Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek 8 Days

Visit the lost ancient cities of both Choquequirao and Machu Picchu on one epic adventure. Trek along an Inca trail for 5 days, explore ruins along the way and camp out underneath the stars suspended high on tetering mountains while cloud forest mist forms around you. This is the real deal, back country Chaski territory. We'll use mules, cook over fire and explore this lesser-known area where tourism is limited to those who dare to venture. We'll traverse 2 rivers, 2 mountain ranges and climb switchbacks from the pueblo of Cachora to Yanama, then transfer to Santa Teresa by car followed by a 2 hr walk to Machu Picchu.


Duration
Difficulty
Trekking Distance
Total Distance
Min Elev.
Max Elev.
Max Elev. Chg
Type
To Do

7 Days 6 Nights
3.5 of 5
36km/22.4mi
99km/61.5mi
1400m/4593ft
4108m/13480ft
1600m/5249ft
Camping/Hotel
Hiking Rivers Ruins

Overview

Day 1    Cusco - Cachora - Capuliyoc Mirador
From Cusco we take a car 5 hrs through Cachora and to a glass sided bungalow with a view situated on the edge of a cliff at the Capuliyoc Mirador (2,957m/9,700ft).

Day 2    Chiquiska - Santa Rosa
From the Mirador we walk down 4 hrs to the Apurimac River and Playa Rosalina for lunch then hike up 2 hrs to Santa Rosa Baja (1,966m/6,450ft).

Day 3    Marampata - Choquequirao
Difficult hike up to Marampata (2,850m/9,350ft) then to Choquequirao ruins and Campsite (3,000m/10,006ft).

Day 4    Choquequirao Ruins - Pinchayunuyoc Ruins
We head up from Choquequirao and over a pass then down switchbacks to our next campsite at the Pinchaunuyoc Ruins overlooking the Yanama, Blanco and Apurimac rivers (2,426m/7,960ft).

Day 5    Pinchayunuyoc - Rio Blanco - Maizal
We continue downhill to the river then up again until we reach Maizal (3032m/9946ft).

Day 6    Maizal - Yanama Pass - Yanama
We climb until we reach the Yanama Pass at 4108m/13480ft then down to Yanama and our last campsite.

Day 7    Yanama - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
We take a beautiful van ride over the Totora Pass and down through jungle to Santa Teresa and Hidroelectrica followed by a 2 hr walk to Aguas Calientes and our hotel.

Day 8    Machu Picchu - Train to Ollantaytambo - Cusco
This morning we take a bus up to Machu Picchu for a 2 hr guided tour followed by 2 hrs of free time. Afterwards we return to Aguas Calientes to catch a train to Ollantaytambo then transfer to Cusco arriving at night.

Couple at Machu Picchu

Deliberate framing of Huayna Picchu

Related Trek | Choquequirao Trek 4D | Choquequirao | Machu Picchu

Itinerary

Day 1    Cusco - Cachora - Capuliyoc Mirador
At 6 am we leave Cusco on a double decker tour bus and arrive at Ramal de Cachora where we take a car through the town of Cachora and to the Capuliyoc Mirador arriving in the early afternoon. We have the rest of the day to enjoy scenic views of the snow-capped Padreyoc mountain and surrounding canyons from our glass sided bungalow. Night in bungalow.

6 hrs

Bus / Car Ride
Enjoy views of the Andean countryside and upper Apurimac River

Bungalow

Accommodation
* Depends on availability

Meals LD

Optional

Begin Hiking Today
Begin a half day hike and either camp or hostal stay in Chiquiska.

Day 2    Chiquiska - Santa Rosa
At 7 am we begin our hike. Our mulateer will arrange our equipment and personal belongings on mules so we can enjoy the sites without the added weight. Today we will again see the majestic Padreyoc mountain as well as Corihuayrachina's glacier. The hike on this first day is 11km/7mi. On the way we can also see the Wayna Cachora snowfields, the Capuliyoc mirador lookout point and a beautiful mountainous descent towards the Apurimac river reaching the abandoned "Playa Rosalina" campsite (1550m/5085ft) for lunch before a difficult 2 hr ascent up to the Santa Rosa Baja campsite (1,966m/6,450ft).

6 hrs

Full Day's Trek
Trek down then up switchbacks from Capuliyoc to our campsite above the Apurimac River.

