Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Choquequirao Trek, Peru. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Peru
- Biome
- Cloud forest canyon (1,500–3,100 m)
- Best season
- May – October
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Wildlife Viewing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Cloud forest canyon (1,500–3,100 m)
- Best season: May – October
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Choquequirao Trek
Topic summary
A 60-km trek to a still-being-excavated Inca site rivaling Machu Picchu — one of Peru's toughest and quietest.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: May – October
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Cloud forest canyon (1,500–3,100 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Choquequirao Trek trip tools
How to get there
The approach is a two-day hike from outside Cusco to Choquequirao in the Vilcabamba mountain range. Confirm the exact departure point and road transport arrangements locally.
- Cusco
Regional reference point for the approach: the two-day hike begins outside Cusco, not at a specified city-center trailhead. Confirm the actual starting location before arranging transport.
- Choquequirao
The walking destination, at 3,050 metres in the Santa Teresa district. Reaching the complex requires a mountain approach; it is not a road-access entrance.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Choquequirao Trek
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around Choquequirao Trek
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Choquequirao TrekAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Choquequirao Trek
Planning to fish Choquequirao Trek, Peru? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Peru are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Choquequirao Trek?
- A Peru fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Peru fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Peru yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
Hunting near Choquequirao Trek
Thinking about hunting Choquequirao Trek, Peru? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Peru are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Choquequirao Trek?
- Confirm the land around Choquequirao Trek is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Peru?
- A Peru hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Peru yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
A mountainside Inca complex
Choquequirao is a 16th-century Inca site in the Cusco Region of southern Peru, within the Santa Teresa district of La Convención province. Its buildings and agricultural terraces occupy a steep mountainside in the rugged Vilcabamba range, overlooking the Apurímac River. The complex is arranged around Sunch'u Pata, a truncated hilltop, rather than spread across level ground. At 3,050 metres, the site sits well above the canyon below, whose elevation is given as 1,450 metres. That setting defines the trip: reaching the ruins is a mountain trek, and exploring them also means accounting for steep terrain. The comparison with Machu Picchu comes from similarities in structure and architecture, but Choquequirao's own layout, terraces and stonework provide plenty to focus on.
What to look for at the ruins
Choquequirao was more than a collection of buildings on an isolated ridge. It served as a ceremonial center, an administrative hub and a checkpoint controlling access to the Vilcabamba region. After the Spanish conquest, it became one of the last strongholds of Inca resistance led by Manco Inca Yupanqui. Look closely at the sophisticated stone masonry and water channels, as well as the agricultural terraces that shape the mountainside. White stone mosaics depicting llamas are a distinctive feature of the terrace walls. The complex covers about 1,800 hectares, but only 30–40 percent has been excavated. Treat that figure as the scale of the archaeological complex, not as a measure of the area available for walking. Allow time to study individual features rather than simply reaching the site and turning around.
Plan for the approach as well as the visit
Choquequirao is reached by a two-day hike from outside Cusco. That describes the approach, not a complete out-and-back itinerary, so keep the return journey separate when planning time and supplies. The combination of a high-elevation destination and steep mountain terrain calls for a pace that leaves enough energy to explore on arrival. Prepare for changing mountain weather, carry appropriate layers and arrange reliable water supplies before setting out. Footwear suited to sustained walking on steep ground matters more than packing for a short ruins visit. Confirm the exact trailhead, transport arrangements and current access conditions locally before committing to a schedule. Also confirm any permit or entry requirements with the managing agency; do not assume that the approach hike and archaeological visit have identical access arrangements.
Route options
- Approach from outside Cusco
A two-day hike to Choquequirao. Establish the precise trailhead, overnight arrangements and return plan before departure.
- Choquequirao archaeological exploration
After the approach, allow separate walking time for the buildings and agricultural terraces arranged around Sunch'u Pata. Focus on the masonry, water channels and white stone llama mosaics; this is an exploration objective rather than a specified signed circuit.
