Duration: 7 Days/6 Nights
Difficulty: Difficult
Start/End Point: Cusco
Price: From $875 USD
Overview:
Do you want to see the 2 biggest Inca sites in Peru in the same week?
Choquequirao and Machu Picchu are waiting for you! Very few people on Earth have made this epic journey to both of these incredible places. There are no trains or buses to Choquequirao so you have to travel by foot before continuing on to Machu Picchu.
This trek is a one-of-a-kind experience that weaves through spectacular canyons, snow-capped peaks, and sub-tropical rain forest to two of the most incredible sites of ancient Inca culture. Get off the beaten path and join us for this experience of a lifetime.
PRICE
2 Trekkers (Private): $1300 USD per person
3+ Trekkers: $875 USD per person
Only your $200 non-refundable deposit is due to reserve your space! Final payments are due 30 days before your trek.
Includes:
✓ Transportation from end to end
✓ English speaking guide
✓ All meals as listed (can accommodate dietary restrictions with proper notice)
✓ Duffle bags for items to be carried by porters (up to 15lbs/7kilos per person).
✓ Clean water at every meal stop
✓ Accommodation at a 3 star hotel in Aguas Calientes
✓ All entrance fees and permits
✓ Tents – 2 people/tent (single occupancy available for additional charge)
✓ Sleeping Mat
✓ Basic First aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
Does not include:
X Gratuity for staff
X Accommodation in Cusco
X Airfare
X Travel insurance
X Lunch & Dinner Day 7
X Walking sticks (available for rent for $12)
X Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb (can be reserved in advance available for additional fee of $85 per person)
X Sleeping Bag (can be rented for $30)
Full Itinerary
Day 1 – CUSCO – CACHORA – SANTA ROSA
- Our first day starts by picking you up from your hotel at 5:00am and driving for four hours to the village of Cachora, situated on the edge of the Apurimac Canyon and surrounded by impressive snowcapped peaks.
- We will stop in Cachora for breakfast and to purchase any last-minute supplies before continuing by car to Capuliyoc (2915m/9561ft) where we will have our first beautiful views of the Apurimac valley and Choquequirao.
- From here, we will descend steeply into the Apurimac Canyon, taking in the spectacular views as we descend for 4 hours to Chiquisqa (1836m / 6023ft) where we will stop for the first lunch of Andean cuisine.
- After lunch we begin a tough, two-hour climb to the Santa Rosa Campsite where we will have dinner and rest for the night.
- We will start early with a delicious breakfast before starting our three-hour hike along a narrow trail up the mountain to Marampata. We will spend 1 hours at this place-Marampata taking in spectacular views and enjoying our lunch.
- After lunch, we continue to Choquequirao where we will spend the afternoon exploring the ruins until it is time for dinner. We will watch the sunset there and cross our fingers for a chance to see condors.
Walking Distance: 14km/8.7 miles
Elevation: 2200m/7215ft to 3100m/10170ft
Difficulty: Challenging/Difficult
Weather: Hot and humid; cold in the evening
Day 2 – SANTA ROSA- CHOQUEQUIRAO
- We will start early with a delicious breakfast before starting our three-hour hike along a narrow trail up the mountain to Marampata. We will spend 1 hours at this place-Marampata taking in spectacular views and enjoying our lunch.
- After lunch, we continue to Choquequirao where we will spend the afternoon exploring the ruins until it is time for dinner. We will watch the sunset there and cross our fingers for a chance to see condors.
Walking Distance: 14km/8.7 miles
Elevation: 2200m/7215ft to 3100m/10170ft
Difficulty: Challenging/Difficult
Weather: Hot and humid; cold in the evening
Day 3 – CHOQUEQUIRAO – PINCHAYNIYOQ
- Today, we have a chance to explore Choquequirao a little more. After waking up early for breakfast, we will head off on a guided tour of the site during which you will be shown the most important and interesting sections of the city.
- After the tour, we will follow an Inca water canal out of the citadel through the cloud forest and highland prairie with views of the Vilcabamba Range and the sub-tropical valley below. In the afternoon, we will arrive to the recently discovered stone remains covered in moss at Pinchayniyoq, where we will camp for the night.
Walking Distance: 14 km/8.7 miles
Elevation: 2900 m 9514ft
Difficulty: Challenging
Weather: Hot and humid – many mosquitoes
Day 4 – PINCHAYNIYOQ -MAIZAL
- On this day, we will have breakfast at sunrise. Today the trail takes us through dry Andean highland forest then descends into the Rio Blanco valley.
- From the river, we make another steep climb to Maizal, where we will enjoy amazing views of three converging valleys and the great snowy peaks of Salkantay, Padrilloc, and perhaps some condors (Andean king of the birds).
- One of the most beautifulplaces on our trip, we will camp here for the night.
Walking Distance: 13 km/8miles
Elevation: 3,800 m/12467ft)
Difficulty: Hard – many ups and downs
Weather: warm and cold – many mosquitoes
Day 5 – MAIZAL- YANAMA- LUCMABAMBA
- After a good breakfast, we begin with a long climb through the cloud forest to the San Juan pass (4050m/ 13123ft). From here, we can spot remnants of the Victoria mines and a network of well-preserved Inca trails.
- Next we will ascend to the second pass at Choqueqatarpo (4000/13120ft) before descending to the charming Andean village of Yanama. Here we say goodbye to our horsemen and take a van over the Totora pass and down to the small hamlet of Lucmabamba.
Walking Distance: 14km/8.7 miles
Elevation: 4050m/ 13123ft
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging
Weather: Cold (morning). Hot and humid
Day 6 – LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES
- Our final day of hiking takes us ON an ancient Inca Trail to Llactapata, an Inca site that has only recently been excavated. We will also have a truly amazing view of Machu Picchu from the back that few tourists get to see.
- We descend sharply on a zigzagged rail to the Urubamba valley and the hydroelectric center train station. We will have lunch here and then say goodbye to our trekking chef and porters.
- You will have the option to take the train (50 minute ride) or finish your trip on foot (3 hours and 20 minutes of easy walking) to the bustling tourist town of Aguas Calientes. Here we will check into a hotel and meet for our last dinner together.
Walking Distance: 9km/5.6 miles
Elevation: 2000m/6561ft
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging
Weather: Cold (morning). Hot and humid
DAY 7 – MACHU PICCHU- CUSCO
- We recommend waking up early to catch the first bus around 5:30am. After entering Machu Picchu, you will have a two-hour guided tour of the most important sites in the city.
- After the tour, if you purchased a ticket in advance to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will complete those hikes at this time (tickets to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain are NOT included and must be purchased separately and early).
- At the designated time, your guide will meet you down in the village of Aguas Calientes to pick up your duffel bags from the hotel and take you to the train station for your ride back to Ollantaytambo. A private van will take you back to your hotel in Cuscso from the train station.
Walking distance: varied! You can spend as much time as you like exploring Machu Picchu city or taking an additional hike.
Elevation: 2400m/7874ft
Difficulty: Moderate. Machu Picchu city is large and requires many trips up and down stairs to see it all.
Weather: Hot and humid (bring a lot of water and rain gear)
