Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu in 8 days


DETAILS
Trip style: Archaeological, cultural, trekking, landscape, ecological and camping
Departures Dates: Every day, all year round (please check availability in our groups)
Visited Places: Cachora – Chiquisqa – Choququirao – Maizal – Yanama – Totora – Playa – Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo
Physical Grade: 1 2 3 4 5

A trip that will take you through 8 unforgettable days deep into the empire passing the two most important and incredible cities of the Inca Empire; Choquequirao Peru and Machu Picchu, and amazing mountain views with the best flora and fauna and wildlife Peru can offer.

Availability for Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu in 8 days

Availability The Choqueqiorao trek departs from our travel agency every day all year round. We recommend to go on this trek from April to October, because of the dry season.

Detailed program of the Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu


The adventure to Choquequirao begins early in the morning from Cusco to Cachora (3100 m), which is the last place where you have the opportunity to buy applies and water. You will be picked up from your hotel and be transported to Cachora. On the way we will pass Limatambo which has some very picturesque archaeological sites to visit. From Cachora we begin our hiking towards Chiquisqa (2000 m) for 6-7 hours. Along the road we will pass the two small villages Capuliyoc (2800 m) and Cocamasana, in one of these places we will enjoy our lunch. In Chiquisqa we will settle our camp, eat dinner together and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the forest of Chiquisqa and all its different types of fruits. A good sleep is important so we can be ready for the hike to the imporatant Inca site of Choquequirao the next day.

This is an important day, where you will experience the amazing city of the Incas; Choquequirao, therefore it is important that we start our day in a good way with wake-up-tee and a solid breakfast. From our camp in Chiquisqa the route will take us to Choquequirao (3150 m) in the end of the day. On the hike we will walk downhill for an hour until we reach the bridge of Rosalina. Thereafter the hike takes us uphill for two hours to Santa Rosa Baja, where we will have a little break to collect some energy before we will ascend the mountain for two more hours to Marampata, where we can enjoy the view of the beautiful landscapes of the valley. From there we hike for 1.5 hours to the archaeological site of Choquequirao. At Choquequirao we will enjoy our lunch, set up our camp and eat dinner together. In the night we can experience the mystical atmosphere of Choquequirao where the gods of the Incas once ruled and their spirits still floats around.

Early in the morning we can see the sun rise over the ruins and throw a wonderful light over the site. After the breakfast we will visit the magnificent ruins of Choquequirao with its mystical atmosphere, its incredible surroundings and the unique llama-walls which were recently discovered in 2006. With some luck we can also spot the amazing condor. From Choquequirao we will begin our journey to the magnificent Inca city Machu Picchu. The journey to Machu Picchu begins with a hike uphill for 1.5 hours until we reach the mountain peak, where we can get a wonderful overview of the beautiful landscape this area has to offer. From there we will descend for 4 hours until we hit Rio Blanco, on the way down we will pass the archaeological site of Pinchaunuyoc, which will give us a fantastic view of how the Incas built terraces, which got used for agriculture, in a large area on the steep mountain slopes. Once we are down at Rio Blanco we will enjoy a nice lunch before we begin another 4-hour-hike uphill. In the end of the hike we will arrive to the home of Maizal (3000 m).

Early in the morning the guides will wake you up with the traditional wake-up-tee and breakfast, so we can get ready for the long hike. First we will ascend for 4 hours until we reach the mountain peak, where we will eat a nice lunch and enjoy the view of the green mountains. From there we will descend for 6 hours until we reach the village of Yanama, where we will eat a delicious dinner and get settled for the night.

The day begins with a solid breakfast and a hike uphill for 5 hours from our camp at Yanama. After 5 hours of hiking we will reach the mountain peak of Abra Yanama (4620), where we will enjoy a nice lunch on the top of the mountain, very close to the clouds. From the mountain peak we descend for 3 hours through beautiful landscape and flora and fauna, until we reach the community of Totora, where we can experience how the native lives and interfere with each other in the daily life. Here we will have a dinner together and set up our camp.

After wake-up-tee and breakfast, we will leave the community of Totora and hike for 6 hours to the village of Playa. The first hour of the hike is flat and the rest goes downhill. Along the road we will find a nice place to sit and enjoy our lunch and the surroundings together. When we arrive to Playa we will set up our camp and have a dinner.

