Choquequirao Trek To Machu Picchu 7 Days

This is an amazing trek, the name Choquequirao means “Cradle of Gold.” The Inca arqueological site is considered, as important as Machu Picchu, it is less known and 3 times larger than Machu Picchu.  It was one of the last refuges, for those Incas who continued to resist Spanish occupation after the conquest. The site was eventually abandoned and became covered by dense cloud forest vegetation.

On this adventure trek, we will walk on Inca highways, hike through high Andean landscapes with majestic glaciers, descend into deep canyons where the condors fly and pass through biologically diverse cloud forest ecosystems. You’ll also visit Inca silver mines and isolated Inca communities.

This program combines visits to two major archeological sites: remote and seldom visited Choquequirao and legendary Machu Picchu. It is a fascinating adventure through part of the old empire of the Incas and one of Peru’s most unspoiled wilderness areas.

We recommend this trek for experienced trekkers or persons in good physical shape used to hiking or running frequently.

• CUSCO ALTITUDE: 3350m/11022 ft
• CLIMATE: Hot and sunny by day and cold by night
• DRY SEASON: April to October
• RAINY SEASON: November to March

DAY 1: CUSCO – CAPULIYOC – CHIKISKA – PLAYA ROSALINAS

We leave Cusco at 5am in a private van for a 4 hour drive to Capuliyoc, situated on the edge of the Apurimac Canyon and surrounded by impressive snowcapped peaks.  Then we hike down for 2 hours until we arrive at Chikiska where we have lunch. Afterwards we continue our hike for 1 more hour to Playa Rosalinas (1550 meters/5084 feet), where we will spend the night.

• Meals: Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities with an air mattress and 4 season roomy tents
• Distance: 12kms/7.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 2: PLAYA ROSALINAS – MARANPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO

Departing early, we ascend to Santa Rosa and to Maranpata where we will have lunch. The climb from the river takes about 4 hours and is tough. From our lunch spot we can see the remains of Choquequirao. Then we have 2 more hours to hike to reach the Choquequirao Archeological site (3110 meters/10120 feet). We spend the evening there and get to watch the sunset and some condors flying.

• Meals: Breakfast, boiled water for drinking,  snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities with air mattresses and 4 season roomy tents
• Distance: 13kms/8 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge

DAY 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO – PINCHINUYOC

After we have breakfast it is possible to explore more of the archeological site of Choquequirao, and have a little rest before lunch. In the afternoon we will climb over a ridge and hike to the remains of Pinchinuyoc where we will camp for the night (2 hours of hiking down). This is definitely the easiest day of the trip

• Meals: Breakfast, Boiled water for drinking,  Snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities with  an air mattress and 4 season roomy tents
• Distance: 10kms/6.2 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 4: PINCHINUYOC – RIO BLANCO – MAIZAL

After a delicious breakfast, we hike downhill for 2 hours and arrive at the canyon of the Rio Blanco (1990 meters/6527 feet), where we have a rest before starting a difficult climb to our campsite of Maizal. The climb is 3- 4 hours long.

• Meals: Breakfast, Boiled water for drinking,  Snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities with an air mattress and 4 season roomy tents
• Distance: 10kms/6.2 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge

DAY 5: MAIZAL – YANAMA – TOTORA – LUCMABAMBA

We leave at 7am, and walk uphill for about 3 hours through a semi-jungle towards the Victoria Mines. We visit them as well as some Inca Ruins before climbing 1 hour more to the pass of Victoria (4130mt/13,546 ft).  There are spectacular views from the pass as we descend to the charming village of Yanama (about 2 hours walk) following a section with some well-constructed Inca steps.

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, Boiled water for drinking,  Snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities with inflatable mattress´s and 4 season roomy tents
• Distance: 12kms/7.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge

DAY 6: LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA – AGUAS CALIENTES

On this day we walk for 3 hours by the original Inca Trail and through the cloud forest to the Puncuyoc pass then onto Llactapata Inca remains, an Inca site (2,700m/8,907ft), which is located straight in front of the Citadel of Machu Picchu.

