Choquequirao Trek 5 Days 4 Nights

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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.

Duration

5 Day

Max People

Min Age

Pickup

Bus

Choquequirao 5 Days Trek

The Choquequirao Trek is one of Peru’s best-kept secrets. It’s a beautiful trek that leads you through stunning scenery and untouched Inca ruins. Choquequirao has been nicknamed the ‘Twin Sister of Machu Picchu,’ and it’s easy to see why. This is the perfect trip for those who prefer to explore untouched terrain and are looking for an adventure off the beaten track.

Tour Highlights:

Get off the beaten path to explore Choquequirao.
Learn the history of the last days of the Inca Empire.
Enjoy a Pachamanca underground barbecue.
Marvel with the fantastic views of the Apurimac Canyon.

Choquequirao Trek 5 Days at a Glance

Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoc – Chikiska

After a pickup from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 am, we will drive for 4 hours towards Capuliyoc (2950 m – 9678 ft) and hike for 6 hours, mostly downhill into the Aprumimac Canyon. We camp at Chikiska at 1950 m (6398 ft).

Day 2: Chikiska – La Playa Rosalina – Marampata

Wake up in your tent with freshly brewed coffee, enjoy breakfast, and start the 8-hour hike to Marampata camp ( 2940 m—9646 ft). This campsite offers amazing views of the Apurimac Canyon and the Andes Mountains.

Day 3: Explore Choquequirao

After breakfast, you will hike for 2 hours to explore the great Choquequirao all day. You will visit the most remarkable places with your tour guide and learn about the Incas’ history. We will spend the night at the same campsite.

Day 4: Marampata – Playa – Coca Masana

After enjoying the fantastic mountain views, you will begin a 4-hour descent back into the Apurimac Canyon, then another 2-hour uphill to our campsite at Coca Masana (2,330 m—7545 ft).

Day 5: Chikiska – Capuliyoc – Cusco

Start with a 4-hour uphill to Capuliyoc pass for lunch on the final day. Today, you’ll enjoy a traditional Pachamanca Barbecue with hot stones. After lunch, you’ll say goodbye to your trekking team and return to Cusco—the arrival time at your hotel is around 6:00 pm.

Included/Excluded

Safety briefing the day before the tour
Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel
All transportation during 5 days
Professional Tour Guide
Second tour guide for groups of 9+
Trekking Chef to prepare fresh meals
Porters, horsemen
Horses to carry food and equipment
Duffle bag where you can put up to 8 kilos
Drinkable water and snacks
All meals during the tour.
Special dietary options
Comfortable camping equipment
4-person Eureka tents
Sleeping foam mattress
First aid kit, Oxygen bottle, satellite phones
Tickets to the Choquequirao site

Sleeping Bag, air mattress, trekking poles (Can be hired from us)
Dinner on day 5 (When back in Cusco)
Gratuities (Optional)
Travel Insurance (Strongly recommended)

Tour Plan

Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Capuliyoc – Chikiska

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco city at 4:30 am and drive for about 4 hours to Capuliyoc, where you will enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by our trekking chef. The TreXperience to Choquequirao begins with a 4 hours hike from Capuliyoc (2950 m / 9678 ft) to Chikiska at 1950 m (6398 ft). During the route, there are breathtaking views of the Apurimac canyon, one of the deepest in Peru, and the many landscapes, from the Peruvian highlands to the lush foliage of the cloud forest.

Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Hiking hours: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner
Accommodations: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2: Chikiska – Playa Rosalina – Marampata

You will wake up around 5:00 am in your tent with a steaming cup of coffee or coca tea and start packing for the most challenging part of the Choquequirao trek. After breakfast at the campsite, we will begin a moderate hike down to Playa Rosalina (1500 m - 4921 ft), passing through some stunning scenery. We will reach Playa Rosalina after about 1.5 hours of hiking, and you will cross the Apurimac river by a suspension bridge and hike for 2 hours uphill to Santa Rosa, where we will stop for lunch with breathtaking mountains and river views.

After lunch, you will keep another 2.5 hours ascent to Marampata village (2940 m / 9646 ft), where we will camp for the night with spectacular views. This is the most beautiful campsite on the trek; you will have amazing views and clear night skies perfect for stargazing.

Distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Approximate Hiking Time: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner
Accommodations: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Day 3: Explore Choquequirao

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, you will hike up and down for about 2 hours and have the entire day to explore the magnificent Choquequirao. Your guide will take you on a comprehensive tour of the most beautiful spots and teach 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, this mostly unknown location is expected to become soon 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: 7 km/ 4.3 miles
Hiking hours: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Marampata – La Playa – Coca Masana

We will wake up for the second morning in this magical place and enjoy the fantastic sunrise. After a delicious breakfast, we will start a 4 hours descent into Playa Rosalina (1500 m - 4921 ft). The trail is mostly downhill, with breathtaking views of the mountains. The second part of the day begins with a 2-hour hike up to Coca Masana campsite (2,330 m - 7545 ft). This a perfect day to enjoy the surrounding landscape and nature. We will pass a wide range of flowers and birds along the way, and waterfalls can be heard in the distance.

Distance: 17 km / 10.5 miles
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping

Day 5: Coca Masana – Capuliyoc – Cusco

On our final day, we will wake up for a last time with a coca tea in our tent, have breakfast, and prepare for our last 3-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: 6 km / 4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate

Packing list for the Choquequirao Trek

A successful Choquequirao trek requires careful planning and packing. Here are some essential items to pack for your Choquequirao trekking adventure:

Clothing

Hiking boots or walking shoes
Hiking pants (Long pants and shorts)
Moisture-wicking t-shirts or long-sleeved shirts
Fleece or down jacket
Waterproof jacket or poncho
Warm hat and gloves
Sun hat or cap
Socks (wool or synthetic, not cotton)

Equipment

Backpack (30-40L)
Sleeping bag (3-season or 4-season, depending on the time of year)
Sleeping pad (inflatable or foam)
Trekking poles (recommended)
Flashlight (Headlamp is recommended)
Sunglasses with UV protection
Water bottle or camel bag

Personal first aid kit

Toiletries and personal items
Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
Insect repellent
Lip balm with SPF
Hand sanitizer
Toilet paper
Wet wipes
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Biodegradable soap
Personal medications

Miscellaneous

Camera or smartphone with a camera
Cash for tips and souvenirs
Lightweight daypack (optional for day hikes from base camp)
Binoculars (optional for bird-watching or wildlife spotting)

Note: Packing light for the Choquequirao Trek is important, as you will carry your gear for the hike. Limiting your pack weight to 15-20% of your body weight is recommended.