Tag: trek

Best Day Hikes Near Cusco

two people on mountain trail. Yellow-brown vegetation. Green mountains in background with blue sky
Hikin’ somewhere near Cusco

Just because a hike isn’t the official Inca Trail doesn’t mean it’s not epic (or Incan). The big names like Salkantay and Lares are worthy of the worldwide attention they receive. But before you take on a multiday excursion (or in lieu of one), you should acclimate to the altitude with a solid one-day hike.

Certainly, picking just one isn’t easy. After all, the region of Cusco abounds in epic hikes of all durations and difficulties. But these five stand out for having the cultural and natural beauty that pull in tourists from thousands of miles, all packed into one day.

General Tips

Acclimatize: First of all, spend a full day in Cusco to acclimatize to the altitude before embarking on a day hike. Stay hydrated (avoid caffeine and alcohol), and remember that coca tea is your friend!

Pack: Cash (Peruvian nuevo soles) and plenty of water and snacks. You’re close to the sun at over 11,000 feet, so sunblock and a good hat are necessities. Clothes-wise, layers are the general guide since temperatures range greatly between chilly mornings and warm, sunny afternoons. And a basic first aid kit is essential.

Weather: Expect rainy afternoons in the wet season (November through April). Short afternoon showers are not uncommon the rest of the year.

Best Day Hikes Near Cusco

Huchuy Qosqo: The Royal Estate

Distance: 12 miles/20 km

Elevation Change: 2,198 feet (670 meters)

Highlight: A visit to this impressive Incan royal estate will bring you to the beautiful Sacred Valley. While hiking you’ll take in views of both the Valley and the Vilcabamba mountain range. Huchuy Qosqo means “Little Cusco” in Quechua, and surprisingly few tourists visit its well-preserved buildings.

Difficulty: Medium to medium-hard. This depends on how acclimatized you are to the altitude. The highest point is 14,173 feet (4,230 meters). Compare that with Cusco at 11,023 feet (3,360 meters)!

Tips: To arrive, take a 45 minute shared car (colectivo) going to Chinchero from Cusco. A short taxi ride from the Chinchero stop will get you to the trailhead. Expect to pay about S/25 ($7-8) per person for the colectivo plus taxi. Be prepared to pay the S/7 entrance fee (about $2.50) as well.

Pisac Archaeological Site: Explorer’s Dream

Distance: 6.7 miles/10.8km

Elevation Change: 1,755 feet/535meters

Highlights: This and the famous (and now less traditional) artesian market put Pisac on the travel map years ago. The architecture rivals that of Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo. You’ll also witness fabulously-well-maintained Incan terraces and one of the few intihuatanas outside of Machu Picchu.

Difficulty: Medium-Hard. This is a steep climb, but being in the Sacred Valley, the starting point is at a lower altitude (10,827 feet/3,300 meters) than Cusco.

Tips: The trailhead starts near the plaza in Pisac, which is a 1 hr – 1 hr 15 minute car ride from Cusco. To visit the site you need a Cusco tourist ticket (boleto turistico), and make sure to buy one that includes Pisac. A tourist ticket will cost a minimum of S/70 (about $20); there are multiple options.

Siete Lagunas: The Wildlife Route

Distance: 9.9 miles/16km

Elevation Change: 2,297 feet/700 meters. This trail starts at 13,451 feet/4,100 meters above sea level.

Highlights: Wildlife and nature! Andean animals abound, from soaring condors and wooly alpacas to the rabbit’s mountain-inclined cousin, the vizcacha. Seven glacial lakes for which this trek is named provide prime viewpoints for the sacred snowcap, Ausangate. This mountain is considered a diety (apu) to locals.

Difficulty: Medium

Tips: Dress for cold and wet weather. It’s also not a bad idea to go with a local guide or at least a group of fellow hikers because of this hike’s isolated location. It starts in Pacchanta, a 3-4 hours’ car ride from Cusco. Bring swimming clothes and enjoy Paccchanta’s natural hot springs for a post-hike warmup.

