Description
Choquequirao and Machu Picchu are two Inca cities that have similarities such as being in the upper part of two deep canyons or having an impressive amount of cultivation terraces. In Choquequirao you can feel the loneliness of being one of the 60 tourists who visit this ancient city every day, also has an extensive area where the different enclosures are scattered throughout the mountain.
Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – CAPULIYOC – CHIKISKA – PLAYA ROSALINAS:
We leave Cusco at 5 am 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. Afterward, 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 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 Pinchiunuyoc 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 7 am 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 mattresses 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: Wiracocha Inn Hotel or Andean Terra Hotel
Distance: 18kms/11.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge
DAY 7: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
We will have breakfast at 5 am 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 a 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 to Huayna Picchu and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there Climb Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and the magnificence of Machu Picchu from their 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 4:22 pm, 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 8 pm.
Meal: Breakfast
Details
Price:
820 USD (national & foreigners)
WhatsApp Number
WHAT IS INCLUDED in Choquequirao Trek
• 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 4-person 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, the 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 the 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 to the one for the personal item allowance.
• Optional upgrades (train and hotel)
• Tips for the cook, horsemen, and guide