The Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek is an incredible adventure that takes you through some of the most remote and breathtaking landscapes in the Peruvian Andes, you’ll embark on a multi-day trek that will take you through rugged terrain, lush valleys, and high mountain passes, hiking along ancient Inca trails and crossing several rivers and streams, the highlights of this trek spectacular panoramic views of snow capped mountains,local flora and fauna.
Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek is considered the most challenging due to its high altitude, steep ascents and descents, and variable weather conditions. Participants should be prepared for long days of hiking and be in good physical condition.
Tour itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Santa Rosa
We leave the city of Cusco at 05:30 am in our private bus, 4 hours away is the town of San Pedro de Cachora, on the way we will stop to visit the famus site Saywite regarded as a center of religious worship for Inca people, focusing on water. surrounded by the impressive mountain Apu Padreyoc, protector of the people half an hour more we will be arriving at the beginning of the hike Capuliyoq. It will be a moment to do the registration of Entrance to the Regional Conservation Area of Choquequirao, then we will begin our expedition, descending to the Apurimac canyon with a privileged view of the mountains on the opposite side. After 3 hours of descending, we will arrive to Chiquiska, place of our lunch, after lunch we will continue the descent to the Apurimac River for 1 more hour, the lowest point of our journey.
At the level of the river, we will be, a few minutes to rest, then begin our ascent for 2 hours to our camp located in the hamlet of Santa Rosa.
- Hiking time: 8 hours average
- Distance: 15 km
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Maximum altitude: 3000
- Minimum altitude: 1500 m
- Temperature: 15° C
- Camp altitude: 2100 m
Day 2: Santa Rosa – Choquequirao.
Early in the morning after breakfast, we will begin the ascent for 3 hours average until Maranpata villages, a short rest to continue to the archaeological park of Choquequirao we will take a relaxing time until lunch time, after having enjoyed the food we will begin our tour throughout the ancestral city, for the whole afternoon, in case we are accompanied with the blessing of mother earth we will have the option to observe the flight of the majestic Andean Condor, also the view of the sunset is magical and spectacular.
- Hiking time: 8 hours average
- Distance: 14 km
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Maximum altitude: 3100
- Minimum altitude: 2100 m
- Camp altitude: 2900
- Night temperature: 10° C
- Accommodation: Camping
Day 3: Choquequirao – Pinchaunuyoq
We will wake up very early to start the day with a totally Peruvian and homemade coffee, we will begin the day with a tour of the archaeological park of Choquequirao for an average of 4 hours, enough time to explore the places that we could not visit on the previous day, after the visit we will begin the day with a moderate ascent of 1 hour, and then begin the descent to the next archaeological park of Pinchaunuyoq, time to explore and take and a rest with an spectacular view for sunset.
- Hiking time: 8 hours average
- Distance: 14 km
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Maximum altitude: 3100
- Minimum altitude: 2100 m
- Camp altitude: 2900
- Night temperature: 10° C
- Accommodation: Camping
Day 4: Pinchaunuyuq – Maizal
We will wake up early to descent to rio Blanco, walking down the last stretch that is steep; Here we will have a mandatory time to cool off, because the heat is suffocating due to the narrow valley of the area. After refreshing we will begin the march up the mountain for an average of 3 ½ hours, until we arrive at the Maizal camp with a unique and spectacular view. After lunch we wil have some more time to explore the surrounding of the area.
- Hiking time: 7 hours average
- Distance: 19 km
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Maximum altitude: 3280
- Minimum altitude: 1850 m
- Camp altitude: 3000 m
- Night temperature: 5° C
- Accommodation: Camping
Day 4: Maizal – Yanama – Lucmabamaba
Day of great challenge because in this opportunity we will continue in permanent ascent all morning towards the pass with the best panoramic view, we will go through the Andean rainforest observing the variety of flora and fauna recommended for travelers who like bird watching, on the way we will come across the tunnels that were the silver and lead mines of Minas Victoria, some time to relax with an spectacular view hope to see some Andean Condor flighting around; two hours later we will arriving in Yanama Village, our lunch will be waiting ready to have, after our lunch we will drive for three hours on the way to the next camping area Lucmabamaba.
- Hiking time: 7 hours average
- Distance: 12 km
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Minimum altitude: 3050
- Maximum altitude: 4150 m
- Camp altitude: 2100 m
- Night temperature: -5° C
- Accommodation: Camping
Inclusions
Practical Information Including
- Briefing at your hotel before the trip.
- Pick up from the hotel in the morning.
- Private transport Cusco to San Pedro de Cachora, and local bus from Vilcabamba to Hidroelecetric train station.
- Professional guide leader: English, Spanish and Quechua.
- Entrance ticket to the archaeological parks Machupicchu and Choquequirao
- Double 4 seasons tents.
- Dining tent, with table and chairs, kitchen tent for the cook to prepare the food with care and hygiene.
- Bathroom tent
- Mattresses
- Cook and cooking equipment (assistant cook for large groups).
- Food as indicated in the itinerary, (we have the option of vegetarian food) Our professional cook incorporates international, national and typical food of the region, if you have any dietary restrictions let us know.
- Pack horses (for camping equipment, food, cooking utensils and passenger’s belongings).
- We will provide each of our passengers with an extra backpack for their personal belongings (maximum 10 kg), if you wish to carry more you can rent an extra horse for $20.00 USD per day.
- Emergency horse which can be used when you feel tired or sick only.
- Tents for the staff working with us and food during the trip.
- First aid kit and oxygen.
- Celebration dinner in Machupicchu.
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Breakfast in the morning before departure. Lunch on the last day
- Sleeping bag (you can rent at the office $ 4 per day) that if you don’t want to transport from your home to Peru.
- Tips for the guide, cook and porters and/or muleteers.
- An additional horse if you have too much stuff. The cost is $20 US per day.
Notes
Itinerary Notes:
What to bring
You should bring:
- Travel insurance
- A light day pack, clothes for all the different periods of the trek. Be prepared for all weather changes.
- Waterproof jacket and an extra rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco
- Good shoes for the trek we recommend that you bring waterproof shoes.
- Sandals to take a shower in the hot springs and rest your feet after each day.
- Warm clothes including jackets, gloves, shawls, shawls, chullo, we recommend that you bring thermal clothes, especially for sleeping.
- Sleeping bag (rented from the office).
- Torch, binoculars and walking sticks for the hike.
- Camera (along the route especially in Yanama you can recharge the batteries).
- Hat to protect you from the heat, sunblock and a moisturizing cream for your skin.
- Insect repellent. There is no malaria risk report.
- Paper for the SS. HH.
- Snacks: such as chocolates, biscuits, dried fruit, sultanas etc. as well as filters
- Your own emergency kit if you have special medication.
- Clothing for swimming in streams and hot springs, bikini, towel etc….
- Enough cash for lunch in hot springs, tips and to buy some drinks on the way.
- Original passport. Valid student card.
FAQs
What fitness/training do you recommend?
Our most basic advice for any trek in the Andes is: the fitter you are, the easier you will find it!