Trip Details
- Group Size: Max 8 people
- Highest Point: 5,571m/18,387ft (Padreyoc Peak views)
- Service Type: Group or private
- Transport: Van
- Difficulty: Hardcore (steep trails, altitude changes)
- Length: 4 Days / 3 Nights


Choquequirao, or “Golden Cradle” in Quechua, is like Machu Picchu’s wilder, quieter sister. Perched at 3,033m (9,951ft) on a ridge above the raging Apurímac River, it’s surrounded by crazy-steep Andean peaks and thick jungle. This place was a last hideout for Incas resisting the Spanish, and even today, parts of it are still buried under jungle—archaeologists keep finding new stuff here! But here’s the catch: you can’t drive here. The only way in is a tough 40km (25mi) hike with brutal climbs (up to 3,100m/10,170ft) and drops (down to 1,400m/4,593ft). If you’re up for a challenge, this trek’s raw beauty and history are 100% worth it.
Your day starts early—like 4:30am early. A guide picks you up from your hotel, and you drive 4 hours to Capuliyoc (2,850m/9,407ft). The road winds past tiny villages, crazy-deep valleys, and snowy peaks. At Capuliyoc, meet the horsemen who’ll carry your gear (you only need a daypack). Then, hike downhill for 3 hours to Playa Rosalinas (1,475m/4,840ft) for lunch. The trail gives epic views of the Apurímac Canyon and Padreyoc Peak. After refueling, brace yourself: a 2-hour uphill slog to Santa Rosa campsite (1,900m/6,234ft). Hot drinks and snacks wait there, and your tent’s already set up. Rest those legs—dinner’s coming!
Meals: Lunch – Tea Time – Dinner
Sleep: Tents at Santa Rosa
Distance: 16.5km/10mi
Difficulty: Brutal (that downhill and uphill combo!)
Wake up to a hot coca tea or coffee delivered to your tent—trust me, you’ll need it. After breakfast, hike 2 hours uphill to Maranpata village (2,850m/9,350ft). The trail’s steep but shaded by weird-looking trees and buzzing with birds. From Maranpata, it’s another 1.5 hours to Choquequirao. When you finally see those terraces popping out of the jungle… chills! Lunch first, then a guided tour. You’ll explore temples, water channels, the Usnu (a stone platform for ceremonies), and the famous llama terraces. Fun fact: only 40% of the site is uncovered! Afterward, hike back to Maranpata to camp.
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Tea Time – Dinner
Sleep: Tents at Maranpata
Distance: 16km/10mi
Difficulty: Tough (but the ruins make it all okay)
Today’s mostly downhill. After breakfast, descend 2 hours to the Apurímac River (1,550m/5,117ft). The river’s loud, turquoise, and sacred—Incas believed it connected the mountains to the jungle. Cross the bridge, then hike uphill for 1 hour (yes, more climbing) to Chiquisca campsite (1,990m/6,270ft). Hot drinks and snacks revive you, and the tents are ready. Pro tip: Stargaze here—zero light pollution!
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Tea Time – Dinner
Sleep: Tents at Chiquisca
Distance: 12km/7.5mi
Difficulty: Mixed (downhill saves your knees, uphill tests your lungs)
Last day! After breakfast, climb 3 hours to Capuliyoc Pass (2,850m/9,407ft). Sweaty? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely—views of the canyon and peaks are unreal. Then, drive to Cachora for lunch (think: hearty Peruvian stews). Next stop: Saywite, a weirdly cool Inca site with a carved stone thought to be a 3D map of the empire. Finally, the van takes you back to Cusco, arriving around 6pm. Shower. Celebrate. You did it!
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch
Distance: 8km/4.4mi
Difficulty: Moderate (final push!)
“ITAN Adventure” is a 100% Peruvian-owned tour operator based in Cusco, with extensive experience in hiking, adventure tours, and customized travel packages. As a completely local company, we’re dedicated to providing travelers with authentic, high-quality experiences.
Our vision as a local company is to deliver personalized travel and hiking journeys, managed exclusively by experienced local professionals, with a strong focus on HIGH-QUALITY and PERSONALIZED SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel agency that upholds RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE practices benefiting both the environment and local communities.
We treat our team like family and ensure they receive fair wages. We are incredibly proud of each member of our team! Their dedication makes it possible for us to provide the top-notch service that our many travelers appreciate.
At “ITAN Adventure,” we understand that our reputation and the feedback from our travelers are essential for gaining the trust of future adventurers. You can check out honest reviews from our guests on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google to see why we’re a reliable choice for creating your Peruvian adventure.
To ensure a more personalized experience at “ITAN Adventure,” we keep our group sizes to a maximum of 8 travelers. This approach allows us to offer a tailored experience, unlike companies that operate with larger groups.
Our guides are our pride. They’re highly knowledgeable and professional, fluent in English, and deeply passionate about Inca culture and history. Each guide is committed to ongoing personal and professional development, allowing them to share accurate insights and fascinating theories about Andean heritage. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with backgrounds in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “ITAN Adventure” ensures a fulfilling experience. Our porters are here to make your journey comfortable and memorable. They carry your equipment, prepare meals, set up camps, and attend to your needs so you can relax and enjoy the adventure. Along the way, you’ll connect with local people, explore stunning sites, and discover historic Inca villages.
We provide our porters with essential equipment at no cost: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. Our porters come from remote communities, and by hiring them, we help improve their economic conditions and support their children’s education. We treat our porters like family!
Our team—guides, cooks, porters, muleteers—and our equipment make “ITAN Adventure” stand out from the competition. During our hikes, we provide:
“ITAN Adventure” is committed to giving back to isolated communities. We support social projects and prioritize hiring local staff.
We are proud to support local communities not only by providing employment but also by offering assistance to their families. This holistic approach benefits our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones, strengthening our connection to the local heritage.
The Choquequirao Trek 4 days is available on any date that it’s best for you, as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers.
***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.
***The cost for a private trek is an extra $100 USD per person.