (9550 ft / 2911 m) to our lunch spot at Chiquiska (1893m / 6210 ft). Along the way, you can enjoy some stunning views of the Apurimac canyon – one of the deepest in Peru, and spectacular panoramas of the different landscapes: from the mountains of Peru to the dense vegetation of the cloud forest. We continue our journey for another 2 hours down to Playa Rosalina (1478m  / 4849ft) after lunch. Your tents and a hot drink will be waiting for you. Here we will have dinner and camp for the night.

• Distance: 10.8 km / 6.7 miles
• Approximate Hiking Time: 6 hours
• Highest Elevation Crossed: 2,911 m / 9,550 ft
• Camp Elevation: 1,478m / 4,849 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner
• Accommodations: Camping
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 2: LA PLAYA – MARAMPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO 

After breakfast, we will get ready for one of the most challenging yet rewarding days of your TreXperience! We start by crossing a suspension bridge over the canyon before trekking uphill for approximately 4 hours until we reach Marampata ( 2911 m /9550 ft). The route takes us through beautiful sugar cane farms, where the locals produce “Cañazo,” a traditional alcoholic drink made for centuries in the Peruvian Andes. We will stop for lunch at a picturesque spot with breathtaking views of the mountains and the river. After lunch, it’s another 2-hour ascent to Choquequirao (3030m / 9940 ft). The lost city of Choquequirao is located in a spectacular place: perched in the Peruvian Andes overlooking the deep canyon. This is a significant city from the Inca empire, built towards the end of their rule. Choquequirao was probably one of Vilcabamba’s entrance checkpoints – the Incas’ last capital – and was only recently re-discovered in the early 19^th century. Our campsite is located right next to the archaeological site, and so you have the freedom to visit this mysterious place at any time you like and as many times as you like, whether it’s to enjoy the sunset, sunrise, or just for some quiet ‘me-time.’

• Distance: 10.6 km / 6.5 miles
• Approximate Hiking Time: 8 hours
• Highest Elevation Crossed: 2,911 m / 9550 ft
• Camp Elevation: 2,866 m / 9401 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner
• Accommodations: Camping
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 3: EXPLORE CHOQUEQUIRAO RUINS

We will wake you up bright and early with a nice cup of hot coca tea or coffee to witness the mountains’ fantastic sunrise. After breakfast, we have the entire day to explore this magnificent Inca city. Your guide will take you on a comprehensive tour – taking you to the most beautiful spots and teaching you about the history of Choquequirao and the Incas. Choquequirao (cradle of gold) is nicknamed the twin sister of Machu Picchu but is almost twice the size. For this reason, it is expected that this mostly unknown location will very soon become one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America. After taking all the time you need to discover Choquequirao, we will return to the same campsite for dinner and spend the night.

• Distance: 8 km/ 4.9 miles
• Approximate Hiking Time: 4 hours
• Highest Elevation Crossed: 3,066 m / 10,059 ft
• Camp elevation: 2,073 m / 6801 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Difficulty: Easy

DAY 4: CHOQUEQUIRAO – MARAMPATA – LA PLAYA – CHIKISKA

We will wake up for the second time in this magical place. It is a 3 hours downhill trek to our lunch spot at Santa Rosa (2230 m / 7300 ft) after breakfast. We will then continue downhill for a further 2 hours before trekking uphill for another 2 hours until we arrive at our campsite at Chiquiska (1800m / 5905ft). This a perfect day to enjoy the surrounding landscape and nature. We will pass a wide range of different flowers and birds along the way, and the sound of waterfalls can be heard in the distance.

• Distance: 8 km /11.32 miles
• Approximate Hiking Time: 8 hours
• Highest Elevation Crossed: 3,100m/9,300 ft
• Camp Elevation: 1,450m/4,350 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping

 DAY 5: CHIKISKA – CAPULIYOC – CUSCO

On our final day, we will get up, have breakfast, and prepare for our last 4-hour trek uphill to Capuliyoc. We will have lunch and say goodbye to our team of chefs and porters accompanied on this expedition. We will then take our private transportation to the archaeological site of Saywite, a beautifully carved rock that remains a mystery to archaeologists. You will have plenty of time to explore before returning to Cusco and dropping you off at your hotel around 5 pm.

• Distance: 8 km / 11.32 miles
• Approximate Hiking Time: 8 hours
• Highest Elevation Crossed: 2,850m / 9,407ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Difficulty: Moderate