Sacsayhuaman-Q’enko-Puka Pukara-Tambomachay: A Walk from Your Hotel

Sacsayhuaman, Peru. Wall made of interlocking boulders.
Sacsayhuaman’s walls are made up of giant boulders (notice there is no mortar)

Distance: 3.2 miles/5.2km

Elevation Change: 709 feet/216meters from Cusco.

Highlights: Explore these four archaeological sites while enjoying wonderful views of Cusco below. Each has its own calling card: Tambomachay’s centuries-old water features, Puka Pukara’s valley views, Q’enko’s mystery, and Sacsayhuaman’s cultural and historical importance.

Difficulty: Easy-medium

Tips: Ask how to get to Sacsayhuaman or use an online map to get started from your hotel in Cusco. Once in Sacsayhuaman, the path to each following site is well-marked. You need a tourist ticket (boleto turistico) to visit each one. Consider hiring a guide at Sacsayhuaman, the largest and most impressive of the four. You can retrace your steps back to Cusco or take a car.

Waqra Pukara: Newly “Discovered”

Distance: 7.8 miles/12.5km

Elevation: The trail starts at 13,274 feet/4,046 meters above sea level and ends at Waqra Pukara, an elevation of 13,800 feet/4,206 meters.

Highlights: An uncrowded site with Incan and pre-Incan characteristics. And that’s not to mention spectacular views of the valley, mountains, and Apurimac River below.

Difficulty: Easy-Medium

Tips: It’s best to go with a guide or a group, since this is a little-used, isolated trek. There are multiple paths to Waqra Pukara; the Rinconada to Waqra Pukara, then to Santa Lucia is our recommended option. That’s because it is a loop and not an out-and -back, meaning you’ll get more stunning views of the valley and mountains.

Best Day Hikes Near Cusco- Conclusion

You can’t go wrong with any hike in the Cusco area, but hopefully this list will help you decide which to choose. From the nature route (Siete Lagunas) to the archaeology lesson (Pisac), each stands out for its uniqueness.

You may have noticed we didn’t include the short Inca Trail. That’s because while this is sold as a day hike, it’s truly a two-day experience. Day 2 is a visit to Machu Picchu, often with another short hike involved.

We also didn’t mention Vinicunca (“Rainbow Mountain”). That’s our own personal prejudice; in our opinion, any day trip to Vinicunca involves way too much time in a car. It’s definitely a better multiday experience.

Thanks for reading!

The Choquequirao Trek: Why Should You Check it Out?

Choquequirao trek. Ancient ruins among green mountains.
Note: This is a guest post by Galinka at Salkantay Trek Machu. Check out more posts and travel options on their website!

The Choquequirao trek will show you an ancient city larger than Machu Picchu, but one that remains far from most tourists’ attention. Here, visitors do not arrive on comfortable trains. Those who visit are true adventurers.

After days of exhausting hiking, brave trekkers can find the absolute silence of these mysterious ruins. Archaeologists estimate that only 40% of the city is excavated. That is why you should visit Choquequirao now, before the crowds rob you of the opportunity of an authentic encounter with the past.

Explore options for hiking to choquequirao
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What Is It Like to Hike the Choquequirao Trek?

The walk to the Inca citadel begins in the small town of Cachora. From there, it continues to cross the Apurimac River Canyon, eventually reaching the ruins of Choquequirao. It is a difficult circuit 3 times more demanding than the classic Inca Trail. That’s since in 1 day the hike descends by a kilometer (taking about 5 hours), and the next day involves lots of steep uphill hiking.

But the effort is worth every second thanks to the breathtaking views of the canyon. While in Machu Picchu you struggle for space with 2,500 tourists to get the best photo, Choquequirao receives about 30 people a day in high season.

This makes it the true lost city of the Incas.

Why Do the Choquequirao Trek Now?

The trek is an incredible personal challenge offering fantastic views. However, the Peruvian government has been considering building a cable car. This will transform Choquequirao into another popular, Machu Picchu-like archaeological site.

So you should enjoy the hike before it becomes too popular!

