Overview of Choquequirao
On this hike you will visit the semi-tropical Andean forests and experience how you leave the Andean plateau towards the high jungle, to finally reach the incredible ruins of Choquequirao .
Because this area is so isolated that it requires a full two-day hike to reach, the site receives a fraction of the visitors that visit Machu Picchu. Typically, there is not a soul at the site. However, about 8,000 people visit annually, compared to the nearly one million visitors that come to Machu Picchu each year.
This guide will help you plan and prepare for your trip to the wonderful ruins of Choquequirao, all this to be well informed before experiencing the difficult hike.
On your visit you will be able to find the llama sculpture, as well as other ancient designs that are not found anywhere else in Cusco. It is not known for sure why the Incas decided to do it only here, and experts suggest that it could be a tradition of previous civilizations such as the Chachapoyas who lived here before. By completing this hike, you will be one of the few who have witnessed these enigmatic terraces.
Trekking to Choquequirao is a great adventure. The Choquequira archaeological complex is located high in the Vilcabamba mountain range and can only be accessed on foot.
Choquequirao bears a resemblance to Machu Picchu with its terraces, temples, plazas and aqueducts, there is one very notable difference between the two: Machu Picchu receives around 3,300 visitors per day, while Choquequirao receives an average of only 15 to 20.
How to get to Choquequirao
To get to Choquequirao the only way to reach the trail that leads to these ruins is by rented bus or private vehicle.
Visiting Choquequirao can only be done by hiking and is considered a challenging hike. It is recommended to hire a guide and some pack mules to carry extra supplies. And it can take at least 2 days of full hiking to reach the archaeological site, and 4 days in total to complete the trip.
The hike to Choquequira is a well-maintained route , and you will usually find campsites where there is running water, showers and toilets, and even small shops selling snacks and drinks.
Best time of year to visit Choquequirao
We recommend doing this hike between May and September. This is the dry season in the Andes and also when the weather is more predictable. During the rainy season, between October and April, the trail is often closed due to unsafe trail conditions and torrential weather.
Choquequirao Trekking Difficulty
To do this hike you need to have a fitness level suitable for an average hiker. The hike consists of climbs from the valley to the top of the mountain.
To challenge this steep slope you will walk through zigzag areas. Fortunately, the final section of the trail leading to the stone gates of Choquequirao is flat.
Although it is a difficult hike, we are sure that the scenery and satisfaction of walking through these beautiful valleys is worth it. It is also likely that there will be no one else around and you will have the Choquequirao ruins all to yourself.
Hiking with a travel agency vs. hiking independently
If you are adequately prepared, you will be able to complete the hike to Choquequirao without a guide , although we recommend that you hire a guide or a travel agency.
If you travel with a guide or travel agency you will be able to learn more about the trail as well as the history and how Choquequirao was built in the time of the Incas.
Usually the tours with our travel agency “Incas Expeditions” include the following:
- Private transportation to and from the trailhead
- English speaking guide
- Cooking and Cooking Equipment
- All meals during the trekking
- Sandwiches
- Cooking, eating and bathing tents
- Tents for two people
- Mules and mule handlers
- Saddled horse (1 horse for every 6 people)
- First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle
Altitude sickness on the Choquequirao route
Altitude sickness is a serious side effect of overexertion at high altitudes.
It occurs in 20 percent of people at 8,000 feet and 40 percent of people at 10,000 feet. For the Choquequirao hike, you are very likely to experience some form of altitude sickness as the altitudes reach 10,100 feet.
That is why it is important to acclimatize properly and take the necessary time to do the hike, in addition to proper acclimatization in the city of Cusco.
Measures to combat altitude sickness include acclimatizing in the Andes for 48 to 72 hours, eating a light, high-calorie diet, staying hydrated, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, walking slowly, and taking breaks when necessary.
also recommend that you contact your primary care physician for a complete evaluation and additional recommendations to avoid an impact with altitude sickness.
Upon your arrival in the city of Cusco, you will receive additional advice from our travel specialists to prevent and combat altitude sickness.
Travel tips for visiting Choquequirao
- The Choquequirao ruins are most appealing to those who crave adventure and love pristine natural landscapes!
- Don’t forget to bring good waterproof gear as it tends to rain at certain times of the year.
- The altitude of the ruins is also 2,600 masl, so the hike is only recommended for those who consider themselves relatively fit.
Choquequirao Packing List
These items are listed from most to least important. Be sure to speak to a travel advisor for more information on what to bring.
