Itinerary – Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 8 days

 

Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Capuliyuc – Playa Rosalina

We pick you up very early at your hotel in Cusco and drive by private transport to the village of Cachora. In Cachora we meet our staff and drive 30 more minutes to the Capuliyoc lookout point and our trailhead. After a good lunch enjoying the amazing view of the Apurimac Canyon, we will descend for about 6 hours to our campsite at Playa Rosalina beside the Apurimac River. We can expect a warm night at our campsite in the valley.

 

• Meals: L, D
• Maximum Altitude: 2,977m / 9,767ft
• Minimum Altitude: 1,500m / 4,921ft
• Distance: 10 km / 6.2mi
• Walking Time: 6 hrs

 

Day 2: Playa Rosalina – Santa Rosa – Marampata – Choquequirao

We leave very early in the morning and cross the Playa Rosalina Bridge. Here is where our climb to Choquequirao begins. At Marampata we will have lunch and rest. Then we will continue about 2 more hours until we reach Choquequirao, the remote and ancient city of the Incas. You will have all afternoon to explore as much you like with your guide, and this is the most likely time to see the Andean condor. We will spend the night camped just below Choquequirao.

 

• Meals: B, L, D
• Maximum Altitude: 3,050m / 10,007ft
• Minimum Altitude: 1,500m / 4,921ft
• Distance: 14km / 8.7mi
• Walking Time: 8 hrs

 

Day 3: Choquequirao – Pinchaunuyoc – Maizal

After breakfast we will have a short extra visit to the principal complex of Choquequirao, then continue climbing to the highest point of the day before descending to the Pinchiunuyoc Inca remains where we will have lunch. Leaving Pinchiunuyoc, we descend to the Río Blanco stream. After crossing the Rio Blanco, we have a long climb to Maizal, where we’ll set up our camp for the night.

 

• Meals: B, L, D
• Maximum Altitude: 3,300m / 10,827ft
• Minimum Altitude: 1,910m / 6,266ft
• Distance: 14km / 8.7mi
• Walking Time: 8 hrs

 

Day 4: Maizal – Highpass Mina Victoria – Yanama

This might be the most scenic day of this amazing trek. After a big breakfast we climb on a stone path through a beautiful forest of native trees to reach Mina Victoria Pass. Here you will have a spectacular view of the cordillera, including the snow-capped peaks of Choquetacarpo and Pumasillo. We then descend to the community of Yanama, where we will spend the night.

 

• Meals: B, L, D
• Maximum Altitude: 4,200m / 13,780ft
• Minimum Altitude: 3,000m / 9,843
• Distance: 11km / 6.8mi
• Walking Time: 7 hrs

 

Day 5: Yanama – Abra Apacheta – Totora

This is a big day. We start by climbing the gentle slope of the Yanama River which grows steeper and steeper as we progress. On the way we will experience a beautiful contrast of ecological levels as we approach Yanama Pass (4,668m / 15,315ft) and then descend into the Totora Valley. We will spend the night in the community of Totora.

 

• Meals: B, L, D
• Maximum Altitude: 4,668m / 15,315ft
• Minimum Altitude: 3,801m / 12,470ft
• Distance: 18km / 11.2mi
• Walking Time: 9 hrs

 

Day 6: Totora – Colpapampa – Playa – Lucmabamba

Today we follow the Totora River down a steep and beautiful valley towards the point where it meets the Chalan River. Exuberant vegetation and picturesque waterfalls line our path. We will walk through a tropical valley where we can find coffee plantations, banana trees and a new blend of flora and fauna. We will lunch in the community of La Playa, then continue to our next camp at Lucmabamba. That afternoon we will have a coffee tour with a local family and sample the best organic coffee of the region.

 

• Meals: B, L, D
• Maximum Altitude: 4,100m / 13,451ft
• Minimum Altitude: 2,135m / 7,005ft
• Distance: 11km / 6.8mi
• Walking Time: 7 hrs

 

Day 7: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes

From Lucmabamba, we climb for approximately 3 hours on an original Inca Trail and through the Andean cloud forest to the Puncuyoc Pass. From there, a short walk down will take us to Llactapata, an Inca city with a beautiful view of Machu Picchu, Wayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains. You will learn the history and stories of this sacred place. Two-hours further downhill we will come to the hydroelectric plant. There we can choose to either take the train (35 minutes) or hike the rest of the way to Aguas Calientes (3 hours) and check into our hotel for the night.

 

• Meals: B, L
• Maximum Altitude: 2,953m / 9,688ft
• Minimum Altitude: 2,135m / 7,005ft
• Distance Travelled: 11km / 6.8mi
• Walking Time: 5 hrs

 

Day 8: Tour of Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco

Early in the morning we take the bus from the town of Aguas Calientes to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. The tour of Machu Picchu will allow us to understand the high level of development the Andean civilization achieved under the Incas. A supremely religious site, Machu Picchu demonstrates impressive architectural prowess and a keen knowledge of astronomy, which was essential for predicting weather cycles and planning agriculture. We will try to spend as long as possible in the archaeological complex before returning to Aguas Calientes in time for our train back to Ollantaytambo (1:50 min), and private transport back to Cusco, about (2 hours).

 

• Meals: B
• Maximum Altitude: 2,437m / 7,995ft

Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek – 8 Day; Inclusions

 

Services Included:

 

• Guide service in English/Spanish
• Private transportation from Cusco to Cachora
• Entrance ticket to Choquequirao
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Round-trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
• Guided Tour of Machu Picchu
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Private transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Master cook
• Food (7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners, snacks)
• Vegetarian/special diet options available at no extra cost
• Cooking and dining equipment, including tents, chairs and tables
• 4-season tents (3-person capacity but used for 2 people)
• Thermarest (sleeping mattress)
• Mules and horsemen to carry our camping equipment & food
• 10 kilos of your personal gear will be carried on the mule (we provide you a duffle)
• First-aid kit
• Emergency oxygen bottle
• Pre-departure briefing
  
  

Services Not Included:

 

• Tips for field staff and guide
• Sleeping bag
• Entrance to Wayna Picchu (this will cost an additional $45, and must be booked well in advance)
• Extra money for souvenirs or to buy Gatorade or beer along the trail
• Emergency horse for the group (in case of injury or the need to rest), but this can be arranged for an additional fee
• Note: If you need to rent any equipment such as a sleeping bag, water-proof poncho, hiking poles, etc. please let us know in advance. We will secure them for you – no deposit required.

 

We Recommend That You Bring:

 

• Sleeping bag (-10 Cº)
• Water-resistant trekking shoes and sandals
• Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat, gloves, socks)
• Waterproof jacket & pants or rain poncho
• Synthetic or cotton clothing (socks, trousers, shorts, t-shirts)
• Sunhat & sunglasses
• Sun block
• Insect repellent
• Water bottles
• Water filter (optional – boiled water will be available at all meals)
• Personal medications
• Walking poles
• Swimsuit & towel
• Personal items
• Personal snacks
• Headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries
• Camera
• Toilet paper
• DNI/Original Passport
• Insurance card

Prices – Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek – 8 Day

 

• PRICE: $1380 USD per person when booking 2-3people
• PRICE: $1260 USD per person when booking 4-5 people
• PRICE: $1180 USD per person when booking 6-7 people
• PRICE: $1100 USD per person when booking 8-9 people
• PRICE: $1030 USD per person when booking 10-12 people