- 5 daysWhole day at the site including the llama terraces; shorter stages on the ascent day; Salkantay Trekking USD 735 with complete list
- 4 daysAfternoon and morning at the site, usually main plaza only; one day with 1,500 m of ascent plus the site; TreXperience USD 698, cancellable
- For knees5 days – the descent is spread out
- Short on time4 days – knowing the llama terraces will probably be missed
Where the fifth day goes
At TreXperience the difference is clear: the 5-day version spends all of day 3 at the site; the 4-day version arrives on the second afternoon and heads down again on the third morning after sunrise. Salkantay Trekking sleeps at Marampata instead of up top and walks an hour up on day three, but also has the whole day. Nothing changes on the trail – on five days the stages are simply cut differently: Chiquisca or Playa as the first camp, Marampata or the site as the second.
What the day gives you in practice: the llama terraces. They lie an hour below the main plaza, and if you have to start descending at seven in the morning, you will not see them. For many they are the reason for the trip.
The three products side by side
| TreXperience 4D | Salkantay Trekking 5D | TreXperience 5D | |
|---|---|---|---|
| List price | USD 698 | USD 735 | USD 890 |
| Time at the site | afternoon + morning | whole day | whole day |
| Camp 1 | Santa Rosa 1,478 m | Chiquisca ≈ 1,900 m | Playa 1,478 m |
| Camp 2 | by the site | Marampata 2,911 m | by the site |
| Longest day | Day 2: 1,500 m up + site | Day 2: 1,430 m up | Day 2: 1,550 m up |
| Extras on the return | – | Saywite, Conoc hot springs | – |
| Cancellation | free up to 24 h | non-refundable | free up to 24 h |
| Inclusions list | thin | complete | thin |
Altitudes and itineraries from the operators' product data.
Knees, heat, age
Day two is the hard one in all three versions: 1,400 to 1,550 m of ascent, no shade. On four days the site follows; on five the day ends at camp. If you are over 50, have knee trouble or are trekking in Peru for the first time, take five days – not for the length, but for the margin. Salkantay Trekking limits bookings to ages 15 to 70, TreXperience states no upper limit.
Price: USD 37 for a day, USD 192 for the same list
Between TreXperience 4 days and Salkantay Trekking 5 days lie USD 37 – for one more day, plus entry, toilet, water, oxygen, Saywite and hot springs in the list. That is the best trade in the comparison. Between TreXperience 4 and 5 days lie USD 192 for the same trail, one more day and the same thin list. If you want to stay with TreXperience because cancellation is free, have that surcharge explained.
Questions about duration
Is there a 3-day Choquequirao?
Yes, as a forced march: day 1 to Santa Rosa or Marampata, day 2 the site and back to Chiquisca, day 3 up. We have not checked such a product and would recommend it only to runners.
And 8 or 9 days to Machu Picchu?
The traverse via Yanama, Yanama Pass (4,660 m) and Totora to the Salkantay descent to Aguas Calientes. A trek for experienced hikers; we have not checked products for it yet.
Can I extend the 4-day product on site?
Rarely. Mules, cook and return transport are scheduled; an extension is a new tour. Decide before booking.
Sources and check status
Show 4 sources
- www.viator.com/tours/Cusco/Choquequirao-Trek-4-days-and-3-nights/d937- – TreXperience 4 days: itinerary (Viator Partner API) (accessed 23 September 2026)
- www.viator.com/tours/Cusco/Choquequirao-Trek-5-days-and-4-nights/d937- – TreXperience 5 days: itinerary with distances (Viator Partner API) (accessed 23 September 2026)
- www.viator.com/tours/Cusco/Classic-Choquequirao-Trek-5-Days-4-Nights/d – Salkantay Trekking 5 days: itinerary (Viator Partner API) (accessed 23 September 2026)
- docs.viator.com/partner-api/ – Viator Partner API: list prices (accessed 23 September 2026)