Major city · Peru
Cachora
Cachora is the launch point for the Choquequirao trek. Budget two days to hike in and two days back, or continue to Machu Picchu. One night before and one after the trek is the minimum.
Cachora is a small Andean town in Apurímac, best known as the gateway to the Inca site of Choquequirao. The trek there is a multi-day commitment, and the town itself has a few basic stores and a couple of places to sleep. Most travellers pass through for the hike, not as a destination.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Mar (rainy season, trails can be muddy and slippery)
- Airports
- Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, Cusco (CUZ) · Jorge Chávez International Airport, Lima (LIM)
- Nights
- 2 (one before the trek, one after)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cachora105 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cachora, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
- TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
- SafetyCachora is generally safe, but the trek requires caution: hire a guide, carry enough water and food, and watch for altitude sickness.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCUZ Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, Cusco (Nearest airport with scheduled flights…
- Getting aroundOn foot within the town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from main road to towncheckS/ 10–15
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPEN 25
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in guesthouse, a night, per roomPEN 80
- High-end bedPrivate room in guesthouse, a night, per roomPEN 120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 40 · Mid PEN 70 · High PEN 120
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CUZ Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, Cusco (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; bus from Cusco toward Abancay stops at the Cachora turn-off, about 4 h, then a taxi to town (check schedules)) · LIM Jorge Chávez International Airport, Lima (Main international gateway; fly Lima–Cusco, then continue by bus (check))
Map of Cachora
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Cachora
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Abancay · 15 km straight line
- Mollepata · 33 km straight line
- Santa Teresa · 49 km straight line
- Aguas Calientes · 52 km straight line
- Chahuay · 59 km straight line
- Andahuaylas · 62 km straight line
- Ollantaytambo · 67 km straight line
- Quillabamba · 74 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jun (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cachora: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
18 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
16 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
15 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
16 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot within the town. Taxis from the main road to the plaza (about 10 min). For the trek, you need a guide or a good map.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Saywite (Sayhuite)
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Taxi from Cachora, about 15 min
Small archaeological site with a carved monolith; entry S/10 adults, S/4 students.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from the main road turn-off, about 1 h
Regional capital with markets and a cathedral; good for supplies.
Door to door: About 5 h
Bus from the main road turn-off, about 4 h
Major hub for Inca sites and onward travel.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cachora town centre
Basic hostels and guesthouses near the plaza; limited options, book ahead in high season.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- S/ 30–50 (excluding trek costs)
- Mid
- S/ 50–100
- High
- S/ 100+
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed1 × 2 nights × PEN 25 | PEN 50 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 2 days × PEN 40 | PEN 80 |
| Taxi from main road to town (one way)1 × PEN 10 · check | PEN 10 |
| Choquequirao entry fee1 × PEN 60 · check | PEN 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 20 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 110 per person per day, bed included | PEN 220 |
2026 estimate in soles; trek costs (guide, camping, entry) are separate. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | S/ 3–5 |
| Simple meal (soup and main) | S/ 10–15 |
| Taxi from main road to towncheck | S/ 10–15 |
| Bus Cusco → Cachora turn-offcheck | S/ 20–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Choquequirao trek is strenuous and requires good fitness; altitude is around 3,000 m at the trailhead.
- No ATM in Cachora — bring enough soles for the trek and any extras.
- Buses from Cusco stop at the turn-off on the main road, not in town; a taxi meets most buses except on Sundays when you may wait an hour.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- Ambulance
- 106
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CachoraCachora
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- Ambulance106
Embassy
The US embassy is in Lima; most other embassies are in Lima. For emergencies, contact your embassy in Lima.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi main road → Cachora: S/ 10–15
- Bus Cusco → Cachora turn-off: S/ 20–30 (check)
Say or show
- Buenos días — Hello / Good morning (BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el sendero a Choquequirao? — Where is the trail to Choquequirao? (DON-deh es-TAH el sen-DEH-roh ah Cho-keh-KEE-row)
- Necesito un guía — I need a guide (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon GEE-ah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
No ATM in Cachora; bring enough soles.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cachora. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Mar (rainy season, trails can be muddy and slippery) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Cachora
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