Choquequirao – Machu Picchu Trek 

DAY 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – CHIQUISKA

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at around 5:30 am for the 4 hour drive in our private vehicle to the village of Cachora (2,700 meters / 8856 feet). Here we will meet up with our wranglers and their horses and begin our hike, heading towards the Apurimac canyon for about 2½ hours. Arriving at the natural viewing point of Capuliyoc (2915 meters / 9560 feet), we will have time to enjoy the fine views of the canyon and surrounding mountains as we eat lunch. After lunch, we will descend for about 3 hours to our first campsite at Chiquiska, deep in the canyon. On this first evening we will serve you an exquisite Peruvian dinner, after which it will be time for a much deserved rest.

DAY 2: CHIQUISKA – MARANPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO

After an excellent breakfast that will give you the energy you’ll need for the day, we will start today’s hike by heading down into the canyon for about an hour to Rosalinas Bridge across the Apurímac River (1550 meters / 5085 feet). From there we will begin a four hour climb to Maranpata (2925 meters / 9595 feet), where we will stop for lunch and to enjoy our first proper glimpse of the Choquequirao archaeological site. The entire archaeological complex has still not been fully excavated. Archaeological remains are still hidden under the cloud forest vegetation, which is the natural habitat of butterflies, deer, condors, and the spectacled bear. From Maranpata it is a further two hours to Choquequirao. We will camp close to the ruins and spend the afternoon relaxing and exploring, before having a good night’s rest.

DAY 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO – PINCHAYUNUYOC – RIO BLANCO

Today we will have time to explore the ruins of Choquequirao (3033 meters / 9950 feet) before continuing our trek. We will visit the llama sector, where the Incas decorated the walls of their agricultural terracing with geometric representations of llamas. This is about 20 minutes from the main site of Choquequirao. After climbing the hillside for about 40 minutes we will have good views of the terraces of Pinchayunuyoc, before descending as far as the Blanco River (1990 meters / 6539 feet), where we will have lunch and enjoy a relaxing swim in the river’s clear waters. We will camp at this idyllic spot.

DAY 4: RIO BLANCO – MAIZAL

Today we will hike up the mountain for about four hours to an extraordinary place called Maizal (3500 meters / 11,480 feet). Maizal is remarkable for its wonderful serenity, which will leave you feeling at peace with yourself as you contemplate the surrounding scenery. This is one of the highlights of the trek, as the fine views compensate you for all the effort expended getting to this remote location.

DAY 5: MAIZAL – YANAMA

We will need to set off early today (at around 7:00 am). We will pass through lush green vegetation, where native flowers include several species of orchids. Following a section of original Inca highway, we will pass mines that have been worked for centuries before ascending to the Victoria Pass (4150 meters / 13,610 feet). From here it is possible to see condors flying overhead. We are now in the heart of the Vilcabamba mountain range, one of Peru’s most strikingly beautiful ranges. From the pass it is a 3 hour hike down to the village of Yanama (3650 meters / 11,970 feet), where we will stop for lunch. We will spend the rest of the day here, relaxing.

DAY 6: YANAMA – CCOLPA

Today we trek from Yanama to Ccolpa (2850 meters / 9350 feet). We will hike along a local road, but very few vehicles travel this route. We will leave very early for this walk along a flat trail followed by a gradual ascent to Yanama Pass at 4,660 meters (15,285 feet). From the high pass we will descend as far as Pucara, where we will stop for lunch before continuing to the village of Ccolpa, where we will spend the night. Ccolpa is a traditional village where all the residents are Quechua speakers.

DAY 7: CCOLPA – LA PLAYA

Today we will hike through high jungle, observing different types of plants, flowers, birds, butterflies, and passing picturesque waterfalls. We will have lunch on the riverbank before continuing to Santa Teresa (1800 meters / 5900 feet) by bus if the group opts to do so, where it is possible to bathe in the local hot springs.

