Experiences / Cusco & the Sacred Valley
Choquequirao: The Other Lost City
A brutal canyon descent to an Inca site you may have all to yourself
- Duration
- 4 days
- Difficulty
- Extreme
- Group size
- 2–10
- Minimum age
- 16
- Cancellation
- Moderate
- Meeting point
- Cusco, then Cachora village
- Operated by
- Qhapaq Senderos
Overview
Choquequirao rivals Machu Picchu in size but sees only a handful of visitors a day, because the only way in is on foot. From Cachora you drop 1,500 m into the Apurímac canyon and climb the same back up to the ruins, with condors circling overhead.
You get a full day to explore terraces decorated with stone llamas, ceremonial platforms and the main plaza, often with no one else around. Mules carry the camp, so you only need a daypack.
Highlights
- Explore Choquequirao almost alone
- Stone llama terraces unique in the Inca world
- Condors over the Apurímac canyon
- Full exploration day at the site
- Mule support and camp cook
Included
- 3 nights camping
- All meals
- Guide, cook and muleteers
- Entrance fee
- Private transport Cusco–Cachora round trip
Not included
- Sleeping bag
- Riding mule
- Tips
Before you go
Excellent fitness: two days with 1,500 m of descent and ascent each. Prior multi-day trekking experience recommended.