Sample itineraries
- Two-day approach to Choquequirao · 2 days
Allow two days for the hike from outside Cusco to Choquequirao. The destination sits at 3,050 metres on a steep mountainside in the Vilcabamba range. This is an approach itinerary, not a complete round trip; arrange the return separately.
- Approach with a dedicated site day · 3 days
Plan two days to reach Choquequirao, followed by a day focused on its buildings, agricultural terraces, water channels, and white-stone llama mosaics. The complex is extensive and only partly excavated. This suggested schedule excludes the return hike.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Confirm local seasonal timing before departure
Check current rainfall and trail conditions before committing to the two-day approach. Steep mountain terrain calls for secure footing and weather protection.
Summer
Confirm local seasonal timing before departure
Do not assume the season guarantees dry walking. Check the mountain forecast and plan water, sun protection, and layers for a trek reaching 3,050 metres.
Fall
Confirm local seasonal timing before departure
Base departure plans on current weather and access advice rather than the season name. Allow time for careful travel through rugged terrain and exploration of the extensive site.
Winter
Confirm local seasonal timing before departure
Check expected temperatures and rainfall before choosing clothing and overnight equipment. Elevation and a multi-day approach make insulation and weather protection important.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Confirm local seasonal timing before departure | Check current rainfall and trail conditions before committing to the two-day approach. Steep mountain terrain calls for secure footing and weather protection. |
| Summer | Confirm local seasonal timing before departure | Do not assume the season guarantees dry walking. Check the mountain forecast and plan water, sun protection, and layers for a trek reaching 3,050 metres. |
| Fall | Confirm local seasonal timing before departure | Base departure plans on current weather and access advice rather than the season name. Allow time for careful travel through rugged terrain and exploration of the extensive site. |
| Winter | Confirm local seasonal timing before departure | Check expected temperatures and rainfall before choosing clothing and overnight equipment. Elevation and a multi-day approach make insulation and weather protection important. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current entry requirements and access arrangements with the managing agency before departure.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Elevation: Choquequirao sits at 3,050 metres. Allow time to acclimatize and avoid pushing onward if altitude symptoms develop.
- Steep terrain: the site occupies a mountainside above the Apurímac River canyon. Move carefully and keep clear of exposed edges.
- Rugged mountain travel: the two-day hiking approach requires realistic pacing, adequate supplies, and a separately planned return.
What to pack for Choquequirao Trek
- Supportive hiking footwear with dependable grip
- Trekking poles for steep terrain
- Comfortable pack suitable for a multi-day hike
- Waterproof outer layer
- Insulating layers appropriate to the forecast
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Water-carrying capacity matched to confirmed supply points
- Food for the approach and planned return
- First-aid kit
- Headlamp
- Navigation information for the confirmed route
Choquequirao Trek FAQ
- Where is Choquequirao?
- Choquequirao is in the Santa Teresa district of La Convención province, in southern Peru's Cusco Region. It occupies a steep mountainside in the Vilcabamba range overlooking the Apurímac River.
- How long does it take to reach the site?
- The hiking approach from outside Cusco takes two days. That does not include a dedicated exploration day or the return journey. Confirm the starting point and full schedule before departure.
- How high is Choquequirao?
- The ruins stand at 3,050 metres, or 10,010 feet. The Apurímac River canyon below lies at about 1,450 metres. These elevations describe the setting, not the trek's total ascent.
- What is worth examining at the ruins?
- Look for sophisticated stone masonry, water channels, agricultural terraces, and white-stone llama mosaics set into terrace walls. Buildings and terraces surround Sunch'u Pata, a truncated hilltop.
- How extensive is the archaeological site?
- The complex covers about 1,800 hectares, with only 30–40% excavated. Plan exploration around accessible areas rather than expecting the entire complex to be exposed or walkable.
- Why is Choquequirao historically important?
- This 16th-century Incan site served as a ceremonial center, administrative hub, and checkpoint controlling access to Vilcabamba. After the Spanish conquest, it became one of the last strongholds of Inca resistance led by Manco Inca Yupanqui.