The Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu offer you the visit to the archaeological site of Choquequirao is part of the complex system of Andean cities of the Vilcabamba valley. In the time of the Incas, it was united and in communication with Machu Picchu by a complete network of roads. Choquequirao is located in the foothills of the Sierra de Salcantay at 3035 masl, surrounded by the snowy Apus of Yanama, Ampay, Choquecarpu, Pumasillo and Panta on the right side of the Apurimac River. Choquequirao is an Inca city formed by small sites out in masonry that in its contiguous builds a complex metropolis similar to those of the other regions placed in the top of the hill of the same name Choquequirao.
We’ll pick you up at your hotel at 6 a.m. and take you to the village of Capuliyoc (3.150 m.a.s.l.) in our private van. During the trip that lasts about 4 hours, we can enjoy the first beautiful views of typical villages, valleys and snow-capped mountains. We’ll meet our porters and their horses and we’ll load our luggage on to the horses. There, at the viewpoint of Capuliyoc, we can also take advantage of the great view on the Apurimac Canyon and the snowy Mountain of Padreyoc (5.571 m.a.s.l.), as well as on the location of Choquequirao. Full of enthusiasm, we’ll start our trek descending for about 3 hours until we’ll arrive at the town of Chiquisca to have lunch. After lunch, we will continue to hike downhill for a couple of hours to the village of Playa Rosalinas (1.900 m.a.s.l.) where a delicious dinner awaits us. We can enjoy the tropical quiet of the place where we’ll spend the night.
Meals: Lunch – Dinner
Area: Andean highlands next to the low Amazon jungle.
Accommodation: Camp (1.900 m.a.s.l.)
Distance: 14 km/ 8.7 miles (approximately 5 hours)
Difficulty: Easy
At the beginning of the day we’ll cross the river over a pedestrian bridge. From here, we’ll walk uphill for half a day until we reach Marampata, a small meadow where we’ll have lunch. As we climb the steep path, we can enjoy a view to the whole area of the canyon, its vegetation and the environment that surrounds it. The afternoon hike will not be as steep as we’ll approach the valley that houses the Choquequirao complex. We’ll camp in a flat area near the archaeological site that we can explore just before sunset.
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Area: Apurimac Canyon
Distance: 16 km / 10 miles (about 6 hours)
Difficulty: Easy
Choquequirao means “Cradle of gold” in the Quechua language. It is another “lost city” that was rediscovered at the end of the previous century as excavation and restoration began in the 1990s. Today, research continues and archaeologists discover new vestiges all the time. It’s going to be a beautiful day! We will be just as astonished as the vast majority of visitors having a guided tour of this fascinating archaeological site. Choquequirao is scattered on both sides of the Apu Corihuayrachina spur and so far only 30% of the site has been brought to light. We are going to need all morning to explore the place and to admire the different palaces, temples and ceremonial fountains, a great Usnu (ceremonial center) as well as the amazing agricultural terraces. With a bit of luck we will have the opportunity to see a condor flying over. After lunch, we’ll hike along the path to the astonishing Choquequirao pass located at 3.277m. From there, we’ll have a great view of the canyon and the surrounding mountains. Then we’ll go down for a couple of hours to the Río Blanco (the ‘white river’ at 1.990 masl), taking the opportunity to visit the archaeological remnants of Pinchiunuyoc. We’ll set up our camp next to the river and enjoy our tropical lunch!
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Distance: 8 km/ 5 miles (2 hours)
Difficulty: Easy
After a delicious breakfast, we’ll cross the river and start a long climb to the village of Maizal. Along the way we can marvel at the great diversity of microclimates, flora and fauna and great landscapes. We’ll pause to have lunch and then we’ll continue our walk until we’ll arrive at Maizal, where we’ll camp.
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles (about 6 hours)
Difficulty: Challenging
We’ll leave at 7 a.m. for an uphill walk of about 3 hours through the fog forest where we can observe a great diversity of plants such as begonias, orchids and wild flowers as well as various birds and butterflies. We’ll pass by some ancient mines that used to be exploited for hundreds of years. Then we’ll follow a section of the original Inca trail that is still well preserved and we’ll walk over the Puna where Ichu, a type of Andean grass, abounds until we’ll arrive at the first pass of Mount Victoria (4.200 m.a.s.l.). There, we’ll have lunch while enjoying the splendor of the Vilcabamba mountain range with the snowy Apus Pumacillo, Sacsara and Qoriwaynachina. In the afternoon, we’ll descend for about 2 hours and arrive at the charming Andean community of Yanama where we’ll set up our camp.
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Distance: 16 km / 10 miles (about 8 hours)
Difficulty: Challenging
Today is a day of high mountain peaks. It is preferable to start walking early to appreciate the mountain range of glaciers that nature offers us before it is getting warm. We’ll ascend gradually to the highest point of our walk: the Yanama Pass (4.670 m.a.s.l.). There, we’ll have a great view on the nearby snowy mountains and valleys. After the passage, we’ll descend for 3 hours until we reach the community of Totora where we’ll have lunch. Then, we’ll continue walking down for a couple of hours to the town of Colpapampa (2.870 m.a.s.l.), the place of our camp.
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Area: Andean highlands
Accommodation: Camp (2.870 m.a.s.l.)
Distance: 22 km/ 13.7 miles (about 9 hours)
Difficulty: Challenging
After breakfast, we’ll visit the interesting vestiges of Llactapata, which were rediscovered by the famous professor and archaeologist Hiram Bingham, the same one who rediscovered Machu Picchu. After the rediscovery, the Ministry of Culture began its restoration. We will then go down for about 2 hours to Hidroeléctrica where we’ll have lunch. Afterwards, we will continue the trekking along the railway line, crossing the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, to reach the town of Aguas Calientes. If we’ll have enough time, we can visit the hot springs that are very good against muscle aches. In the evening, we’ll enjoy our celebration dinner, stay in our hotel and have a really hot shower.
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Machu Picchu and Presidente
Distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles (about 9 hours)
Difficulty: Moderate
Very early in the morning, before dawn, we’ll take a bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu (included in the price), so you can enjoy the sun rise over this famous city before the crowds arrive. Then, you will have a 2,5 hour guided tour showing you around Machu Picchu after which you can explore the ruins on your own, walk to the Puerta del Sol or climb the Wayna Picchu. In the afternoon, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes to take the Expedition train from 4.22 p.m. to Ollantyatambo where our private minibus awaits us to get you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast only
Area: Machu Picchu.
Accommodation: n.a.
Distance: 5 km/ 3 miles (3 hours)
Difficulty: Easy
Climate: Hazy in the morning, warm in the afternoon
Free time in Cusco and end of our service.