Awesome Choquequirao Trek 4 Days | How to Reach the Other Inca Lost City

This is a basic itinerary and Choquequirao trek map on how to complete the Choquequirao trek in 4 days. The Choquequirao trek 4 days round-trip route is the most popular route to explore the Choquequirao ruins. However, it’s possible to spend a full day at the Choquequirao Site, making it a 5 day itinerary. Intrepid hikers looking for an adventure may continue all the way to Machu Picchu. The 9 day Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek is an alternative route to the Standard Classic Inca Trail.

Choquequirao means “Cradle of Gold” when translated from Quechua, which is the perfect name, since the Choquequirao ruins is one of Peru’s final hidden gems. This impressive Archaeological Site sees less than 15 visitors a day. Yes, in the entire year, the Choquequirao Inca Ruins has less visitors a year than the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu sees in a day or two.

While many visitors utilize a Choquequirao tour company, it is possible to hike to Choquequirao without a guide. The trailhead in Cachora can be reached via public transportation from the Imperial City of Cusco.

The Choquequirao trek difficulty is demanding and hard, so make sure to be properly acclimated before attempting the Choquequirao trek.

Here’s an overview on how to experience the Choquequirao trek 4 days.

⁉️ If downloading the map, please verify that the map is correct and follows the waypoints. Oftentimes, there are daily updates to the site, map platforms, and other external issues that may cause a bug in downloading. Be mindful that this map is solely for entertainment purposes. See my full disclosure here. Always hike responsibly and respect the mountains by following a no-trace philosophy, avoid hiking alone, be conscious of the weather and personal limitations, and do not stray from the visible trail

Overview Choquequirao Trek 4 Days

• Out & Back Trail
  • Starts in the village of Cachora & Finished in the Choquequirao Archaeological Site
  • Those who wish to explore the massive site should budget 5 days (one full day in the park)
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Mileage: 18 Miles from the Choquequirao trailhead
  • If you walk from Cachora to Choquequirao trailhead add-on 6.5 miles
  • Choquequirao Trek Mileage Round Trip: 36 miles (58 KM)
• Duration: 4 – 5 Days
• Trail Marker: There is some signage along the route. Official signage is blue with white writing. Many of the mountain passes have signs with the altitude. The path is pretty straightforward; however, if doing the hike independently download an off-line Choquequirao Trek Map. Look for route arrows on rocks.
• Basic Campsites can be found along the route and some have facilities like outhouses and running water, and garbage drops. There are a few “wild campsites” that are far from water sources.
• Gear Essentials
  • Tent
  • Sleeping Bag, Liner, Sleeping Pad
  • Water Filter or Water Purification Tablets
  • Fuel, Cooking Supplies, Food
  • Offline Choquequirao Trek Map & Paper (waterproof map), Chargers, Battery Packs, cord, ect
  • Rain Gear
  • Layered Long Sleeve Clothing, warm & dry clothes for night, extra socks
  • Good Hiking Shoes with Ankle Support
  • Hiking Poles if you love them
  • Coca Leaves for altitude sickness
  • My Complete Peru Packing List for Multi-Day Treks
• There are talks of a building a cable car to Choquequirao, so visit before it becomes more well-known

➯ Hey… don’t forget your Travel Insurance! I love SafetyWing

Choquequirao Trek 4 Days Schedule

For Logistics this Choquequirao Trek 4 days begins at CasaNostra Choquequirao Guesthouse in Cachora and finishes at the Choquequirao Archaeological Park.

• Day 1 | Cachora to Santa Rosa Baja | 17.25 miles
• Day 2 | Santa Rosa Baja to Choquequirao Archaeological Park | 5.25 miles
• Day 3 & 4 | Return to Cachora Peru

☛ Choquequirao Trek 5 Days | Spend an extra night at the Choquequirao Ruins at the complimentary campsite onsite

Day 1 | Cachora to Santa Rosa Baja

In the morning, depart the village of Cachora. Either hike or take a taxi to the trailhead at Capuliyoc.

Hiking Logistics | Add: 6.5 miles | Duration: 2.5 hours

Purchase Choquequirao entrance tickets at the official trailhead (60 PEN, $16 USD per person). If no one is at the trailhead, someone along the route will sell tickets. Continue on the path into the park. The first stop is the stunning Mirador de Capuliyoc, or Capuliyoc Mirador. Take the gradual downhill trek into Playa Rosalinas where you cross a bridge. After the bridge, begin the steep uphill climb to Santa Rosa Baja.

Playa Rosalinas to Santa Rosa Baja | 2 mile climb | Duration: 1.5 hours

Set up camp at Mama Eufemia’s in Santa Rosa Baja.

