ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoc – La Playa

Your Choquequirao adventure begins early with a 4:00 AM pickup from your hotel in Cusco. Traveling by private vehicle with your guide, we’ll drive for approximately three hours through the Andean highlands to Capuliyoc (3,200 m / 10,499 ft), the official trailhead of the trek.

Here, you’ll meet your horsemen, horses, trekking chef, and support team. While final preparations are made, your chef will serve a freshly prepared breakfast, and your guide will introduce the crew and outline the journey ahead.

Before setting off, take a moment to enjoy the panoramic views of snow-capped mountains and deep canyons, an inspiring first glimpse of the landscapes that define this route.

Trek to La Playa

After a group photo, we begin the trek toward Choquequirao with a three-hour downhill hike. The trail descends gradually with occasional stops, offering sweeping views of the Apurímac River canyon and a constantly changing ecosystem filled with colorful flora and native wildlife.

The path can be dusty and uneven in sections, but using sturdy trekking boots and trekking poles makes the walk manageable and comfortable.

We’ll stop for lunch at a scenic midpoint, allowing time to rest and refuel before continuing the descent. In the afternoon, we hike for another three hours to reach La Playa (1,800 m / 5,905 ft), a quiet campsite nestled at the bottom of the valley.

Here, your team will already be setting up camp, marking the end of your first day on the trail and the beginning of a truly remote Andean experience.

Day 1 Overview

• Early private transfer from Cusco
• Spectacular canyon and mountain views
• First descent into the Apurímac Valley
• Support team, horses, and private trekking chef

Day 2: La Playa – Marampata – Choquequirao

After an early breakfast, we prepare for one of the most demanding and rewarding days of the Choquequirao Trek.

The day begins by crossing the Apurímac River, marking the transition from valley floor to high-mountain terrain. From here, the trail climbs steadily for approximately four hours, following a series of zigzag switchbacks carved into the mountainside.

As we ascend, the environment changes dramatically. Along the way, you’ll pass sugarcane farms, dense vegetation, and a rich variety of Andean flora and fauna. With some luck, you may even spot condors gliding overhead, riding the warm canyon thermals. This ascent is widely considered the most challenging section of the trek, and for added support, an emergency horse is available should you need a break.

Lunch in Marampata

Reaching Marampata (3,350 m / 10,990 ft) signals the end of the sustained uphill climb. Here, we’ll enjoy a well-earned lunch with panoramic views, followed by time to rest and recharge. Many travelers choose to relax or take a short nap before continuing.

Final Push to Choquequirao

In the afternoon, we continue for a final two-hour walk toward Choquequirao. This section is often described as the most memorable of the entire trek. From the trail, you’ll enjoy expansive views across the Apurímac Canyon, with the Choquequirao archaeological complex gradually revealing itself in the distance.

As we approach camp, the surroundings become richer with orchids, native flowers, and occasional wildlife sightings, including spectacled (Andean) bears in the area.

Upon arrival, your tents will already be set up at a campsite located just below the Inca site, one of the most privileged camping locations on the route.

If energy allows, you can take an optional 30-minute walk to the ruins to enjoy sunset views over Choquequirao, a quiet and powerful moment few travelers ever experience.

Day 2 Overview

• Walking Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
• Highest Point: Marampata – 3,350 m / 10,990 ft
• Weather: Warm during the day
• Meals Included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon happy hour, dinner
• Difficulty: Challenging (long sustained ascent)

Day 3: Exploring Choquequirao Citadel

After an early breakfast, we prepare for what many consider the most spectacular day of the entire trek, a deep exploration of the Choquequirao Archaeological complex.

A short 30-minute walk brings us from camp to the ruins, where your guide begins a comprehensive, story-driven tour of this vast Inca city. Often described as larger than Machu Picchu, Choquequirao remains largely hidden beneath cloud forest, giving it a powerful sense of discovery and solitude.