Tent - Catered

Santa Rosa Baja Campsite
Tents and Camping Equipment Provided

Meals BLD

Optional

Extra Mule
Rent an extra mule if considering riding more than walking. Note that mules cannot carry riders going down steep inclines.

Day 2    Marampata - Choquequirao
Early morning at 5 am we continue our hike up to the pueblo of Marampata followed by Choquequirao. After arriving to Choquequirao in the early afternoon we will have time to visit the Agricultural Sector and House of the Waterfall which is 20 mins down from our campsite. There we can learn about Inca construction and terracing techniques which utilized adjacent canals along steps and pathways for year round irrigation. In the late afternoon we'll return to our campsite inside Choquequirao park.

6 hrs+

Full Day's Trek
Today's hike is somewhat difficult but very rewarding with incredible views of neighboring canyons and ruins and waterfalls from a distance.

3 hrs

Guided Tour of Choquequirao
2 hr guided tour of Choquequirao's Agricultural Sector

Tent - Catered

Choquequirao Campsite
Tents and Camping Equipment Provided

Meals BLD

Day 4    Choquequirao Ruins - Pinchaunuyoc Ruins
This morning after a hearty breakfast we'll explore more of Choquequirao's ruins. We'll learn about the significance of the Inca's construction of double niches and niches for both sacred objects and mummified ancestors. From the campsite we'll go up to visit the Llama Sector on the west side followed by the Main Plaza, Ancestral Structure, Inca King's House, House of the Brothers (mummy room) and Hanan. After we make our way to the highest point we'll continue up further following a small unknown overgrown trail until we reach the Choquequirao Pass (3,300m/10,827ft) then down to a lookout point with a breathtaking view of the Vilcabamba mountains and Yanama and Apurimac river confluence. We'll continue down switchbacks for another 2 hrs through chaparral sage brush areas until finally arriving at the ruined terraces of Pinchaunuyoc (2,426m/7,960ft) where we will have dinner and make our campsite for the night on one of the many terraces.

3 hrs

Guided Tour of Choquequirao
3 hr guided tour of Choquequirao's Llama Sector, Main Plaza and upper sectors

5 hrs

Full Day's Trek
Mostly downhill trek with panoramic views of the Vilcabamba mountains and Apurimac and Yanama rivers.

Tent - Catered

Pinchaunuyoc Ruins Campsite
Tents and Camping Equipment Provided

Meals BLD

Day 5    Pinchaunuyoc - Rio Blanco - Maizal
Leaving Pinchaunuyoc we'll descend to 1869m/6134ft and to the Rio Blanco, "White River" named for the continual whitewater breaking over boulders. We can cool off in pristine clean water and rest a while before beginning another uphill hike. This day is very similar to our first day descending to the Apurimac then up to Santa Rosa Baja. We'll soon find ourselves in the Bosque Relicto "Relic Forest" which means an endemic species can be found there. Here it's possible to find wild fruits such as tomatillos and bean pods as well as vibrant butterflies and even Walking stick (Phasmids) insects. Long sleeves work best here for both flying insects and overhanging sage. Soon we pass through this ecological niche and find ourselves again heading for the clouds until we reach Maizal at 3032m/9946ft where we find a fork in the path and can either go left to a more touristic campsite or right to either Romulo or Zacharias' house to camp on one of the terraces. The view here tonight from your tent is surreal and it feels like sleeping in the clouds when the mist moves in and becomes lit by the moon "Mama Quilla".

5 hrs

Full Day's Trek
Today we trek down to the river then up again on unmaintained but established trails.

Tent - Catered

Maizal Campsite
Tents and Camping Equipment Provided

Meals BLD

Day 6    Maizal - Yanama Pass - Yanama
This morning after breakfast we'll again head upwards through cloud forest finding a few blast mines along the way called the Victoria Mines. We'll reach the pass at 4,108 m/13,480ft around lunch time where we can relax and take in the panorama. Then we'll begin a 2 hr descent to Yanama 3,547m/11,638ft again passing by mines cut straight into the mountain. The views here are more crisp at this higher "Altiplano" elevation. We leave behind the humid jungle setting and prepare for a colder night near a campfire. Tonight marks the end of our difficult portion of the trek. Tonight we can celebrate with a soda or beer from the nearby tienda. Night camping with full/basic facilities.

