Choquequirao Trek – 4D/3N – Camping

Departure briefing:

Your guide or trekking assistant will come to meet you at your hotel to present the final details and check the equipment.

Choquequirao:

We leave at dawn (around 5:30 a.m.), following the Apurímac River to the archaeological site of Sayhuite. Then we pass through Cachora (2,850 m), the last opportunity to buy supplies before reaching the viewpoint overlooking the Apurímac Canyon, dominated by the Padreyoc glacier (5,571 m).

This is where we meet the muleteers and begin our descent toward the Chiquisca hacienda, where we will spend the night in the heart of the Andean nature.

Distance: 8 km
Ascent: +40 m
Descent: -1,070 m
Maximum altitude: 3,600 m

After breakfast, we first descend to Playa Rosalina (1,550 m), then begin a steady ascent to the village of Marampata (2,850 m), from where we will have an impressive view of the archaeological site of Choquequirao (3,033 m).

With a bit of luck, we may even spot a condor gliding at dusk. Our accommodation is located about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the ruins, at an altitude of 2,950 m.

Distance: 9 km
Ascent: +1,500 m
Descent: -450 m
Maximum altitude: 2,850 m

Today, we will visit the citadel of Choquequirao (3,033 m), whose name means “cradle of gold” in Quechua. We will enjoy the peace and magic of this extraordinary site, still little known to the general public.

We will explore its most emblematic areas: the ceremonial palaces, the liturgical fountain, the main temple, the llama terraces, and the Ushnu, a ceremonial platform. Although only 30% of the site has been restored, its energy remains intact.

We will then return to the village of Marampata to spend the night.

Distance: 5 km
Ascent: +265 m
Descent: -145 m
Max altitude: 3,040 m

Early departure to enjoy the cool morning air. We descend toward the Apurímac River, cross it, then climb up to Capuliyoc (2,850 m), where our transport back to Cusco awaits us (4 h).

Distance: 17 km
Ascent: +1,500 m
Descent: –1,500 m
Maximum altitude: 2,850 m