Choquequirao Trek 4 Days and 3 Nights

How difficult is Choquequirao?

We often get asked about the Choquequirao trek difficulty and it’s important to be realistic about what to expect. In comparison with other treks in the Cusco region, the Choquequirao tour is not what we’d describe as a high altitude trek. The highest point of the whole route is the Choquequirao ruins themselves, at 3050m (10,007 ft).
That said, this is by far one of the most challenging treks in the region as you descend 1500m the first day, climb over 1500m on the second day, and then after reaching the ruins, turn around and do it all over again on days 3 and 4! It should also be remembered that while this is not “high” by Cusco Standards, the starting point at Cachora and the ruins of Choquequirao are still high altitude. Remember all treks in the Cusco region are difficult for most people due to the high altitude and extremely steep mountains.

What fitness or training do you recommend?
Even the fittest person will find the hike to Choquequirao a test! Everyone who plans to tour Choquequirao should embark on a training plan. We do have a many older people who successfully complete this trek, but they are extremely fit and well prepared. Without doubt, anyone who is not fit should train in consultation with a medical and fitness professional. What this will entail depends on each person and their own abilities. Remember the difficulty of the Choquequirao trek is the steepness of the trail.

In short, the better your fitness, the easier and more rewarding the trek will be. How can I prepare myself for the altitude, and avoid altitude sickness?
There is one simple and easy way to prepare yourself for the high altitude around the Cusco area: Spend at least 3 nights at high altitude, like Cusco city, Lake Titicaca or the Sacred Valley. As Choquequirao is not super high altitude, most people can get away with just 2 nights’ acclimatisation prior to heading out on the trek. Not only is there so much to do and see around Cusco, but especially if you are able to get out and do several hours’ hiking, it will get your body prepared for the challenge facing it!

Also, be kind to your body! Get lots of rest upon arrival at Cusco, stay away from alcohol, and eat healthily. This will help your body to be as prepared as it can be for the difficulty of the Choquequirao trek.

What is the best time of year to do the 4 day Choquequirao trek?
The Choquequirao trekking tour is best done in the dry winter months in the Andes, from May to August. During this time, there is little rain but temperatures are low. Cold nighttime temperatures are not as much of a problem on this trek as they are on other, higher altitude treks, but you should be prepared for a cold night at the ruins.

December through March is the rainy season in Peru and we do not operate any of our Choquequirao tours during this time. Given the steep sides of the Apurimac canyon, the heavy rainfall can loosen the mountainsides and there is a high risk of landslides. This has resulted in death and injury of tourist groups in the past and for this reason we won’t trek in the wet season.

The shoulder seasons for trekking Choquequirao are the months of April,

September, October and November. Trekking during these months is weather- dependent. For example, April can still be very slippery and wet if it was a particularly wet rainy season; by the same token November can be hazardous if heavy rains come early. In general September and October should be ok, though with some rain encountered.

What kind of food and accommodation can we expect on the Choquequirao trek?
The Classic Choquequirao trek (4 days) includes 3 nights of camping. You are accompanied by a trained field team who set up our tents, lay out the therma rest matrasses and boil water for you to wash your hands and face. Having good quality, well maintained equipment that keeps out the rain and mosquitos is important to having an enjoyable trek experience!

Also on your Choquequirao tour will be a chef and at least one assistant. It’s quite fascinating to see how our chefs whip up nutritious quality meals on the trail! Our chefs receive annual training in order to offer you some really impressive meals. This is not basic trail food, but fully catered for trekking.
We can cater for all types of dietary requests with adequate preparation and clear communication. We receive a lot of vegetarian guests and our cooks have become quite adept at preparing vegetarian and vegan options!

What permits are required?

There are no pre-purchased permits required. However, you are required to have an entry ticket to Choquequirao ruins, which we have included in our Choquequirao trek cost.

What do you carry during the trek?
Cachi Life Peru are organized so that all you carry on the Choquequirao tour is a light day pack. In your day pack, you should carry things like your water bottle, some extra layers, camera, sun hat, beanie, sunscreen and insect repellent. Water is very important on the trek. You should start the day with 2L; you will have a chance to refill at lunchtime, and again in the evening. If you are the type of person that gets thirsty, start the day with 3L! We also provide an ample range of snacks which will fill up the average person – if you have hollow legs, you might need to bring some of your own!

At your briefing, you will be supplied with a duffel bag that you can pack with up to 8kg (17 lbs). All of the camping equipment needed on the trek is also carried by mules.

Is the 4 day choquequirao trek right for me?
In order to answer whether this trek is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have time to acclimatize well? – While not at the highest altitude
around Cusco, this is still a high altitude trek, with the campsite on Day 2 located at 2900m (9514 ft), so you must be well acclimatized before beginning
the trek. For most people 2 days acclimatisation should be sufficient, but 3 days or more would be better.
• Am I prepared to climb and descend steeply – Each day of the Choquequirao trek involves approximately 1500m (4921 ft) of descent or ascent. This is a very steep trek and requires a lot of stamina and mental fortitude, not to mention fitness!
• Am I looking for solitude on the trail and a unique experience? – If so, Choquequirao is a reasonable option for you. It’s not the quietest trek in the
region, or the busiest. If you are looking forward to meeting fellow trekkers on the trail or at campsites and make new friends, you might prefer a more
popular trek such as Salkantay or the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
• Am I most interested in stunning mountain landscapes and Andean wildlife? – The Choquequirao tour has some truly incredible mountain
landscapes, and in the middle there are even snow-capped peaks all around. There is not a lot of Andean wildlife, but you do have the chance of seeing the Andean condor flying on the thermals out from the Choquequirao ruins!

• Am I looking for a trek that includes Machu Picchu? – The 4 day Choquequirao tour does not include Machu Picchu. You can add a Machu
Picchu Extension to your itinerary.
• Is visiting Incan Ruins important to me? – This is a fantastic route for the Inca enthusiast – Choquequirao is said to be larger than Machu Picchu itself
with new discoveries being made all the time. This is most definitely a good trek if you want to learn more about the Incas.
• Am I interested in learning about contemporary Andean culture? – If so, then one of our Lares treks might be a better option.