Choquequirao Trek (Best Seller) 4 Days / 3 Nights

Explore the experience of entering the Choquequirao Archaeological Complex, located high in the Vilcabamba Mountains and accessible only by foot. This 15th century archaeological site, similar to Machu Picchu, has impressive terraces, temples, plazas and aqueducts, but unlike Machu Picchu, it receives only 15-20 visitors a day on average. The ruins of Choquequirao are a beautiful, enigmatic, vast and unique place, which have been successively catalogued as a fortress, a ceremonial center, a city and the last resting place of the Inca. In addition, in Quechua, Choquequirao means “Cradle of gold”, and it is theorized that there were nearby gold mines that were exploited during the Inca Empire. This archaeological site has a main square, royal quarters, a temple dedicated to the sun, imposing buildings, barracks for soldiers, a prison and fortified houses. There is also an administrative center set apart from the rest of the site for priests, as well as a large number of terraces used for agriculture and hillside stabilization. The most famous part of the ruins are the terraces that display white quartz flames embedded in the walls. Join us and discover the magic of Choquequirao!

Day 01: Cusco – Cachora – Capuliyoc – Rosalina Beach – Marampata

Start your hike enjoying breathtaking landscapes and views of the Apurimac River and valley. Rest in Marampata for the night.

Day 02: Exporation and visit of Choquequira – Marampata

During the morning, hike to Marampata and marvel at the breathtaking views before reaching the Inca citadel of Choquequirao.

Day 03: Santa Rosa – Rosalina Beach – Cocamasana

After breakfast, you will dedicate the whole day to thoroughly explore every corner of the amazing archaeological complex of Choquequirao.

Day 04: Capuliyoq – Cachora – Cusco

Head to Santa Rosa after saying goodbye to Choquequirao, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, hike to Chiquisca camp, where you can spend time with local families and take a well-deserved rest.

Día 01: Cusco – Cachora – Capuliyoc – Playa Rosalina – Marampata

Day 01: Cusco – Cachora – Capuliyoc – Playa Rosalina – Marampata

We will experience a day full of beautiful landscapes and the freshness of the Andean air.

Our exciting adventure will begin early in the morning with your pick-up at the hotel and departure in our private transportation to Cachora. Along the way, we will witness the imposing glacial mountains of Salkantay and Humantay rising in the distance. Once we arrive in Cachora, we will explore the charming town and stroll through its picturesque streets, revealing its rich cultural heritage. To start the day off right, we will enjoy a nutritious and delicious breakfast. We will then continue on to Capuliyoc (2,890 m / 9,482 ft), where we will meet the rest of our trekking team, composed of cooks and muleteers, who will be in charge of transporting our belongings throughout the trek. After fine-tuning the last details, we will enter the Apurimac Canyon. We will zigzag downhill for approximately three hours until we reach Chiquisca (1,900 m / 6,234 ft), a beautiful hamlet surrounded by lush fruit fields.

Along the trail, we will be able to marvel at the impressive landscapes that the Apurimac Valley offers us, as well as have the opportunity to witness the majestic flight of the condors and admire the imposing views of two gigantic glacier mountains called Padreyoc and Qoriwayrachina. As we go deeper into the valley, we will notice more and more the heat, the lush vegetation and the rhythmic sounds of the mighty Apurimac River.

After several hours, we will arrive at the picturesque hamlet of Chiquisca, a cozy green camp located in the middle of the arid mountains, where we will enjoy dinner and spend the night.

• Time: 6 Hours Approx. of walking.
• Distance:
• Climate: Temperate, Cold
• Maximum Altitude: between 2, 920 – 3, 800 masl.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Overnight: Huacawasi
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 02: Day 02: Exploration and visit of Choquequira – Marampata

Contemplate the impressive sunset in the Andean sky.

Enjoy a tasty breakfast before starting our hike. We zigzag up to Marampata (2,900 m/ 9,514 ft), where you can capture incredible photos of the canyon and snow-capped peaks. We descend for an hour and fifteen minutes to Playa Rosalinas (1,500 m/ 4,921 ft), crossing a footbridge. We make a brief stop at Santa Rosa (1,970 m/ 6,463 ft) to enjoy a lunch prepared by our team. Then, we ascend for three hours until we reach Marampata camp. In the afternoon, we admire the surroundings and witness a beautiful sunset over the valleys and glaciated mountains near the town of Choquequirao and enjoy the moment while resting under the soft orange lights. At night, the sky fills with stars while we have dinner and get ready to rest.

• Time: 8 Hours Approx. of trekking.
• Distance: 14 Km.
• Weather: Cold
• Maximum Altitude: 3, 800 masl.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Overnight: Qelcanca
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 03: Santa Rosa – Rosalina Beach – Cocamasana

Highlights of the day: Discover the secrets of the impressive archaeological city of Choquequirao.

Explore and unveil the ancient charms of Choquequirao.

We will start the day with an exquisite breakfast that will give you a boost of energy. Then, we will dedicate the day to explore every detail of this amazing Inca site, located in the mountains and very close to the deepest canyon in South America. You can imagine the incredible landscapes that surround this majestic Inca construction. We will visit the most impressive corners of this place while our guide shares the fascinating stories of the past and the reasons for its construction.

Choquequirao (3,050 m / 10,007 ft) is considerably larger than Machu Picchu, with plazas, temples and magnificent platforms that will make you constantly question: How did the Incas manage to build this on top of the mountains? You will enjoy a picnic lunch at noon and have time to rest and recharge your batteries.

You cannot fail to admire the famous white stone flames that decorate the platforms built on the hillside and are oriented towards the mountain that protects this area known as Apu Qoriwayrachina. According to experts, only about 40% of the entire site is visible, so Choquequirao remains in many ways an enigma. We are sure that in the coming years we will continue to discover more about this incredible complex.

At the end of the day, we will return to camp at Marampata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft) for an exquisite dinner. Afterwards, you will be able to lie down to contemplate the wonderful day you have just lived and rest.

• Time: 7 Hours Approx. of trekking.
• Distance: 14 Km.
• Climate: Cold – Temperate
• Maximum Altitude: 3, 800 masl. – 2040 masl
• Difficulty: Moderate – Low
• Overnight stay: Aguas Calientes Hotel
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 04: Capuliyoc – Cachora – Cusco

Highlights of the day: Interact with the local inhabitants of the Andean community and expand your knowledge of their culture.

Rest and immerse yourself in the beautiful nature that surrounds this fascinating region of the world.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast before heading back from Choquequirao. Take the opportunity to say goodbye to this unique place and capture one last image. From Marampata, you can take more photos of the impressive canyon before descending for two hours to Santa Rosa (2,970 m / 6,463 ft) where we will enjoy lunch. Along the way, you will appreciate the diversity of vegetation on this part of the trail. After lunch, we will continue to Playa Rosalinas, where you can cool your feet in the waters of the Apurimac River in the middle of the canyon. Then, we ascend to Chiquisca camp (1,900 m / 6,234 ft), located in the home of a local family. Take advantage of this time to make new friends and learn about Andean life and traditions, as well as their close relationship with Pachamama (Mother Nature). After a delicious dinner, you can rest peacefully in our cozy camp and reflect on your trip.