Choquequirao Trek – 4D/3N – Homestay

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

Choquequirao:

Departure at dawn (around 5:30 a.m.) following the Apurímac River until reaching 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

Night with a local family in Chiquisca.

After breakfast, we will first descend toward Playa Rosalina (1,550 m), then begin a sustained ascent to the village of Marampata (2,850 m), from where we will have a breathtaking 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

Night with a local family in Marampata.

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, the ceremonial platform. Although only 30% of the site has been restored, its energy remains intact.

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

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

Night with a local family in Marampata.

Early departure to take advantage of the morning coolness. We descend toward the Apurímac River, cross it, then climb up to Capuliyoc (2,850 m), where our transport to Cusco will be waiting for us (4 h).

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