Imagine a way of life where community was given a lot of importance and where there was a deep love and respect for Mother Nature or (Pachamama). You will feel the incredible connection between humans and nature on this epic trail.
On this hike, you will pass through different landscapes and see some of the most impressive views you can imagine. Immerse yourself in snowy mountain communities and lush jungle teeming with wildlife and unique flora.
If that doesn’t sound spectacular on its own, you’ll also get to experience wandering the stony streets of Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 7 days. In the first part of the adventure, you will be away from the crowds and explore in awe the last resting place of the Incas, which is still unraveling the mysteries as we discover more about the site. In the second part, you will join other hikers on a route to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu.
We start our Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu with an early departure from Cusco.
Our exciting adventure begins today! We will pick you up from your accommodation around 4:30 am. and we will go to Capuliyoc (2970 m / 9744 ft), in a trip of 5 hours. You will have a delicious breakfast that will give you the energy to start the epic trek and meet the rest of the team, who will be with us throughout our trek. You will meet the chef and the horseman.
We will go over the last details before we start walking for the day. The first leg is 3 hours on a path, downhill to our lunch spot in Chiquisca (1950 m/6397 ft), a nice little place with lots of fruit fields. Along the way, you will be able to enjoy amazing views of the Apurimac Valley and see Padreyoc and Qoriwayrachina, two huge glaciers.
From the Apurímac River (1,520 m / 4,986 ft), we begin to climb to Camp Santa Rosa (2,095 m / 6,873 ft). This is a tough 2 hour climb, but it makes the next day easier! As the camp is more advanced than the more popular camp, it is often quiet and you can enjoy the place.
Today we leave early again to make the most of the day! A great breakfast will be ready and waiting for you today to give you the boost you need to get going. We will start walking at 5:30 am. and we will climb a zig-zag path for 3 hours to a place called Marampata (2900 m / 9514 ft). Here, you’ll enjoy the most spectacular views and take great pictures to remember your journey through the snow-capped mountains and canyon below. Then we will continue walking for an hour and a half to reach our camp in Choquequirao. From this point, we will get our first view of the Choquequirao ruins. Here will be our lunch
Only about 30% of the Inca remains at Choquequirao have been excavated. However, what can be seen today is more impressive and worth the challenging journey to get there. The stonework at Choquequirao is not as sophisticated as that found at Machu Picchu, because the stone found here is very difficult to carve, but the buildings are impressive and suggest a high-status site.
This afternoon, you will have plenty of time to enjoy the new scenery and feel the energy that this ancient site gives off. You will have the opportunity to stretch your muscles and explore the complex with your guide to learn more about the place.
Tonight you will have a fantastic opportunity to see the brilliant sunset behind Choquequirao and the surrounding mountains. It will cast an orange glow on the giant rocks and fill you with peace.
Once it gets dark, we’ll head back to camp for a delicious dinner to fill your hungry stomach and replenish your energy. Then you will go to your tent for another night of well-deserved rest, to continue our Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu the next day.
We recommend that you try to get up as early as possible today to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunrises you can imagine. The sun’s rays will fill every crack in this place with color and life, ready for another day. Take a moment to thank Mother Nature for all the amazing things she has given us. It is the ideal way to say goodbye to Choquequirao.
After a nutritious breakfast, we will start walking this part of the Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu, uphill towards the cloud forest, a fascinating and unique area.
Next, we will arrive at the Choquequirao pass (3,270 m/10,728ft) and then descend to the next archaeological complex on our route, Pinchaunuyoc (2,420 m/7,940ft). You will be amazed by the platforms that appear suspended over the abyss of the Blanco River canyon. You will enjoy a short tour of the site before continuing.
We will descend further to our lunch spot by the river and see many species of birds, different orchids and plantations of the sacred coca leaf. Many hikers like to take this time to take a quick dip in the crystal clear waters to cool off, this is a welcome dip after many days of hiking.
We will then cross the river and then begin a strenuous uphill climb to our Maizal campsite. Today has been the most challenging of all, but you will be able to rest once we reach the camp and enjoy a delicious dinner before going to bed.
After our lunch in Maizal we climb another 4–5 hours uphill through the cloud forest to Minas Victoria, an incredible and impressive climb, with an elevation gain of around 1000 m! Here we can admire the brightness of the outcropping rocks that illustrate the high concentration of minerals and metals and the reason for the old mines.
Another hearty breakfast will greet you before you begin a hike up an uphill trail surrounded by lush vegetation. The snowy mountains will appear again shortly and you will remember their power. Whether it’s sunny or cloudy, you’ll enjoy a spectacular view.
