Choquequirao Trek 4 Days: The Inca’s Hidden City from $350 (2026)
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Availability Daily departures
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Transport Hotel pickup
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Languages Spanish, English
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Service type Not specified
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Cancellation policy Not specified
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Maximum altitude 3,800m (12,467 ft) m.s.n.m.
About this activity
The Choquequirao Trek takes you to the only major Inca citadel in Peru that can only be reached on foot — no train, no bus, no helicopter, no cable car. Choquequirao (“Cuna de Oro” — Cradle of Gold in Quechua) sits at 3,085 meters above sea level, three times larger in area than Machu Picchu, currently receiving fewer than 100 visitors per day. Our 4-day trek covers 55 km through the depths of the Cañón del Apurímac — one of the deepest river canyons in South America — to reach a citadel that the last free Inca used as his final refuge against the Spanish. From $350 USD per person, with lodging in guesthouses (not camping) and all meals included.
A narrow window. A cable car connecting Choquequirao to the town of Kiuñalla has been approved and is in development. When it opens, daily visitor numbers will jump from ~100 to potentially several thousand. The experience of hiking to an empty, fog-covered Inca city surrounded by condors exists right now — and probably not for much longer.
Why Choose This Tour?
- Capuliyoc viewpoint (3,800m) — first panorama of the Apurímac Canyon
- Crossing the Apurímac River (~2,050m)
- Choquequirao citadel (3,085m) — the Incas’ hidden city
- Llama terraces — unique carved relief figures
- 3+ hours guided tour of the entire archaeological complex
Itinerary
Day 01
Itinerario
Itinerario
Choquequirao Trek 4 Days — The Inca Citadel No Cable Car Has Reached Yet (2026)
- Departures on request (minimum 3 people)
- Shared and private service available
- Bilingual guide certified by MINCETUR
- Free cancellation (30 days)
- Hotel pickup in Cusco
- No permit required
The Choquequirao Trek takes you to the only major Inca citadel in Peru that can only be reached on foot — no train, no bus, no helicopter, no cable car. Choquequirao ("Cuna de Oro" — Cradle of Gold in Quechua) sits at 3,085 meters above sea level, three times larger in area than Machu Picchu, currently receiving fewer than 100 visitors per day. Our 4-day trek covers 55 km through the depths of the Cañón del Apurímac — one of the deepest river canyons in South America — to reach a citadel that the last free Inca used as his final refuge against the Spanish. From $350 USD per person, with lodging in guesthouses (not camping) and all meals included.
A narrow window. A cable car connecting Choquequirao to the town of Kiuñalla has been approved and is in development. When it opens, daily visitor numbers will jump from ~100 to potentially several thousand. The experience of hiking to an empty, fog-covered Inca city surrounded by condors exists right now — and probably not for much longer.
What's included
Inclusions
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Meals
- 3 breakfasts + 3 lunches + 3 dinners + 3 afternoon snacks
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Tickets & Permits
- Choquequirao Archaeological Park entrance fee
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Guide
- Bilingual guide certified by MINCETUR (full 4 days)
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Transportation
- Hotel pickup and private transport Cusco → Cachora → Cusco
- Emergency horse (available if you need gear transport due to injury or exhaustion)
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Accommodation
- 3 nights in trail guesthouses (twin shared rooms, shared bathroom)
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Other
- First aid kit + emergency oxygen
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Choquequirao Trek suitable for beginners?
With 2+ nights of Cusco acclimatization and good physical fitness (ability to hike 7-9 hours), yes. The altitude is manageable (maximum 3,800m briefly, mostly at 2,050-3,085m). The challenge is physical endurance — specifically, 1,750 meters of elevation change each way over steep terrain. If you regularly hike or exercise 3-4 times per week, you can do this trek.
How does it compare to the Salkantay Trek?
Different in almost every way. The Salkantay reaches higher altitude (4,600m vs. 3,800m), features more ecosystem variety (jungle, glacier, cloud forest), and ends at Machu Picchu. The Choquequirao trek has lower altitude but more dramatic elevation change per kilometer, a much less visited destination, and direct access to a more historically significant (and largely unexcavated) site. Many serious trekkers do both, treating them as complementary rather than interchangeable.
Will there be other people at the ruins?
Very few. On an average day, Choquequirao receives 50-100 visitors — compared to 4,500 daily at Machu Picchu. Your group will likely have the Llama Terraces and the main temple to itself for extended periods. This changes every year as the site becomes more widely known — and will change dramatically when the planned cable car opens.
What is the planned cable car?
A cable car project connecting the village of Kiuñalla to Choquequirao has been approved by the Peruvian government and is in development. When operational, it will allow visitors to reach Choquequirao in approximately 15 minutes, making the 4-day trek unnecessary for most tourists. The current timeline is uncertain — the project has been delayed multiple times — but the directional trend is toward eventual mass tourism access.
What's the best time of year to visit?
June-August offers the most reliable weather (dry season) with excellent visibility for the views from Capuliyoc and the full panorama of the citadel. Avoid December-February. May and September are excellent shoulder season options with fewer groups and similar conditions.
Do I need a sleeping bag?
No. Our tour uses guesthouses at each stop (Chikisca, Marampata) with beds and blankets provided. You don't need a sleeping bag — this is a key difference from the Salkantay and Ausangate treks, which require full camping gear. Bring a light sleeping liner if you sleep cold.
Is there WiFi or mobile signal on the trail?
Mobile signal exists at Cachora (start/end point) and at Choquequirao itself. There is no WiFi on the trail. Expect full disconnection for Days 1-3.
Can children do this trek?
Children aged 8+ are eligible for the student entrance discount. The physical demands (7-9 hours per day over steep terrain) require good base fitness even for adults — we recommend this trek for children who are comfortable with long hiking days. Minimum group size is 3 people, so family bookings of 3+ work well.
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