A Journey to Ancient Inca Trails and Breathtaking Landscapes

The Choquequirao trek is an exciting adventure for all those who want to explore the ancient Inca trails and immerse themselves in the beautiful landscapes of the Andes. With its stunning ceremonial plazas, temples, and a chance to witness the flight of the condors, this five-day trek will give you unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

Experience the Beauty of Choquequirao

The Choquequirao trek takes you through various ecological floors with different microclimates and temperatures, giving you the opportunity to observe diverse flora and fauna species. The trek is challenging but rewarding, as you climb up and down great altitude levels to explore the area’s natural beauty.

Day 1: Cusco – Curahuasi – Cachora – Capuliyoc – Chikiska

On the first day of the trek, you will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco by KuskAndes, who will take you on a private bus to the town of Curahuasi.

After a 30-minute stop to purchase any last-minute essentials and have breakfast, the journey will continue for two and a half hours to Capuliyoc, where the trek will begin at 2950 meters above sea level. You will hike downhill for about two to three hours to reach Chikiska, where you will have your first lunch of the day at 1800 masl. After lunch, you will have the day off to relax and spend the night in Chikiska.

Day 2: Chikiska – Santa Rosa – Marampata – Choquequirao

Day two begins with an early morning awakening at 5:00 am, followed by breakfast at 5:30 am with a cup of tea or coca. You will then begin the descent for an hour to reach Playas Rosalinas, where you will cross the bridge of Rio Apurimac, one of the largest rivers in the area.

You will then embark on a two-hour ascent to Santa Rosa, where you can rest for 30 minutes before continuing the journey. The trek will continue for another two and a half hours until you reach the sector of Marampata, located at 2950 masl, where you will take a brief stop of 15 minutes to have a snack.

Then trek for another two and a half hours, passing through a narrow canyon and crossing a small creek called Cusilluchayoc until you reach the Choquequirao camp. This day is considered the most physically demanding but also the most beautiful, as you can enjoy the geographical landscape and observe the Andean bear of the region.

Day 3: Choquequirao (Archaeological Center Visits)

On day three, you will have the opportunity to explore the archaeological center of Choquequirao, which is one of the main highlights of the trek. Your guide will provide you with detailed information about the history of this Inca complex for about three hours. You will also visit different sectors of the monument, including «The Terraces of the Flame of the Sun.» After exploring the main part of the area, you will return to the camp for lunch and then visit the lower part of the sector called Pacchayoc, where you can learn about Inka engineering and their hydraulic systems, perfectly designed to irrigate each agricultural terrace. You will then spend the second night in the Choquequirao camp.

Day 4: Choquequirao Camp – Maranpata – Chikiska

After a very consistent breakfast, we return by the same road that we had previously taken to go to the sector of Santa Rosa. This time, we will have to make a descent to reach this point to rest and enjoy lunch under the shade of avocado trees, or also known as avocado.

After we finish our food, we will take a nap for 15 to 20 minutes and then continue descending to the point of Ro-salinas beach, which is located at 1500 meters above sea level. From this point, we will begin to ascend for an average of 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours to reach the Chikiska camp where we will spend the fourth night of the adventure.

Day 5: Chikiska – Capuliyoc – Cusco

On the fifth and last day of the trek. We will get up early at 5:00 am to enjoy breakfast before beginning our journey back to Capuliyoc. The trek will take approximately 3 hours with a total of 1 hour of ascent and 2 hours of descent until we reach the starting point of the trek, Capuliyoc, which is located at 2950 meters above sea level. Here, we will have our last lunch, and our guide will give us a small ceremony of gratitude for the successful completion of the trek. After that, we will take the bus back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 7:00 pm, and you will be dropped off at your respective hotels.

¿What are you waiting for a new adventure?

The Choquequirao trek is an unforgettable adventure for those who love nature and history. It’s a 5-day trek that will take you through different ecological floors and microclimates with diverse flora and fauna species. You will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent archaeological complex of Choquequirao, exploring its ceremonial plazas, temples, and «The Terraces of the Flame of the Sun.» You will also witness the breathtaking landscape of the Andean region, and if you’re lucky, you may see the flight of the condors. The Choquequirao trek is physically demanding, but it’s worth the effort to experience the adventure of a lifetime.