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.

Behind the awe-inspiring vistas of the Peruvian Andes, there is a harsh reality: many porters endure grueling conditions, carrying excessive weight for meager pay. At Choquequirao Tickets, we believe that an ethical trek is the only way to hike.

1. Fair Wages Above the Minimum

All our porters receive fair wages that exceed the legal minimum. We believe that hard work in the mountains deserves proper compensation.

2. Professional Equipment

We provide our team with professional 4-season tents, sleeping pads, and warm sleeping bags. A well-rested porter is a happy and safe porter.

3. Strict Weight Limits

Our porters carry a strictly regulated weight limit. We never overload them to save costs.

4. Empowering Female Porters

We are pioneers in creating inclusive opportunities in the Andes. We actively hire and empower female porters and guides, ensuring a safe and respectful working environment for everyone.

The trek to Choquequirao is one of the most demanding in Peru. Because of the rugged terrain, mules and horses are essential for carrying camping equipment and food. Sadly, animal abuse is common among budget operators.

1. Strict Weight Limits for Animals

We strictly limit the weight each animal carries. No mule or horse is ever overloaded on our expeditions.

2. Working with Trusted Arrieros

We work exclusively with local horsemen (arrieros) who treat their animals with love and respect as part of their family.

3. Proper Rest and Nutrition

Our animals are provided with proper rest stops, sufficient food, and constant access to water throughout the arduous canyon crossings.

A successful and ethical expedition to Choquequirao doesn’t begin at the trailhead; it begins the moment you step into our vehicles in Cusco.

Our commitment to ethics extends to the very beginning of your journey. The drivers (*transportistas*) who navigate the winding Andean roads to get you safely to the start of the trek are an integral part of our team and our success.

Navigating mountain roads requires immense skill, focus, and responsibility. To ensure both the dignity of our drivers and the safety of our passengers, we strictly adhere to the following standards:

– **Fair Hours and Rest:** We ensure our drivers are well-rested, fairly compensated, and never pushed to drive beyond safe working hours. Fatigue is the biggest risk on mountain roads, and we eliminate it through proper scheduling.
– **Vehicle Maintenance:** Their vehicles are strictly maintained and subjected to rigorous safety checks before every single departure.
– **No Cutting Corners:** We value the lives of our team and our passengers above all else, refusing to cut corners or rush journeys when it comes to transportation safety.

By ensuring our drivers are treated with respect and given the resources they need, we guarantee a safe, comfortable, and stress-free start to your Choquequirao adventure.

Choosing the right time to visit Choquequirao is crucial for a successful trek. Unlike the Inca Trail, Choquequirao receives a fraction of the visitors, but its rugged terrain is highly sensitive to weather changes.

1. The Dry Season (May to October)

This is the absolute best time to go. Days are sunny, offering spectacular views of the Apurimac canyon, and the trails are firm and safe. The only downside is that the heat during the descent to Playa Rosalina can be intense, so start early.

2. The Shoulder Season (April and November)

These months are transition periods. You might experience occasional afternoon showers, but the trails are extremely quiet and the landscapes are lush and green.

3. The Rainy Season (December to March)

We do not recommend trekking during these months. Heavy rains cause landslides, the Apurimac river swells dangerously, and the trail can become impassable. In fact, most operators close operations in January and February.

Unlike Machu Picchu, Choquequirao has no direct road access or train service. Reaching this Inca citadel requires a combination of overland transportation and hiking, which makes it a more demanding destination — but also a much more authentic experience. If you’re wondering how to get to Choquequirao, in this guide you’ll find the available routes, the approximate time for each stretch, and the transportation options you can choose based on your budget and comfort level.

From Cusco to the trailhead

The first step to reaching Choquequirao is traveling from How to Get to Choquequirao to Cachora, the village where the classic route begins. This stretch is covered by road and takes between 3 and 4 hours, depending on the type of transportation and road conditions.

There are two main ways to make this trip:

• Public transportation: buses or vans that leave from Cusco to Cachora, with set but less flexible schedules.
• Private transportation or transfer: booked directly or as part of a tour, with departure times adjusted to your itinerary.

Classic route: Cachora – Choquequirao

This is the most widely used route to Choquequirao and the one with the best-established trail infrastructure. The route consists of a descent into the Apurímac River canyon, crossing the river, and a subsequent climb up to the citadel.

