Choquequirao Trek landscape

Photo: Photo by Kyle Loftus on Unsplash

Choquequirao Trek

~2 days · 18.5 mi · hard · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance18.5 mi
Days out2
Elevation gain9,980 ft
Gain / mile540 ft
High point9,777 ft
Difficulty index50/100

What the Choquequirao Trek is known for

A plunge into the Apurímac Canyon and a 1,500 m climb out the far side to Choquequirao — Machu Picchu's rarely-visited sister city, still only reachable on foot.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Choquequirao Trek on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 4,833 ft to 9,593 ft over 18.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 7.7 mi · 42%
  • Downhill 9.2 mi · 50%
  • Flat 1.6 mi · 8%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

How hard is the Choquequirao Trek?

50 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Choquequirao Trek scores 50/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Choquequirao Trek take?

Most backpackers hike the Choquequirao Trek in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 18.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How high does the Choquequirao Trek go?

The Choquequirao Trek tops out near 9,777 ft over its 18.5 miles.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

Plan the Choquequirao Trek Plan Free →