These 6 days trekking combine Choquequirao & Machu Picchu , Cusco.

For the real trekking lovers! Both  amazing ruins in 1 trek.

Choquequirao to Machu Picchu is the second most important archeological site in Cusco region. It has a connection with the last Inca city of Vilcabamba and with Machu Picchu.

It is in the middle of different Inca roads that traversed all of the Inca Empire. After quite a tough hike, we will see fascinating and remote Choquequirao (“cradle of gold” in Quechua) – awesome in design and also location, perched high on a spur above the Apurimac canyon – the third deepest canyon in Peru.

This is a great place to see condors inhabiting the area. From here we continue our trek into an even more remote territory where we can see villagers who live in the area of Yanama, as well as glaciers, valleys and silver mines.

The highest point of the trek is the Yanama pass at 4800 masl / 15900 feet after which we descent to the subtropical area. We walk along coffee and banana plantations before arriving in Aguas Calientes.

The last day is devoted to exploring the Lost City of the Incas – Machu Picchu. You must join us on this unforgettable and challenging adventure.

Duration: 6 days – 5 nights
Level of difficulty: moderate/ Challenging ( click to see levels)

Day 1: Cusco – Chiquisca – Santa rosa.

We will leave Cusco around 4:00 a.m. Breakfast will be taken in Curahuasi, then we continue the trip. We will arrive at the city of Cachora town around 9.30 am after 4 h drive (2850 mt), situated on the edge of the Apurimac canyon. We will stop in Cachora to purchase any last-minute supplies before continuing by car to just before Capuliyoc (2915 metres/ 9561 feet) We will meet our arrieros (muleteers).

After we will arrange the equipment on the mules or horses. From here we can also observe the majestic Padrayoc snow -covered peaks at 5482 m and Wayn Cachora snow – covered peaks. From here, we descend steeply into the Apurimac Canyon, taking in the spectacular views as we descend for 3 1/2 to 4 hours to Chiquisca (1836m / 6023ft), with breathtaking drops to our side. 1 hour after Chiquisca we arrive at the roaring Apurimac River (1550 metres/ 5084 feet).

We can see the Apurimac Valley, Huayhuacalle (2970 m.a.s.l.), Tinajayoc (2630m.a.s.l.), Mirador (2370m.a.s.l.), Cocamasana (2330m.a.s.l.), Torowisqana (2285m.a.s.l.) & Chiquisqa (1950m.a.s.l.).

We will have lunch in Chiquisca. From the river, we begin to climb to the Santa Rosa Campsite, which is 2095m / 6873ft. This is a tough climb of 2 hours but makes the next day easier! As the campsite is further along than the most popular camp, it is often quiet and you can see the stars at night.

• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: campsite, Santa Rosa   2095 masl
• Climate: warm and sunny
• Distance Traveled: Approximately 16 km
• Hiking time: 8 hour

Day 2: Santa Rosa – Choquequirao.

Departing early again today to get the best out of the day (around 6am) we continue upwards onto Maranpata where we will have a break. The climb from the Santa Rosa to Maranpata (3110 metres/ 10120 feet) takes about 3 hours and is a tough uphill stretch.
A little further on from our break site we will get our first view of the ruins of Choquequirao! From here we have 2 more hours hiking to the ruins.

After the rigors of the past two days, this is a gentle undulating hike. We take our lunch at the Choquequirao campsite (3110 metres/ 10120 feet) nearest to the ruins, before we head to the Choquequirao ruins for the afternoon. Spending the afternoon exploring the ruins, we will watch the sunset and keep our fingers crossed for the chance to see condors.

Only around 30% of the Inca remains of Choquequirao have been excavated. What can be seen today however, is most impressive and very much worth the challenging trek to get here. The stonework in Choquequirao is not as sophisticated as that found in Machu Picchu, because the stone found here is very difficult to carve, but the buildings are impressive and suggest a site of high status. Choquequirao evokes a sense of awe simply because of the sites’ surrounding beauty and isolation and condors can be seen frequently soaring the skies.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: camp site, Choquekiraw 3,050 masl
• Climate: warm and cold at night
• Distance Traveled: Approximately 14km
• Hiking time: 5 hour

Day 3: Choquequirao – Rio Blanco – Maizal

We leave early for the short climb to the pass. Then it is downhill 1400m (4600ft) past the recently discovered ruins of Pincha Unuyoc to the Rio Blanco where you can dip your feet in the cool water. Just beware of the biting sand-flies. Known as “Pumahuacachi” their name means “makes the puma cry”.