5 hrs

Full Day's Trek
Today we trek up to the Yanama Pass (4108m/13480ft) then down again to the Yanama pueblo.

Tent - Catered

Yanama Campsite
Tent camping and celebration of your accomplishment.

Meals BLD

Optional

Feast
Celebratory sheep or pig dinner.

Day 7    Yanama - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
Today we begin with a passenger van ride through altiplano backcountry ~4 hrs. We'll first head up he valley to the Totora Pass where we may have to do some light maintenance where the river intersects with the road. This is a nice break from the duration and gives us a chance to snap photos of the surrounding landscape. After crossing the pass by car we head down towards Totora where it becomes greener and warmer. We continue by car through Colcalpampa (Salkantay Trek intersection) and down into jungle, watching the Santa Teresa River wind it's way along the road. Finally we reach Santa Teresa around 11 am and take a transfer with our backpacks to the Hydroelectric station "Hidroelectrica". After a short 10 min ride we begin a 2 hr walk along flat ground a follow the tracks until we reach Aguas Calientes early afternoon. Soon we're checked in to our hotel, cleaned up and ready to explore this very touristic town. Night in Hotel.

4 hrs

Bus to Hidroelectrica
See more of the countryside from Yanama up through the Totora Pass (4500m/14763ft) then down to Totora and Santa Teresa.

Hotel

Accommodation
Hotel in Aguas Calientes (Panorama BNB or Similar)

Meals BLD

Optional

Additional Day's Trek
Continue your journey on foot through the Totora Pass (4500m/14763ft) to the pueblo and campsite of Totora.

Day 8    Machu Picchu - Train to Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Today we visit Machu Picchu. We'll begin by bus until we reach he entrance. After we meet up with our guide we'll tour these ruins for 2 hrs followed by 2 hrs Free Time to explore or take photos. Around noon we'll descend again to Aguas Calientes where we are on our own for lunch until our train departure time. We'll also have Free Time to see Aguas Calientes before we embark on a 1.5 hr train ride through the Peruvian jungle and along the Urubamba "Vilcanota" river. After reaching Ollantaytambo your bus transfer will be waiting at the station ready to take you back to Cusco arriving at night.

3 hrs

Guided tour of Machu Picchu
1.5 hr guided tour of Machu Picchu followed by 1.5 hrs free time

1.5 hrs

Train Ride
Experience an uphill train ride through Peruvian jungle along the Urubamba river.

Meals B (Boxed Lunch)

Optional

Bus Tickets up to Machu Picchu
If feeling tired from the trek, choose the bus to Machu Picchu instead of the 1.5 - 2 hr hike up.

Train Upgrade
Ride the Vistadome or Hiram Bingham train

Huayna Picchu
Climb to a unique and picturesque viewpoint above Machu Picchu * Book 3 months in advance!

Montaña
Get a unique view of Machu Picchu from a neighboring mountain which offers the best possible photo opportunity of Machu Picchu.

Group Size Price/Person Group Type Extras
2 $1200 Private --
3 $1100 Private --
4 $980 Private --
5 $980 Private --
6 $980 Private --
7 $980 Private --
8 $900 Private --
9 $850 Private --
10 $850 Private --
11 $850 Private --
12 $850 Private --

Included Not Included
* Pickup from your Hotel and transfer to Cachora
* Entrance Tickets to Choquequirao
* Entrance Tickets to Machu Picchu
* Chef and Cooking Equipment
* Meals - 7B / 7L / 7D
* Vegetarian Food (Optional)
* All Camping Equipment
* First Aid Kit and Oxygen Bottle
* Bilingual Professional Guide
* Hotel in Aguas Calientes (Panorama BNB or Similar)
* Train Ticket Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
* Transfer Ollantaytambo - Cusco
* Sleeping Bag
* First Day's Breakfast
* Last Day's Lunch or Dinner
* Bus Tickets up to Machu Picchu

To Bring Optional
* Original Passport
* Sleeping Bag
* A Backpack with a Change of Clothes
* Raincoat or Poncho
* Trekking or Sport Shoes
* Warm Clothes, Jacket/Sweaters
* Flashlight and Batteries
* Camera, Film and Extra Batteries
* Hat or Cap and Sunblock
* Insect Repellent
* Toilet Paper
* Snacks
* Water Bottle
* Swimsuit (Hot Springs)
* Cash in Soles and US$
* Binoculars