Choquequirao Treks


If you haven’t heard of the Choquequirao ruins, (or “Choquekiraw” in Quechua) you aren’t alone! While the ruins of Machu Picchu gained notoriety among travelers and trekkers alike, the “Sister” site is still largely overlooked… and not for a lack of sacred beauty!

The Choquequirao ruins are larger than Machu Picchu, but are currently a hidden gem, and not easily accessible to visitors. These treks offer you an incredible chance to explore the trails and ruins alike.

Why Choose Alpaca Expeditions for your Choquequirao Trek?

 

An Attentive and Dedicated Team While You Take On Your Choquequirao Trek

Trek in complete confidence knowing that you’ll have top-quality camping equipment, nutritious meals on the trail prepared by professional chefs, and a trail team trained in safety procedures that exceed expectations on every trek.

See Choquequirao Before It Becomes a Global Phenomenon

Choquequirao is every bit as beautiful as Machu Picchu, but doesn’t yet have the global fame of these iconic ruins. While Choquequirao is currently only reachable by foot, there are plans to build a road and cable car that will bring in significantly more tourists. Now is your chance to get an intimate look at Choquequirao without needing to share the views with several thousand other visitors! These ruins won’t stay hidden for long, so make the trek while it’s still mostly undiscovered.

Ethical Peru Ecotourism

You can feel good about supporting a 100% Peruvian company whose involvement with local communities includes social projects and initiatives in porter welfare.

World Travel Awards 2022 Alpaca Expeditions

Choquequirao Availability

All Choquequirao Treks are available for daily tour departures, March – January. Optimal trekking season is April -October. No special permits are needed, unlike the Classic Inca Trail.

Explore 5-Day Trek

How difficult is the Choquequirao Trek?

With steep descents, challenging climbs and long days of hiking, the Choquequirao trek is considered a difficult trek. We recommend all trekkers be in moderate shape and commit to reasonable training before the excursion. That said, there will be helpful porters to carry bags and several breaks throughout the day to ensure a fun and approachable hiking experience. On top of that, there will be so many stunning views to take in, you’ll hardly notice any fatigue you may feel on the trail!

How long is the Choquequirao Trek?

The total distance covered is approximately 58 to 64 kilometers (36 to 40 miles) round trip, which we cover over 5 days of hiking. This experience is just long enough for the trek to feel like a significant accomplishment!

What makes the Choquequirao Trek special?

Choquequirao is known as “The Last Refuge of the Incas.” These ruins represent a hidden home for Incas that were seeking refuge from the Spanish. Its name means “Cradle of Gold”, and is considered the Sister City of Machu Picchu.
These ruins, at 1,800 hectares, are 30-40% evacuated and are even larger than the ruins of Machu Picchu.

Is Choquequirao or Machu Picchu Better?

While we can’t say one is better, these two ancient Incan lost cities are significantly different. Choquequirao is a hidden gem that many visitors don’t know about. This site is only reachable by foot, making the site much more remote and unvisited. These historic ruins are larger than Machu Picchu and there is still much to discover about this lost Incan city. The entire ruins are only 30-40% excavated, meaning there is still much to discover.

Machu Picchu, which is found at the end of the Inca Trail, is one of the most well-known and revered sites in the world nestled into a remote, unpopulated area of the Andes. This is a UNESCO world heritage site and the 7th Wonder of the World, making it one of the most famous historic sites you can visit. Machu Picchu can be reached without hiking, making it more accessible.

If you want to experience both trails in one experience, check out our Choquequirao and Machu Picchu Adventure!

Can you do the Choquequirao Trek without a guide?

While you can technically hike the Choquequirao Trek without a guide, it should only be attempted by seasoned trekkers that have meticulously studied the trail. We highly recommend using a tour company to plan and execute your Choquequirao Trek. Our team of guides will manage logistics, meals, activities, campsites and transportation, so all you need to do is enjoy the experience.

Is there a Cable Car to Choquequirao?

While there are plans to build a cable car to Choquequirao, the only way to currently reach these stunning ruins is on a multiple-day trek. Once the cable car is built, we expect to see a significant uptake in people visiting Machu Picchu’s Sister City. If you want to see Choquequirao before it becomes a hub for Peru visitors, we highly recommend booking a trek before the cable car is complete.

What is the Weather like on the Choquequirao Trek?

As with all treks through the Andes, the weather can be unpredictable and vary throughout the day. The Choquequirao trek crosses through a lower valley, meaning temperatures between 25-40° C are common. But as you climb elevation, you can expect colder temperatures, especially in the mornings and evenings. We highly recommend wearing layers with waterproof layers, gloves and beanies for cold weather and hats and sunglasses for when the sun comes out.

Where does the Choquequirao Trek start?

Your journey will start with a 4;30am pickup from any hotel in Cusco. After a three-hour drive to Sacred Valley, you will start your trek in Capuliyoc (3,200 m above sea level). After a warm breakfast, your trekking group will venture out onto the trail for your adventure in the Vilcabamba Range of the Andes.

CHOQUEQUIRAO MAP

Map Choquequirao Trek & Machu Picchu 6D/5N

Why Us

+13K

Only company with More than 13,000 excellent reviews on Tripadvisor

+4

Only company with 4 ISO + Green FootPrint
ISO, International Organization for Standarization

+10

Awards, Recognized as the Best Travel Agency in Peru

+50

Trekkers Blogs The best way to understand the experience of traveling with Alpaca is reading and watching what others have experienced with us.

+2k

More than 2K trips made safely with our Satellite Phones

1st

Cooking classes are on all our camping treks. Learn to cook traditional, delicious dishes in open air classroom of the magical Andes mountains!

Explore All Choquequirao Treks

Adventure Trekking Tours

Choquequirao Trek 5D/4N

Nestled in the Vilcabamba mountain range in the Andes, you’ll find the historic Choquequirao Incan ruins. The Choquequirao Trek (also spelled Choque...

Destinations Cusco Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu
Duration 5D / 4N
Group Size Up to 8
Physical Rating Relaxing
Price per person US $700
Adventure Trekking Tours

Choquequirao Trek + Machu Picchu 6D/5N

With the Choquequirao Trek and Machu Picchu Tour, you can see two breathtaking historic ruins on one trip! Choquequirao Peru reveals lesser known, his...

Destinations Cusco Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu
Duration 6D / 5N
Group Size Up to 8
Physical Rating Relaxing
Price per person US $825

Contact Us


Get in Touch

TRIPADVISOR RECOGNITIONS


Our goal at Alpaca Expeditions is to create the best experience for all of our clients. We create journeys that are to be remembered for a lifetime. Journeys you can be proud of and can share with everybody around you.


Alpaca Expeditions Awards Tripadvisor 2023 travelers choise