Embarking on a Choquequirao trek is a significant adventure primarily suited for experienced hikers seeking a challenging and rewarding journey to one of the last Inca strongholds. Unlike the well-trodden path to Machu Picchu, the trek to Choquequirao, meaning “Cradle of Gold” in Quechua, leads to a vast Inca complex that is still being extensively excavated and receives significantly fewer visitors. The most common route is a demanding 4 to 5-day trek, typically starting from the small village of Capuliyoc, accessible by road from Cusco. The topography of the trek is characterized by significant and relentless altitude changes, involving steep descents into the formidable Apurímac Canyon followed by equally challenging ascents on the other side to reach the ruins. The trail passes through various microclimates, offering changing scenery from arid, thorny canyon lands at lower elevations to more lush cloud forests as you gain altitude. The physical demands are considerable, requiring trekkers to have a good level of fitness, stamina, and ideally, some prior multi-day hiking experience. However, the effort is immensely rewarded upon reaching the archaeological site itself. Choquequirao is spread across multiple sectors on different levels of the mountain ridge, featuring plazas, temples, storage buildings, and impressive agricultural terraces, including the famous Llama terraces depicted in white stones on the hillside. Exploring the site can take several hours or even a full day due to its size and scattered layout, offering a profound sense of awe at the scale and sophistication of the Inca construction in such a remote and difficult-to-reach location. Because it’s less developed for mass tourism compared to Machu Picchu, the trek and site experience is more rustic and raw, primarily involving camping in designated campsites along the trail and near the ruins. Trekkers typically hire guides, cooks, and muleteers with mules to carry the majority of the camping equipment, food, and personal gear, allowing hikers to carry only a daypack with essentials. The fewer crowds contribute to a sense of tranquility, historical immersion, and genuine exploration that is harder to find at more popular sites. The trek is not just about reaching the ruins; it’s about the challenging journey through dramatic, untouched landscapes and the immense satisfaction of completing a demanding route to a truly spectacular historical treasure. While there are plans for a controversial cable car project in the future, currently, the only way to reach Choquequirao is by foot, which helps preserve its remote and mystical atmosphere and ensures that those who make the effort are truly dedicated adventurers.