- Backpack
- Appropriate Hiking Attire
- Appropriate Footwear
- Sleeping bag
- Toiletries
- Mosquito repellent and sunscreen
- A camel backpack or water bottles
- flip flops (for showers)
- Sunglasses
- Extra camera and batteries
Trekking to Choquequirao at a glance
As for difficulty, the hike to Choquequirao is pretty tough, but you probably already know that the coolest experiences usually are.
The 4-day trek involves a 1500m descent to the valley followed by a 1800m climb (and back the same way you came). If you undertake the full 9-day Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek, you’ll take the same route to the ruins, but continue for several days, climbing high passes and into lowland basins.
The hike to Choquequirao (with or without a guide) is relatively difficult compared to other hikes in Peru. But, if you get through the tougher parts, you’ll be able to experience one of the best alternatives to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu in the entire Sacred Valley. And experiencing something like Machu Picchu, but practically in solitude, makes the hike to Choquequirao totally worth it.
Are you interested in trekking to Choquequirao? Go ahead and do it. Live the adventure, live the experience and, most importantly, go before they build a damn cable car. I’ll show you how.
Do you want the guide?
Back in 2016, it was hard to get information about the Choquequirao hike. Aside from a couple of blog posts and an email thread with other hikers, there was almost no information about the hike back then! That’s why we’ve just published our first Quirky Travel Guide about the Choquequirao hike!
It includes detailed topographic maps created by a cartographer, 3 researched trekking routes (including the full route to Machu Picchu), an overview of campsites, recommended tour operators, and tons more information that we couldn’t fit into one post.
November 2022 Updates: The last update was in 2019, but most of the information is still current. View the guide’s contents or download it for $2.99 here.
Trekking routes to Choquequirao
The Choquequirao trek is a 4-9 day hike that visits Choquequirao. There are 3 main routes as of 2019, but there are slight variations depending on your fitness level or interest.
Equipment Rental in Cusco – Equipment Transport on the Choquequirao TrekWondering which route to take? Whichever path you take, you’ll have unspoiled landscapes straight out of nature documentaries. Choquequirao can be your destination or hike from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu for an epic showdown with the Incas.
The 3 routes The main ones are:
- The Classic Route: The Classic Route is a four-day round trip hike to Choquequirao that begins and ends in Cachora.
- The Huanipaca Route : The Huanipaca Route is the quickest route to Choquequirao; it is also a four-day hike that starts in Cachora, but instead of walking back the way you came, you will spend your last night in Villa los Loros and take a taxi to Huanipaca.
- The Yanama Route : The Yanama Route is a nine-day trek from Cachora to Machu Picchu that covers all the highlights of the Sacred Valley with stops at Choquequirao, Pinchinuyoc , Llactapata and Machu Picchu; this trek begins in Cachora and eventually joins up with the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.
The Classic Route in detail
Below is the itinerary for the Classic Route to Choquequirao. Kilometer points are based on the distance between stops or campsites.
Day 1: Cachora to Santa Rosa Alta // Hiking distance: 24 km or 13 km (by taxi)
Start in Cachora. From the village, you will need to reach the start of the trail at Mirador de Capuliyoc (11 km), which can be done on foot (2.5 to 3 hours) or by taxi (30 minutes). As the path from Cachora to Capuliyoc is rather boring and intersects the road, it is preferable to take a taxi and start the hike from Capuliyoc. From Mirador de Capuliyoc, you will make a steep descent into the Apurímac Canyon through a long series of hairpin bends. As you walk, you will have views of Padreyoc and the river below.
The first campsite you’ll pass is Cocamasana, and further up is a campsite nestled among the trees called Chiquisca (7 km). You can choose to stop here or continue towards the Apurimac River. Just before the bridge over the Apurimac River, you’ll find another paid campsite with nice views, fire pits, toilets, showers, a basic food store and a simple kitchen called Playa Rosalina (2 km). You can camp here, or if you still have daylight or energy, you can venture further with a climb to one of the two sites at Santa Rosa Baja (3 km) or Santa Rosa Alta (1 km), although this site is often closed. Don’t be fooled by the short distances – the climb is tough after a long day of hiking, but it will reduce some of the altitude gains for the next day. It’s worth the effort if you can!
Hike to Choquequirao, day 1 Hike to Choquequirao, day 1
Day 2: Santa Rosa Alta to Choquequirao // Walking distance: 7 km
It is a tough climb from Santa Rosa Alta to Choquequirao. Before reaching the ruins, you will reach the small village of Marampata, at the top of the mountain (3 km). While it is only a 3 km hike from Santa Rosa Alta to Marampata, this part is difficult due to hairpin turns, false summits, limited tree cover and a gradient of over 700 m.
