Choquequirao Trek Trail

Quick overview.

Time to Hike:

4-5 days covering about 60 km; most itineraries are a strenuous out-and-back that includes long steep descents and climbs between river valley and ridge camps.

Best Time to Go:

Main season is the dry months of May to September, with busiest weeks in June to August and clearer trekking conditions across the Cordillera Vilcabamba.

Getting there:

The standard access point is Cachora, reached from Cusco by bus or private transfer in a morning or afternoon run; most walkers start at Cachora and return the same way.

Costs:

There is an entrance fee for the archaeological site and no Inca Trail style quota; expect to pay for transport, guide or mule support, food and camping - guided mule-supported 4-5 day trips commonly cost in the low hundreds of US dollars per person depending on group size.

Difficulty:

Steep, sustained ascents and descents on narrow trails, loose scree and exposed sections; altitude and long days make this a physically demanding trek with a real risk of altitude sickness and slippery trails in rain.

Choquequirao sits on a dramatic spur above the deep Apurimac River canyon and the route crosses a patchwork of cloud forest, agricultural terraces and high puna. Hikers descend into the canyon and climb back up through dense vegetation to reach terraces, plazas and carved stonework at the site.

The ruins are less-visited than Machu Picchu, offering expansive views and a sense of remoteness. There are no staffed mountain huts; camping is the norm and local mule trains and guides set up basic camps along the route. The combination of canyon scenery, cloud forest species and the scale of the terraces is what makes the trek notable.

Cusco is the nearest major city and air gateway; from the city centre most travellers take a colectivo, minivan or private transfer to Cachora which takes around 4 to 6 hours depending on stops and road condition. Arrange transport the day before departure if you want an early start.

From Cachora the trail drops to the valley and follows mule tracks up to the archaeological site; the typical direction is to hike from Cachora to Choquequirao and return the same way, though some parties continue onward on longer routes.

Choquequirao is most reliably walkable in the dry season from May to September when trails are firmer and river levels lower. Shoulder months April and October can work but bring wet conditions and muddy, slippery sections.

There is no restrictive daily quota like the Inca Trail but entrance fees apply and mule or guide services should be booked in peak season to secure transport, tents and food. In the rainy season expect strong afternoon storms, boggy campsites and difficult river crossings.