Inca Trail or Choquequirao: two routes, two completely different experiences
Both are multi-day treks to Inca citadels, but that is where the similarities end. We compare altitude, difficulty, crowds and experience so you know which one to choose.
The Inca Trail is the classic route to Machu Picchu: 4 days, 42 kilometers, crossing Dead Woman's Pass (4,215 m) and arriving through the Sun Gate at dawn on day 4. It is legendary for a reason.
Choquequirao is the alternative: also 4 days, but to a sister citadel of Machu Picchu that sees between 20 and 50 visitors a day. On the Inca Trail, it is 500.
Inca Trail: what you need to know
Permits are limited to 500 people a day (porters included), so you need to book 5 or 6 months ahead. The hike is demanding, but the path is in excellent condition. The scenery keeps changing: cloud forest, high puna and ruins along every stretch.
Choquequirao: the road less traveled
No permit cap and no need to book so far in advance. The hike is harder: you go down and back up a deep canyon (the Apurimac) that really tests your knees. The reward is a huge, almost empty citadel overlooking a spectacular valley.
If your priority is the classic historical experience and walking into Machu Picchu, choose the Inca Trail. If you are after Andean solitude and a bigger physical challenge, choose Choquequirao.
Planning your trip to Cusco?
We operate private tours across the Peruvian Andes. Just your group, your exclusive guide, your pace.
Request a quote →