Santa Teresa lies on a tourist route to Choquequirao that passes through Quillabamba, Santa Teresa, Totora and Yanama. The district also has historic Inca trails and nature paths; near the town, the Cocalmayo hot springs offer another way to spend time outdoors. When planning, it is worth distinguishing the larger route to Choquequirao from individual trails and excursions.

Routes and Inca History

One specific walking trail in the district is the Abra San Juan–Paso Choquequirao route. It is approximately 13 kilometres long, has viewpoints and rest areas, and provides access to the Choquequirao National Archaeological Park. This distance refers to the walking trail, not the entire tourist route to Choquequirao.

In the wider municipal area, the Santa María La Antigua–Cocalmayo section of the Inca Jungle Trail runs through the district. It was part of the ancient Inca road network and primarily connected areas of what are now the districts of Santa Teresa and Huayopata. The section is also one of the important roads of the old Inca state. It is considered well preserved and has tourist signage, viewpoints and rest stops.

The Choquetakarpu–Choquequirao section is also part of this historic trail heritage. It was a main route in the road network of the old Inca state and belonged to the Vitkus–Choquequirao section of the Andean road system, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This section lies in the district of Santa Teresa. On the Llactapata route, the Inca trails are considered to be more than 500 years old.

Nature Trails and Active Excursions

The circular trail at Catarata de Chaquiorco passes through a natural forest with diverse flora and fauna, including orchids and birds. It was established in the district of Santa Teresa. On another circular trail, to Catarata de Toctomayo, you can spot Andean rock-of-the-rocks, toucans and various orchids.

A multi-day option is the four-day Inca Jungle Tour to Machupicchu. It combines trekking, mountain biking, rafting and ziplining; a large part of the tour takes place in the district of Santa Teresa. Before planning, check the current itinerary and whether the tour will run on your dates.

Cocalmayo and Getting Around Locally

The Cocalmayo hot springs are located near Santa Teresa. Their four pools contain underground mineral water with a temperature between 38 and 44 °C. The facilities include toilets, showers, changing rooms, a viewpoint and kiosks. Cocalmayo offers a different experience from the trails: here, the pools are the main attraction, while the routes bring together nature and Inca history.

The town has restaurants, travel agencies, taxi services, parking and a tourist information centre; handicrafts are also sold. If you plan to use a taxi service or travel agency, confirm the specific arrangements in advance. Accommodation establishments are not assigned a class or category. You can therefore choose where to stay based on your itinerary: the route to Choquequirao, trails in the district or a visit to the nearby hot springs.

Discover more destinations: Calca, Cusco, Checacupe, Oroya, Huarocondo, Ollantaytambo, Colcapampa, Chillca.

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