In general terms, hiking to Choquequirao via this route takes:

• Cachora – Playa Rosalinas (river crossing): approximately 5 to 6 hours
• Playa Rosalinas – Choquequirao: approximately 4 to 5 hours of ascent

The steep elevation change makes this a route considered medium-to-high difficulty, so it’s best to arrive with some physical preparation.

Alternative route: Huanipaca

In addition to the classic Cachora route, there is an alternative route through Huanipaca. This option has variations in the terrain and travel times, and in some cases can be an interesting alternative to the traditional route.

Available transportation options

To get to Choquequirao from Cusco to the trailhead, you have several alternatives:

• Public bus to Cachora: the most economical option, though with fixed schedules and less comfort.
• Private transportation or transfer: greater schedule flexibility and comfort, ideal for small groups or travelers who prefer to avoid wait times.
• Organized tours with transportation included: the most practical option, since it includes transfer, guide, and trip logistics in a single service.

Each alternative has its advantages: public transportation is more economical, private transportation offers greater comfort and flexibility, and organized tours simplify the entire trip planning process.

How long the whole trip takes (Cusco – Choquequirao – Cusco)

The total time to get to Choquequirao, visit it, and return to Cusco depends on the pace you choose:

• Fast pace: 3 days total, with little rest time at the site.
• Moderate pace: 4 days, the most recommended option to enjoy the visit without exhausting yourself.
• Relaxed pace: 5 days or more, ideal if you want to explore calmly and have room for the unexpected.

Recommendations before you leave

Before setting out on the trip, keep these points in mind:

• Book your transportation in advance, especially during high season, when demand toward Cachora increases.
• Check the condition of the Cusco–Cachora road before you leave, since it can be affected by rain or roadwork.
• Bring enough cash, since you won’t find ATMs along the route or in nearby villages.

While Machu Picchu attracts over 1.5 million visitors annually, its sister city Choquequirao remains one of South America’s best-kept secrets, receiving fewer than 30 visitors per day. But what exactly makes these two Inca cities different, and why should Choquequirao be on your bucket list?

Location and Accessibility

Machu Picchu is accessible by train from Cusco, making it a relatively easy day trip. Choquequirao, on the other hand, requires a challenging 2-day trek through the spectacular Apurímac Canyon — one of the deepest canyons in the world, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.

This remoteness is precisely what makes Choquequirao special. Without the crowds and commercial infrastructure, you experience the ruins in near solitude, exactly as the early explorers did over a century ago.

Size and Archaeological Significance

Choquequirao is actually larger than Machu Picchu. The complex covers 1,800 hectares compared to Machu Picchu’s 530 hectares. However, only about 30% of Choquequirao has been excavated, meaning there are still enormous discoveries waiting beneath the jungle canopy.

The site features unique llama terraces — decorative stone mosaics of llamas built into the agricultural terraces — that exist nowhere else in the Inca world.

The Future

The Peruvian government is currently building a cable car system that will make Choquequirao accessible in just 15 minutes, compared to the current 2-day trek. Expected to open in 2027, this will transform Choquequirao into a world-class destination. The question is: do you want to see it before or after the world discovers it?

Planning a trek to Choquequirao? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know before hitting the trail, from physical preparation to what to pack.

1. Fitness Level Required

The Choquequirao trek is considered moderate to challenging. You’ll be hiking 6-8 hours per day with significant altitude changes — descending over 1,500 meters into the Apurímac Canyon and then climbing back up to the ruins at 3,085 meters. We recommend at least 2-3 months of cardiovascular training before your trip.

2. Altitude Acclimatization is Essential

Cusco sits at 3,400 meters above sea level. We strongly recommend spending at least 2-3 days acclimatizing in Cusco before starting any trek. Symptoms of altitude sickness include headaches, nausea, and shortness of breath. Coca tea, staying hydrated, and taking it slow are your best friends.

3. Best Time to Visit

The dry season runs from April to November, with June through August offering the most stable weather. However, these months are also the coldest, with temperatures dropping below freezing at night. The shoulder months of April-May and September-October offer a nice balance of good weather and warmer temperatures.

4. What to Pack

Essential items include: layered clothing (temperatures range from 5°C to 25°C), sturdy hiking boots with ankle support, a quality sleeping bag rated to -10°C, rain gear, sunscreen (UV is intense at altitude), and plenty of water purification tablets.

5. Permits and Regulations

Unlike Machu Picchu, Choquequirao currently does not require advance permits — another advantage of visiting now. However, entrance fees apply and must be paid at the checkpoint. Always trek with a licensed guide for safety and to support local employment.