Once there, we enjoy the unique perspective  of Machu Picchu from far away. Then we hike downhill for 2 hours to the hydroelectric plant where we have lunch. We continue to walk to Aguas Calientes through the National Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, enjoying the surroundings of the iconic Machu Picchu and the wall which surrounds the Inca Citadel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Boiled water for drinking,  Snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
• Accommodation: hotel
• Distance: 18kms/11.2 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge

DAY 7:  AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

We will have breakfast at 5am and take the first bus to Machu Picchu, just in time for sunrise. It will take half an hour to reach the Machu Picchu archeological site, one of the  7 New Wonders of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site: an unforgettable experience you will never forget. Your guide will expertly direct you through the astounding vestiges and its main streets. After the guided tour, you will have some free time to wander around the town squares as well as to do some of the following activities on your own:

Climb up Huayna Picchu and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there

Climb Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there

Walk to the Sun Gate or Inti Punku

Visit  the new local museum or the hot springs in Aguas Calientes later in the day.

Then you will descend to Aguas Calientes, enjoy a leisurely lunch,  and at 4:22pm, you will board the Expedition train for the return trip to Cusco, stopping at the Ollantaytambo station and taking our private van back to Cusco and your hotel, arriving at about 8pm.

• Meal: Breakfast

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Pre-trekking briefing with your guide at the office.
• Pick-up at your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
• Private transportation from Cusco to Capuliyoc
• Entry fees to Machu Picchu and Choquequirao
• English speaking, experienced professional guide
• Guided tours of Choquequirao and Machu Picchu
• Comfortable and 4 season roomy tents (sleeping 2 people in a 4person tent)
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food with prior request)
• All camping equipment such as: dining tent, table, chairs, kitchen and toilet tent
• Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Transfer from the train station back to your hotel
• Celebration dinner in Aguas Calientes (tourist restaurant)
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private room and bathroom
• Mules and horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen – 7 kgs of your personal items such as extra clothes, sleeping bag will be carried by our mules
• Provision of a horse in case of emergency such as illness, to ensure trek can be completed by all participants
• Boiled water for drinking and washing purposes
• Rain poncho

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Sleeping bag adequate for temperature of minus 10°c
• Air Mattresses
• Trekking Poles
• First breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on the last day
• Entry fee to Huayna Picchu Mountain
• Entry fee to Machu Picchu Mountain
• Additional horse for extra personal luggage in addition of the one for the personal item allowance
• Optional upgrades (train and hotel)
• Tips for the cook, horsemen and guide

WHAT TO BRING

WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU FOR THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK MACHU PICCHU

• Original Passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
• Valid, GREEN ISIC 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:  2-3 liter Camel backs are encouraged.
• Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
• Sleeping bag (can be rented from MTE)
• AIR MATRESSES (CAN BE RENTED FROM MTE)
• Headlamp: essential
• Toilet Paper

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DUFFLE BAG FOR THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK MACHU PICCHU 7 DAYS

As a Professional Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffle bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14 pounds including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing.

• 2 t-shirts
• 2 hiking pants at least
• 4 sets of undergarments
• 3 sets of hiking socks
• Bathing Suit for the thermal waters
• Couple Fleece/ Thermals
• Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º Celsius.
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Quick dry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
• Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
• Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — Please ask for them.
• Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us.
• Swimming Suit
• TOILETRIES
• Face moisturizer
• Hand Sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Personal medications
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK FOR CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK MACHU PICCHU 7 DAYS

We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40Litres for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.

• Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, then we will provide you with cold boiled water at every meal time. Please bring your canteens.
• Sun Hat
• Sunscreen
• Headlamp: essential
• Wool Hat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
• Coca leaves.
• Rain plastic poncho
• Gloves
• Camera
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
• Valuable items

• Sleeping Bag – US$25 per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
• Air Mattress – US$25 per person per trek (Therm-a-rest mattresses)
• Walking Poles – US$20 per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
• Personal tent: US $30 – (Tent for single trekkers only)
• Vistadome Train Upgrade  – US$57 per person (For the return to Poroy (Cusco) at 4:43pm)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain  – US$35 per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
• Machu Picchu  Mountain –  US$30 per person  (Please request when you book your Trek)
• Single Supplement – US$30 2* for single travelers

PRICE – USD $877 per person Personal porter included!

This price includes the extra porter who will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs, we will provide you a duffle bag you can put your things in.

We provide tent each 2 trekkers.

DISCOUNTS

• Students with ISIC CARD: US$30. Please send us a copy of your ISIC at the time of booking.
• 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.