Choquequirao & Machu Picchu

Today we will pick you up to begin the adventure of a lifetime. We will travel in our private transportation for four hours from Cusco to Cachora, where we will stop to walk through its picturesque streets. Here we will have lunch and meet the rest of the team that will accompany us along the route: the muleteer and the chef. They will help make the logistics of our trip perfect and comfortable. We will begin our adventure at the Capuliyoc Pass (2,890 m / 9,482 ft).

We will descend for three hours to our campsite at Chiquisca (1,900 m / 6,234 ft), on the way, we will have a great view of the Apurimac Canyon and we will be able to experience the lush microclimate of the valley. Finally, we arrive at Cocamasana, where we will stop for a while to rest, hydrate and enjoy the exquisite natural beauty offered by the impressive Apurimac Canyon, one of the deepest in South America, perhaps we can also appreciate the majestic flight of the condor.

After a break, we will descend on the road until we reach the warm hamlet of Chiquisca, a beautiful place that is characterized by its warm temperature and lush vegetation, especially for its rich plantation of the tropical fruit of the guanabana. We will spend the night in this green place full of natural life.

Every day, after breakfast, you will be given a bag of snacks to snack on during the day. This will help you maintain your energy levels until the next meal. The first part of our hike consists of a descent of almost an hour and a half until we reach the banks of the Apurimac River.

We will arrive at Rosalinas Beach located at the lowest point of the hike (1,500 m / 4,921 ft). There we will have in front of us the pedestrian bridge that we will cross to then start with a six-hour ascent through a narrow path to the top. After three hours, we will arrive at Santa Rosa (2,900 m / 9,514 ft), a small town where you can rest, enjoy a snack and visit a hacienda house where you can taste Cambray, a traditional liquor of the area, a product resulting from the distillation of sugar cane.

After savoring a delicious lunch, we will continue our ascent through a path that winds through the mountain until we reach the community of Marampata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft.). You will undoubtedly be amazed with the first views of the Choquequirao archaeological complex.

Once settled in our campsites, we will visit the village to learn a little more about the history, culture, and customs. We will enjoy the sunset views of the canyon which is truly spectacular. You may also have the opportunity to see the Andean condors flying among the mountains, considered the largest flying bird in the world. Tonight, we will enjoy another delicious dinner at the Marampata camp.

We recommend that you get up early to appreciate the magnificent sunrise from a picturesque spot not far from the camp. It will be the highlight of your trip if you go the extra mile. We have breakfast at 6:00 a.m. and then begin our adventure, hiking for an hour and a half until we finally reach the magnificent citadel of Choquequirao (3,050 m / 10,007 ft.). Your expert guide will tell you everything he knows about this incredible site and you will discover many secrets of the Incas.

Later, we will explore all the important sections that are allowed: palaces, ceremonial temples, fountains where spiritual water ceremonies were performed, the incredible usno (ceremonial platform) and agricultural terraces; in addition, we will descend to explore the section of the terraces where the sun flames are, we will enjoy a picnic lunch that our cook will make us reach. Finally, we will head to the canal sector, from where we will begin our ascent to the next camp.

We will ascend through cloud forests, mountains and valleys to reach the Choquequirao Pass (3,270 m / 10,782 ft). It is a very scenic route. After a few hours of hiking, we will arrive at Pinchaunuyoc which means "water jumping forward" (2,420 m / 7,940 ft). This place is a system of ancient agricultural terraces that will surely fascinate you.

Once at our campsite in Pinchaunuyoc, you will be able to relax surrounded by the beauty of the nearby canyons. We will explore this fascinating place, before enjoying a cup of coffee contemplating the beautiful scenery.

After recharging our energy with another nourishing breakfast, we’ll continue our way down to the bottom of the canyon until we reach the Blanco River. Then, we´ll ascend to where the landscape becomes lush and full of green vegetation. If the sky is clear, we´ll be able to enjoy the beautiful snow-capped mountains that surround us. Otherwise, we will see the clouds falling down the valley below us. In both cases, the view becomes incredibly beautiful, so don't worry too much about the weather.

Later, we´ll continue ascending until we reach the summit. One of our favorite parts of the fourth day is waking up to the rhythmic sounds of the forest and birds. It is a truly fantastic experience that will strengthen your bond with mother nature.

After three and a half hours of pure ascent, we´ll arrive at Maizal (3,000 m / 9,843 ft), a beautiful hamlet in the middle of beautiful valleys. We´ll continue ascending, and this part of the trail is historically significant due to the large presence of Inca trails. We´ll pass by the impressive Inca mines, called Minas Victoria, from which silver used to be extracted. Next, we´ll head towards the San Juan Pass (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). We´ll have lunch while enjoying the views of the snow-capped peaks of Choquetakarpo and Padreyoc. If you were not able to see the condors before this point, you may have the opportunity here, depending on the season.

