Choquequirao Trek 5 Days to the Inca City Above the Apurímac Canyon
Descend into the deep Apurímac canyon and climb to Choquequirao (3,033 m), a vast Inca city that only a few hundred people visit each month — from $430.
Choquequirao is often called the sister of Machu Picchu: a large Inca city of plazas, temples and terraces on a ridge high above the Apurímac canyon, reached only on foot. From Cachora (about 2,800 m), four hours by road from Cusco, the trail drops about 1,400 m to the river and climbs back up through Marampata to the ruins.
Over five days you descend into the canyon, climb to the site and spend a full day exploring Choquequirao with your guide — its plazas, temples and the terraces of the llamas — before returning the same way to Cachora and Cusco. It is a demanding trek with long, hot stages, rewarded by solitude and some of the most dramatic scenery in Peru. Camping gear, a cook, horses for the luggage, a guide and the Choquequirao entrance are included for US $430. Read our Choquequirao trek guide.
A vast Inca city of plazas, temples and terraces, still partly covered by forest.
The Apurímac canyon
One of the deepest canyons in the Americas, crossed on foot.
Llama terraces
Inca terraces decorated with white stone llamas, unique in the Andes.
Real solitude
Only a few hundred visitors a month, compared with thousands a day at Machu Picchu.
Camping under the stars
Nights at campsites in the canyon and at Marampata.
Horses and a cook
Horses carry the luggage and a cook prepares every meal on the trek.
Condors and canyon views
Andean condors often glide over the canyon walls.
From Cachora
A trailhead village about four hours by road from Cusco.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Choquequirao Trek 5 Days, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.
DAY 1
Cusco to Cachora, Capulichayoc and Chikisca
A 5:00 AM private transfer reaches Cachora (2,800 m). You hike through cloud forest and highlands with views of Padreyoc to the Capulichayoc viewpoint over the Apurímac Canyon, then descend to camp at Chikisca (1,800 m).
Distance
15 km / 9.3 mi
Altitude
2,800 m to 1,800 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 2
Chikisca, Marampata and Choquequirao
After the Playa Rosalina bridge you climb 4–5 hours to Marampata (2,950 m) for lunch, then reach the Inca citadel of Choquequirao (3,033 m), camping among the ruins with canyon views.
Distance
16 km / 9.9 mi
Elevation gain
1,233 m
Campsite
3,033 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 3
Choquequirao guided tour
A full day tours the three sectors of Choquequirao — urban, agricultural and religious — Machu Picchu's sister city high above the Apurímac, with chances to spot the Andean condor.
Visit
Full Choquequirao tour
Campsite
3,033 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Moderate
DAY 4
Choquequirao to Chikisca
You descend the Apurímac Canyon to Playa Rosalina for lunch, then climb back to camp at Chikisca (1,800 m) with sweeping valley and mountain views.
Distance
16 km / 9.9 mi
Campsite
1,800 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 5
Chikisca to Cachora and Cusco
A final climb past Capulichayoc, with lunch on the way, returns you to Cachora for the private drive back to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.
Distance
14 km / 8.7 mi
Endpoint
Cachora 2,800 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch
Return
Private car to Cusco
Difficulty
Moderate
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Choquequirao Trek 5 Days tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Hotel pickup in Cusco
Private transport Cusco to Cachora
Bilingual professional guide (English and Spanish)
Choquequirao entrance ticket
Chef and full camping equipment
Mules and muleteers for gear and luggage
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners as detailed
Oxygen cylinder and first aid kit
Vegetarian options on request
Return transport to Cusco
Not Included
Sleeping bag (rent in Cusco)
Trekking poles (rent in Cusco)
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Choquequirao Trek 5 Days day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Spend a day or two in Cusco (3,400 m) before this high-altitude trek. Hydrate well, eat light, drink coca tea and avoid alcohol. Our guides carry oxygen and a first aid kit throughout.
Physical fitness
Challenging. The trail drops about 1,400 m into the Apurímac canyon and climbs back out, often in strong heat, with 6–8 hours of walking on the main stages. The extra day at Choquequirao makes the pace a little easier than the 4-day trek.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October, with firm trails. The Apurímac canyon is hot at midday all year, so stages start early. From December to March the trail becomes muddy and slippery, and landslides are possible.
Sun & weather
The Apurímac canyon is hot and very sunny at midday, while nights at Choquequirao are cool. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a hat, at least 2 litres of water and insect repellent.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $430 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $408 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $387 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Challenging: the trail drops about 1,400 m into the canyon and climbs back out, often in strong heat, with 6–8 hours of walking a day.
No permit is needed; the Choquequirao entrance is included.
This 5-day trek adds a full day at the site and a gentler pace than the 4-day version.
Yes, on our 8-day or 9-day Choquequirao to Machu Picchu treks.
