7 Reasons Why You Should NOT Hike the Choquequirao Trek (And Stay Home to Watch TV Instead)

Let’s be honest: hiking is exhausting. You sweat, your muscles ache, and you are entirely at the mercy of mother nature. If your idea of the perfect vacation involves all-you-can-eat buffets, reliable Wi-Fi, and never breaking a sweat, then we have some important advice for you: Do not book the Choquequirao Trek.

We’ve compiled a list of seven completely valid reasons why you should probably just stay home, turn on Netflix, and avoid this epic Andean adventure altogether.

1. There is absolutely NO Wi-Fi

If you need to check your work emails every 15 minutes or keep your Instagram stories updated in real-time, you are going to hate this trek. Deep in the Apurimac canyon, your phone becomes nothing more than an expensive camera. You will be forced to look at the majestic mountains, listen to the rushing river, and—worst of all—have deep, uninterrupted conversations with your fellow trekkers.

2. Your legs will hate you (for a few days)

This isn’t a leisurely walk in the park. The descent into the canyon and the subsequent climb up to the Choquequirao ruins is notoriously challenging. Your calves will burn, your lungs will demand more oxygen, and you will question your life choices on the zig-zag trails. Of course, the overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment when you reach the top is unparalleled, but who needs self-esteem when you have a comfortable couch?

3. The lack of luxury hotels

If you require a king-sized memory foam mattress and a minibar, this is the wrong trip. On the Choquequirao trek, you will be forced to sleep in a high-quality tent. Instead of a flat-screen TV, your evening entertainment will be the Milky Way galaxy stretching across an unpolluted night sky. It’s truly awful having to sleep under a billion stars.

4. There are no crowds to hide in

Unlike Machu Picchu, which sees thousands of visitors a day, Choquequirao only receives a handful of trekkers. You won’t have to wait in line to take a photo, and you won’t have strangers photobombing your epic mountain shots. It’s just you, the ancient Inca stones, and the soaring condors. It’s terribly lonely if you prefer being packed like sardines in tourist traps.

5. The silence is deafening

City dwellers might find the acoustics of the Andes highly disturbing. There are no car horns, no sirens, and no construction noise. The only sounds you will hear are the wind rushing through the canyon, the roar of the Apurimac river far below, and the crunch of your boots on the trail. If you can’t handle true peace and quiet, stay away.

6. It will ruin all your future vacations

Once you’ve stood at the edge of the world, explored ancient ruins hidden in the clouds, and pushed your physical limits to achieve something extraordinary, sitting by a resort pool is going to feel incredibly boring. Choquequirao sets the bar so high that every other vacation will feel like a downgrade.

7. You might accidentally find yourself

When you strip away the distractions of modern life, the stress of work, and the constant digital noise, you are left with just yourself and nature. The mountain has a way of giving you clarity. You might return home with a new perspective on what actually matters in life. And frankly, personal growth is just too much work.