Today we will arrive to the village of Machu Picchu after many hours of hiking. After the breakfast in our camp we will descend for 2 hours down to the village of Lucma Bamba. From there we will ascend for 3 hours up to the archaeological site of Llactapacta, where you can enjoy the view of the ruins and terraces of the Incas. Here we will have a lunch before we get back on the track towards the village of Machu Picchu. After the lunch we hike downhill for 2 hours until we get Hidroelectrica. From Hidroelectrica there is a beautiful 3 hour hike to Aguas Calientes, where you will have perfect opportunities to take fantastic photos from you camera; this is one of the most picturesque routes on the trek, or you can take the train for 40 min. and it will cost an extra 26 $. In Aguas Calientes we will get comfortable into our hotel and have dinner, so we can get ready for the big day, where we will experience "the lost city of the Incas".

On the final day our journey will culminate, because we will experience one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu. Therefore we will get up at 4.00 in the morning and get up to Machu Picchu early, so we have all day to enjoy the view of the city. We will hike for 1.5 hours from Aguas Calientes to the magnificent Machu Picchu. Once we arrive the guide will give us a tour through "the lost city of the Incas" and all its temples, offering places and sacred sites for 2 hours. Thereafter you will have some free time to explore this amazing city by yourselves and walk around in the labyrinth of ruins. After the unforgettable visit, a bus will take you down to Aguas Calientes, where you have to take the train to Ollantaytambo, which departs at 6.35; the trip will take 1 hour and 40 min. In Ollantaytambo a bus will be waiting for you to take you back to Cusco; the bus trip will take 1 hour and 40 min. In Cusco at the Plaza de Armas we say goodbye to each other and our adventure ends.


  • Briefing for trek one or two days beforehand
  • Transfers In / Out
  • Transportation from Cusco to Cachora where we start walking
  • Professional bilingual tour guide
  • Assistant tour guide (for groups of 9 or more people)
  • Entrance fee to Choquequirao
  • Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
  • 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Professional cook. All dietary requirements from vegans, lacto-allergies and general dislikes can be catered for so long as prior warning is given when booking the trip.
  • Drinking water only during meals
  • Dining tent with tables and chairs
  • First aid kit
  • 1 oxygen tank
  • Horses (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
  • Duffle bag (in which you can put up to 5 kilos of your personal belongings - your sleeping bag included)
  • Quadruple and waterproof camping tent (cap. 4 fitting 2)
  • 1 sleeping mattress per person
  • Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
  • Expedition Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (see note about train availability, changes in times, etc.)
  • Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
  • Breakfast on 1st day, lunch and dinner on last day
  • Water for your water bottles. You can buy water along the way or bring water purification tablets
  • Activities and items not included in the itinerary
  • Sleeping bag
  • Entrance fees for Thermal Baths in Aguas Calientes ($4)
  • Tips are not included but are optional
  • Walking sticks/trekking poles (rental: $30)
  • Extra horse ($160)
  • Sleeping bag ($40)
  • Personal tent (rental $50 for trek)
  • Extra money to buy snacks, water, tips, etc.
  • Upgrade in class from Expedition Train service to Vistadome (panoramic) Train service (upgrade $50)
  • Huayna Picchu entrance ticket ($35 per person). Make sure to book early since there are limited spaces available and they can sell out quickly!
  • Entrance fee for hot springs in Aguas Calientes ($4)
  • We can also provide great prices on hotels for all of Peru (Standard to Luxury)!
  • Itinerary and campsites may change according to the climate and health status of the trekkers.
  • Train times for the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo may change according to the train company's availability and will be confirmed close to the time of the trek. If someone books later than most of the group, we may not be able to provide the same train as the rest of the group.
  • Change to earlier/later train time at time of booking (price depending on train availability).
  • Tips/gratuities not included but are optional according to the services rendered.
  • Don't forget to bring your passport and ISIC (if applicable).
  • To qualify as a student, it is necessary to have a valid ISIC (International Student Identity Card) card. Scan the card and email us the copy at the time of your booking for a $20 discount per student!
  • For children younger than 17, we offer a $20 discount. Just scan and email a copy of the passports at the time of your booking.

