A rigorous four-day trek from Cusco that drops into the Apurímac canyon and climbs to the dramatic Choquequirao ruins. Expect steep descents and high saddles, remote camps, and sweeping Inca terraces with fewer crowds than Machu Picchu.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Before dawn a string of headlamps threads down a dusty switchback and the canyon opens like a page: terraced stone edges, a river thin and fast far below, and the silhouette of a lost city clinging to a ridge. The first day drops you through sun-baked scrub into the Apurímac gorge; later days push back up through cloud-washed forests to the high terraces of Choquequirao — a place of carved stones, steep platforms, and wind that seems to read the ruins aloud.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
4 days (approx. 18–24 hours hiking total)
Fitness Level
High fitness required: regular hill training and experience with long days, steep ascents/descents and altitude are recommended.
Wildlife
History
Choquequirao is thought to have expanded under Pachacuti and later served as a refuge and administrative center for Manco Inca Yupanqui during Spanish incursions.
Conservation
The site is remote and sensitive; stick to established paths, avoid disturbing terraces, and follow local guidelines on waste — tourism helps local economies but brings erosion risk if unmanaged.
Reserve your spot on the Choquequirao Trek (4 Days) today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize in Cusco
Spend 48–72 hours in Cusco before the trek to reduce altitude sickness risk; hydrate and avoid heavy exertion the first day.
Sturdy footwear and trekking poles
The trail includes long, steep descents and rocky steps — ankle-supporting boots and poles cut fatigue and protect knees.
Carry cash and small change
Small local vendors and horse drivers expect soles or small bills for tips and incidentals where cards aren’t accepted.
Pack for variable weather
Sunny lower sections can turn windy and cold at 2,900–3,000 m; bring a warm midlayer and a waterproof shell.
Sturdy hiking boots
Support and traction for steep, rocky descents and uneven Inca steps.
Insulated jacket
Warmth for cold nights and windy high camps near 3,000 m.
winter
Waterproof shell
Protection from rain and wind during wet-season afternoons and canyon breezes.
spring
Trekking poles
Reduces knee strain on steep downhill sections and improves balance on loose terrain.