Hiking Tours

Choquequirao + Machu Picchu 8 days

For trekkers that want to get off the well beaten tourist path and escape from the crowd, this trek provides an excellent option.

This is the only trek that takes you on a hike of the two most impressive Incan cities: Choquequirao and Machu Picchu!

Choquequirao (3,000 meters/10,010 feet) is also known as the sister of Machu Picchu. It is located at the edge of the jungle where the transition from the Andean valleys into the jungle begins.

Overview:


Day 01: Cusco - Cachora - Playa Rosalina
Day 02: Playa Rosalina - Marampata - Choquequirao
Day 03: Choquequirao - Maizal
Day 04: Maizal - Minas Victoria - Yanama
Day 05: Yanama – Collpa pampa
Day 06: Collpa pampa – Hot springs
Day 07: Hot Springs – Aguas Calientes
Day 08: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Itinerary What is included Suggestions Price More Programs
What to see in Peru

Full Itinerary

We leave Cusco early in the morning by private vehicle. After 4 hours, we reach Cachora (2,850 m/9,350 ft), a small village and the starting point of this hike. We start descending to the Apurimac River Valley having incredible views of far away snowy peaks. We have first opportunity to see Choquequirao Mountain on the opposite site of the valley after a couple of hours of walking. The way to Choquequirao leads through a highland jungle (or Andean jungle) so the weather is warm, humid and rainy resulting in a very rich tropical vegetation and fauna too. Of the vegetation, we can see native trees such as lambram, chachacomo and inkallaulli. There are also cedars, medicinal plants, ferns, orchids, bromelias, etc. Representans of local fauna are deer, a spectacled bear, felines, foxes, skunks, birds such as a variety of of hummingbird species or Andean condors crisscrossing the sky in the afternoons. In the end, we reach our first campsite at Playa Rosalina (1,550 masl/5,115 ft) located at the shores of the Apurimac River.

After a nutritive breakfast, we start a gradual ascend to Marampata (2,850 m/9,350 ft), the trek gets harder but remember every effort will have its reward; however, it offers spectacular views of the deep Apurimac River Canyon and the river itself that is the main tributary of the Amazon River! We can also spot condors soaring in the mountains! When we get to Marampata, we have lunch there and a short rest. At around 4 pm, we will arrive to the enigmatic and fabulous Cradel of Gold - Choquequirao (3,100 m./10,168 ft)! The city is considered bigger in extension than the Sancturary of Machu Picchu! Our Tour Guide shows us around the city and explains us about its each part such as Hauqaypata (main square) with the principal Sun Temple, Urin (upper square) with its open temple, Ushno (ceremonial platform), houses of priests, qolqas (storages), irrigation channels and agricultural terraces. However, investigation works have not discovered all the site yet so we can still expect more surprising excavations in future!! From there, we also can view spectacular mountain scenery surrounded by the cloud forest! We set a camp near the archaeological site and overnight.

The Archaeological Park of Choquequirao is situated in southern Peru on the right side of Apurimac River, at the slopes of the same named mountain just next to Qoriwayrachina Mountain of the Salkantay Mountain Range where the impousing Salkantay glacier is located . The park covers an area of 1,810 hectares.

Choquequirao was constructed probably between the second part of the 15th century and the first decades of the 16th century, it means the period when Incas started to conquer new territories of Antisuyo (located northwest of Cusco in high Andes inhabited by so called “Antis” – a collective name for the many varied ethnic groups living in this area). Choquequirao is considered as one of the last resistance bastions and refugees of the Incas, who abandoned Cusco in 1535 by order of the Incan ruler Manco Inca to regroup as Cusco was besieged by Spaniards.

After a delicious breakfast, we will leave the Incan city of Choquequirao to first gently hike for 3 hours up to the Choquequirao Pass (3,300 m/10,890 ft) to then start descending to Rio Blanco (White River; 1,900 m/6,270 ft) to enter at the cloud forest. There, we can appreciate polylepis trees (native mountain trees with shredded, multi-layered bark), epiphytes, bromeliads, orchids, diverse bird species as well as water fountains. Lush vegetation of the cloud forest still cover a part of the Inca farming terraces of Pinchiunuyoc (2,487 m/8,160 ft). After our Tour Guide explains us about this Inca site, we keep descending passing through coca plantations and gradually changing nature into a dry Andean forest. After having lunch there, we will climb for another three hours towards the village of Maizal (3,000 m/9,900 ft) where we set up our next campsite. From this natural view point, we can appreciate imposing views of the gorges of Yanama and Yurahmayo that later join the Apurimac River Canyon! Also the sunsets there are really stunning!

