Choquequirao, located in the foothills of the Salkantay mountain range at 3,035 meters above sea level, is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of Yanama, Ampay, Choquecarpu, Pumasillo, and Panta. It sits on the right bank of the Apurímac River in the Santa Teresa district, La Convención province, Cusco department. This Inca town consists of small sites built with masonry in adjacent structures similar to other regions, positioned atop the hill of the same name.
Origin of Choquequirao Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu
Choquequirao Trek Peru, meaning “Cradle of Gold” in Quechua, was likely an important religious, political, and economic center during the Inca Empire. Though known to explorers in the late 18th century, significant excavations and restorations began only in the 20th century.
Reaching Choquequirao Trek Peru is challenging, making it a less crowded but equally rewarding destination compared to Machu Picchu. The most common trek is a multi-day trek from Cachora, offering panoramic views and diverse landscapes.
Depart from Cusco in the morning, visit Tarawasi Sawite on the way, and arrive at Cachora. Stay overnight in San Pedro de Cachora, enjoying views of Mount Padrilloq.
Begin the trek after breakfast, observing snow-capped peaks like Padrayoc. Hike 21.70 kilometers, passing through various settlements like La Colmena and Playa Rosalina, and set up camp in Santa Rosa.
Start early and trek to Choquequirao archaeological site, taking about 5 hours. Explore the ruins, including houses and terraces. Witness the “flight of the Condors” and camp near Choquequirao.
After breakfast, visit more ruins of Choquequirao before heading back to Chiquisqa. Enjoy views of Apurimac canyon and possibly see Condors. Stay overnight in Chiquisqa.
Resume trekking early, passing through breathtaking landscapes and reaching Cachora in about 7 hours. Return to Cusco by 5:00 PM.
To start our Choquequirao Trek Peru We depart from Cusco early in the morning using our private transportation, heading towards the town of Cachora. En route, we make stops to explore archaeological sites and Tarawasi Sawite. We spend the night in San Pedro de Cachora, where we’re greeted by stunning views of Mount Padrilloq (6,000 m).
In the morning, we enjoy our breakfast before loading our equipment onto mules and horses. From there, we can admire the majestic snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc, which stands at 5482 meters.
The hike on this first day covers a distance of 21.70 kilometers. Along the way, we pass by Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora, offering breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and a picturesque change in scenery from precipices to snowy mountains.
We stop for lunch at Playa Rosalina around 1:00 pm, where we can admire the impressive depth of the Apurimac canyon. After lunch, we continue to Santa Rosa, where we set up our camp.
The approximate duration of the hike is about 10 hours. Throughout the day, we pass through several settlements, including La Colmena (2870 masl), La Aguada (2915 masl), Capuliyoc (2915 masl), offering impressive views of the Apurimac Valley. We also trek through Huayhuacalle (2970 masl), Tinajayoc (2630 masl), Mirador (2370 masl), Cocamasana (2330 masl), Torowisqana (2285 masl), and Chiquisqa (1950 masl), where we find water in the forest. Finally, we arrive at Santa Rosa (2115 masl).
In the early morning at 5:00 am, following breakfast, we resume our hike towards Choquequirao. After a 5-hour trek, we arrive at the archaeological site, ready to explore.
We’ll have the opportunity to explore the three levels of the excavated ruins, observing houses, terraces, and ongoing excavation works that reveal the secrets of this late-Inca city.
Around 3 pm, weather permitting, we may witness the majestic flight of the Condors. Our knowledgeable guides will share insights into the history and significance of Choquequirao, shedding light on its role during the Spanish conquest of Peru.
Following our exploration, we set up camp near Choquequirao and spend the afternoon further exploring the site.
After breakfast visit more ruins of Choquequirao and walk back to Chiquisqa. On the way we can observe again Apurimac canyon. Here we may be lucky to appreciate the flight of the Condors, the exuberant vegetation and its variety of flowers and orchids.
The time of the hike is about 10 hours. Altitude: 3033-1950 m.s.n.m. passing the same small settlements along the way. We stop in Playa Rosalina where we will have our lunch and after that we will continue Chiquisqa. Here we will spend the night in our camp.
