The Choquequirao Ultimate Challenge
If you’re addicted to challenging physical activity, love nature, and are passionate about the history of ancient civilizations, this route is the perfect choice for you. Discover this off-the-beaten-path architectural jewel of the Incas on a trek that will challenge your physical and mental limits and provide you with the most epic adventure imaginable.
In Quechua, Choquequirao means “Cradle of Gold.” This incredible site sits high looking over the Apurimac River, and snowy peaks surround it. Tourists rarely visit it due to the fact it’s not as ‘famous’ as Machu Picchu, and you can only get there by hiking. It’s three times bigger, though, and just as impressive! Join us and discover the secrets of this beautiful site and learn why it’s only recently being uncovered.
The Short Trek Choquequirao 4 Days Map
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Before You Go
- Packing List
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
If you want to leave the crowds behind and venture on a challenging, exciting, and stunning trek, this route is perfect for you. You can join us as a couple or with a group of family or friends. We take care of every last detail so you can enjoy your trip to the max.
The Choquequirao Route is truly spectacular and very rarely visited by tourists. In other words, it’s barely known, seldom visited, and rarely explored. Choquequirao is believed to be the legendary last city inhabited by the Incas when the Spanish conquest reached Peru. You’ll be amazed by the sheer size of the site since it’s much larger than Machu Picchu.
Prepare yourself for a journey through time, leaving modernity and worries behind as you wander through the stony streets of Choquequirao. You’ll easily be able to imagine a lifestyle where great importance was given to the community and where there was a deep love and respect for Mother Nature or Pachamama as the Incas knew her. This intense and valuable connection between human beings and nature allowed the ancient civilization to create true wonders of architecture and engineering.
During this amazing adventure, you’ll travel the ancient paths that the Incas used hundreds of years ago, climb high Andean peaks, contemplate the majesticness of the glaciers, descend through deep canyons where the gigantic condors fly, and cross through completely different ecosystems in this fantastically biodiverse country.
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day 01
Cusco | Capuliyoc - Chiquisca - Playa Rosalinas - Santa Rosa
Enjoy this first day by taking in the incredible scenery of the Apurimac River and valley before you get to Santa Rosa, where you’ll spend the night.
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Day 02
Santa Rosa | Marampata - Choquequirao Archaeological Complex - Marampata
You hike to Marampata this morning and enjoy amazing panoramic views, then follow the trail to Choquequirao. Remember to save your energy because you will return to Marampata for the night.
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Day 03
Marampata | Santa Rosa - Playa Rosalinas - Chiquisca
You will depart from Marampata observing more impressive landscapes and refresh yourself in the cold waters of Rosalinas beach. Later, you will arrive at Chiquisca village to spend the night.
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Day 04
Chiquisca | Capuliyoc - Saywite Monolith - Conoc Hot Springs - Cusco
You will hike to Capuliyoc and at this point, you will say goodbye to the trekking team before heading to the Saywite Monolith. Afterwards, you will explore the Conoc hot springs to relax. In the afternoon, you will return in our private transportation to Cusco.
What's it like
Highlights
- Get away from the crowds and enjoy this outstanding experience in peace and be at one with Mother Nature.
- Trek through stunning Andean landscapes and see how they change drastically from one area to the next.
- Explore Choquequirao, the largest Inca site in existence, without many other people around.
- Hike through the pretty Apurimac landscape and see canyons, the rushing river, and snowy peaks.
- Immerse yourself in this epic trip and feel like you’ve been transported back in time to the last days of the Inca Empire.
Why Travel with us
Cusco | Capuliyoc - Chiquisca - Playa Rosalinas - Santa Rosa
Highlight of the day: Walk through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
Hike Through the Beautiful Andean Landscape and Breathe the Fresh Air
We’ll pick you up at dawn and head for breakfast in Capuliyoc before starting our hike. You’ll join the rest of the trekking team and set off. The hug Apurimac valley is sure to blow you away, and you’ll see lots of other fantastic scenery along the way. When you reach Chiquisca, you’ll enjoy your first lunch.
This afternoon, you’ll keep walking through mountainous landscapes and by the rushing Apurimac River that many extreme sports fans love to canoe or raft on. You’ll end the day in Santa Rosa at our camp to eat dinner and enjoy a rest.
Your epic trip begins at 4:30 am when we collect you from your accommodation in Cusco and drive for five hours to Capuliyoc in our private transport. Along the way, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the Salkantay and Humantay snowy mountains.
When we arrive in Capuliyoc, you’ll devour a delicious breakfast and meet the cook and horseman who’ll make up your trekking team. They’ll make sure your belongings arrive safely at each camp and ensure you’re well-fed.
Once we start hiking, you’ll make your way through the beautiful Apurimac landscapes through a huge valley on a 3-hour downhill walk. You’ll spot two more gigantic mountains, Padreyoc and Qoriwayrachina before we reach our lunch spot at Chiquisca.
