Choquequirao Trek 4 days: the complete guide
Choquequirao is what Machu Picchu was a century ago — vast, half-excavated and almost empty of visitors. The four-day trek to reach it is demanding, plunging in and out of the deepest canyon in the Americas, and that effort is exactly why so few people stand where you will stand.
The “other Machu Picchu”
Often called Machu Picchu’s sister city, Choquequirao shares its architecture, its latitude and its dramatic setting — but receives a tiny fraction of the visitors. You may explore its terraces, plazas and the famous llama mosaics with hardly another soul around.
The route, day by day
| Day | Route | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cusco → Cachora → Chikisca | Descend into the canyon |
| 2 | Chikisca → Marampata → Choquequirao | The big climb; reach the ruins |
| 3 | Choquequirao → Chikisca | Explore and descend |
| 4 | Chikisca → Cachora → Cusco | Final climb out |
See the full itinerary
Read the day-by-day plan, inclusions and dates.
How hard is it?
Make no mistake — this is a tough trek. The descent and re-ascent of the Apurímac Canyon mean thousands of metres of steep climbing in warm, dry air. It rewards genuine fitness and good acclimatization, but you do not need technical skills, just determination.
When to go
The dry season (May–September) is strongly recommended — the canyon trails are exposed and can be treacherous when wet. See our best-time guide.
Frequently asked questions
It is one of the harder treks in the region, with steep descents and ascents in and out of the Apurímac Canyon. Good fitness and acclimatization are essential.
It is different — far less excavated and almost crowd-free. Many trekkers find the solitude and effort make it more rewarding, though Machu Picchu remains the more complete site.
No Inca Trail permit is needed. You pay a Choquequirao entrance, which we arrange, and there is no daily cap like the Inca Trail.