Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 6 days

We will pick you up from your hotel in the city of Cusco at approximately 5:30 a.m. and head towards the town of San Pedro de Cachora. From there, we will continue to Capuliyoc, where you will meet the team who will be with us throughout the trek (our cook and mule drivers).

Along the way, we can enjoy the beautiful change in scenery, from deep canyons to snowy mountains like “Padrayoc,” which rises to 5,482 meters above sea level. The trek begins with relatively flat terrain, offering views of snow-capped peaks and small farms on the steep mountainsides.

At the Capuliyoc viewpoint, where we may see condors soaring above, we’ll start our descent into the Apurímac Canyon. As the vegetation transitions from a landscape of agave and cactus to a forest of dwarf trees, we will stop for lunch at Chiquisqa (1,950 masl). From there, we will continue descending towards the Apurímac River at 1,550 masl, deep within the impressive canyon that shares its name.

After a brief rest by the river, we will begin the steep ascent towards SANTA ROSA, where we will camp for the night in a small sugar cane plantation (2,115 masl).

• Time of Transportation: 4 hours
• Time of Trekking: 6 – 7 hours
• Distance: 18 Km
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Climate: Mild and hot during the day and cold during the night.
• Altitude: Cusco (3,350 m.s.n.m) – Cachora (2,800 m.s.n.m – Capulliyoc (2,912 m.s.n.m) – Chiquisqa (1,950 m.s.n.m) – Santa Rosa (2,115 m.s.n.m).

Early in the morning, around 5:00 a.m., after breakfast, we’ll begin our hike up to Choquequirao. The first 2 to 3 hours are a steep climb, but the trail then flattens out and continues with a gentle ascent through beautiful vegetation, including several varieties of orchids. After about 5 hours, we will arrive at the archaeological site of Choquequirao.

We’ll have plenty of time to enjoy this majestic place, where we can explore the three levels of the site, including houses, terraces, and other parts of this late Inca town. Additionally, we will see the ongoing excavation areas and, finally, the unexplored sections that hint at this being the last refuge of the Inca Empire.

Around 3:00 p.m., we’ll descend to the llama terraces (weather permitting) and might even witness the “flight of the condors.” The guide will decide where to set up camp, which could be at either Choquequirao or Raqaypata (2,910 masl).

• Time of Trekking: 7 – 8 hours
• Distance: 16 Km
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Climate: Mild and hot during the day and cold during the night.
• Altitude: Santa Rosa (2,115masl) – Choquequirao (3,150masl)

After breakfast, we will walk through Choquequirao, where we will once again have the opportunity to observe condors flying by in the early morning as they head out in search of food. We’ll follow the ancient water canal for a while before starting the 3-hour hike to the Pinchinuyoc ruins, discovered in 1998. These ruins are quite special, as they suddenly appear in the cloud forest, almost hidden by a thick layer of moss and other vegetation.

We’ll spend some time exploring the site before continuing towards the Victoria River. We’ll cross the river on foot, as there are no bridges. After lunch, we will begin the long and steep ascent towards our campsite at Maizal, high above the river and near the sacred Apus of the Incas.

• Time of Trekking: 7 – 8 hours
• Distance: 18 Km
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Climate: Mild and Hot during the day and cold during the night.
• Altitude: Choquequirao (3,150masl) – Maizal (3,800masl)

After breakfast, we’ll leave our campsite at Maizal and hike towards the Victoria Pass. Once again, it will be a long ascent, but we will walk through an incredibly beautiful area, first passing through cloud forest and then onto the Andean highlands, where the well-known grass “ichu” grows. We will rest at some of the Victoria mines, where the shiny stones reveal a high concentration of minerals and metals.

As we pass through the highlands, we’ll walk along well-preserved Inca trails, featuring the classic zigzag pattern. We will have lunch at the pass at 4,150 meters above sea level, with a view of the Choquetakarpo mountain, before beginning our descent towards Yanama, a small, isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains. From there, we’ll head to the road’s end to catch the vehicle waiting for us, which will take us to Playa Sahuayaco in a trip lasting approximately 3 hours. Along the way, we will pass through the Mariano Llamoca pass (4,600 meters above sea level), Totora, with views of the Salkantay snow-capped peak, and the town of Santa Teresa, until we reach our campsite at Playa Sahuayaco (dinner and overnight stay).

• Time of transportation: 4 hours
• Time of trekking: 5 – 6 hours
• Distance: 27 Km
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Climate: Mild and hot during the day and cold during the night.
• Altitude: Maizal (3,800 m.s.n.m) – Yanama (3,950 m.s.n.m) – Playa Sahuayaco (2,100 m.s.n.m)

In the morning, we’ll begin our hike, ascending a small hill that will lead us to one of the small archaeological sites scattered throughout the area, called “Llaqtapata.” Here, we’ll see a carved stone that was shaped for astronomical purposes. We will have lunch in the Hidroeléctric area, where we will board the train that will take us to the town of Aguas Calientes. Overnight stay at a hotel.

• Time of trekking: 5 – 6 hours
• Distance: 18 Km
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Climate: Mild and hot during the day and cold during the night.
• Altitude: Playa Sahuayaco (2,100 m.s.n.m) – Llactapata (3,300 m.s.n.m) – Hidroelectrica (1,950 m.s.n.m) – Aguas Calientes (2.050 m.s.n.m)

Early in the morning, we’ll take a bus up to Machu Picchu to enjoy the sunrise at this magical site before other tourists arrive from Cusco. We’ll savor the tranquility of the Lost City of the Incas during a guided tour of approximately 2 hours along Circuit 3 or Circuit 4, with short stops to take photos along the way.

There is an optional opportunity to hike up Huayna Picchu Mountain (if you have reserved your entrance ticket in advance). From there, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the entire Machu Picchu citadel, as well as the surrounding valleys and mountains. After this hike, we’ll take a bus down to Machu Picchu Pueblo (also known as Aguas Calientes) for lunch, and then board the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, a tourist transport will take us back to the city of Cusco.

• Time of trekking: 3 hours
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Climate: Warm during the day and warm during the night.
• Altitude: Aguas Calientes (2,050masl) – Machupicchu (2,400masl) – Cusco (3,350masl)

NOTE: Guided tours in Machu Picchu last between 2 and 2 ½ hours in shared service, and between 2 and 3 hours in private service, depending on coordination between the guide and passengers. Timing is also managed according to the return train schedule, lunch schedule, and the descent to Aguas Calientes.

IMPORTANT: Provide and send us your travel insurance before your arrival in Peru.