How Do I Hike the Choquequirao Trek?

Choquequirao: old stone ruins and green forest

There are two options: 

  • 4-day: This is considered to be the classic trek, starting and ending with transfers from/to Cusco. It measures 32 km. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow; however, its difficulty is high. Maximum altitude is 3,050 meters (10,000 feet) above sea level.
  • 9-day Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek: This is longer and best for really experienced trekkers. It usually starts with a transport from Cusco. The trek totals 90 km. The maximum altitude is 4,670 meters (15,300 feet) above sea level.

Both options offer local porters who can relieve you with your load. Other porters also carry camping equipment. Another possibility is to rent a mule.

Of course, any of these help the local economy. Just please ensure your porter or mule is not overloaded, since this is an unfortunately common problem.

Entrance ticket to the archaeological site of Choquequirao is 60 Soles/person (30 Soles for students with a valid ISIC card).

The best season for hiking is from May through October.

Below you can find an itinerary for the classic 4-day route.

Classic 4-Day Hike to Choquequirao

DAY 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – ROSALINA BEACH

The trek starts with a four hour ride from Cuzco to Cachora, a small town of 3,500 inhabitants surrounded by impressive snowy peaks. This place serves for a lunch break. It is also possible to buy any last supplies. Then, participants hike for 15 minutes to get to the popular viewing spot of Capuliyoc.

Afterwards, the descent through the Apurimac River Canyon begins. This is a very steep descent and takes approximately 5 hours. There the cold wind reaches speeds that will make you stagger. However, you’ll get impressive views over the canyon on the way.

When you reach the Apurimac River, the cold wind will be replaced by warm breezes. You will see lush vegetation and hear the rhythmic sounds of the crickets all around. You keep walking through Chiquisca to get to Rosalina Beach (1,550 meters, or 5,085 feet, above sea level.), the first campsite.

DAY 2: ROSALINA BEACH –MARAMPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO – MARAMPATA

Llamas embedded into stone terraces
There are llamas embedded in the stone terraces. Llamas!!

In early morning, we cross the Apurimac River by means of cable car, which slides a mere three meters (10 feet) above the water. Then, one of the most difficult sections of the trek begins. You’ll make up for Day 1’s descent, going from 1,550 meters to 3,050 meters above sea level (5,085 to 10,000 feet).

The route itself is a constant, ascending zigzag under intense heat. After approximately 3-4 hours, you will reach Marampata, a small town with only 15 families. It is really admirable to see how they manage to survive in such an isolated area. There, we have a rest.

After that, the last 40-minute climb to the archaeological site of Choquequirao begins. Once you reach it, you realize that the mythical citadel is practically just for you. That’s because there are normally only 2 groups a day. It might leave you speechless. Instead of listening to tourists and flashes, you can only hear the sounds of wind and nature. Here nothing can disturb your experience.

You will spent all the afternoon walking around various agricultural terraces, aqueducts, ceremonial squares, viewpoints, ceremonial houses and temples, separated by stairs of all sizes and inclines. If you are lucky, you can even see condors flying. When the visit is over, we return to Marampata, where we camp again.

DAY 3: MARAMPATA – CHIQUISCA

In the morning, we take the same path back to the Apurimac River. Then, we start descending for around 4-5 hours to Chiquisca, where we camp for the last night.

DAY 4: CHIQUISCA – CACHORA – CUSCO 

Today we need to climb more than 1,000 meters to reach Cachora. The climb starts very early in the morning in order to avoid the intense afternoon heat. Once in Cachora, our transport takes us back to the city of Cusco.

Completing the Choquequirao Trek will fill you with satisfaction and bring you an experience that will never be forgotten!

Sunset over ancient stone building with mountains in background

Conclusion

Definitely consider Choquequirao for an awesome experience away from the crowds.

And check out my Southern Peru Adventure guide to start planning your trip.

Finally, if you’ve done the hike or hope to one day, leave a comment below!

Until next time! -Brad

All photos courtesy of Salkantay Trek Machu.