When you’re full and reenergized, we’ll continue for another hour and fifteen minutes to the bottom of the valley. Here, you’ll be confronted with the rushing Apurimac River, which is known as “Speaking God” in Quechua. The water boasts class V rapids, making it perfect for canoeing or rafting.
Finally, we’ll make the last 2-hour descent until we reach Santa Rosa (1,970 m / 6,463 ft), our first campsite. You’ll enjoy a tasty dinner before heading to bed for some well-earned sleep.
Santa Rosa | Marampata - Choquequirao Archaeological Complex - Marampata
Highlight of the day: Entering Choquequirao for the first time and being in awe.
Arrive at the Epic Choquequirao Complex
You will start the day walking to Marampata, where you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the canyon and the panoramic landscape. Then, you will continue on to Choquequirao to explore all of its most important sites and feel the powerful energy of this ancient Inca archaeological complex.
At noon, you will enjoy a delicious lunch accompanied by breathtaking landscapes and Inca constructions. Later, you will return to the Marampata camp to enjoy a wonderful dinner and another night of peaceful, uninterrupted sleep.
In the morning, you will be served a big breakfast to give you the energy you will need throughout the hike. Then, you will depart around 5:30 a.m. and zigzag your way up for three hours to Marampata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft.). There, you will be amazed by the incredible scenery and have the opportunity to capture some shots of the canyon and snow-capped peaks. After a brief rest and to organize your gear, you will hike for another hour and thirty minutes to the Choquequirao complex (3,050 m / 10,007 ft).
On this day, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the surroundings and let the energy of this ancient site take hold of you. You will take your time and discover every part of the complex located in the deep canyon. You are probably already imagining the breathtaking scenery that awaits you. Your guide will take you around the site and teach you about the history and other interesting stories.
Choquequirao is much larger than Machu Picchu, although experts believe that only 40% is currently discovered, so there is likely to be much more to explore in the future. You will visit plazas, temples and impressive terraces. All of this will make you wonder how the ancient civilization could have built such a feat on top of the mountains.
Don't miss some of the most important parts of the complex, such as the white stone llamas that were built to protect the important mountain overlooking the area known as Apu Qoriwayrachina. Choquequirao remains a mystery in many ways and imagine that in the coming years you will learn more. At noon, you will stop at this magnificent site to enjoy lunch.
In the afternoon, you will return to your camp at Marampata to enjoy another great dinner and rest for the night. Once the sun has set, you will notice that the night sky is filled with stars and constellations. Contemplate their meaning before going to bed.
Marampata | Santa Rosa - Playa Rosalinas - Chiquisca
Highlight of the day: Discover the ancestral secrets of the preparation of Cambray, known as the 'liquid diamond of the Andes'.
The great return in the midst of magnificent landscapes
Today you will enjoy another delicious breakfast before starting your return trip. You will pass through Santa Rosa, where you will learn the preparation of Cambray, a liquor made from sugar cane. After a brief rest, you will refresh your feet in the cold waters of the Apurimac River. Afterwards, you will ascend back to Chiquisca, where you will enjoy a delicious dinner and spend the night.
You will start the day with another hearty breakfast before heading back, after having enjoyed some beautiful moments during your tour of Choquequirao.
You will return along the same trail until you reach Santa Rosa (1,970 m / 6,463 ft), where you will stop to visit a local family's agricultural hacienda, where they cultivate sugar cane that is used for the preparation of Cambray, a popular liquor in the area.
After enjoying a delicious lunch and a short rest, you will continue your descent until you reach Rosalinas Beach (1,500 m / 4921 ft), where you will cool your feet in the cold waters of the Apurimac River before starting to ascend.
You will continue the return trek, but this time you will start climbing for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes until you reach the warm Chiquisca (1,900 m / 6,234 ft), where you will spend the night and enjoy a tasty dinner while talking to your trekking companions about all the exciting things you witnessed today. You will be more than ready for bed when the time comes.
Chiquisca | Capuliyoc - Saywite Monolith - Conoc Hot Springs - Cusco
Highlight of the day: Ending your challenging trek with a well-deserved rest in the hot springs.
Retrace Your Steps and Unwind in the Hot Springs of Conoc
You will enjoy a final breakfast before starting the last part of the hike to Capuliyoc, where you will say goodbye to the rest of the team. Afterwards, you will board your private transportation to visit the Saywite Monolith. Afterwards, you can relax in the Conoc hot springs and enjoy a delicious lunch.
In the afternoon, it will be time to board the private transportation back to Cusco. On the way, you will observe beautiful landscapes through the window and enjoy this last opportunity to soak in the panorama. Finally, you will be dropped off at the door of your accommodation in Cusco.