At Machu Picchu Peru Travel, we offer personalized Choquequirao Trek 5 Days, designed to match your interests and preferences. With expert local guides and customized itineraries, explore the beauty of the Andes. Check out our pricing options for a memorable adventure.
$ 395.00 USD
(Enjoy this service with more people from different countries)
$ 540.00 USD
(Enjoy this service only for you and your family – minimun 2 people)
Our clients trust us, and their glowing reviews on TripAdvisor speak for themselves. Discover why so many travelers choose us for unforgettable experiences in Cusco.
“MACHUPICCHU PERU TRAVEL” is a 100% Peruvian local company and tour operator in Cusco, with many years of experience in hikes, adventure tours, and travel packages. We are a 100% local company.
Our dream as a local company is to offer personalized travel and hiking experiences, operated solely by local professional staff, focusing on a PERSONALIZED and HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel operating agency, in addition to practicing RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE actions with the environment and local people.
We consider our staff as family and guarantee them a fair salary. We are very proud of our team! Without their support, we could not offer the quality of service that hundreds of our travelers have enjoyed.
At “MACHUPICCHU PERU TRAVEL,” we are aware that our reputation and what our passengers say are crucial for our travelers to trust their next vacations; you can check the reviews our travelers leave on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google; in an honest and reliable operator to create your adventure in Peru.
To offer a more personalized service at “MACHUPICCHU PERU TRAVEL,” we maintain a limit of 8 people for each of our groups. This distinguishes us from other companies that operate with larger groups.
We are very proud of our guides. They are experts and professionals, fluent in English. They are experts and knowledgeable about the routes, and they are passionate about Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to their continuous personal and professional development, researching to offer you accurate and recognized theories about Inca and Andean culture. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with degrees in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “MACHUPICCHU PERU TRAVEL” is an uplifting experience, we prioritize your comfort and enjoyment throughout the hike, and you will have the assistance of our porters. You will interact with local people, explore incredible sites, and rediscover ancient Inca ancestral towns. Our porters carry your gear, prepare your meals, set up our camp tents, and take care of you while you relax.
We provide our porters for free with: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable travel bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. All are hired from isolated communities, improving their economic circumstances and supporting the education of their children. We treat all our porters like family!
Our team (guides, cooks, porters, muleteers) and our equipment make “MACHUPICCHU PERU TRAVEL” stand out among our competitors. On our adventure hikes, we include:
At “MACHUPICCHU PERU TRAVEL,” we have always believed in giving back to isolated local communities. As part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we carry out various social projects and always hire local people.
We are very proud to support our local people. We not only employ them but also support their families, contributing to a holistic approach with our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones.
The Choquequirao trek lasts for 5 days.
The trek typically starts in Cusco.
Choquequirao is located at an altitude of approximately 3,035 meters above sea level.
The hike to Choquequirao usually takes about 5 hours.
At Choquequirao, you can observe ancient Inca ruins, terraces, and houses.
A highlight of the trek is witnessing the flight of the Condors, typically around 3 pm.
Besides archaeological sites, the trek offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and mountains.
The trek usually concludes with a return journey to Cusco, usually lasting until around 17:00.
Of course, you can visit Machu Picchu after completing the Choquequirao Trek Peru. You can check the availability of Machu Picchu on this page.
The weather during the Choquequirao Trek can vary, and it’s important to be prepared for different conditions.
The Choquequirao Trek does not require any permits, unlike the Inca Trail. However, it’s best to check with your tour operator for any specific restrictions or requirements.
Engage in regular cardiovascular exercises, such as hiking, jogging, or cycling, to improve your stamina and endurance.
Incorporate strength training exercises to strengthen your leg muscles and core.
If possible, try to do some hikes or walks at higher altitudes to acclimatize your body to the elevation.
Get Ready to Explore? With your booking confirmed, all thats left to do is pack your bags and get ready to explore. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first journey, well be with you every step of the way. At Machu Picchu Peru Travel, we believe that every journey begins with a single step. So why wait? Start your adventure today and let the world be your guide.
Machu Picchu Peru Travel it’s the people who make a difference. Our travel experts craft the perfect trip for every traveler through our award-winning customer service. Real people helping real people. Beside you every step of the way.
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