Cusco & Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu
For the first part you’ll travel to Cusco to acclimatise. This 65 km trek takes you through lush jungles, deep canyons, and many snow-capped peaks along the way to Machu Picchu. If you’re in for a great Peru adventure, this is one of the most beautiful treks in the Cusco Region.
The Inca city is situated in the vast landscape of the Vilcabamba Range above the Apurimac River Canyon. Thick forest has covered this Inca site for many years and it has only been discovered in relatively recent times.
Choquequirao was the dwelling of the last rebel Incas of Vilcabamba and similar to Machu Picchu, it is thought that the Spanish never discovered it. This is a challenging trek traversing different ecosystems; it’s possible to do this route in 7 days by just exploring Choquequirao in the morning on day 3 and then continuing.
There are amazing views of the Vilcabamba Range and the trail descends deep into the Apurimac Canyon, which makes this a truly magnificent hike.
The main ruins of this trek — Choquequirao, Llactapata, & Machu Picchu — all have their own distinct features and functions. The Incas built an all encompassing trail system spanning these sites and the whole of the Sacred Valley, making for a detailed and adventurous trek.
Highlights
- Experience the ancient ruins of Choquequirao, “Sister City” of Machu Picchu
- Pass through the recently-uncovered ruins of Picha Unuyoc
- Descend down to the Rio Blanco for a refreshing dip in the river
- Climb the Abra San Juan pass (4150m) with views of Cordillera Vilcabamba
- Finish the trek at Machu Picchu, and explore the ruins at sunrise
| Trek Facts |
| Trek min. duration |
7 days |
| Max. elevation |
4,650m (15,260 ft) |
| Start/finish |
Cusco/Cusco |
| Difficulty |
Challenging |
| Best season |
Late Spring/Early Fall |
| Sleeping |
Camping |
Included
Breakfast x 9
Lunch x 7
Dinner x 5
Private Transport – collection & drop-off
Professional bilingual guide
Cook
Horsemen & mules
All camping equipment (Sleeping bags to hire + Walking sticks)
Entrance to Machu Picchu & return trip bus tickets to Aguas Calientes
Accommodation in Aguas Calientes x 1 night
Train tickets to Cusco
Accomodation in Cusco/Lima x 3 nights
Domestic flights from Lima to Cusco (return) |
Excluded
International Airfares
Tips for crew
Any additional extras |
| Joining Arrangements |
There will be a pre-trek briefing held usually the evening before departure, at your hotel, to go over the details of the trek and any specific requirements not already captured. |
| Food & Water |
Prior to setting off we recommend you steer clear of street food and only eat in good restaurants, to avoid any stomach complaints. Likewise with tap water, it is largely untreated, please only consume bottled water only or sterilised water if you have the right equipment. |
| Special Diets |
We’ll ensure that we cater for all of your dietary needs, at the point of booking we’ll collect this information from you. We can secure special menu requests also for your trek party. |
| Trekking Crew |
We are able to customise our treks to suit you, but usually our treks are guided by a professional bilingual guide, mountain cook, arriero (horseman) and mules to carry all equipment (passenger horses also available on request). They become a large part of your trekking expedition and it’s a great experience working together. |
| Acclimatisation |
This is a really important part of your trip planning process, please find a link below which explains a little more about preparing for altitude. Altitude Preparation |
| Preparation |
Attached below are a couple of links which will explain how to prepare for your trip & trek in advance of your arrival. We recommend being prepared in advance to save time & stress whilst you’re in Peru. Trip Planning | Trek Planning |
| Machu Picchu |
An excursion to Machu Picchu can be included as part of your trip, including professional bilingual guide, entrance tickets, return trip bus tickets, Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountains (mountain climbs to be confirmed on reservation) & your return train ticket to Cusco. To be confirmed on reservation. |
| Covid-19 (Coronavirus) |
We are working with the latest protocols issued by the Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health) to ensure our operations are safe and compliant for the future. We also have access to on-call health services for your time with us. |
| Covid-19 (Useful Links) |
World Health Organisation | World Health Organisation – Peru | Covid-19 Data – Peru | Covid-19 Daily Statistics |
| Available Discounts |
Throughout 2021 we’re offfering a 25% discount for each member of a group larger than 4+ |
| Reservation |
Please contact us to reserve your trek and we will send you our deposit & payment options. |
| Customer Service |
Please feel free to contact us at any point before your trip for any queries or problems. |
Details
Itinerary
¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to
Lima, Peru's largest city and central metropolitan hub, and home to one-third of the country's population. Located at the site of a pre-Columbian indigenous Ychsma settlement, which was conquered by the Inca empire in the 15th century and later by the Spanish
conquistadores, Lima has a fascinating history and a diverse mix of cultures. Amerindian, European, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian—especially Chinese and Japanese—influences make Lima a dynamic and exciting city to explore.
