Choquequirao Trek and Machu Picchu

Day 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – CAPULIYOC – CHIKISKA – PLAYA ROSALINA

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 reaching the Capuliyoc pass, located on the edge of the Apurimac Canyon, where we will enjoy our breakfast. After that, we will meet with the rest of the team (muleteers, horses, etc.). Then, we will start our 2 and a half hour hike to Chiquisca (1,800 m.a.s.l.), where we will have lunch. Afterward, we will continue walking for 1 more hour until we reach Playa Rosalina (1,500 m.a.s.l), where we will spend our first night.

Duration: 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 the Capuliyoc pass.

Distance covered: 12 km from Cachora to Playa Rosalina.

Climate: Mild, Warm.

Day 2: PLAYA ROSALINA – MARAMPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO

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 Apurimac River, which separates the departments of Cusco and Apurimac. Then, we will begin a 5-hour ascent on a winding and narrow path. Halfway, we will stop at the small villages of Santa Rosa Baja and Santa Rosa Alta to rest for a while. After that, 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 walk for 2 more hours until we reach Choquequirao, where we will camp near the archaeological complex and be able to enjoy the sunset and the beauty of the condors flying.

Duration: 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: Mild, Warm.

Day 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO – PINCHINUYOC

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

Duration: 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: Mild, Warm.

Day 4: PINCHINUYOC – RÍO BLANCO – MAIZAL

After a delicious and restorative breakfast, we will continue descending through the valley until we reach the 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 start ascending towards our campsite in Maizal (2891 m.a.s.l.), where we will spend the night.

Duration: 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: Mild, Warm.

Day 5: MAIZAL – YANAMA – TOTORA – LUCMABAMBA

After breakfast, we will start walking uphill through the humid forest, passing by the Victoria mines before ascending 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 town 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 we reach Lucmabamba. Along the way, we will enjoy beautiful views of the snowy mountains and waterfalls.

Duration: 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: Mild, Cold.

Day 6: SANTA TERESA – LLACTAPATA – AGUAS CALIENTES

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, as well as a distant view of Machu Picchu. After that, we will start a 2-hour descent to 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 dollars, not included).

If you still have energy, you can walk from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes for approximately 3 hours following the railroad. 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 stroll around this charming place. There are no buses in Aguas Calientes, so it is peaceful. 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 visiting Machu Picchu.

Duration: 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: Mild, Cold.

Day 7: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU

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

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

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

Walk, approximately 2 hours.

Once at the entrance of Machu Picchu, our guide will start the tour of the archaeological site, where we will visit different places such as the Temple of the Sun, the Sun Dial, the House of the Inca, etc.

If you have a ticket to one of the available mountains, such as Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, 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 just have to relax and enjoy the tour.

Once the tour is finished, you can return by walking or by bus. However, keep in mind that there are sometimes 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 to take us back to the city of Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast.

Walking 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.