→ Choquequirao Trek: The Cradle of Gold 5-Day Adventure

Experience the Last Refuge of the Incas on this incredible 5-days Choquequirao adventure, where you'll discover one of Peru's most spectacular archaeological sites while enjoying authentic Choquequirao camp experiences in the heart of the Andes. The purpose of the Trail to Choquequirao was religious and ceremonial, a pilgrimage that included rituals to honor the mountains and peaks of the route, like Salkantay sacred mountain.

It is situated in the mountain range of the Salkantay, at over 3030 meters above sea level, surrounded by the Apus (mountain gods) of Yamana, Ampay, Chokecarpu, Pumasiyo and Panta, on the left bank of the Apurimac River. During the time of the Incas, everything was connected and in communication with Machu Picchu through a complex network of trails.

Choquequirao is considered "The Last Refuge of the Inca Empire". Visitors will have a chance to discover a complex hydraulic system, most likely for domestic, ceremonial and agricultural use. The geographic location of Choquequirao in reference to other religious centers of the same period tends to indicate that its function was that Inca enclave toward the valleys of the Apurímac River. There are many similarities between Choquequirao and Machu Picchu.

Day 01: Cusco | Capuliyoc – Playa Rosalina
Day 02: Playa Rosalina – Marampata
Day 03: Choquequirao Complex
Day 04: Marampata – Playa Rosalina
Day 05: Playa Rosalina – Cachora | Cusco

Itinerary

Day 1 | Choquequirao

Capuliyoq – Chiquisca – Playa Rosalina – Santa Rosa Baja

Rosalina Beach Camp on the choquequirao trek

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco by transport to take you to the beautiful town of Capuliyoc (2,885 m. / 9,465 ft.). In Kapuliyoq, during the journey, we will be able to enjoy a great diversity of landscapes belonging to different climates, such as the Padriyoc snow-capped mountain, in addition to the diversity of Andean flora and fauna that beautifies our trip. Throughout the entire route we can see the deepest canyon, the Apurímac Canyon, through which the Apurímac River flows, and it is also possible to see the first views of Choquequirao. We will continue descending to Chiquisca, where we will take a brief rest and enjoy a delicious lunch.

After lunch, we will descend for approximately 1 more hour to the La Playa Rosalina sector at 1,550 m. / 5,085 ft., crossing through the sacred Apurímac River. Then we will walk at least 2 more hours uphill to Santa Rosa Baja, where our Choquequirao camp is located for this day. Here we will spend the night after an afternoon tea and dinner.

Meals: Lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner
Walking time: 6 - 7 hours (approximately)
Distance: 10.8 km / 6.7 miles, moderate
Climate: Warm, Trekking
Accommodation: Camping, Santa Rosa Baja, 1,950 m. / 6,397 ft.
Maximum altitude: 2,885 m. / 9,465 ft.
Minimum altitude: 1,550 m. / 4,650 ft.

Day 2 | Choquequirao

Santa Rosa Bajo – Marampata – Choquequirao Camp

Sunset at Maranpata campsite on the Choquequirao route

After a delicious breakfast, we continue climbing for approximately 3 more hours to Marampata, and after a well-deserved rest and enjoying the splendid views of the Apurímac Canyon, Choquequirao mountain and the majestic mountains that surround it. We will ascend a little more to our Choquequirao camp at 2,850 m. / 9,350 ft., and after a delicious lunch we will have the afternoon free to recover our strength because the next day we will visit one of the most incredible wonders in Peru.

After afternoon tea and dinner, we will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Accommodation: Choquequirao camping, 2,850 m. / 9,350 ft.
Minimum altitude: 1,950 m. / 6,397 ft.
Maximum altitude: 2,850 m. / 9,350 ft.
Distance: 10.6 km – 6.5 miles
Time: 8 hours (approximately)
Difficulty: Moderate

Day 3 | Choquequirao

Full Day Choquequirao Tour - Marampata

After a delicious breakfast, we will ascend a little until we reach the magnificent archaeological site of Choquequirao. We will be able to enjoy the private guided tour and explore all the beautiful sections of the Inca city: From the main plaza of Choquequirao, temples, terraces, palaces, enclosures, water channels, deposits, stepped waterfalls, qolqas, kallankas, the llama sector, Ushnu sector and much more. We will also have the necessary time to immortalize every moment in this incredible Inca city, unique and with very few people.

Additionally, we could be lucky enough to spot the famous Andean Condor that live in the rocky cliffs, deer, or spectacled bears.

Choquequirao means "Cradle of Gold" in Quechua - the language of the Incas - although this is probably not its original name. It is another "Lost City of the Incas" officially rediscovered at the end of the 20th century, often described as the "sister of Machu Picchu". Although not as well known and located at an elevation of almost 1,750 m. / 5,741 ft. above the furious Apurímac River. It is probably much larger than its counterpart, at least 1,810 hectares. They began in the 1990s, and it is estimated that only 30% of the archaeological site has been restored to date. Every day, archaeologists continue to discover new areas.

We will return to the same camp for afternoon tea and to spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Accommodation: Choquequirao camping, 2,850 m. / 9,350 ft.
Minimum altitude: 2,850 m. / 9,350 ft.
Maximum altitude: 3,050 m. / 10,006 ft.
Distance: 8 km – 4.9 miles
Time: 5 hours (approximately)
Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4 | Choquequirao

Marampata – Santa Rosa – Chiquisca

Choquequirao archaeological site from the Sunchupata view point

Like every day we will start with coca tea at dawn, a delicious breakfast and walk back to Chiquiska along the same path we came.

