The four-day Choquequirao passage from Cusco

— 4-Day Choquequirao Trek —

The four-day Choquequirao trek

A balanced Choquequirao trekking rhythm. Three nights along the trail, one full immersive day at the citadel, and a steady return through the canyon.

Our most popular Choquequirao trek route. Long enough for the place to settle into you, brief enough to fit a planned itinerary in Peru. The 4-day Choquequirao trek strikes the equilibrium between immersion and pragmatism.

✦ Two ways to walk this trek

Group shared service · USD 449 per hiker — runs only on confirmed scheduled departures, with a minimum of 4 hikers per group (up to 16). Most economical option.
Private service · by custom quote — available any day of the year, from 1 hiker onward. Request your quote via the form or WhatsApp.

✦ ✦ ✦

At a glance

Duration4 days · 3 nights
ServiceGroup shared (min. 4) or private (from 1, by quote)
Group size4 to 16 wanderers (group modality)
Highest point3,033 m / 9,950 ft (Choquequirao citadel)
Lowest point1,500 m / 4,920 ft (Apurímac river)
Daily walking6 – 8 hours
Physical demandDemanding
DepartureCusco · early morning
Group shared priceFrom USD 449 per hiker (min. 4 hikers)

— Day by day —

The route, told briskly

Day One

Cusco to Chiquisca — descent into the canyon

An early start from Cusco. The road carries us westward across the highlands to Cachora, then on to Capuliyoc viewpoint (2,915 m), where the Apurímac canyon yawns open beneath us. After a trailside lunch, we begin the long descent — switchbacks under giant cactus, hawks circling on the thermal updrafts. We camp at Chiquisca (1,930 m) by nightfall, beside a small spring.

Day Two

Across the river — climb to Marampata

An early walk completes the descent to the Apurímac (1,500 m) and the Rosalina bridge. From the canyon floor we begin the steep climb — three thousand vertical feet of switchbacks, with brief shaded stops along the way. We arrive at Marampata (2,920 m) by mid-afternoon, with time to wash, rest, and watch the light change on the ridge across the canyon. We camp facing the archaeological site, now visible across the ridge.

Day Three

The citadel — full immersion

From Marampata we walk the final two kilometers to Choquequirao itself (3,033 m). The guide leads us through every sector: the main plaza, the white-stone llama terraces, the priest’s house, the upper and lower complexes, the usnu ceremonial platform. Lunch is taken among the ruins. In the afternoon, we begin the return — back to Marampata, then descend to Chiquisca for our third and final night.

Day Four

Return to Cusco

The final ascent from Chiquisca to Capuliyoc — short but steep, with the canyon visibly retreating beneath us. Our vehicle waits at the trailhead, and we drive back to Cusco through the afternoon. You arrive in the early evening, with one less item on the bucket list — and a thousand new images to carry home.