We often get asked about the Choquequirao trek difficulty and it’s important to be realistic about what to expect. In comparison with other treks in the Cusco region, the Choquequirao tour is not what we’d describe as a high altitude trek. The highest point of the whole route is the Choquequirao ruins themselves, at 3050m (10,007 ft).

That said, this is by far one of the most challenging treks in the region as you descend 1500m the first day, climb over 1500m on the second day, and then after reaching the ruins, turn around and do it all over again on days 3 and 4!

It should also be remembered that while this is not “high” by Cusco Standards, the starting point at Cachora and the ruins of Choquequirao are still high altitude (nearly twice the altitude of Denver, Colorado!)

If you are trying to assess whether the Choquequirao trek is right for you, take a look at this review, or check out our blog on Choquequirao trek difficulty.

• Total Walking Distance: 14 km

• Total Walking Time: 7-8 h

• Minimum Altitude: 1520m (4986 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 2970m (9744 ft)

• Altitude of camp: 2095m (6973 ft)

• Approx. night temperature: 8°C

It’s an early start on the first day of the classic 4-day Choquequirao trek: after picking you up from your hotel around 4:00 or 4:30 am, we head for Capuliyoc, leaving the hustle and bustle of Cusco behind. After about 2 hours of driving, we will make a short stop at Tarawasi (2675m / 8776 ft).

Note: Tarawasi is a quick leg-stretching stop, no more than 10 minutes to take a few photos. While it is an interesting site, we do not recommend a longer stop here, as we still have a challenging day ahead with approximately 14 km of hiking.

Tarawasi gets its name from two Quechua words: tara, a type of tree native to the Andes (latin name: caesalpina espinosa), and wasi, which means “house”. So Tarawasi is “the house of the Tara tree”. Tara is a multipurpose tree that produces large bean pods that turn orange when ripe. The seeds inside are used as a natural dye, and also have medicinal purposes.

Tarawasi is a ceremonial centre that dates to Incan times. One of the most striking features of this archaeological site is the presence of an usnu, a ceremonial structure where ritual offerings would be prepared.

We then continue another hour to Curahuasi, where we will stop for breakfast.

From Tarawasi to the Trailhead

From here, we continue another 1.5 hours until we arrive at Capuliyoc (2970m / 9744ft) where we’ll have our first breathtaking views of the Apurimac Valley below, as well as the impressive Padreyoc and Huayna Cachora peaks.

We’ll meet our arrieros (muleteers) here and begin our trek. Lunch will be served later in the day, either at Cocamasana (approx. 2 hours from Capuliyoc) or Chiquisca (approx. 4 hours from Capuliyoc) — depending on the group’s pace.

After hiking another hour beyond Chiquisca, we reach the roaring Apurimac River (1520m / 4986ft) after which we’ll begin the climb to the Santa Rosa campsite (2095m / 6873ft). This is a tough, 2-hour climb but you’ll be thankful for it the next day! This campsite on day one of our Choquequirao tour is further along the trail than the most popular camp, making for a more restful evening where you can soak up the stars.

This day is flexible and so the route you trek might not correspond exactly to the route described here. Walking times depend on the time of departure and on the nature of the group. The guide may change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group.

Please take note that there might be biting insects on the trail, thus repellent will be needed! It can get very hot on the trail (not just in the canyon!), going up to 30-35ºC (86ºF – 95ºF). It can get as hot as 40ºC (104ºF) in the canyon.

• Total Walking Distance: 16.2 km

• Total Walking Time: 7-8h

• Minimum Altitude: 2095m (6873 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 3050m (10,007 ft)

• Altitude of camp: 2940m (9646 ft)

• Approx. night temperature: 5°C

It’s another early start today as we aim to get the best out of day 2 of our Choquequirao tour. After an early breakfast at around 5:30am, we head out at 6am and continue steeply upwards for 3 hours until we reach Marampata.

Once we get going again after our well-deserved break at Marampata (2940m / 9646 ft), we will have our first glimpses of spectacular Choquequirao. From this point, it’s another 2 hours of hiking up gentle, undulating terrain until we reach the ruins, a welcome respite compared to what we’ve just accomplished!

Arriving at the ruins, we can enjoy a picnic lunch on the grounds and have a well-deserved break. After lunch we will start to explore the ruins (3050m / 10,007 ft). Only about 30% of the Inca remains at Choquequirao have yet been excavated, the rest remains shrouded in mystery. As we explore, we keep our fingers crossed for the chance to see some condors!

After about 3 hours touring the site – including the religious sector and central part of the ruins – we start our two-hour hike back to the campsite of Marampata. This is a very long but rewarding day as we aim to maximise our time in Choquequirao.

• Total Walking Distance: 8.9km (12.3km if camping at Cocamasana)

• Total Walking Time: 4-5h (6-7h if camping at Cocamasana)

• Minimum Altitude: 1520m (4986 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 2940m (9646 ft)

• Altitude of camp: 1950m (6397 ft) (or 2450m (8038 ft), if camping at Cocamasana)

• Approx. night temperature: 5°C

Today we will leave the beautiful Marampata campsite and start our descent towards the Apurimac River and the so-called Rosalina Beach (1520 m / 4986 ft), retracing the same route we hiked on the way in. From there, we will continue hiking upwards until we reach our campsite of Chiquisca (1950 m / 6397 ft).

• Total Walking Distance: 7km (or 3.6km, if you camped at Cocamasana on D3)

• Total Walking Time: 3-4h (or 2h, if you camped at Cocamasana on D3)

• Minimum Altitude: 1950m (6397 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 2970m (9744 ft)

This morning, we finish our Choquequirao trek with a 3 to 4-hour climb upwards to Capuliyoc. When we reach our destination, we’re once again rewarded with spectacular views. Our car will be waiting here to pick us up to start the 4.5-hour drive back to Cusco.

On the way we have the option of visiting Saywite (3500m / 11,483 ft) which is a pretty archaeological site located in the district of Curahuasi. It’s an Incan complex that probably was built in the 16th century. Saywite occupies an area of around 2 hectares which houses important examples of Inca stone art, as well as religious-ritualistic spaces.

Later, we can enjoy lunch surrounded by the beautiful views of the Apurimac River valley.

Finally, we hop in our private car to continue the journey back to the City of Cusco, where we will be arrive around 6pm.