After saying goodbye to the beautiful views offered by these mountains, and a downhill walk back to the Apurimac Canyon, to Playa Rosalina 1,550 m. / 4,650 ft., where we might have time to refresh ourselves in the waters of the Apurímac River. And finally uphill to our Chiquiska Camp at 1,911 m. / 6,269 ft.

We will camp, have afternoon tea and dinner here.

Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
Accommodation: Chiquiska, 1,911 m. / 6,269 ft.
Minimum altitude: 1,550 m. / 4,650 ft.
Maximum altitude: 2,850 m. / 9,350 ft.
Distance: 12 km – 19.31 miles
Time: 8 hours (approximately)
Difficulty: Moderate

Day 5 | Choquequirao

Chiquisca – Cocamasana – Capulliyoc – Cusco

Cocamasana viewpoint on the Choquequirao trail

Today we start our walk from the camp very early in the morning, after breakfast, we will walk 4 hours uphill to Capuliyoc 2,885 m. / 9,465 ft., where we will have the last lunch with your expedition team and say goodbye to the trekking team. After lunch, we will return to the city of Cusco.

We will arrive in Cusco around 6:00 p.m.

Optional:
Depending on the condition of the group and the guide, we can make a visit to the Cconoc Hot Springs, and then return to Cusco.

About the camps in Choquequirao:
Keep in mind that the camps may change (be different from this itinerary) depending on the booking time, weather conditions or restrictions imposed for security reasons by the Peruvian government.

Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch
Minimum altitude: 1,911 m. / 6,269 ft.
Maximum altitude: 2,885 m. / 9,465 ft.
Distance: 8 km – 11.32 miles
Time: 5 hours (approximately)
Difficulty: Easy

What's Included?

Informative Briefing: You will meet with your guide and the "Choquequirao Trekking" group at our offices for an orientation before your hike. The meeting is scheduled at 6:00 p.m., 1 day before the start of the tour. If you cannot attend at this time, please let us know to coordinate another time or another means.
Tourist Transport from your hotel in Cusco to Capuliyoc, the starting point of the Choquequirao trek.
Official Experienced Guide on the Choquequirao trek route, English and Spanish. Our guides are from this region and have a true passion for teaching others about their heritage.
Accommodations: Each camp is carefully chosen to provide an authentic local experience. Sleep in our Pro Aconcagua Doite 4-season tents. Our tents are for 4 people, but only sleep 2, leaving plenty of space for you to settle in and store your backpack. It also includes a small vestibule at the front, which provides additional outdoor space to leave your boots and walking poles, so you don't have to bring dirt inside the tent. Plus a mattress or mat per passenger.
Camping Equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs and cooking equipment (all transported by our porters and horses).
Entrance for the Choquequirao trek Route and the Inca City of Choquequirao.
Professional Trekking Chef: A specialized professional mountain chef, with an assistant, will prepare all your delicious meals throughout our journey, replenishing your energy every day. You will never go hungry!
Meals: 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners (vegetarian, vegan or special menus available at no additional cost). Keep in mind that the first breakfast is not included.
Boiled Water: From your first lunch to your last breakfast, Inka Trail will provide all the necessary water. This water will be boiled, filtered and cooled before being distributed. You must bring your own water bottles or hydration backpack. We recommend carrying approximately 3L. We will refill the water at each meal.
Dawn Tea: Every morning, at camp, you will be awakened with a cup of coca tea. Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so you can warm up from the inside before starting the day.
Afternoon Tea: Every afternoon, before dinner, the cooks will offer our afternoon tea with popcorn, cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of walking, you won't have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up and enjoy a snack.
Hygiene Products: You will be provided with a small towel before each meal to clean your hands and, every morning, a bucket with warm water for your personal hygiene.
Medical Kit and Oxygen Bottle: Our team will carry a first aid kit, including an emergency oxygen bottle.
Return Transfer to Cusco: Private tourist transport from Capuliyoc to your hotel in Cusco (Day 5).
24-Hour Customer Service: We have telephone service available 24 hours a day to facilitate communication and preparations with the agency before your 5-days Choquequirao adventure.

Note: It is not common for camps, accommodations or hotels to change after confirmation, but this can happen due to government regulations and authorizations, adverse weather conditions or even the physical condition of our visitors. Any changes in this regard will be reported by us with as much advance notice as possible.

What's not Included?

Sleeping Bags: You can rent one from us if you don't have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect you from temperatures down to -18ºC. They are mummy-shaped and include a liner. The bags are washed after each use.
Walking Poles: You can rent a pair from us if you wish.
1st Day - Breakfast: Approximately USD 5 to USD 10.00. The price may vary according to your selection.
Last Day - Lunch and Dinner in Aguas Calientes: Approximately USD 20 to USD 25.00. The price may vary according to your selection.
Personal Clothing and Equipment.
Travel Insurance.
Tips for Staff: Keep in mind that our staff is well compensated, so feel free to tip or not, according to your preference. Recommendation: USD 6 to USD 8 per day per traveler for all trekking staff. Once again, it is optional and may vary according to your satisfaction.
Additional Costs or Delays Beyond Management Control: Landscapes, adverse weather conditions, itinerary modification for security reasons, illnesses, change in government policies, political instability/strikes, etc.