The Choquequirao trek can be walked any month of the year, but some months are kinder than others. The Apurímac canyon has two distinct seasons — dry and wet — and they shape the trek experience profoundly. Here is our honest month-by-month guide.
The short answer
The best time for the Choquequirao trek is May to October — the dry season in the Cusco region. Skies are clear, trails are firm, the river crossing is safe, and the views from Marampata across the canyon to the citadel are unobstructed. Within that window, May, June, and September are the best months — warm enough during the day, cool but not cold at night, and the trails are not yet at peak crowding.
The dry season (May to October)
May — Our favorite month for the Choquequirao trek. The rains have just ended, the canyon is still green, wildflowers bloom along the trail, and the dust has not yet set in. Crystal-clear visibility. Cool nights but pleasant days.
June, July, August — Peak dry season. Reliably clear skies, no rain, but cooler at night (down to near freezing at Marampata). These are the most popular months for the Choquequirao trek; the trails are busier, though still nowhere near as crowded as the Inca Trail. Book a few weeks in advance.
September, October — Late dry season. Still excellent conditions, with warming temperatures returning. The canyon becomes more dusty by late October. Departures are easier to find with shorter advance notice.
The shoulder months (April and November)
April — A transition month. The rainy season is ending but afternoons can still bring sudden storms. The canyon is at its greenest, which makes the photographs spectacular, but the trail can be muddy and the river crossings tricky. We operate the Choquequirao trek in April but only for hikers who do not mind some weather variation.
November — The rains begin to return, usually as brief afternoon storms. Mornings are typically clear; afternoons gamble. Trails are dusty in the mornings, muddy in the afternoons. Acceptable but not ideal.
The wet season (December to March)
The Choquequirao trek can be walked in the wet season, but we will be honest: it is significantly more difficult. December, January, February, and March bring daily heavy rain in the Cusco region. The trail to Choquequirao becomes muddy, slippery, and in extreme cases impassable. Landslides on the access road from Cusco are not uncommon, occasionally requiring route changes. The Apurímac river runs higher and more dangerously.
If you must trek Choquequirao in the wet season, choose late December or early March (the edges) rather than January or February (the peak). Bring twice the rain gear you think you need. Accept that some views will be cloud-shrouded. The advantage: you will likely have the entire trail to yourselves.
Temperatures along the route
The Choquequirao trek crosses dramatic temperature zones because of the elevation range:
- Cusco (3,400 m): 18–22°C day / 0–5°C night (year-round)
- Capuliyoc (2,915 m): 18–24°C day / 5–10°C night
- Apurímac river (1,500 m): 28–34°C day / 18–22°C night (yes, hot)
- Marampata (2,920 m): 18–24°C day / 5–10°C night
- Choquequirao citadel (3,033 m): 16–22°C day / 4–8°C night
You will need clothes for both extremes — t-shirts and shorts for the canyon floor, fleece and beanie for nights at Marampata.
Our recommendation
If you can choose freely, book your Choquequirao trek for May, June, September, or early October. These months offer the best balance of weather, visibility, comfort, and reasonable crowds. July and August are also excellent, with the caveat that you should book a few weeks ahead.
The Choquequirao trek is not Machu Picchu — there is no season when it is unbearably crowded, and there is no season when the views are not extraordinary. But some months simply make the experience easier on the body and on the soul.
Begin your Choquequirao trek
Three Choquequirao trek routes — 5-day, 4-day, and 3-day private. Group and private modalities available year-round.
See our trek routes →