Finally, we´ll descend to our campsite at Yanama (3,600 m / 11,811 ft), a small settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains. Another delicious dinner and a well-deserved night's sleep awaits you.

Yanama, where you slept last night, is a remote indigenous community that’s nestled in the hills of the Andes. You’ll find that when you start your day this morning, we’re joined by excited local children and serenaded by the sounds of the jungle and a rushing waterfall.

After breakfast, we’ll begin hiking uphill for 5 hours to the highest part of our entire trek, the Yanama Pass (4,650 m / 15,256 ft). As we walk, we’ll be able to observe Andean villagers farming their potatoes in the terraced valley hills. Potatoes are native to this part of the world, and it shows with the many varieties on offer and the diverse ways of cooking them. Here, we’ll have a fantastic view of the Saqsarayoc and Padreyoc mountain ranges.

The morning's climb will bring us into a new environment—depending on the season, and we could be walking through snow at this point of the trek. It’s here that we’ll get the first view of the Salkantay Mountain, one of the ancient Inca gods, also known as an Apu.

Afterward, we’ll descend on a long, foggy path through grassy fields, bushy areas, and crossing bridges on the way to the community of Totora. Along this stretch, we‘ll have a break for lunch and rest to recuperate. Then, we’ll continue for one hour more until we reach our campsite in Collpapampa. In total, we’ll descend for 4 hours. We’ll spend the night in tents, surrounded by this warm and welcoming community and outstanding natural beauty.

You’ll wake up to another tasty breakfast this morning. Today’s trek is mainly downhill, continuing along an original Inca trail. We’ll walk through dark woods and appreciate the depths of the cloud forest—a really fascinating part of the hike.

We’ll walk for around 6 hours today as we head back into the heat of the jungle. We’ll get to see wildlife, such as hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and many species of wild orchids and begonias, which are common in this region.

As you hike along a trail on the left side of the Santa Teresa River, you’ll spot small plantations of bananas, passion fruit, and coffee, which you can taste if you would like. On the way, we’ll also stop at small waterfalls for refreshment. The climate and vegetation are very different here from the other days of our trek. La Playa is the biggest village on the route, and after a rest there, we’ll continue walking for 30 minutes to Lucmabamba, where we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch and settle into our campsite.

Since you’ll have free time this afternoon, we recommend you visit the relaxing thermo-medicinal waters of Cocalmayo that are nearby. It’s the best way to recover after so many days of walking and will help to relax your muscles. This evening, you’ll head back for a filling dinner before heading to bed in your jungle accommodation for the night.

The last day of actual hiking has arrived. We’ll walk 3 hours after breakfast uphill on a section of the original Inca Trail. Along this stretch, you can see the incredible landscape of Santa Teresa valley and some coffee and passion fruit plantations below.

Once we reach the top of that mountain, we’ll find the fabulous Inca site of Llactapata, from where you’ll get to enjoy your first views of the Inca city of Machu Picchu. You’ll also tour the site and learn all about it from your guide.

Afterward, we’ll descend for an hour and a half to our lunch place in Aobamba. Once you’re full and refreshed, we'll continue to Hidroelectrica from where we’ll follow the railway for three more hours to the small town of Aguas Calientes (2,040 m / 6,693 ft). If you’re tired at this point, you can also take the train for this last part.

When you get to the town, you’ll check into a comfortable hotel and have some time to relax. Before dinner, you’ll have the option to visit the thermo-medicinal waters, the reason why the town is known as Aguas Calientes. This is another fantastic chance to rest your tired muscles.

Tonight, we’ll have dinner in a restaurant. Then a night of well-deserved rest awaits you because the next morning, you’ll need to wake up before dawn to go to the incredible archaeological complex of Machu Picchu.

Your excitement for our visit to Machu Picchu will be huge this morning as we awake bright and early in the morning. After a nourishing breakfast at your hotel, we’ll take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu entrance checkpoint which is open from 6:00 am until 17:00 pm.

You´ll arrive when the sun rises and shines its beautiful morning light on the huge rocks. After enjoying the spectacular view, you´ll have time to explore this Wonder of the World while touring the citadel on a guided tour of approximately two hours to some of the important sectors: temples, terraces, palaces, houses, fields, among others. You´ll be impressed by the engineering of the Incas, which was far ahead of its time and to this day remains a mystery.

Then, you can choose to climb Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain (if you have tickets booked in advance). You´ll be able to get an incredible view of the whole site. Don't forget to take good pictures in this sacred place.

Once back in the town, you’ll have time to find a restaurant you want to have lunch in before you have to catch the train at 4:22 pm (subject to availability) to Ollantaytambo. There, our private transport will pick up your group and drop you off at your accommodation in Cusco at around 8:00 pm. Rest your feet and your body now because we can assure you your heart will still be soaring for weeks and years to come with the rhythm of the Andes.