You’ll enjoy your last breakfast of the journey as you listen to the roaring Apurimac River and then be off on an early start to avoid walking in the hot sun. Take some last deep breaths and let Mother Nature guide you on his last section of the trek back to Capuliyoc.
When you get to the town, you’ll bid farewell to your trekking team that has accompanied you the whole way. It’ll be time to board our private vehicle that’ll take you to see the colossal rock known as Saywite. While there, you’ll learn that this rock was of great religious importance to the Incas and focused on water.
After your small history lesson, you’ll head to Conoc hot springs and enjoy a dip in the relaxing waters to rest your muscles after all the trekking. You’ll enjoy your final lunch here before continuing in our transport back to Cusco.
Make the most of your last chance to observe the pretty snowy mountains and take some memorable photos of the incredible landscape. You’ll likely be physically tired at this point, but you’ll have such a sense of satisfaction and achievement that none of it will matter. We’ll arrive back in Cusco and take you to the door of your accommodation at around 6:00 pm for you to unwind and get as much rest as you need.
At Salkantay Trekking, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
What Is Included?
Permits & Entrance Tickets
Entrance Ticket for Choquequirao Trek
High Quality Service & Safety
Pre-departure Briefing
You’ll meet your trekking guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. There, we’ll provide you with the duffle bags, which our horses will carry. The meeting will be at 5:00 pm the evening before the trip begins.
Experienced Tour Guide - All our guides have professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness and passion, which will make your trip safe and comfortable.
English and spanish speaking official tour guide. All our guides are graduates of the professional career of Tourism of the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. We choose them for their professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness, unbridled passion for exploring, and sincere desire to proudly share in our culture and history. He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time worry-free!
Private Camping Equipment
You’ll have spacious dining and kitchen tents where you can enjoy your food without problems. All our equipment like tables, chairs, cooking equipment, etc., will be carried by our horses.
Portable Travel Toilet
One Duffle Bag
On the trek, you can carry your personal belongings up to a maximum weight of 7 kg / 15.4 lb (this weight includes your sleeping bag).
Inflatable mattress
Our camping mattresses will help you sleep comfortably whilst camping!
Medical Kit or First AID Kit - Our guides are trained to deal with basic emergencies.
All Salkantay Trekking guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers' diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
Extras Included in our Service - You’ll receive a cover to protect your backpack on the road and a rain poncho.
We believe that attention to small details is what sets us apart from other local companies. You’ll receive a cover to protect your backpack on the road and a rain poncho.
24/7 Customer Service - We have 24 hours a day telephone service.
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication with Salkantay Trekking leading up to your trek.
Satellite Phone - Each of our guides has a satellite phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to call anywhere in the world in case of emergency.
Our main priority will always be the tranquillity of our clients. All of our guides are prepared for emergencies in the mountains; however, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps you feel more secure. For this reason, each Salkantay Trekking guide has a satellite phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to call anywhere in the world in case of an emergency.
Accommodation
3 Nights Accommodation in Tents
Salkantay Trekking uses the best equipment to ensure your safety and comfort. Every 2 people will share Eureka Timberline or Mountain Hard Wear tents with a capacity for 4 people.
Meals
4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, and 3 Dinners
Our chef prepares the best dishes in the middle of the mountain. Our passengers love our food! We respect all diets (vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost), so let us know if you have any particular allergies or restrictions on your reservation form and remind your guide during the briefing. You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in addition to hot drinks and snacks.
Water on the trail - You will need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle for us to give you boiled, filtered and refrigerated water.
We’ll provide you boiled, filtered, and cooled water during your trek. For this, you need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle (we recommend a capacity of 2 liters).
Wake up tea - Every morning at campig we will provide you with hot coca tea.
Every morning at the campsite, you'll be woken up with a cup of hot coca tea. Our staff will provide you the tea in your tent so that you will be warm from inside out before you start your day.
Tea Time or Happy Hour - Every evening, before dinner, the cooks will provide you with popcorn, cookies, coffee, tea, hot water, etc.
Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide you popcorn, biscuits/cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you won't have to wait until dinner to relax, warm-up, and enjoy a bite to eat!
Snacks on the trail daily - You will receive a bag with cookies, fruit and more, to be refilled each morning.
Before starting your trekking, your tour guide will provide you a cloth bag with local fruits, cookies, chocolate, caramels, etc. Every morning, we’ll refill it so that you can enjoy your snacks during the walk.
One cloth snack bag per person
To avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment, we'll give you a cloth bag for your snacks.
Hygiene Products
You’ll be provided with a small towel and soap before each meal to clean your hands.
Transportation
Transport
- Day 1: You'll be picked up from your hotel in the morning and will travel in our private transportation to Capuliyoc, the trek's starting point.
- Day 4: Once you complete the tour, we'll take you back to the door of your hotel in Cusco.
