Choquequirao Trek 7 Days*

Choquequirao Trek Itinerary

DAY 1: CUSCO – CAPULIYOC – CHIKISKA – PLAYA ROSALINAS

We leave Cusco at 5am in a private van for a 4-hour drive to Capuliyoc, situated on the edge of the Apurimac Canyon and surrounded by impressive snowcapped peaks. Then we hike down for 2 hours until we arrive at Chikiska where we have lunch. Afterwards we continue our hike for 1 more hour to Playa Rosalinas (1550 meters/5084 feet), where we will spend the night.

Meals: Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping facilities with an air mattress and 4 season roomy tents
Distance: 12kms/7.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 2: PLAYA ROSALINAS – MARANPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO

Departing early, we ascend to Santa Rosa and to Maranpata where we will have lunch. The climb from the river takes about 4 hours and is tough. From our lunch spot, we can see the remains of Choquequirao. Then we have 2 more hours to hike to reach the Choquequirao Archeological site (3110 meters/10120 feet). We spend the evening there and get to watch the sunset and some condors flying.

Meals: Breakfast, boiled water for drinking, snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping facilities with air mattresses and 4 season roomy tents
Distance: 13kms/8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge

DAY 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO – PINCHINUYOC

After breakfast, it is possible to explore more of the archeological site of Choquequirao, and have a little rest before lunch. In the afternoon, we will climb over a ridge and hike to the remains of Pinchiunuyoc where we will camp for the night (2 hours of hiking down). This is definitely the easiest day of the trip

Meals: Breakfast, Boiled water for drinking, Snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping facilities with an air mattress and 4 season roomy tents
Distance: 10kms/6.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 4: PINCHINUYOC – RIO BLANCO – MAIZAL

After a delicious breakfast, we hike downhill for 2 hours and arrive at the canyon of the Rio Blanco (1990 meters/6527 feet), where we have a rest before starting a difficult climb to our campsite of Maizal. The climb is 3- 4 hours long.

Meals: Breakfast, Boiled water for drinking, Snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping facilities with an air mattress and 4 season roomy tents
Distance: 10kms/6.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge

DAY 5: MAIZAL – YANAMA – TOTORA – LUCMABAMBA

We leave at 7am, and walk uphill for about 3 hours through a semi-jungle towards the Victoria Mines. We visit them as well as some Inca Ruins before climbing 1 hour more to the pass of Victoria (4130mt/13,546 ft). There are spectacular views from the pass as we descend to the charming village of Yanama (about 2 hours walk) following a section with some well-constructed Inca steps.

Once we get to Yanama, we take the local transport all the way to Lucmabamba. Along the way, we get to enjoy the gorgeous views of snow-capped mountains and waterfalls.

Meals: Breakfast, Boiled water for drinking, Snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping facilities with inflatable mattress´s and 4 season roomy tents
Distance: 12kms/7.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge

DAY 6: LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA – AGUAS CALIENTES

On this day, we walk for 3 hours by the original Inca Trail and through the cloud forest to the Puncuyoc pass then onto Llactapata Inca remains, an Inca site (2,700m/8,907ft), which is located straight in front of the Citadel of Machu Picchu.

Once there, we enjoy the unique perspective of Machu Picchu from far away. Then we hike downhill for 2 hours to the hydroelectric plant where we have lunch. We continue to walk to Aguas Calientes through the National Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, enjoying the surroundings of the iconic Machu Picchu and the wall, which surrounds the Inca Citadel.

Meals: Breakfast, Boiled water for drinking, Snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
Accommodation: Wiracocha Inn Hotel or Andean Terra Hotel
Distance: 18kms/11.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge

DAY 7: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

We will have breakfast at 5am and take the first bus to Machu Picchu, just in time for sunrise. It will take half an hour to reach the Machu Picchu archeological site, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site: an unforgettable experience you will never forget. Your guide will expertly direct you through the astounding vestiges and its main streets. After the guided tour, you will have some free time to wander around the town squares as well as to do some of the following activities on your own:

Climb up Huayna Picchu and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there Climb Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there Walk to the Sun Gate or Inti Punku Visit the new local museum or the hot springs in Aguas Calientes later in the day.  Then you will descend to Aguas Calientes, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and at 4:22pm, you will board the Expedition train for the return trip to Cusco, stopping at the Ollantaytambo station and taking our private van back to Cusco and your hotel, arriving at about 8pm.

Meal: Breakfast