Unlike other Inca sites, Choquequirao is spread across multiple levels of the mountain. The Incas carefully studied the terrain before constructing temples, ceremonial plazas, agricultural terraces, residences, astronomical observatories, and intricate water channels, all seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape.

Morning Guided Tour

We spend approximately four hours exploring the site, learning about its political, religious, and astronomical significance, as well as its strategic location overlooking the Apurímac Canyon. The scale of the complex and the absence of crowds make this visit especially immersive.

Lunch & Rest at Camp

After the morning exploration, we return to camp for lunch and a well-deserved rest. This break allows you to recharge before heading out again in the afternoon.

Afternoon Highlights

Later, we continue exploring some of Choquequirao’s most fascinating and lesser-visited sections:

• The Llama Terraces: A steep 30-minute downhill walk leads to a series of narrow agricultural terraces decorated with white stone llama figures embedded into the walls. These are believed to symbolize the llama constellation in the Milky Way, reflecting the Incas’ deep connection to astronomy.
• The Usno (Ceremonial Platform): From here, we enjoy a peaceful sunset over the surrounding mountains, one of the most memorable moments of the trek.

As daylight fades, we walk back to camp for our second night at Choquequirao, surrounded by silence, stars, and the powerful presence of this remote Inca city.

Day 3 Overview

• Weather: Hot, with mosquitoes
• Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon happy hour, dinner
• Difficulty: Moderate (site exploration with some steep sections)

Day 4: Choquequirao – Marampata – La Playa – Chikiska

After another early breakfast, we begin our journey back toward Cusco, retracing our steps through one of the most dramatic sections of the Apurímac Canyon.

The morning starts with an approximately 2-hour hike back to Marampata, offering fresh perspectives of the canyon below. As clouds lift from the depths of the valley, the scenery continuously shifts, revealing waterfalls cascading down distant cliffs and wide, open Andean landscapes. Along the way, your guide will help spot flora and fauna you may have missed earlier, enriching the experience with insight into this unique ecosystem.

Long Descent to La Playa

From Marampata, the trail drops steeply for about 4 hours downhill toward La Playa. This is one of the most physically demanding sections of the return journey due to the sustained descent, and trekking poles are highly recommended for added stability.

Midway through the descent, we pause for a refreshing break to sample locally farmed fruits. The cactus fruit is often the highlight, offering a welcome burst of natural energy.

Lunch at La Playa

We arrive at La Playa in time for a well-earned lunch, giving you a chance to rest, refuel, and recover before the final stretch of the day.

Afternoon Ascent to Chikiska

After lunch, we continue with a 2 to 3-hour uphill hike to Chikiska Camp, a peaceful campsite located beside a local family’s home. This area is rich in wildlife, and sightings may include spectacled bears, condors, hummingbirds, and other native species.

As evening settles in, we enjoy happy hour and dinner, reflecting on the journey while surrounded by the sounds of the canyon and jungle.

Day 4 Overview

• Trekking Distance: 18 km / 11.3 miles
• Weather: Hot, with mosquitoes
• Meals Included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, happy hour, dinner
• Difficulty: Challenging (long downhill followed by ascent)

Day 5: Chikiska – Capuliyoc – Cusco

After an early breakfast, we begin the last stretch of the Choquequirao journey with a 4-hour uphill hike to reach the official end of the trek. It’s a steady climb, offering time to reflect on the days behind you and the landscapes you’ve crossed.

At the trail’s end, we’ll share a final lunch together with your guide, porters, and horsemen: a meaningful moment to thank the team who supported you throughout the expedition.

After saying goodbye, we continue by private vehicle on a scenic 3-hour drive back to Cusco. Along the way, we pass through Curahuasi, a region known for cultivating anise (anís), a traditional Andean herb.

You’ll arrive back in Cusco at approximately 6:00 PM where we’ll drop you off directly at your hotel, marking the end of an unforgettable trekking experience.

Day 5 Overview

• Walking Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
• Weather: Hot
• Meals Included: Breakfast, snacks, lunch
• Arrival in Cusco: Around 6:00 PM