Choquequirao Trek Map Day 1

• Distance: 17.25 miles
• Duration: 10 hours

Santa Rosa Baja to Choquequirao

Leave Santa Rosa Baja in the morning and continue the uphill climb to Santa Rosa Alta. Pass by the Uchuhuerta Waterfall and continue on to the small hamlet of Marampata. There are plenty of little tiendas and guesthouses to replenish supplies.

Marampata village is at kilometer marker 24.9

Leave the tiny hamlet to depart to Choquequirao and appreciate the many viewpoints of the Inca terraces (House of the Waterfalls). Cross a bridge and follow the path into the park. Set up camp at the camping facilities, which is included in the cost of admission. Finally, spend the afternoon exploring the stunning Choquequirao Archaeological Site.

Choquequirao Trip Planning | Discover the “Other Lost City” of Choquequirao Ruins

Choquequirao Trek Map Day 2

• Distance: 5.25 miles
• Duration: under 5 hours

Return to Cachora Peru

On Day 3, simply explore the park early in the morning. If you have one day to spare, I highly suggest spending more time in the massive park. Choquequirao really does warrant one full day.

If following the Choquequirao trek 4 days, it is best start the trek back towards Cachora by the afternoon. Simply reverse the itinerary. Remember, those steep ascents will become steep descents.

Helpful Tips for Return to Cachora & Choquequirao Trek 4 Days

• There are guesthouses in Marampata
  • Playa Rosalinas guesthouse was shut
  • There is a guest house at Capuliyoc
• Campsites can be found in
  • Choquequirao Archaeological Park
  • Marampata
  • Santa Rosa Alta
  • Santa Rosa Baja
  • Chiquisca
  • Between Capuliyoc Mirador and Cachora
  • Many of the campsites to Choquequirao have snacks and some serve prepared food.
• There are many wild camp spots with no facilities along the trail. Be mindful on where the water supply is and always leave no trace

Choquequirao Trek 4 Days

Want more info on how to complete the Choquequirao trek 4 days? Find out how to reach Cachora from Cusco, useful tips and tricks, a complete packing list, and all the logistics with this complementing blog post:

Choquequirao Trek Discover the “Other” Lost City

Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu

Adventurous hikers may wish to hike all the way to Machu Picchu. This intrepid alternative trek to the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu will require 7 more intense and difficult days of hiking. This extremely difficult trek should only be attempted by those hikers who feel confident in their trekking abilities and navigation skills.

The Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek includes wild camping, passes through small villages, and eventually connects to the Salkantay Trek trail. The trail finishes in Aguas Calientes, or Machu Picchu Pueblo, the gateway to Machu Picchu. This is truly an intrepid hiking route in South America.

🥾 Hiking Guide | Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu in 9 Days

Cusco Travel Guides & Resources

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• The Ultimate Cusco & Sacred Valley Itinerary for One Week
• How to Visit all 16 Sites on the Cusco Tourist Ticket Without a Tour
• An Overview of the Popular Cusco Tourist Ticket
• Self Guided Tour of 8 Free Inca Ruins in Cusco
• Where to Eat in Cusco Peru
• Cusco South Valley Tour Without a Guide
• Cerro Picol Day Hike in Cusco
• Maukallaqta & Pumo Urqo, is this the Birthplace of the Incas?
• 35+ Inca Ruins You Need to See in Peru
• 32 Unique & Famous Landmarks in Peru
• Peru Hot Springs You Need to Visit

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• The Ultimate Guide to Urubamba Peru
• Ollantaytambo Peru Guide
• Hike the Magical Saywa Mountain in Urubamba
• Laguna Juchuycocha Hidden-Gem Alpine Lake Near Urubamba
• Pumamarca Ruins | A Hidden Gem Near Ollantaytambo
• Inti Punku Ollantaytambo, the Epic Sun Gate
• Perolniyoc Waterfall and the Raqaypata Ruins that sit on top
• Maras Salt Mines to Moray Ruins Hike
• Huchuy Qosqo Trek Guide
• Kinsa Cocha Pisac
• Lares Valley Trek in 1 Day

More Peru Treks Like Choquequirao Trek 4 Days

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• Waqrapukara Trek to the Most Epic Inca Site You’ve Never Heard of
• 4 Day Colca Canyon Trek Without a Tour

Disclosure: This is part of my Hikes & Adventures series, which means these treks can be strenuous and challenging. These are my experiences and I am not an expert. Please have all the proper equipment, verify the weather conditions, use professional resources, do your own research, be mindful of constantly changing trail conditions, and take into consideration your own physical abilities and/or limitations. These guides are for entertainment purposes only. Please see my full disclosure for more information here.