DIA 8: LA PLAYA – LLACTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU

After breakfast, we will trek up for about 3 hours to the archaeological site of Llactapata. This extensive Inca settlement is well-preserved. Leaving this intriguing site, we will continue for another two and a half hours to the hydroelectric plant, stopping for lunch nearby. After lunch, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. Here we will stay in comfortable rooms with private bathrooms. Once we have had time to rest in Aguas Calientes, we will meet for a celebration dinner in an elegant restaurant right in the heart of town, to celebrate our completion of a wonderful trek.

If the group is tired towards the end of the trek, there is also the option to take a bus from La Playa to the hydroelectric plant, from where it is a 2½ hour walk through the forest along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes, observing a variety of flora and fauna along the way. This is also an excellent option because you will get a glimpse of the mystical structures of Machu Picchu in the distance.

DAY 9: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

Today we will finally visit the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu (2453 meters / 8045 feet). Our plan is to leave the hotel at around 5:30 am, so we can be among the first visitors to reach the ruins, but we can set off a little later on if you are too tired. Your guide will allow some flexibility in this regard, after discussion with the group the night before. We will spend the day visiting what has been hailed as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu is situated on a forested mountain peak amid spectacular scenery. During a guided tour of the site the guide will talk about historical and cultural aspects of this lost city. Our visit to Machu Picchu will begin shortly after sunrise, and in the afternoon we will take the train to Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, from where we will head back to Cusco by road.

Notes on the itinerary

• The times that are provided on this itinerary are approximate.
• Trekking times depend on how the group progresses.
• There is plenty of adventure to be had along this trek.

These Available  discounts are not cumulative

• Students: US$ 29 students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please note that Youth Travel Cards are not valid
• Teenagers: US$ 20 up to 16 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings
• Children: US$ 46 up to 10 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings

What is included?

• Pre trek briefing
• Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure
• Transport from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek in private car
• Entry fee to Choquequirao and Machu Picchu (Huayna Picchu $15 extra)
  English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 6 people)
• Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks
• Basic foam mattress
• Cook and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
• Toilet tent
• Toilet paper, packin &pack out
• Meals (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes) Salads, if served, are washed in boiled wáter
• One textile snack bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment
• Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
• Bio-degradable personal hand soaps
• Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 7 kg/15lbs per person)
• 1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower
• Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
• Tents for our staff to sleep in
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
• Train or equivalent luggage from Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes
• Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Celebratory dinner in Restaurant Indio Feliz in Aguas Calientes
• Lunch on the last day is included
• 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes in a basic Hotel El Mistico

What is not included?

• Dinner on the last night
• Huayna Picchu entrance fee: if you would like to climb this mountain an additional fee of US $16 per personal applies Breakfast on the first morning
• Entrance to the thermal springs
• Sleeping bags – If you haven’t got a sleeping bag or you don’t want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire
• Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish.

What we recommend that your bring :

• A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek – prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
• Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
• Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
• Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc
• Small towel
• Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs
• Cash in soles and/or US$
• Original passport
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
• Camera and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Water container and water for the first morning. Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed into Machu Picchu. Plastic water containers (ie. Nalgene) or metal ones are recommended
• Optionally: water- sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
• Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites)

Prices 2023 – 2024

  Optional Extras

• Sleeping back $5 per day
• Walking Pole US$ 2 per day
• Inflatable mattress $5 per day.

How to make a booking
If you would like to make a reservation for this program, please go directly to the Booking Online section of this website.

• Once you have chosen your tour, please read the Booking Terms & Conditions, as your booking is subject to these terms.
• Then fill out and submit the Reservation Form that you will find in the Booking Online section of this website.
• In case your reservation is confirmed, a money deposit will be requested to secure your reservation.
• Once we confirm the deposit reception, your booking is confirmed. A Service Confirmation Form will be sent to you including all the details of your program.

In case you have any doubts, queries or require additional information, please contact us, we will be very glad to assist you. Your request will be answered by return mail