Weather in Choquequirao

Choquequirao is sometimes called the 'other Machu Picchu', a sprawling Inca site of terraces and temples perched on a ridge above the Apurímac canyon, reachable only by a demanding multi-day trek with no roads, cable cars, or crowds. For travellers willing to put in two to four days of steep hiking, it offers an Inca ruin experience much as Machu Picchu itself would have felt before mass tourism arrived.

Best areas to stay in Choquequirao

Cachora

The small village near Cusco where the Choquequirao trek begins and ends.

Apurímac canyon crossing

The steep descent and river crossing partway through the trek, the most physically demanding section.

Choquequirao archaeological site

The ruins themselves, spread across terraces on a ridge with views into the canyon.

Camping sites along the route

Basic campsites used by trekking groups at intervals along the multi-day route.

Getting to Choquequirao

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Flights

Fly into Cusco (CUZ), then travel by road to Cachora (around 3-4 hours) before beginning the 2-day trek to Choquequirao.

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From London

~16-18 hours from London via a US or Lima connection, plus a multi-day trek to reach the site itself.

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Getting around

The site is reached entirely on foot or by mule from Cachora; no vehicle access exists.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Choquequirao?

May to September is the dry season and the only sensible time to attempt the trek, as trails become treacherous in the wet season.

How do I get to Choquequirao?

There is no road access — visitors trek for 2 days each way from Cachora, near Cusco, with steep descents into and climbs out of the Apurímac canyon.

How difficult is the Choquequirao trek?

Very demanding — it involves descending around 1,500 metres into the canyon and climbing back out on both legs of the journey, often in heat.

What will I see at Choquequirao?

Extensive Inca terracing, ceremonial structures, and llama-shaped stone mosaics on some terraces, spread across a ridge with dramatic canyon views.

Do I need a guide for Choquequirao?

While not strictly required, most visitors trek with a guide and mules/porters given the route's difficulty and remoteness.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Brutal trek, especially the climb back out of the canyon, but having Choquequirao's terraces almost entirely to ourselves made it one of the best things I've done in Peru.

Felipe N. · June 2024

★★★★★

Four days round trip and exhausting, but the scale of the ruins and the canyon views were unlike anything else. Hired mules for our packs which helped a lot.

Sarah J. · July 2023

★★★★☆

Tougher than the Inca Trail in my opinion, but so worth it for the solitude. Saw maybe a dozen other trekkers in two days.

Martin O. · August 2024