Here you will have lunch. Afterwords you climb steeply again, 1,200m (3900ft) to the small and beautifully located campsite of Maizal at an altitude of 3,000m (9840ft). This is probably the toughest day of the trip but if you have prepared well and are determined, you will succeed.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: camp site, Maizal 2100 masl.
• Climate: warm, windy and cold at night
• Distance Traveled: Approximately 18km
• Hiking time: 8 hour

Day 4: Maizal – Yanama 

You leave the camp behind and climb past old silver mines to the highest pass of the trip. Abra San Juan at 4,000m (13123ft) affords spectacular views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba Mountain range.

Then you take a delightful and at times precipitous path down to the charming Andean village of Yanama. Here we are going to take our lunch and here you say goodbye to your muleteers.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: camp site, Yanama 2100 masl.
• Climate: warm and hummed
• Distance Traveled: Approximately 20 km
• Hiking time: 8 hour

Day 5: Yanama – Hidroelettrica (by car) – Aguas Caliente 

After breakfast, we will take a car to the hydroelectric plant. The car will wait for us and will take us to La Playa, the trip will be about 3 ½ hours. Here we will have lunch. Then our private vehicle will take us to the hydroelectric plant.

After about 1 1/2 hours’ drive, we will arrive at the train tracks. Next to the rails there is a nice path to walk on; this path will take us in approximately 2 hours to Aguas Calientes which is located at the foot of Machu Picchu. This section is very interesting because it is the trail that was used by the American Professor Hiram Bingham who rediscovered Machu Picchu after centuries of being lost.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hostel, Aguas Calientes 1650msnm.
• Climate: warm
• Distance Traveled: Approximately 9 km
• Hiking time: 3 hours

Day 6: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Early in the morning, we line up for the bus that takes you to the actual site of the “Lost City of the Incas.” Machu Picchu. It Is about 25 min driving.

Your bilingual guide will take you throughout the vast ruins. Machu Picchu is the best known of the Inca ruins, as it is recognized worldwide, yet it is not mentioned in any of the writings of the Spanish Conquistadors. It is believed to have been constructed around the mid-15th century and was “rediscovered” by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911. The guided tour of this fascinating place is an awe-inspiring experience. Visit the Main parts of Machu Picchu. After the explanation (about 2 hours) in total you can stay 4 h maxima at Machu Picchu.

We are going to visit one of these circuits,

Ministry of Culture has introduced fixed circuits from November 2021, depending on which one is available on the purchase dates. The ticket can only be used once to enter. You will then gain access to one of the circuits below. It’s a one way walk, you can’t turn back.

Circuit 1 Alto Corto     

Circuit 2 Alto Largo

Circuit 3 Bajo Corto

Circuit 4 Bajo Largo

Included in this trek is the standard ticket, without Huayna or Machu Picchu Mountain.

NOTE: Keep in mind that if you want a Huayna Picchu permit you need to book far in advance (limited seats) and in this circuit you will only see a small part of Machu Picchu (only the lower part).

Casa del Guardián (guardian house) can only be visited in circuit with Machu Picchu Mountain permit. The sun gate is only accessible to people on the Inca Trail 2 and 4 days.

After you are done exploring Machu Picchu you can walk down, or take the bus (included in the price) to Aguas Calientes to have lunch (not included).

In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, from where there will be a transfer to Cusco, where you will arrive late evening after an amazing 4 days!

PS: The time and type of train ticket will depend on availability.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Lowest Elevation: 2,387 m / 7,831 ft
• Highest Elevation: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft

Included:

• Transportation .
• Tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent.
• Matress.
• Kitchen tent & dining tent with tables and chairs.
• Entrance fee to Choquequirao and Machu Picchu.
• English speaking professional guide.
• Cook and cooking equipment.
• Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment and 5 kilos of your personal item).
• Meals (4 B, 4 L, 4 D daily tea service except last day) .
• Boiled water to fill up your water bottle .
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Hostel at Aguas Calientes.
• Bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu (one way).
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco

Not included:

• Sleeping bag.
  
• Huayna picchu permits
• Breakfast on the first day and Lunch on the last day after the guided tour at Machupicchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins or choose to have lunch either in Machupicchu or in Aguas Calientes.
• Tips.

What you should bring:

• A backpack.
• Rain poncho.
• Strong footwear.
• Waterproof trekking boots .
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces & Thermal clothing.
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume quickly under cold conditions).
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold.
• Sun block.
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body.
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported.
• Handkerchiefs.
• Toilet paper.

What do we need when you make a reservation?

• Full name as it is written in your passport.* Scanned copy of your passport.
• Departing date for the trail.
• We ask for a 40% deposit, sending to us  via visa or Pay Pall online through this website:+5,5 %  or Wetravel 4,5 % (cost credit cards charge us) The balance you will pay at our office in Cusco before the start of the trek. We accept cash USD or credit card (+5,5%)