For nearly two decades, the Peruvian government has announced — and then postponed — the construction of a cable car (teleférico) connecting the village of Kiuñalla, on one side of the Apurímac canyon, to a station near the Choquequirao archaeological site. When it finally opens, the cable car will allow the world to reach Choquequirao in a single day. This is the future Choquequirao full day tour, and we are preparing for it.
What is the Choquequirao Full Day tour?
The planned Choquequirao full day tour (also called the Choquequirao day tour, Choquequirao cable car tour, or simply Choquequirao one day) is a future product that will work like this:
- 4:00 AM — Hotel pickup in Cusco by our tourist vehicle.
- 4:30 AM – 9:30 AM — Drive to Kiuñalla through the Andean highlands.
- 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM — Cable car (teleférico) ascent across the Apurímac canyon. The aerial journey itself will be spectacular — you cross the canyon at altitude, with the river 1,500 m below.
- 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM — Guided exploration of the Choquequirao archaeological site itself, including lunch at a viewpoint.
- 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM — Cable car descent back to Kiuñalla.
- 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM — Return drive to Cusco.
Total duration: approximately 15 hours, all in a single day. Estimated price: USD 99 per person, including transport, cable car tickets, entry, and lunch.
When will the Choquequirao cable car open?
The honest answer: we do not know. The project has been announced multiple times since 2008. The most recent reactivation occurred in 2024 with renewed federal funding, and construction was scheduled to begin in earnest in 2025. However, as of mid-2026, construction has not visibly advanced at the Kiuñalla site.
Realistic estimates from regional tourism authorities suggest the Choquequirao full day tour by cable car will not be operational before 2028 at the earliest, and possibly later. We will publish updated information here as soon as the project advances substantially.
Why do some travelers prefer the future Choquequirao full day tour?
The Choquequirao trek (currently the only way to reach the site) requires 3 to 5 days, significant physical effort, and acceptance of dust, sun, and steep climbs. Not every traveler is in a position to undertake it. The Choquequirao full day tour opens the archaeological site to:
- Older travelers, including those who walked the Inca Trail in their youth but cannot today.
- Families with young children (the planned minimum age is 8 years).
- Travelers on tight schedules who have only one extra day in Cusco.
- People with knee, hip, or other mobility limitations.
- Repeat visitors who have already trekked Choquequirao and want to return without the full effort.
Will the Choquequirao trek still exist after the cable car opens?
Yes — and we will continue to recommend it. The Choquequirao trek and the Choquequirao full day tour will be complementary, not competing, experiences. They will appeal to different travelers, and many will choose the trek precisely because it remains demanding.
Some travelers will mourn the arrival of the cable car. Choquequirao has been one of the last large Inca sites that requires earning. The cable car will democratize access — wonderful for inclusivity, less wonderful for the silence that has defined the place. We understand both views.
Can I pre-book the Choquequirao Full Day tour now?
No — pre-bookings are not possible until the cable car opens. We do not collect deposits for products that do not yet operate. We will announce availability of the Choquequirao full day tour on this page and across our channels as soon as the cable car becomes operational.
If you wish to receive an email notification when the Choquequirao full day tour launches, write to [email protected] with the subject "Full Day notification" and we will add you to our list.
For now: the Choquequirao trek
Until the Choquequirao full day tour opens, the only way to reach the citadel is the Choquequirao trek — 5, 4, or 3 days from Cusco, the same routes that have led pilgrims to the cradle of gold for centuries. We have been operating these treks since 2001 and would be honored to guide you.
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 →