Choquequirao Trek 5 days: the complete guide
The five-day Choquequirao trek takes the same spectacular route to the lost citadel but adds something precious: a full day to explore the ruins themselves, plus a gentler pace through the great Apurímac Canyon.
Why add the extra day
Choquequirao is enormous — only about a third is excavated — and rushing it is a shame. The five-day version gives you a full exploration day among the terraces, plazas and the celebrated llama mosaics, with time to watch for condors over the canyon.
The route, day by day
| Day | Route |
|---|---|
| 1 | Cusco → Cachora → Chikisca |
| 2 | Chikisca → Marampata → Choquequirao |
| 3 | Full guided exploration of Choquequirao |
| 4 | Choquequirao → Chikisca |
| 5 | Chikisca → Cachora → Cusco |
See the full itinerary
Read the day-by-day plan, inclusions and dates.
How hard is it, and when to go
Still a challenging canyon trek, but the extra day eases the rhythm. Go in the dry season for safe trails, acclimatize in Cusco first, and read our packing guide for the warm, dry canyon conditions.
Why add a fifth day
The five-day Choquequirao trek covers the same demanding route in and out of the Apurímac Canyon as the four-day version, but the extra day changes the experience entirely: instead of touching the ruins and turning back, you get a full, unhurried day exploring Choquequirao itself, plus gentler daily distances that put far less strain on your knees and lungs.
| Day | Route | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cusco → Cachora → Chikisca | Descend into the canyon |
| 2 | Chikisca → Marampata | The big climb, taken slower |
| 3 | Full day exploring Choquequirao | Terraces, plazas, llama mosaics |
| 4 | Choquequirao → Chikisca | Begin the return |
| 5 | Chikisca → Cachora → Cusco | Final climb out |
What the full exploration day unlocks
Choquequirao is vast — only about a third has been cleared from the cloud forest — so a single afternoon barely scratches it. With a whole day you can reach the famous llama-mosaic terraces below the main complex, walk the upper ceremonial sector, and sit with the silence of a site that sees a tiny fraction of Machu Picchu's crowds. Condors are frequently overhead. For many trekkers, this unhurried day is the single best reason to choose the five-day plan over four.
Who it suits and when to go
The five-day version suits travelers who want the achievement and solitude of Choquequirao but prefer not to crush the route into the tightest possible window. It is still a serious trek — steep, hot and high — so good fitness and prior acclimatization remain essential, and the dry season (May–September) is strongly advised for safe footing on the exposed canyon trails. If you would rather keep walking all the way to Machu Picchu, see the epic 8-day traverse.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you want to properly explore the vast citadel rather than rush it. The extra day adds a full guided visit and a more comfortable pace.
Good fitness is needed for the steep canyon climbs, but the five-day pace is more forgiving than the four-day. Acclimatize in Cusco first.
