The Choquequirao Trek 4 days and 3 nights is one of the most demanding and rewarding adventure and trekking routes in Peru, ideal for active travelers who wish to explore beyond traditional tourist circuits. Throughout this fascinating journey, operated under the standards of excellence of Vilcabamba Tours, you will challenge the deep and imposing trails of the Apurímac Canyon, cross local agricultural valleys, and ascend Andean slopes until you discover Choquequirao, one of the legendary lost cities of the Incas that still preserves its wild, remote, and authentic atmosphere.
This journey is meticulously organized in a high-quality format with small groups, guaranteeing personalized attention from start to finish. With Vilcabamba Tours, you will have comfortable camps, logistical porterage with muleteers, exquisite fresh meals prepared especially by a mountain chef, and solid safety backing so you can enjoy this expedition with absolute peace of mind.
Short Itinerary
- Day 1 (Cusco – Capuliyoc – Santa Rosa): Early morning pickup at your hotel in Cusco by the Vilcabamba Tours team, land transfer to Capuliyoc for breakfast, a steep 4-hour descent into the Apurímac Canyon, lunch in Chikiska, and a final 2-hour uphill hike to the camp in Santa Rosa (2,230 masl).
- Day 2 (Santa Rosa – Marampata – Choquequirao – Marampata): Demanding and steady morning ascent to the Marampata viewpoint (2,940 masl), lunch near the Archaeological Park, and an afternoon entirely dedicated to exploring the temples, squares, and terraces of Choquequirao with the agency’s guide, returning to Marampata to spend the night.
- Day 3 (Marampata – Santa Rosa – Playa Rosalina – Chikiska): Waking up in the mountains and continuous descent from Marampata passing through the Santa Rosa sector to Playa Rosalina, next to the Apurímac River; after lunch and a rest at the bottom of the canyon, a final ascent is made towards the Chikiska camp.
- Day 4 (Chikiska – Coca Masana – Capuliyoc – Cusco): Last sustained ascent leaving the canyon and passing through Coca Masana until reaching the Capuliyoc viewpoint, where the end of the route is celebrated with a special farewell lunch before the private transfer back to the hotels in Cusco with Vilcabamba Tours.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoc – Santa Rosa
The expedition begins very early with pickup at your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 a.m. to embark on a trip in the comfortable private transport of Vilcabamba Tours through the Andean landscapes that connect the historic capital with the Apurímac region, arriving around 8:30 a.m. at the Capuliyoc viewpoint (2,950 masl). After enjoying a restorative breakfast prepared by the trekking chef, the hike begins with a long and irregular 4-hour descent towards the bottom of the Apurímac Canyon, one of the deepest and most impressive in the country. The first technical stop is made in Chikiska (1,950 masl) to enjoy a fresh lunch and rest from the intense heat of the canyon. In the afternoon, the route continues by crossing the river and facing a constant two-hour climb to the Santa Rosa sector (2,230 masl), where our support team will have the tents ready for rest, ending the day with hot drinks and dinner.
Day 2: Santa Rosa – Marampata – Choquequirao – Marampata
The second day demands the greatest physical effort but offers the greatest reward of the trip. After breakfast, a steep and challenging ascent begins towards the natural viewpoint of Marampata (2,940 masl), a demanding stretch where the professional guide from Vilcabamba Tours will set a steady pace to acclimatize to the altitude while you contemplate panoramic views of the Apurímac River and the surrounding mountains. From Marampata, you continue along a flatter trail towards Choquequirao (3,050 masl), lunching on the outskirts of the protected area. The afternoon will be fully dedicated to an exhaustive guided tour of the main squares, terraces with llama decorations, ceremonial fountains, and residential sectors of this imposing Inca citadel, learning about its history and its close link to the Vilcabamba resistance. Upon completing the exploration, you walk back for two hours towards Marampata for dinner and to spend the second night of camping.
Day 3: Marampata – Santa Rosa – Playa Rosalina – Chikiska
The day begins by contemplating the sunrise over the mountain peaks accompanied by a hot drink in your tent. After breakfast, the return hike begins with a steep descent from Marampata towards the Santa Rosa sector, a route favorable for observing the flora, local birds, and the climatic variations of the canyon. The descent continues until reaching Playa Rosalina, an area with a warm atmosphere and tropical insects located next to the roaring Apurímac River. At this point, a long break is taken to rest and enjoy lunch. Subsequently, you face the last climb of the afternoon towards the Chikiska camp (1,950 masl), an ideal environment backed by Vilcabamba Tours to relax, share impressions of the route with the local staff, and enjoy the last dinner under the Andean sky.
Day 4: Chikiska – Coca Masana – Capuliyoc – Cusco
The last day of the hike requires an early start to make the final ascent before the sun heats up strongly in the canyon. Leaving Chikiska, you will ascend steadily along a winding path that passes through the Coca Masana sector until you crown the Capuliyoc viewpoint again. This last 4-hour climb tests the hikers’ legs but rewards them with spectacular farewell views of the canyon that has been conquered on foot. In Capuliyoc, the success of the expedition will be celebrated with a special closing lunch prepared by the Vilcabamba Tours route chef, providing the ideal space to thank the muleteers and support staff for their effort. Finally, you will board the private transport back, arriving at the hotels in the center of Cusco in the afternoon or at the beginning of the night.
Includes
- Safety briefing and operational orientation with the guide the day before departure in Cusco.
- Direct pickup at your hotel in Cusco and return transfer at the end by the Vilcabamba Tours team.
- Exclusive private transport for all transfers scheduled in the itinerary.
- Professional bilingual certified guide service (English and Spanish).
- Specialized trekking chef and assistants for the preparation of all meals en route.
- Muleteers and pack horses for the transport of logistical equipment, food, and duffle bags.
- Assignment of a canvas duffle bag to transport up to 7 kg / 15 lb of personal belongings on the horses.
- 3 nights of accommodation in comfortable, high-quality tents and campsites.
- Sleeping equipment: Foam mat and pillow per passenger provided by the agency.
- Full and fresh meals en route (breakfasts, lunches, dinners, daily snacks, and tea time), with options adapted for vegetarians and vegans.
- Official entry ticket for the Choquequirao Archaeological Site.
- Safety equipment and assistance from Vilcabamba Tours: Complete first aid kit, emergency medical oxygen tank, and satellite phone for remote areas.
Does Not Include
- Personal camping equipment rental (mountain sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, and professional trekking poles available for rent).
- Dinner on the fourth day after returning to the city of Cusco.
- Voluntary tips for the guides, chefs, muleteers, and route support staff.
- International travel or adventure activities insurance (highly recommended).
