Choquequirao Trekking To Machu Picchu 7 Days

Day 1: Cusco - Capuliyoc - La Playa

We will pick you up from your hotel at 4 a.m. for the four hour drive to the trail head, where you’ll have breakfast with your trekking staff. Here you’ll meet with your horsemen and horses as well as have the opportunity to give them your duffel bags. After breakfast you’ll jump right into the activity of the Choquequirao Peru Tour(also written as Choquekiraw in Quechuan). The first four hours are downhill until you reach your lunch stop at Chikiska-Chikiska. This is a small village with lush fruit plantations. Along the way, you’ll have great views of the Apurimac River, the valley, and the snow-capped peaks. After lunch, the weather gets much warmer since you have already descended quite a bit. It will be another two hours until we arrive at the bottom of the valley and see the famous Apurimac River. Soon after that you’ll pass a bridge and have a two-hour uphill hike to the choquequirao tour campsite at La Playa.

• Meals: Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 18 Km/ 11.2 Miles
• Time: 5 -6 Hrs
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Weather: Hot and Dry

Day 2: La Playa – Marampata – Choquequirao

After an early breakfast, cooked by your local Alpaca Expeditions’ chef, you’ll get ready for the day. You’ll begin the day by crossing the breach and then it’ll be four hours uphill with zigzags. Along the way you’ll pass by some sugarcane farms and see more great views of the valley from the opposite hill. There’s a good possibility of seeing some condors above as well as beautiful flora and fauna. This climb is one of the most challenging parts of the Choquequirao tour so we’ll have an emergency horse in case you get tired and need a ride. Once you arrive at Marampata you’ll be done with the uphill portion and you’ll have time to enjoy your lunch at 3,350 m high. After lunch, you can take a nap or just relax until we continue on the last two-hour section to the Choquequirao ruins.

This will be the most impressive section of your entire trek because you’ll have absolutely amazing views from the summit to the canyon of Apurimac. You’ll also be able to see Choquequirao where you’ll have a view of the whole Inca site with all of its plants and wildlife including stunning orchids and black bears. Upon your arrival at the campsite Alpaca Expeditions’ porters will set up your tents and prepare the campsite. This campsite is fascinating because it’s right at the foot of the Inca site. If you still have some energy left, you’ll be able to take a 30-minute walk to enjoy the sunset from the Choquequirao Inca site.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 16 Km/ 10 Miles
• Time: 5 -6 Hrs
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Weather: Hot 

Day 3: Guiding Tour of Choquequirao

After an early breakfast, you’ll prepare for the most spectacular day of this adventure, which is entirely focused on exploring Choquequirao. It’ll take about 30 minutes to get there but once you arrive, you’ll then begin your history lesson and tour of this impressive Inca site. Choquequirao Peru is considered to be bigger than Machu Picchu, although it’s almost all hidden by the forest. This Inca site is extremely spread out because the Incas had to study which areas of the mountain to build various buildings including terraces and houses. The most impressive sections of this site are the temples, astronomical observatories, and water channels.

After touring around for about four hours, you’ll head back to camp for lunch and a rest. You’ll have more time afterward to continue exploring the site with our expert tour guides. You’ll get to explore areas of the site like the llama area, which is a steep downhill 30-minute walk where you’ll see narrow farming terraces. All of the llama depictions on the terrace walls are from white stones. These depictions are assumed to be built by the Incas to represent the llama constellation in the Milky Way. You’ll also get to visit the Usno area where you’ll enjoy the sunset over the mountains. Soon after you’ll walk back to your campsite for the second night at Choquequirao.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Time: 5 -6 Hrs
• Difficulty: Easy
• Weather: Humid

Day 4: Choquequirao - Maizal

Setting off for a beautiful Choquequirao hike today, we climb over a ridge for around 2 hours to Abra Choquequirao (3,318 m/10,883 ft). From this vista we will see the Vilcabamba mountain range and the breath taking snow capped Choquetacarpo glacier.

This is followed by a 2 hours descent to the ruins at Pinchinuyoc, We will take a short break at these ruins to admire the majestic views. From there, we will descend to the Rio Blanco (1,990 m/ 6,527 ft), a further 1.5 hours steep descent. Here you can luxuriate in the river and take a bath if you would like. This is where we will have lunch.