Lima's breezy location on the
Pacific Ocean and mild desert climate make it the perfect city for exploring on foot. Head downtown to mingle with locals, stretch your legs, and grab a bite to eat in one of the many award-winning restaurants.
- Accommodation: Miraflores, Barranco or Wyndham del Sol (Airport)
Head to the Lima airport for your transfer flight to
Cusco. This ancient city is the former capital of the Inca empire, which reigned from the 13th to 16th centuries after conquering the Killke settlement on the same location. Remember: you will be
11,000 ft (3,000 m) above sea level, so take it easy and remember to drink lots of water.
Since Cusco was designed by the Incas as a city for walking, start your exploration of the narrow stone alleyways on foot. Take a walk through the plaza — if the weather is beautiful, it's a perfect place to sit on a balcony and have a cup of coca tea while adjusting to the elevation.
- Meals included: Breakfast
Drive from your hotel in Cusco to the rustic Cachora village where your trek will begin. After having lunch, start your trek by following a switchback trail down into the Apurimac canyon. You’ll stay the night in Chikiska, a small mountainside settlement with beautiful views down into the Apurimac valley.
Accommodation: Camping
Overnight: Chikiska
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from your campsite at Chikiska and continue your trek across the Apurimac River and pass through the communities of Santa Rosa and Marampata. The steep path passes through territory which can get humid and hot depending on the season.
One of the more strenuous days, with dramatic views of the canyon as you approach the ruins of Choquequirao. In the evening, we will arrive at our campsite, located right near the ruins of Choquequirao.
Accommodation: Camping
Overnight: Choquequirao
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast at your campsite, head out to visit the ruins. With few other tourists around, explore the main plaza, ritual bath, and inlaid stone llamas at the ruins of Choquequirao.
The site sits atop a hill rising 1,600m above the Apurimac and was hidden from the Spanish for centuries until Bingham stumbled upon it before Machu Picchu. The site is yet to be completely excavated, with much of it still shrouded by jungle and cloud forest.
In the evening, return to your campsite near the Choquequirao ruins.
Accommodation: Camping
Overnight: Choquequirao
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Get ready for the toughest day of the trek. You’ll start by trekking 1,400m downhill from your campsite near Choquequirao to the newly uncovered ruins of Picha Unuyoc, then down to Rio Blanco where you can dip your feet in the refreshing water. You’ll then climb 1,200m back up to Maizal, a beautiful campsite at 3,000 m.
Accommodation: Camping
Overnight: Maizal
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from your campsite in Maizal and hike past long-lost silver mines through the Abra San Juan mountain pass to the highest point of the trek at 4,150m. From here, you’ll have breathtaking views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba range, then you’ll descend down to the village of Yanama before driving over the Totora pass to the village of Lucmabamba.
Accommodation: Camping
Overnight: Lucmabamba
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
On your last day of hiking, you’ll walk from your campsite in Lucmabamba through fields and cloud forests along an imperial Inca trail. Llactapata is a small, beautiful set of ruins hidden in the wilderness with a view across to Machu Picchu.
From here, you’ll continue down to the Hydroelectric power station, where you can either take a train or hike to the town of Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and relax. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep for an early start to see Machu Picchu at dawn.
Overnight: Aguas Calientes
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Get an early start to beat the crowds and get the best views of the ancient ruins. From Aguas Calientes, it's an easy 25-minute bus ride up to the Machu Picchu ruins. This 15th-century Inca citadel is located at 7,970ft (2,430 m) and is a masterpiece of engineering that served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Incan Emperor Pachacutec and his royal court.
Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain," is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Built as a seasonal residence for the Inca family, Machu Picchu was rarely home to more than 800 people, and during the royals' absence, a mere 100 servants would remain at the site to maintain the grounds.
Machu Picchu was abandoned 100 years after construction due to the Spanish conquest and remained largely hidden to the outside world until the early 20th century. Your guide will lead you around the site and explain the different buildings and curious corners of the building complex. Approximately one-third of the site has been reconstructed into its original structure, giving visitors a sense for the grandeur and artistry of the original citadel.
After the tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then board the train to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, transfer to a vehicle for your transfer back to Cusco.
Overnight: Cusco
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today is your last day in Peru! You will be met at your hotel for a transfer to Cusco Airport, where you will transfer to your international departure. ¡Buen viaje!
- Meals included: Breakfast
