Day-by-day plans for 3, 5, and 7 days — organised to make the most of your time.
The shortest viable itinerary — demanding physically but the minimum to properly experience the site. Most trekkers wish they had booked more time.
Transfer from Cusco to Cachora trailhead (4h). Begin descent into the Apurímac Canyon — the trail drops 1,500 vertical metres through increasingly hot scrub to the river crossing at Playa Rosalina. Steep climb to the basic campsite at Chiquisca (2,900m). Total: 14km, 6–7 hours.
Continue climbing from Chiquisca through cloud forest to the ruins of Marampata and then to the Choquequirao campsite (3,033m). A long but rewarding day — the site emerges from the forest dramatically in late afternoon. Spend the remaining hours exploring the main plaza and upper terraces.
A full day to explore the ruins without rush. Morning: main plaza, Inca temples, and the upper residential district. Afternoon: the 45-minute descent to the Llama Terraces — the unique white-stone llama inlays unique in Inca archaeology. Late afternoon: explore the partially unexcavated sections on the jungle edge with the site guardian.
The return journey retraces Days 1–2 in reverse — a long and demanding day crossing the canyon again. Return transfer to Cusco arriving late evening.