We start ascending after early breakfast towards the Victoria Pass (4,150 m/13,695 ft). After a 4 hour steep ascend, we reach the Minas Victoria, an Incan and later colonial silver mining centre that is abandoned nowadays. Then, we hike along a hill called Qoriwayrachina, a place where archaeological explorations have been done recently. Closer to the Victoria Pass, we start following an incredibly well- preserved authentical Inca trail with stone steps in its middle! When we reach the Victoria Pass, we enjoy a breathtaking view of the snow-capped mountains of Humantay (5,700 m/18,700 ft) and Salkantay (6,271 m/20,574 ft), considered by local people as the "guardian spirit of the jungle"! Finally, we descend to the village of Yanama (3,800 m/12,540 ft) where we overnight in another campsite with views of the Yanama River below us and Pumasillo Mountain above us.

We start hiking in the morning towards the Yanama Valley passing farmar´s fields and lush vegetation to later overcome the highest pass of the trek - Yanama Pass (4,668 m/15,315 ft). This causes that today´s trek gets harder and the day is challenging! However, it offers spectacular views of a chain of snowy peaks such as the Sacsarayoj and Padreyoc Mountains! If we are lucky, we can also spot majestic condors flying above surrounding cliffs. When reaching the pass, we are able to observe a pile of stones that have been added by visitors to thank to Apus (a mountain god) for a safe journey and good luck! Then, we descend to the Collpa pampa Pampa where our next campsite is situated (3,630 m/11,979 ft).

After a healthy breakfast, we keep descending through a valley deeper into the forest following increasingly tall trees and bamboo groves providing some bird-watching opportunities without missing views of the chaotic Santa Teresa River. We follow an incredibly untouched path where wild strawberries grow at our feet while passion fruits can be found above our heads. This everything is decorated by begonias and purple orchids! Finally, we arrive to La Playa where have a lunch.We take a local bus for an hour long bus ride wich will bring us to the town of Santa Teresa, which is the first actually town that you’ll encounter along the trek, and is also famous for the Santa Teresa hot spring that bubble up right outside of town.

Optional: Santa Teresa Hot Springs U$ 5 or S/ 15 soles extra.

After a rest, we will go to the hot springs and enjoy the well-deserved soothing water!

After breakfast you will walk for four hours until you reach the Urubamba River and have lunch by the hydro-electric station there.

Hydrolectrica is actually farther than Machu Picchu town on the train. It is mainly used by locals. There we follow trails leading us to Aguas Calientes town located at the foothill of Machu Picchu Mountain!. Walking along the train line is much more enjoyable than we anticipated as a wide path undulates beside the tracks. Almost the entire distance is shaded by jungle foliage, trees and flowers, the incline is very gradual. Arrived to Aguas Calientes and basic hostel.

After an early morning breakfast, we continue for about 2 hours up to the mysterious city of Machu Picchu that we enter for the early morning best photos opportunities! Then our Tour Guide shows us around the Incan city and explains us about its history and purposes. After the guided tour, we can enjoy hiking Machu Picchu Mountain(1 and half and hour up and the same time down) or Huayna Picchu(45 minute climb), these are peaks above Machu Picchu that are used to take some panoramic pictures of the Incan city! Then, we are given time off to spend and explore Machu Picchu on our own.

In the afternoon, we return by train to Ollantaytambo, from where we are taken by van back to Cusco.

What is included

  • Collection from your hotel in the morning
  • Transportation by bus to the start of the trail (Town of Cachora - Capuliyoc, beginning of the trip)
  • English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 7 people)
  • Igloo tents - 2 persons in each 4-person capacity tent with plenty of space for your backpacks and better comfort. 3 season Ones.
  • Double thickness foam mattress
  • Kitchen tent, Dining tent with camp tables and chairs
  • Accommodations for you: 6 nights camping and 1 night accommodation in a hostal at Aguas Calientes town on the 7th night.
  • Accommodation for our crew the whole program
  • First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
  • Hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes (while hiking)
  • Cook and Cooking equipment
  • Excellent Meals (08B,07L,07D + 07 morning snacks)
  • food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for the altitude (vegetarian option available)
  • We supply boiled water to fill in your water bottle all the time,(while hiking) if you may need more, please request it with enough time ahead to your crew
  • Teatime the first Six days (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn)
  • Horses days 1-7 (for equipment and personal items, maximum weight per person 12 kilos= 26 pounds aprox, actually your main heavy stuff, will be carried by the horses, it means you only will carry a small day bag, day by day, we included 01 emergency horse to ride on, every 06 persons
  • including horsemen
  • Bus from Machu Picchu ruins up and down to the village of Aguas Calientes
  • Choquequirao and Machu Picchu Inca Site entrance fee
  • Train ticket (Backpackers service) from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
  • Transfer from the train station to your hotel.