You can choose to leave your bags in the village or continue on to the campsites located just below the ruins. From Marampata, it is a gradual incline to Choquequirao campsite (4km), which offers a significant respite from the rest of the day. If you start early enough, you can make a quick visit to the Choquequirao ruins before returning to your campsite for the night.
Hike to Choquequirao, day 2 Hike to Choquequirao, day 2 Hike to Choquequirao, day 2 Hike to Choquequirao, day 2 Hike to Choquequirao, day 2 Hike to Choquequirao, day 2 Hike to Choquequirao, day 2
Day 3: Choquequirao to Playa Rosalina // Hiking distance: 11 km
If you camped at Choquequirao, get up early and walk back to the ruins to see the sunrise. The trip back to Cachora is fairly easy; you’ll just return the same way you came.
That said, the hairpin turns and steep 1,880m descent to the Apurimac River make the descent almost as physically challenging as the ascent. Depending on how much energy you’ve expended, you can either camp at Santa Rosa Alta (7km) or continue on to the riverside campsite, Playa Rosalina (4km).
Day 4: Rosalina Beach to Cachora // Distance: 20 km or 9 km (by taxi)
The climb time to the Capuliyoc viewpoint will vary. If you camped in Santa Rosa Alta, you’ll hike downhill (4 km). From Playa Rosalina (9 km), it’s all uphill. While much of the hike to Capuliyoc is an easy climb up the side of the canyon, it ends with the same series of hairpin turns you started with.
Once you’ve finally reached the Capuliyoc viewpoint, you definitely deserve a cold drink. From there, you can either walk the easy downhill hike to Cachora (2 hours) or take the short taxi ride (30 minutes) . The Hike to Choquequirao, Day 3 The Hike to Choquequirao, Day 4
Get the guide with road maps + day-by-day itineraries for the Huanipaca Route and Yanama Route to Machu Picchu
Camping in Choquequirao
There are designated campsites and even a couple of simple hotels along the route to Choquequirao. The campsites are surprisingly well maintained and many have toilets, showers, tents and simple kitchens.
Choquequirao Trekking – Santa Rosa Camp
- Cachora (0km): The starting point of the Choquequirao Trekking is a small town with hotels, restaurants and many food stores.
- Cocamasana (~16 km): New campsite with stunning views of the valley, but not often open. Three small plots and a terrace with open space for tents, basic toilets.
- Chiquisca (19 km): Paid campsite just before a steep descent to the river, with basic bathroom and shower facilities and simply cooked food available for purchase.
- Playa Rosalina (21 km): Paid campsite by the river with nice scenery, fire pits at each site, toilets, showers, a very basic food store, and a kitchen that prepares simple food. According to 2019 reports, this site is less well maintained than it used to be and has no running water.
- Alfonso (22 km): Simple campsite with no bathrooms or kitchen access. Please note that this site is often closed and may flood if it rains due to lack of grass and limited drainage.
- Santa Rosa Baja (24 km): Paid campsites with very basic toilets and showers, but nice views of the canyon. Located next to a private cabin that sells food and simple meals. There is a second family-run establishment nearby with horses and mules, but there are plenty of carriages.
- Santa Rosa Alta (25 km): Free campsite right on the hill in Santa Rosa Baja with clean facilities and simple meals. The sites are nice. It is said to be closed often, but the owner plans to open it soon.
- Marampata (28 km): A small village with several camping sites, shops to buy food and even a small hotel. The best place to rent a mule if you are too tired to continue the hike on your own.
Guide or not guide?
Unlike the Inca Trail, it is possible to do the Choquequirao hike and other Inca Trail alternatives without a guide. That said, the Choquequirao hike is recognized as one of the most challenging hikes in Peru. You should make an honest assessment of your fitness level and the weather before undertaking it alone.
Trekking to Choquequirao, equipment rental
Choquequirao tours with guide (from Cusco)
Most guided tours include round-trip transportation (Cusco to Cachora), pre-trip accommodation, a guide, a muleteer, a mule, necessary camping equipment, and food. There are many advantages to taking a tour to Choquequirao.
On a hike as difficult as this, you won’t have to worry about navigation, transporting your gear, or logistics. Your guide will offer you localized information about the region and ruins that you probably wouldn’t know about on your own.
The notable downsides are that this trek is still very expensive. The tour will cost between $500 and $1500 per person if you organize it from Cusco, which is up to 10 times more than it would cost on your own. Another downside is that you will have someone else take care of the logistics, and where’s the fun in that?
