Short Choquequirao Trek

DAY 1: Cusco | Capuliyoc – Chiquisca – Playa Rosalinas – Santa Rosa

Your incredible journey will begin at 4:30 a.m. when we pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco and take you for five hours to Capuliyoc in our exclusive transportation. During the journey, you will marvel at the stunning views of the majestic snowy mountains of Salkantay and Humantay.

Upon reaching Capuliyoc (2,890 m / 9,482 ft), you will delight in a delicious breakfast and have the opportunity to meet the talented chef and skilled muleteers who will be part of your trekking team. They will ensure that your belongings arrive safely at each campsite and also provide you with quality food.

Once you start your hike, you will be able to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of the Apurímac Canyon as you traverse a wide and beautiful valley, descending for approximately three hours. On this route, you will be delighted by the magnificent views of the imposing Padreyoc and Qoriwayrachina mountains. Then, you will arrive at the place where you will enjoy a delicious lunch in Chiquisca (1,900 m / 6,234 ft).

Once you are satisfied and full of energy, you will continue your route for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes until you reach the bottom of the valley, known as Playa Rosalinas (1,500 m / 4,921 ft). Here, you will face the rushing Apurímac River, whose name in Quechua means “God who speaks”. This river has Class V rapids, making it an ideal destination for whitewater rafting or canoeing.

Finally, you will make a final ascent of two and a half hours until you reach Santa Rosa (1,970 m / 6,463 ft), your first campsite. Here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious dinner before retiring to rest deservedly.

DAY 2: Santa Rosa | Marampata – Choquequirao Archaeological Complex – Marampata

In the morning, you will receive a generous breakfast that will provide you with the necessary energy for the walk. Then, you will depart at approximately 5:30 a.m. and ascend in zigzag for three hours until you reach Marampata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft). There, you will be amazed by the impressive landscape and have the opportunity to take photographs of the canyon and the snow-capped peaks. After a short rest and organizing your belongings, you will walk for an additional one hour and thirty minutes to reach the Choquequirao complex (3,050 m / 10,007 ft).

On this day, you will have the opportunity to explore the surroundings and allow the energy of this ancient place to envelop you. Take your time to discover every corner of this complex located in the deep canyon. You are surely already imagining the amazing landscapes that await you. Your guide will accompany you throughout the site and provide you with information about its history and other interesting facts.

Choquequirao is considerably larger than Machu Picchu, however, it is estimated that only 40% has been discovered so far, so there is likely much more to explore in the future. You will have the opportunity to visit impressive plazas, temples, and terraces. All of this will make you wonder how the ancient civilization could build such a marvel atop the mountains.

You should not miss some of the most significant parts of the complex, such as the statues of llamas made of white stone that were built to protect the sacred mountain located above the area known as Apu Qoriwayrachina. Choquequirao is still an enigma in many respects, and imagine how much more we will learn in the coming years. At noon, you will make a stop at this magnificent place to enjoy a delicious lunch.

In the afternoon, you will return to your campsite in Marampata to enjoy another excellent dinner and rest for the night. As the sun sets, you will marvel at the starry sky and its constellations. Take a moment to contemplate their meaning before going to sleep.

DAY 3: Marampata | Santa Rosa – Playa Rosalinas – Chiquisca

You will start the day with another generous breakfast before embarking on the return journey, after having enjoyed wonderful moments during your visit to Choquequirao.

You will return by the same path until you reach Santa Rosa (1,970 m / 6,463 ft), where you will make a stop to visit a local family’s agricultural farm, where they grow sugarcane used for the artisanal production of Cambray, a popular drink in the area.

After enjoying a delicious lunch and a brief rest, you will continue the descent until you reach Playa Rosalinas (1,500 m / 4,921 ft), where you will refresh your feet in the cold waters of the Apurímac River before beginning the ascent.

You will follow the return path, but this time you will start climbing for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes until you reach the cozy Chiquisca (1,900 m / 6,234 ft), where you will spend the night and enjoy a delicious dinner while chatting with your trekking companions about all the exciting things you witnessed today. You will be completely ready to rest when the time comes.

DAY 4: Chiquisca | Capuliyoc – Saywite Monolith – Conoc Thermal Baths – Cusco

Today you will enjoy your final breakfast on your journey as you listen to the sound of the Apurímac River. Afterward, you will start early to avoid walking under the strong sun. Take one last deep breath and let Mother Nature guide you in the final part of your hike back to Capuliyoc (2,890 m / 9,482 ft).

Once there, you will say goodbye to your trekking team who have accompanied you throughout the journey. Afterwards, it will be time to board the private transportation to visit the impressive Saywite Monolith. During your visit, you will learn about its great religious significance for the Incas and how it was related to water.

After this brief history lesson, you will head to the Conoc thermal baths and enjoy the relaxing waters that will help relieve the tired muscles after the hike. Here, you can enjoy your last lunch before returning to Cusco in private transportation.

Make the most of the opportunity to admire the beautiful snow-capped mountains and capture memorable photos of the incredible landscape. You may feel physically tired at this point, but the feeling of satisfaction and achievement you will experience will surpass any fatigue. Finally, you will arrive in Cusco and we will accompany you to the door of your accommodation so you can relax and rest as much as you need.