Choquequirao Cusco
Inca history still keeps countless secrets. One of them is Choquequirao: known as the last Inca bastion and sister citadel of Machu Picchu is still a mystery for researchers of this South American culture.
Choquequirao is located between the jungle and the Peruvian Andes, on a mountain at 3033 meters above sea level and has a great peculiarity: it can only be accessed on foot, in a 62 kilometers round trip and with descents and ascents from 3100 to 1400 and vice versa.
Is it worth the effort? No doubt about it. Its difficult access makes Choquequirao one of the most charming places in all of Peru: with practically untouched fauna and flora and less than 25 visitors per day.
How to get to Choquequirao? The easy (and expensive) way is to do it with a tour, which charges around 300 dollars all inclusive. But today we want to talk about the most adventurous and cheapest way to visit this citadel: on your own.
Getting to San Pedro de Cachora
The starting point for Choquequirao is the small town of San Pedro de Cachora, in the department of Abancay. To get here, you can do it from Cusco or from Lima, via Abancay.
We recommend spending one night in Cachora to start the hike early the next day.
From San Pedro de Cachora to Santa Rosa campsite
The starting point is the Capullylloc viewpoint, located 7 kilometers from San Pedro de Cachora. Although many people do this section on foot, we recommend that you take a cab to save energy for the rest of the way.
The first part of the route is a long descent until you reach Playa Rosalina, where there is a campsite where you can stay for the night, but if you still have energy, we recommend simply taking a short break and continue to the Santa Rosa campsite.
From Santa Rosa to Choquequirao
As soon as the first rays of sunshine come out, it is time to continue on our way, thus avoiding the hottest part of the day.
From Santa Rosa to Choquequirao you will pass through a long, winding, uphill road. Before reaching the Inca citadel, you will pass through the village of Marampata, where you can stop for lunch and recharge your batteries. From this point to Choquequirao it is only about an hour’s drive where you will go through a more jungle area full of different types of butterflies.
Arrival at Choquequirao
Once in Choquequirao you have the option to see the citadel during the rest of the day or to spend the night there, since there is a campsite, and take advantage of the next day to explore the construction with more tranquility.
As Choquequirao is not 100% uncovered (most of the buildings are still under vegetation), the citadel can be visited quickly. Don’t miss the main square and its surroundings and the llama platforms (the visit to the latter requires an extra effort, but it is well worth it!)
Return to San Pedro de Cachora
After enjoying Choquequirao, the return to San Pedro de Cachora must be done by the same way you came. Our advice is to leave the citadel early in the morning and get to the Cocamasana camp. You can spend the night here and start your journey again the next day: you will only have 14 kilometers to go!
Frequently Asked Questions
Food: to avoid carrying too much weight, we recommend that you carry only a few snacks (fruit, nuts, etc.) in your backpack. In all campsites you will find families offering meals at an economical price.
Water: there are different places to buy or refill your water bottle along the way, but if you prefer to refill it, we recommend that you take water purification tablets to clean the water.
Camping: the campsites on the way to Choquequirao charge around S/. 5 to let you camp there, while the one at the citadel is totally free. Some of them have tents for rent but others do not, so it is advisable to bring your own.
Pack mules: the road to Choquequirao is long and tedious, so if you see that you can not carry all the load you carry in your backpack, you always have the option of paying a muleteer to carry your things on a pack mule. Of course, this must always be done responsibly and without overloading the animal.
Signaling: the road is perfectly signposted, so there is no risk of getting lost until you reach Choquequirao.
Dates of visit: it is advisable to avoid visiting Choquequirao between the months of January and March, since this is the rainy season and the soil can be very muddy.
Price: the general entrance fee to Choquequirao is S/. 60.
Are you ready for the adventure? Choquequirao is a place that will remain engraved in your memory forever! We are waiting for you in our hotels in Cusco, where you can rest after the great effort of this trek. See all our locations and book here:
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