Cargo Mules
While trekking, cargo mules will carry all the camping equipment and your baggage allowance (7 kg / 15.4 lb). Our muleteers will be responsible for your duffle bag and personal items, and they’ll hand them to you when you get to each camp.
What Is Not Included?
Extras and important equipment
All our travelers need a sleeping bag to camp. Inflatable mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but highly recommended. If you do not have them, don’t worry, you can rent them with Salkantay Trekking.
Sleeping Bag
You can rent one from our company if you don’t have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect you from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy-form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
- US$ 20.00 per person
Walking Sticks
Walking Sticks (with rubber tips) can be very useful on rough terrain and for ascending and descending. You can rent a set from our company if you’d like.
- US$ 20.00 per person
Day 4 Dinner in Cusco
Hiking Clothes & Gear
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is the norm on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they do. Typically, group participants collect their tips to hand out to the horsemen and chefs together.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemia, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as carefree as possible. In this section, you’ll find the answers to all the questions you have about traveling with Salkantay Trekking in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
How many days do I need to acclimate in Cusco before the Trek?
It’s very important to be well acclimated to the altitude before exerting yourself on a trek. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the trek starts to help you adjust and avoid possible problems with altitude sickness while on the trek.
You might have already been in another area of Peru at a high altitude before arriving in Cusco. In that case, we still recommend you have a whole day in Cusco to rest, recover from your travel, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cusco before departing for the trek.
Here some suggestions for activities to do in the Cusco vicinity before starting your adventure trek:
Briefing or Informative Meeting
All information meetings and briefings are held in our main office in Cusco (or your hotel) at 5:00 pm, one night before the tour begins. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If you’re unable to attend, you must coordinate another time by email, by phone or at the Salkantay Trekking office.
Trek Balance Payment (in Cusco)
If you still have a pending balance, you must pay it 2 days before your hike/tour. Otherwise, your trip reservation will not be confirmed.
If possible, it would be greatly appreciated if you could settle the remaining balance for the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or the local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw funds from various ATMs located along Avenida Sol, offering both US dollars and Peruvian Soles. Alternatively, you have the option to pay using a credit/debit card or PAYPAL, either online or in person, but please note that a 5% service charge will be applied by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and PAYPAL. We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept bank checks or traveler's checks as forms of payment for the balance.
Duffel Bag or Canvas Case
You’ll receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. Our horses will carry them, and the horsemen will hand them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 60 x 24 x 22 cm (23.6 x 9.45 x 8.66 in).
A maximum of 7 kg / 15.4 lb is allowed for each duffel bag, including the weight of your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, clothes, and other personal items.
Can I store my luggage at your office?
Of course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can organize it with us on the briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you won’t need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags; put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pick up of guests
Please note:
- All pickups are within Cusco City, but we recommend booking a hotel in the historic center for its convenient location.
- Our guide or staff will confirm the pickup time the day before the tour.
- Due to traffic conditions, the pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Cusco is an old city and has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets without car access or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. For such reasons, we strongly advise you to book accommodation with good access.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, then physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route.
It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru, and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority, and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects
Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our transport, tents or restaurants. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?
ESSENTIAL
CLOTHING
EQUIPMENT
RECOMMENDED
"The Short Choquequirao Route " can leave any day of the week, from March through January. We don’t operate this itinerary in February because of the rainy season & maintenance of the route.
2024 Land Cost
Group Price: US$ 500.00 per person.
Required Pre-payment: US$ 200.00 per person.
Balance (Cusco): US$ 300.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco after the briefing).
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Notice that PayPal charges a fee of 5%, which we ask the client to cover since it's due to the use of its service. This tax is just for online deposits so that you will pay the remaining in cash (the briefing day in Cusco) without charges.
Extensions & Offers
There are several extensions you can include to your Peru Adventure.
- Rainbow Mountain: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- Sacred Valley: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- City Tour: US$ 50.00 US$ 40.00
Additional Items
There are additional items you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices.
- Sleeping bag:: US$ 20.00
- Walking poles (pair): US$ 20.00
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the price won’t increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Student Discount
US$20.00 off
Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years old or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of the passport at the time of booking. It must be valid and not expire within the travel dates. Please send it to info@salkantaytrekking.com.
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Salkantay Trekking. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. The Salkantay Trekking Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
Remember | One of our Travel Experts will contact you soon to confirm the availability of the trip you chose, give you more information, and/or provide you alternative options. Once availability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the trek. Please call us at (+51) 958 191 179 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
Note | Due to the rainy season and trail maintenance, we don't offer this trek during the whole month of february. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, we are working to provide you a better service!
Feel free to reach us via email at info@salkantaytrekking.com or by calling us directly at (+51) 958 191 179
Every Day: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Triunfo Street 346 - Main Square of Cusco, Peru
