Choquequirao Trek and Machu Picchu

We depart from Cusco at 5 am in our minivan on a 4-hour journey, passing through the provinces of Anta, Limatambo, Cachora, and finally arriving at the Capuliyoc pass, located at the edge of the Apurímac Canyon, where we will enjoy our breakfast. After that, we will meet with the rest of the team (muleteers, horses, etc.). Then, we will begin our 2.5-hour hike to reach Chiquisca (1,800 m a.s.l.), where we will have lunch. Afterwards, we will continue hiking for another hour to reach Playa Rosalina (1,500 m a.s.l.), where we will spend our first night.

Time: Approximately 5 hours of descent.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner.

Minimum altitude: 1500 m a.s.l. Playa Rosalina.

Maximum altitude: 2945 m a.s.l. at Capuliyoc pass.

Distance covered: 12 km from Cachora to Playa Rosalina.

Climate: Temperate, Warm.

In the morning, the river will wake us up, after recharging our energy with a good breakfast. The first part will consist of crossing the bridge over the Apurímac River, which separates the departments of Cusco and Apurímac. Then, we will begin a 5-hour ascent along a winding and narrow path. Halfway, we will make a stop in the small towns of Santa Rosa Baja and Santa Rosa Alta to rest a bit. Afterwards, we will continue our journey until we reach Marampata (2,900 m a.s.l.), where we will have lunch and get our first view of the Choquequirao complex. Then, we will hike for another 2 hours until we reach Choquequirao, where we will camp near the archaeological complex and can enjoy the sunset and the beauty of the condors flying.

Time: Approximately 7 hours of ascent.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Camp: Choquequirao 3100 m a.s.l.

Minimum altitude: 1500 m a.s.l. Playa Rosalina.

Maximum altitude: 3100 m a.s.l. around Choquequirao.

Distance covered: 14 km from Playa Rosalina to Choquequirao.

Climate: Temperate, Warm.

Today we will enjoy a sunrise with fresh air and a hot breakfast. Then, we will begin the guided tour of the main points of interest at Choquequirao. In the morning, we will visit Paqchayoc, the priest’s house, and the cultivation terraces. At noon, our cook will bring us lunch to the main sector and after a short break, we will continue visiting the llama sector, the Inca’s house, and the temples. Then, we will begin the ascent to the Choquequirao pass, from where we will have a privileged view. Afterwards, we will descend to the terraces of Pinchinuyoc (2487 m a.s.l.), where we will spend the night under a clear sky full of stars.

Time: 3 hours of visiting Choquequirao and 2 hours of descent to Pinchinuyoc.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Camp: Pinchinuyoc 2487 m a.s.l.

Minimum altitude: 2487 m a.s.l. Pinchinuyoc.

Maximum altitude: 3150 m a.s.l. Choquequirao Pass.

Distance covered: 6 km from Choquequirao Pass to Pinchinuyoc.

Climate: Temperate, Warm.

After a delicious and restorative breakfast, we will continue descending through the valley until we reach Río Blanco (1990 m a.s.l.), where we will make a stop to cool off and relax our muscles in the river. After our bath, we will cross to the other side of the valley and begin the ascent towards our camp at Maizal (2891 m a.s.l.), where we will spend the night.

Time: 2 hours of descent and 3 hours of ascent.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Camp: Maizal 2891 m a.s.l.

Minimum altitude: 1990 m a.s.l. Río Blanco.

Maximum altitude: 2891 m a.s.l. Maizal.

Distance covered: 16 km from Pinchinuyoc to Maizal.

Climate: Temperate, Warm.

After breakfast, we will begin walking uphill through the humid forest, passing by the Victoria mines before climbing for an hour to the Victoria pass. From there, we will enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcabamba mountain range and its glaciers that exceed 5000 meters in height. Then we will descend to the charming village of Yanama, where we will have lunch and say goodbye to our muleteers. Once in Yanama, we will take local transportation to the Mariano Llamocca pass at 4643 m a.s.l., from where we will have a view of the second highest glacier in Cusco, Salkantay. Then we will descend for approximately 3 hours until reaching Lucmabamba. Along the way, we will enjoy the beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains and waterfalls.

Time: 3 hours of ascent and 2 hours of descent.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Camp: Lucmabamba 1900 m a.s.l.

Minimum altitude: 2891 m a.s.l. Maizal.

Maximum altitude: 3130 m a.s.l. Yanama.

Distance covered: 20 km from Maizal to Lucmabamba.

Climate: Temperate, Cold.

Today is the final stretch of the hike before reaching Aguas Calientes (1900 m a.s.l.). Our main objective is to visit the archaeological site of Llactapata, located on top of a mountain. Following a new and original Inca Trail, we will arrive early at Llactapata and enjoy its fantastic views and we will also be able to see Machu Picchu in the distance. Afterwards, we will begin a 2-hour descent towards the Hidroeléctrica station, where we will have lunch and have two options:

If you are tired, you can take the train to Aguas Calientes ($31, not included).

If you still have energy, you can walk from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes for approximately 3 hours following the railway. This is the same path used by the American professor Hiram Bingham who rediscovered Machu Picchu!

Once in Aguas Calientes, you can rest a bit before dinner or take a walk through this charming place. There are no buses in Aguas Calientes, so it is quiet. At 7:00 pm, we will have dinner at a local restaurant, where our guide will explain more details about the visit to Machu Picchu. In your room, you will have a private bathroom, hot water shower, wifi, breakfast in the morning, and luggage storage while you visit Machu Picchu.

Time: 6 hours of hiking and half an hour by train.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Hotel: Aguas Calientes 1900 m a.s.l.

Minimum altitude: 2050 m a.s.l. Aguas Calientes.

Maximum altitude: 2700 m a.s.l. Llactapata.

Distance covered: 9 km from Lucmabamba to Llactapata / 10 km from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes.

Climate: Temperate, Cold.

This day is probably the most anticipated by everyone: visiting Machu Picchu (2850 m a.s.l.). We have different entry times: 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, or 9 am, depending on the date when the advance payment for the tour and the entrance reservation were made. According to the entry time, we will get up to have breakfast.

To get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, we have two options:

Take the bus ($24 round trip, not included).

Walk, approximately 2 hours.

Once at the entrance to Machu Picchu, our guide will begin the tour of the archaeological area, where we will visit different places such as the Temple of the Sun, the Solar Clock, the Inca’s House, etc.

If you have the entrance to one of the available mountains, such as Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu, our guide will organize everything depending on the start time (first schedule from 7 am to 8 am and second schedule from 10 am to 11 am). You will only have to relax and enjoy the tour.

Once the tour is finished, you can return walking or by bus. However, keep in mind that sometimes there are long lines to board the bus, so it can take more than an hour between 12 pm and 1 pm.

Back in Aguas Calientes, we will board the train until we reach the town of Ollantaytambo, where our vehicle will be waiting for us to take us back to the city of Cusco.

Meal: Breakfast.

Hiking distance from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu: approximately 5 km.

Maximum altitude: 2850 m a.s.l. Machu Picchu.

Minimum altitude: 2050 m a.s.l. Aguas Calientes. Climate: Warm or cold, depending on the season.