Choquequirao guided tours (from Cachora)
If you already have your camping equipment and don’t mind finding accommodation and transportation, you can also look for a tour from Cachora that includes a guide, a muleteer, a mule, the necessary camping equipment and food. The advantages of this option are similar to the previous ones.
They take care of all navigation, transportation and logistics, and you’ll have someone who knows the region!
The downsides are that it’s still more expensive than going alone, costing between $300 and $800 (although prices are almost half of what you’d pay from Cusco). Plus, you’ll have to make last-minute arrangements, as most guides in Cachora don’t have a website or shop.
Hike to Choquequirao without a guide
Since this entire article is about hiking Choquequirao without a guide, I’ll start with the disadvantages.
You’ll have to bring your own gear and worry about logistics. You’ll have to make arrangements to get your own camping equipment (here are some rental agencies in Cusco) and bring cooking equipment and food in case you’re traveling in the off-season. But if you’re like me, the struggle is half the fun.
Trekking to Choquequirao without a guide is a good option if you are on a budget or you like the adventure of walking independently.
The trail is very easy and well marked along the Classic Route, so there’s really no way to get lost. You’ll go at your own pace. The only real costs of trekking to Choquequirao without a guide are local buses, simple hotels, park entrance fees, camping fees, food, and transportation.
Without the tour operator surcharge, you’ll find these costs to be pretty insignificant. In total, a four-day hike to Choquequirao shouldn’t cost more than $150, including food and equipment rental (or less if you’re going with a larger group).
You can check my detailed cost breakdown below for the Choquequirao solo hike.
How much does the Choquequirao Trek cost?
Below is a general projection of costs for two people on the four-day Classic Route to Choquequirao (2019). The route becomes significantly more expensive once the trail joins up with Salkantay. You should increase your daily budget as you get closer to Machu Picchu. I bought and rented everything I needed in Cusco, but some basic supplies can also be sourced in Cachora.
- Round trip transportation from Cusco to Cachora ($30-$50)
- Pre- accommodation in Cachora ($30-$40)
- Camping fees (free: $20)
- Camping equipment rental ($60)
- Food and water (from Cusco) ($30)
- Food and water (purchased) (varies)
- Entrance fee to Choquequirao ($18)
- Optional : Mule rental ($ 120 )
Costs are per person. The cost per person for accommodation, equipment rental, and mule rental is less if you share the hike with another person. If you hike independently, it should cost no more than $150-$200 per person.
How to get to Choquequirao
The Choquequirao trek begins in Cachora, a small town about 3 hours from Cusco. Here you can find more information on how to get from Cusco to Cachora as of 2019.
Take a taxi from downtown Cusco to the Terminal Terrestre (S/8 / $2.40)
Take the bus to Abancay (from S/30 / $9), but ask to stop at “Ramal de Cachora.” It’s about 3 hours and 150 km away, and the bus won’t stop here unless you ask. Keep an eye out for the “148 km” marker to make sure you don’t miss it. At the time of writing, Oltursa , Cruz del Sur, and Movilbus all had buses from Cusco to Abancay that could be booked online. To leave earlier in the day, go directly to Terminal Terrestre to book your bus ticket. If you miss your stop, you can get off at Abancay and try to catch a shared minivan back to Ramal de Cachora (S/5 / $1.50).
Once you have reached the Ramal de Cachora, you can either: wait for a shared minibus or colectivo to fill up (S/5 / $1.50) or pay for a private taxi (S/30 / $9) directly to Cachora. Be prepared to haggle, as taxi and colectivo drivers can be a bit shy along this route.
Optional: If you decide to start your hike from Mirador de Capuliyoc, you can hire a taxi in town (S/30 / $9)
What food to bring for a 4-day hike
Food can be purchased along the way, but it is almost impossible to find shops open in the off-season. Here are some cheap and locally available ingredients you can take with you:
- Water (4 L of water ($2) and instant coffee ($1))
- Main dishes (4 ramen noodles ($1.50), 1 loaf of bread ($1), cooked rice ($1), penne noodles ($0.50), 8 tamales ($3), 1 packet of soup ($0.50))
- Proteins (2 cans of tuna ($3), protein powder ($1), 4 boiled eggs ($2))
- Snacks (6 packs of cookies ($2), peanuts ($2), raisins ($1))
- Condiments (1 packet of peanut butter ($3), 1 packet of jelly ($0.50), seasonings ($1))
- Fruits and vegetables (broccoli and carrots cut into pieces ($1); 4 apples ($2)