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Lunch and Dinner in restaurant in Aguas Calientes on day 8 of the program
  • Locker at Machupicchu, Cost 1.50 USD, aprox.
  • Entrance to the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes 1.50 USD, aprox.
  • Sleeping bags (4 season) can be hired in our office for US$28 for the 8 day trek.
  • Tips for the guide, cook, porters and horse men, it is optional but really customary
  • Personal equipment

What you need to bring/carry:

  • Backpack and a day bag as well (know as daypack as well)
  • Sleeping bag 4 season suitable for temperatures down to -5C (can be hired from our office for US$28 for the 8 day trek)
  • Sleeping mattress (we will provide you with this)
  • Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco for a few dollars)
  • Strong, comfortable footwear
  • Hiking boots or shoes
  • One complete change of clothing (you can afford to carry more changes of clothing if you hire a personal porters, see options below)
  • Sweater and jacket (something warm)
  • Water bottle, ideally non disposable canteen (boiled drinking water will be provided)
  • Torch / Flashlight and batteries
  • Hat or cap to protect you from the sun
  • Sun block (sun protection cream)
  • Insect repellent, absolutely the most important item for this hike is bug spray. Anything with a lot of DEET with do the job, anything less is simply not sufficient. Bug spray MUST be bought in Cuzco, as it cannot be found even in neighboring towns.
  • Toiletries, towel and toilet paper
  • Selection of small snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, biscuits, energy bars etc,
  • Camera, plenty of film and spare batteries, cash in soles and US$
  • Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs at Aguas Calientes after the trek)
  • You also need to bring a copy of your passport on the trail.
  • Optional Tablets for the altitude Sickness (you can find it easy in the Cusco Pharmacies (drugstores), we hardly recommended Diamox)

Option: Choquequirao trek to Machu picchu 8 Days

  • (1) Personal horse for riding while on the trek with and extra cost of US$85, you can have a personal horse to ride any time you may need from day 1 to day 5.
  • (2) Vegetarian Meals. We can provide vegetarian meals or cater for special diets with no extra cost. Just let us know at least 2 days prior to trek departure.

Suggestions

1- If you are planning to travel to Cusco during the months of December to March, we recommend to bring with you a rain gear since we start the rainy season over here.
However, April to November are the months of dry season, we have sunny days but cold nights

2- If you live at sea level, and planning to visit Cusco, you might experience the Altitude sickness, Cusco is located at 3350 meters about sea level. We recommend a local remedy called mate de coca, it is tea made from coca leaves. This is helpful, but by no means a cure.
Acetazolamide (Diamox ) is drug that has shown good results as prophylaxis and treatment of AMS ( soroche o mal de altura ) It is a prescription drug used in the treatment of glaucoma, and as a diuretic.

3- Hiking boots for the following tours, Rainbow mountain, Inca trail, Salkantay and Choquequirao

4- Light dinner for the first night of your arrival to Cusco. Since the elevation of Cusco slow down the digestion

5- You don´t need to bring a lot cash to Peru since you can withdraw USA Dollars at most ATMs across the country Visa,Master Card,Cirrus, American Express and Diner's Club,etc) Most ATM machines in Peru do not add any charge for withdrawing money from your home bank account, but your own bank might.

Price

USD 1030 per person (private service)

Per person: 3-5 people US$900, 5-8 people US$800, 8-11 people US$750, 12- 6 people US$630

Confirm your Booking: We will require a non-refundable tour deposit of 50% per person.

The deposit is to be paid by the following options, by VISA Payment On-Line, Paypal, and Western Union money transfer; these are the fastest & most secure form of payments in Peru.

The remaining balance is to be paid in Cusco once you arrive prior to your tour departure date.

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