A trip that will take you through 8 unforgettable days deep into the empire passing the two most important and incredible cities of the Inca Empire; Choquequirao and Machu Picchu, and amazing mountain views with the best flora and fauna and wildlife Peru can offer.
Availability The Choquequirao Trek departs from our travel agency every day all year round. We recommend to go on this trek from April to October, because of the dry season.
The adventure to Choquequirao begins early in the morning from Cusco to Cachora (3100 m), which is the last place where you have the opportunity to buy applies and water. You will be picked up from your hotel and be transported to Cachora.
On the way we will pass Limatambo which has some very picturesque archaeological sites to visit. From Cachora we begin our hiking towards Chiquisqa (2000 m) for 6-7 hours. Along the road we will pass the two small villages Capuliyoc (2800 m) and Cocamasana, in one of these places we will enjoy our lunch.
In Chiquisqa we will settle our camp, eat dinner together and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the forest of Chiquisqa and all its different types of fruits. A good sleep is important so we can be ready for the hike to the imporatant Inca site of Choquequirao the next day.
This is an important day, where you will experience the amazing city of the Incas; Choquequirao, therefore it is important that we start our day in a good way with wake-up-tee and a solid breakfast. From our camp in Chiquisqa the route will take us to Choquequirao (3150 m) in the end of the day. On the hike we will walk downhill for an hour until we reach the bridge of Rosalina.
Thereafter the hike takes us uphill for two hours to Santa Rosa Baja, where we will have a little break to collect some energy before we will ascend the mountain for two more hours to Marampata, where we can enjoy the view of the beautiful landscapes of the valley. From there we hike for 1.5 hours to the archaeological site of Choquequirao. At Choquequirao we will enjoy our lunch, set up our camp and eat dinner together. In the night we can experience the mystical atmosphere of Choquequirao where the gods of the Incas once ruled and their spirits still floats around.
Early in the morning we can see the sun rise over the ruins and throw a wonderful light over the site. After the breakfast we will visit the magnificent ruins of Choquequirao with its mystical atmosphere, its incredible surroundings and the unique llama-walls which were recently discovered in 2006.
With some luck we can also spot the amazing condor. From Choquequirao we will begin our journey to the magnificent Inca city Machu Picchu. The journey to Machu Picchu begins with a hike uphill for 1.5 hours until we reach the mountain peak, where we can get a wonderful overview of the beautiful landscape this area has to offer.
From there we will descend for 4 hours until we hit Rio Blanco, on the way down we will pass the archaeological site of Pinchaunuyoc, which will give us a fantastic view of how the Incas built terraces, which got used for agriculture, in a large area on the steep mountain slopes. Once we are down at Rio Blanco we will enjoy a nice lunch before we begin another 4-hour-hike uphill. In the end of the hike we will arrive to the home of Maizal (3000 m).
Early in the morning the guides will wake you up with the traditional wake-up-tee and breakfast, so we can get ready for the long hike.
First we will ascend for 4 hours until we reach the mountain peak, where we will eat a nice lunch and enjoy the view of the green mountains. From there we will descend for 6 hours until we reach the village of Yanama, where we will eat a delicious dinner and get settled for the night.
On our 5th day of our Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu, we'll wake up early and have our breakfast with our group to get us ready for our trek. Today we'll actually be able to see parts of an original Inca trail along the Choquequirao trek!
We'll hike uphill for about 4 to 5 hours and then an additional 6 hours going downhill, so it will be a long day. We will also go through the Abra Minas Victoria, a pass between the mountains before ending up in Yanama. Yanama is a small town where we'll setup our camp, have dinner and stay overnight.
After wake-up-tee and breakfast, we will leave the community of Totora and hike for 6 hours to the village of Playa. The first hour of the hike is flat and the rest goes downhill.
Along the road we will find a nice place to sit and enjoy our lunch and the surroundings together. When we arrive to Playa we will set up our camp and have a dinner.
Today we will arrive to the village of Machu Picchu after many hours of hiking. After the breakfast in our camp we will descend for 2 hours down to the village of Lucma Bamba.
From there we will ascend for 3 hours up to the archaeological site of Llactapacta, where you can enjoy the view of the ruins and terraces of the Incas. Here we will have a lunch before we get back on the track towards the village of Machu Picchu.
After the lunch we hike downhill for 2 hours until we get Hidroelectrica. From Hidroelectrica there is a beautiful 3 hour hike to Aguas Calientes, where you will have perfect opportunities to take fantastic photos from you camera; this is one of the most picturesque routes on the trek, or you can take the train for 40 min. and it will cost an extra 26 $. In Aguas Calientes we will get comfortable into our hotel and have dinner, so we can get ready for the big day, where we will experience "the lost city of the Incas".
On the final day our journey will culminate, because we will experience one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu. Therefore we will get up at 4.00 in the morning and get up to Machu Picchu early, so we have all day to enjoy the view of the city. We will hike for 1.5 hours from Aguas Calientes to the magnificent Machu Picchu.
Once we arrive the guide will give us a tour through "the lost city of the Incas" and all its temples, offering places and sacred sites for 2 hours. Thereafter you will have some free time to explore this amazing city by yourselves and walk around in the labyrinth of ruins.
After the unforgettable visit, a bus will take you down to Aguas Calientes, where you have to take the train to Ollantaytambo, which departs at 6.35; the trip will take 1 hour and 40 min. In Ollantaytambo a bus will be waiting for you to take you back to Cusco; the bus trip will take 1 hour and 40 min. In Cusco at the Plaza de Armas we say goodbye to each other and our adventure ends.
END OF OUR SERVICES
For availability of spaces for this service, please contact us info@salkantaytrek.org and we`ll send you detailed information, prices, terms and conditions.
Please keep in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups. All our tours are fully guaranteed, departure every day. Contact us for more information for the tour that you are choosing, or to begin customizing your own itinerary. recommendations:
" Inka Trail Expeditions Perú is a tour operator travel agency in Peru and the city of Cusco, We really know what we do and offer, We are well managed, with several offices in Peru and a long list of travel destinations , offering all travel alternatives in Perú, from family trips, honeymoon trips and luxury travel, including adventure tours and exploring trips to the jungle, for almost any budget”
NOTE: Inka Trail Expeditions Perú, specializes in organizing the ideal travel plan to Peru, with hotels and destinations that you choose, because we have all confidential and promotional rates. For guidance on how to organize your custom package. Please write us.
8 Days & 7 Nights
Every day of the year (please check availability in our groups).
1950m - 4200m / 6398ft - 13780ft
Cusco, Saywite, Cachora, Chikisca, Marampata, Choquequirao, Pinchaunuyoc, Maizal, Yanama, Totora, La Playa, Hidroeletric, Llactapata, Aguas Caliente, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Cusco
- Daily departures are available along the year, the recommended period for this trek is April to October.
- All private service departure dates are adapted to your request any day you choose.
Small groups 10 – 16 people maximun. Average 12 people. The world opens up a little more for a small group, We have the freedom to move around
due to the altitude of the highest point in Capulichayoc Point we recommend a period of at least 1 day for acclimatization in Cusco at 3350m/10991ft.
Vegetarian option at no extra cost. Check our regular menú
DAY 1: moderate
DAY 2: moderate
DAY 3: moderate
DAY 4: challenge
DAY 5: challenge
DAY 6: moderate
DAY 7: moderate
DAY 8: easy
