Fantastic holiday, a real adventure. We saw sights I had only dreamed about. Every day there was something new to wonder at, from…
Anonymous | Traveled in MayThe Choquequirao Trek 4 Days is for travelers who want a deeper Andean route, far from crowded viewpoints and quick visits. This journey leads you down into the Apurimac Canyon, across hot valleys, steep mountain paths, rural villages, and finally to Choquequirao, an Inca site that still feels remote because it can only be reached by foot.
Choquequirao is often compared with Machu Picchu because of its Inca architecture and mountain setting, but the feeling is completely different. Here, there are no train crowds, no packed entrance lines, and no rushed circuit. The silence is part of the route. The effort is part of the reward.
This trek is physically demanding. You descend deeply, climb strongly, and walk long distances over dirt, stone, switchbacks, and exposed canyon slopes. But when you reach the terraces, temples, ceremonial areas, and wide views of the Apurimac Valley, the journey feels personal.
With Machu Picchu Peru Lovers, you travel with a local Cusco-based team focused on mountain logistics, small groups, local staff, proper camping support, and a smoother trekking rhythm for a tough but meaningful route.
Your trip begins early in the morning with hotel pick-up in Cusco. You travel by private tourist van toward Capuliyoc, the starting point of the trek. The drive passes villages, open valleys, and views of snow-capped mountains before the road reaches the edge of the Apurimac Canyon.
At Capuliyoc, you meet the horsemen and organize the equipment. From here, the walking begins with a long descent toward Playa Rosalinas, near the Apurimac River. The trail is mostly dirt and stone, with exposed sections and many downhill stretches. As you descend, the temperature usually becomes warmer, and the canyon starts to feel wider and deeper.
Lunch is served near Playa Rosalinas. After resting, the route changes completely. You begin a steep ascent toward Santa Rosa, the first campsite. This climb can feel heavy because it comes after a long descent and the afternoon heat may still be present.
At camp, your tents will already be set up. Hot drinks and appetizers are served before dinner.
Day Highlight: Descend into the Apurimac Canyon and begin the first strong climb toward Santa Rosa.
Technical Details
The day begins with hot tea or coffee at camp before breakfast. After eating, you start a steady uphill hike toward Marampata, a rural village located above the canyon.
This is one of the most important climbs of the trek. The path rises through vegetation, switchbacks, and exposed sections where the sun can feel strong. The effort is real, but the views begin to open as you gain altitude.
After reaching Marampata, the trail continues toward Choquequirao. The landscape becomes greener, and the presence of the archaeological site starts to feel close. After lunch, your guide leads a private tour through the main sectors of Choquequirao.
During the guided visit, you may see temples, palaces, ritual water fountains, agricultural terraces, the Usnu ceremonial platform, and the well-known llama terrace sector. The guide will explain how the site worked, why its location mattered, and why this place became one of the important Inca refuges after the Spanish invasion.
Later, you return to the campsite at Marampata for tea time and dinner.
Day Highlight: Reach Choquequirao and walk through its main Inca sectors with a private guided tour.
Technical Details
After breakfast, you begin the descent back toward the Apurimac River. This section takes you down from the higher slopes toward the canyon floor. The trail can be hard on the knees because of the constant downhill movement, loose dirt, and rocky sections.
As you approach the river, the heat usually increases. The Apurimac is not just part of the scenery. Its sound, movement, and depth give the canyon a strong presence throughout the day.
After reaching the lower part of the valley, you begin another uphill section toward Chiquisca, the third campsite. The climb is shorter than the previous day’s ascent, but it still requires effort, especially after the descent.
Once at camp, your tents will be ready. Hot drinks and appetizers are served before dinner.
Day Highlight: Return through the canyon and feel the force of the Apurimac River before climbing to Chiquisca.
Technical Details
After breakfast, you begin the final uphill hike toward Capuliyoc Pass. This climb is moderately difficult, but after three days of trekking, it may feel more demanding than expected. The trail rises steadily, with canyon views behind you and open mountain scenery ahead.
Once at Capuliyoc, you take time to look back over the Apurimac Canyon and the route you have completed. From here, the walking section ends, and the return by tourist van begins.
You continue by vehicle toward Cachora for lunch. Afterward, the route includes a visit to the archaeological site of Saywite, where your guide explains the importance of its carved stone and water-related symbolism.