Then we will start a difficult climb to a small cleared agricultural area on the mountain, Maizal. For many people, this is the most difficult section of the whole Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu. The climb is a difficult 3 to 4 hours zig zag uphill. Maizal is located at 3,000 m/9,842 ft. Maizal is our camp for the night.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 18 Km/ 11 Miles
• Time: 8 -9 Hrs
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Weather: Hot and Dry

Day 5: Maizal - Abra San Juan - Yanama - Luqmabamba

After breakfast in Maizal we climb 4 to 5 hours uphill through cloud forest to the Victoria Mines. This ascent takes you from an altitude of 3,000 m to 4,000 m! We’ll take a short rest here and admire the shine of the outcropped rocks illustrating the high concentration of minerals and metals, and the reason for the ancient mines. We will then continue our climb to the pass of Abra San Juan (4,130 m/13,546 ft). This is our lunch spot. This is also the best place to see Andean condors. We can also see the Vilcabamba Valley, which is the lowest city of the Incas, as well as the Pumasillo glacier.

After lunch as we descend to the charming village of Yanama (4,100 m/13,541 ft), a 2 to 3 hour walk. Once we get to Yanama, we take the local transport all the way to Lucmabamba. Along the way, we get to enjoy the gorgeous views of snow-capped mountains and waterfalls.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 12 Km/ 11 Miles
• Time: 8 -9 Hrs
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Weather: Hot and humid during the day, chilly at night

Day 6: Lucmabamba - Llactapata Inca Ruins - Hydroelectric - Aguas Calientes

We will wake up early and have breakfast. Today´s hike starts with a moderate 3 ½ hour climb through the rain forest until we reach the Llactapata Inca site (2,700 m/8,856 ft), where we will have a thorough tour. This is the location where you will have your first view of Machu Picchu in the far distance. You will also have a first look at the mountain you will hike tomorrow, Huayna Picchu!

Leaving Llactapata, we begin a 2 ½ hour descent to Hydroelectric, where we will have lunch. We continue to walk to Aguas Calientes through the National Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, enjoying the surroundings of the iconic Machu Picchu.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Distance: 22 Km/ 13.7 Miles
• Time: 8 -9 Hrs
• Difficulty: Moderate / Challenging
• Weather: Hot 

Day 7: Aguas Calientes - Guiding Tour Of Machu Picchu- Cusco

An early morning will reward you with another momentous day of exploring the “Lost City of the Incas”. Your tour guide will take you through the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu, discussing the mystery and skill of its construction as you absorb the magical landscape that surrounds this important ruin.

Enjoy a two-hour tour of this majestic Machu Piccchu Inca City and take some time to savor your accomplishment as you soak in the views. You will have the chance to explore the three zones of this centuries-old city: the urban, agricultural, and adjacent zones.This will give the tourist free time to take photos, scroll on their own wherever your interests take you.

When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included).Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs. 

The train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 19:00.

***IMPORTANT:

• You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
• Early trains can be organized by requeste and it has to be done by booking time.
• The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.
• Our trip package include circuit 2A or Circuit 2B (If the tickets are available, for it, please book in advance).

What Is Included

What Is Not Included

Added Values For Free

Price & Availability

“This trek is available to depart any day of the week as long as we have two people.”

Prices:

Group Service

• US$ 975 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS)

Private Service                              

• US$ 1255 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS)

***We require a minimum of 2 hikers in order to start the trek. For solo travellers- please inquire on the dates you are looking to trek.

Discounts

• 18 to 25 years old: US$30 Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
• Under 18 years old: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Under 11 years old: US$40  Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Group of 5 or more: US$30. – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.

Extras

• Sleeping Bag – US$20 per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
• Air Mattress – US$20 per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
• Walking Poles – US$15 per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
• Personal tent: US $30 – (Tent is for single trekkers only)
• Vistadome Train Upgrade  – US$57 per person (For the return to Cusco (Poroy) at 4:43 pm)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain  – US$75 per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
• Machu Picchu  Mountain –  US$70 per person  (Please request when you book your Trek)
• Single supplement US$30 per night (for solo travellers with single room)

Essentials

• Passport
• Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

For Your Duffel

Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.

• 2-3 wicking t-shirts
• 2-3 hiking pants
• 4 sets of undergarments.
• 4 sets of hiking socks
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
• 1 Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sun hat
• 1 wool hat
• Headlamp: essential
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
• Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
• Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
• Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

Toiletries

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Handsanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toiletpaper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc

Inside Your Daypacks

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.

• Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
• Sunhat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Camera
• Music (IPhone)
• Handsanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
• Earplugs