  • Original passport (and International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
  • Sleeping bag (not included but can be hired from us in our office)
  • Walking boots
  • Waterproof jacket/rain jacket
  • Warm jacket, hat and gloves
  • T-shirts
  • Comfortable trousers
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun block (factor 50 is recommended)
  • Re-usable plastic/metal water container or camel bags
  • Water for the first day, but on the other days it is possible to buy bottles of water from local families
  • Insect Repellent
  • Toiletries
  • Personal medication
  • Camera and films
  • Torch with spare batteries (headlamps are useful)
  • Shorts
  • Walking stick (with rubber tip)
  • Plasters and bandages
  • Sandals
  • Bathing suit for the hot springs
  • Extra money for personal expensive, tips and entrance fees for hot springs (entrance fee for the hot spring is: 4 US $ / 10 Soles), (recommended 300 Peruvian nuevos soles for extra money)

Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Chiquisqa

  • Meals: L – D
  • Accommodation: Tents
  • Maximum altitude: 3400 m/11150 ft.
  • Minimum altitude: 2000 m/6560 ft.
  • Distance travelled: 19km
  • Approximate walking Time: 6-7 hours

Day 2: Chiquisqa – Choququirao

  • Meals: B - L – D
  • Accomodation: Tents
  • Maximum altitude: 3150 m/10170 ft.
  • Minimum altitude: 2000 m/6560 ft.
  • Distance travelled: 12.5 km
  • Approximate walking Time: 6-7 hours

Day 3: Choququirao – Maizal

  • Meals: B - L – D
  • Accomodation: Tents
  • Maximum altitude: 3150 m/10170 ft.
  • Minimum altitude: 1900 m/ 6230 ft.
  • Distance travelled: 15 km
  • Approximate walking Time: 9 hours

Day 4: Maizal – Yanama

  • Meals: B - L – D
  • Accomodation: Tents
  • Maximum altitude: 4300 m/ 14100 ft.
  • Minimum altitude: 3500 m/ 11480 ft.
  • Distance travelled: 13 km
  • Approximate walking Time: 10 hours

Day 5: Yanama – Totoro

  • Meals: B - L – D
  • Accomodation: Tents
  • Maximum altitude: 4620 m/ 15150 ft.
  • Minimum altitude: 3400 m/ 11150 ft.
  • Distance travelled: 12KM
  • Approximate walking Time: 8 hours

Day 6: Totora – Playa

  • Meals: B - L – D
  • Accomodation: Tents
  • Maximum altitude: 3400 m/ 11150 ft.
  • Minimum altitude: 2135 m/ 7000 ft.
  • Distance travelled: 15KM
  • Approximate walking Time: 6 hours

Day 7: Playa – Aguas Calientes

  • Meals: B - L – D
  • Accomodation: hotel
  • Maximum altitude: 2590 m/ 8500 ft.
  • Minimum altitude: 1870 m/ 6130 ft.
  • Distance travelled: 16KM
  • Approximate walking Time: 10 hours

Day 8: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

  • Meals: B - L Machupicchu (2430) – Cusco (3400)
  • Accomodation: hotel
  • Maximum altitude: 3400 m/ 11150 ft.
  • Minimum altitude: 2430 m/ 7970 ft.
  • Distance travelled: 7 km
  • Approximate walking Time: 1.5 hours
  • Due to the altitude we recommend a period of at least 2 days for acclimatization in Cusco at 3350m/9840ft.
  • We also recommend that you walk/trek at home before trying on the Inca Trail.(We advise you to practice walking longer distances)

With the explosion of the Internet, calling to our office is no longer necessary--in fact, it may cost you. No matter how you decide to reserve your Machupicchu ticket, we are tour Operator and we are the directly why to reserve your Inca Trail trek or Machupicchu tour.

Inca Trail Trek reservation Instructions

1.- Identify the specific tour you want. No matter which method you choose to reserve or book your tour, the process will go faster if you know the exact Tour information.

2.- Once you've found a Inca Trail or tour at the time and price you want, Enter your departure and personal information "simililar to the following information".

  • Tour
  • Departure date
  • Full name same as in your passport
  • Nationality
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  • Meals remarks
  • Medical conditions

3.- Try to provide the necessary information to make reservations and pay the indicated amount: DOWN PAYMENT/DEPOSIT OR TOTAL PAYMENT.


Payment Methods

Option 1:
You can make the deposit through our online payment system.

Visa

To pay by this option, just click the following link:

www.iteptravel.com/payments/visa.php

Option 2:
Paypal

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Tour:

Number Pax and deposit:

Paypal

Option 3:
Money gram or Western Union money transfer.

western union

Destiny: Cusco - Perú
William Escalante Taype
ID: 42752119
Cellphone: +51-084-253617

Option 4:
Bank transfer.

bcp

Bank name: BANCO DEL CREDITO DEL PERU
Bank code: BCPLPEPL
Swift code: BCPLPEPL
Name: Inka Trail Expeditions Peru
Trade number:: 20528015752
Account number: (13 digits) US$: 285-2164353-1-47
Interbank code: BCPLPEPL
Adress: San Agustin Street 317
City: Cusco - Perú


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