Finally, you return by private transport to Cusco. Arrival is expected in the evening, according to road and traffic conditions.
Day Highlight: Complete the final climb out of the canyon and visit Saywite before returning to Cusco.
Technical Details
Trip went very smoothly and was very well organized. Easy to highlight is Machu Picchu, but our visit of Amantani island on Lake Titicaca was a real interesting and unique experience. Read more.
This was an excellent well-organized tour at a great value with plenty of variety and lots of free time to explore. Read more.
This was our first trip with Bookmundi and we are extremely happy. From start to finish the experience was excellent. Read more.
We saw all the highlights, the guides were excellent and the trip flowed nicely. The pacing was just right. Read more.
From $537 USD per person
This trek is available on the date that works best for you, with a minimum of 2 hikers.
The group service is a good option for travelers who want to share the trail with people from different parts of the world while keeping the cost lower than private service.
Group Service Characteristics
If you need to bring professional photo or video equipment, medical devices, mobility aids, special food products, or other personal support items, please inform our reservations team before booking.
Travelers with pets, wheelchairs, crutches, or serious mobility limitations must contact us before booking so we can evaluate whether this route is suitable.
Pick-up is arranged from your hotel in Cusco on the morning of the trek. Please send your hotel name and address in advance so our operations team can organize the route properly.
For some private services, pick-up from places such as Ollantaytambo or Urubamba may be evaluated upon request, depending on logistics.
During the trek, your main luggage can usually be stored at your hotel in Cusco. You may also ask our team about storage options at our office.
Only take what you need for the trek. Your duffel bag has a 7 kg limit, and the pack horses will move ahead of the group, so you will not have access to your duffel during the walking day.
A deposit is required to confirm your reservation and organize guide assignment, transport, entrance arrangements, horses, camping equipment, meals, and operational logistics.
The remaining balance can be paid before departure according to the method confirmed with our reservations team.
Cash payments in Cusco may help avoid extra card processing fees. Online or card payments may include service fees depending on the payment platform.
Deposits are not refundable once operational arrangements are confirmed, because part of the payment is used to secure staff, equipment, transport, and route logistics.
The Choquequirao Trek 4 Days can usually be arranged with reasonable notice because it does not require Machu Picchu entrance tickets or Inca Trail permits.
However, availability still depends on entrance access, guide schedules, transport, horses, camping equipment, and current route conditions.
In 2026, the Capuliyoc–Cachora route to Choquequirao was officially scheduled to reopen from April 15, 2026, after a temporary closure for visitor safety and heritage protection. For that reason, travelers should always confirm current access before booking.
For last-minute bookings within 24 hours, please contact our reservations team directly by phone. We will do our best to arrange the trip, but confirmation depends on real operational availability.
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and may affect transport, roads, and access routes.
If this happens, our operations team will try to keep your trip as close as possible to the original plan. In some cases, this may require leaving earlier, changing transport, or adjusting the itinerary.
Tours may also be canceled if safety conditions are not suitable. Any change or cancellation will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is always the priority.
Please pay attention to your personal items during transport, meals, camps, rest stops, and guided visits.
You are responsible for your belongings during the tour. Always check your seat, tent, dining area, and daypack before leaving any place.
This is a challenging trek with steep descents, strong climbs, warm canyon sections, and long walking days.
It is not recommended for travelers with serious heart conditions, severe knee problems, uncontrolled blood pressure, serious respiratory issues, or major mobility limitations unless approved by a doctor.
Older travelers or travelers with medical concerns should speak with their doctor before booking.
You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be in good physical condition and used to walking for several hours. Training before the trek will make the route more enjoyable and safer.
The weather changes by altitude and canyon location. Mornings can be cool, lower sections can become hot, and nights at camp may feel cold.
Rain can make the trail muddy or slippery, especially on descents. Good hiking boots, sun protection, rain gear, and trekking poles are highly recommended.
The Choquequirao Trek 4 Days is not a soft route. It is a demanding journey through canyon heat, steep climbs, remote villages, and one of the most powerful Inca archaeological sites in Peru.
For travelers who want fewer crowds, more silence, and a stronger sense of effort, Choquequirao offers something rare: a place that still feels earned.
With Machu Picchu Peru Lovers, you travel with a local team focused on safety, service, small groups, proper camping logistics, and respect for the communities connected to the route.
If you have a question about this or any other trip, our travel experts are ready to help with dates, availability and private options.