Today, we will climb uphill for about 5 hours until we reach the top. One of our favorite parts of the Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 7 days is waking up on the hillside and listening to the sounds of the forest and the birds. It’s a truly great experience and really strengthens your bond with Mother Nature.
This part of the trail is historically significant due to the many ruins that can be found along the Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu. We will pass through the impressive Inca mines, called Minas Victoria, from which silver was extracted. Next, we will head towards the San Juan Pass (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). This is a long climb, but you won’t get out of phase because you are surrounded by beautiful scenery everywhere you look.
First, we will cross the intriguing cloud forest and then over the Andean Puna, known for its famous Ichu hay-like grass. As we get closer to the top, we will have the opportunity to walk some original paved Inca trails. We savor our lunch while enjoying the views of the Choquetakarpu and Padrayoc mountains. If you haven’t seen condors before this point, you may get a chance here, depending on the season.
Finally, we will head downhill to our Yanama camp (3,600 m / 11,811 ft). This is in a small community at the bottom of a large valley. Like every day, a delicious dinner awaits before another beautiful night sleeping in the middle of nature.
Today, you’ll be woken up by jungle sounds and a relaxing waterfall. The locals who live in the Yanama community have preserved ancient traditions to this day, and it provides the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in their culture. You’ll be able to make some new friends and hand out gifts to the local children.
Once you’ve had a filling breakfast, we’ll start a 5-hour ascent to the highest part of the hike, the Yanama pass (4,650 m / 15,256 ft). Along this part of the trek, you’ll see farmers working their land in potato fields. You’ll also spot Saqsarayoc and Padreyoc in all their snowy glory. You might even get to step on snow here, depending on the time of year. You’ll see the imposing Salkantay mountain in the distance for the first time, too.
Later on, we’ll descend for three hours along a fog-filled, mysterious path to the Totora community and have lunch along the way to replenish our energy. We’ll then hike for another hour to Collpapampa, where you’ll enjoy a spectacular dinner and a tranquil night’s rest among nature.
Today is your last day of hiking. You will enjoy an excellent breakfast before we continue our walk and cross the river to the other side of the valley. Six hours of walking through the jungle await us, and you will see plantations of passion fruit, banana, papaya, avocado and coffee, of course, you can taste the taste of these delicious fruits that this place offers us.
Once you arrive at Playa Sahuayaco, you will have time to rest and enjoy your last lunch prepared by our talented chef. Then we will go to Hydroelectric in our private transport. From there you can walk alongside the railway through lush vegetation to Aguas Calientes (2040 m/6693ft) for about 3 hours or take the train.
When you get there, you’ll check into your hotel and then have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. You can relax in your room, explore the city or go to the hot springs to relax and unwind after the Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 7 days.
We will meet for dinner in a good restaurant and go over the last details about tomorrow’s visit to Machu Picchu. Then, it will be time to go to rest because we will need to get up before the sun rises to reach the Lost City of the Incas.
Your epic journey comes to an end today, with a visit to the New Wonder of the World and World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu. You will enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we leave early. We will board the bus from Aguas Calientes to the archaeological complex to arrive before the big crowds. This way you can take advantage of the morning light and watch the sun come up and cast its glow on the huge ancient rocks.
When you arrive at the Inca city, you will be given an informative and exciting 2-hour guided tour that will take you to the most important areas of the site. You will feel the energy of the place and see how the huge rustic stones become magnificent buildings that are always in peaceful harmony with nature. Remember that Machu Picchu is an extremely sacred place, it was when it was built and it still is today.
Once your tour is over, you’ll have plenty of time to continue exploring on your own and stroll through the ancient streets. If you have booked additional tickets for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will have the opportunity to climb them now for a spectacular view of the site. Alternatively, you can walk to Puerta del Sol or the Inca Bridge at no additional cost.
A little after noon, you should return to Aguas Calientes. You can find a restaurant for lunch before heading to the station. After a magical trip on the banks of the Urubamba River in a comfortable train, you will arrive in Ollantaytambo, where our private mobility will be waiting for you. It will take you back to Cusco, arriving at the door of your accommodation at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Now you will have time to rest your tired legs after an epic adventure Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 7 days through the mountains and jungle. We are sure that you will never forget this walk and you will have a unique experience.
We booked a 7 day/6 night Choquequirao-Machupicchu trip with PERU TREK after reading the great reviews of their alternative treks. and see incredible landscapes without being surrounded by a bunch of tourists. During our hikes we saw a few other tourists and lots of nature and wildlife, which was exactly what we wanted when visiting such a remote area! He was also very kind to share with us some good tips for the rest of our trip in Peru 🙂 we really have nothing but good things to say about the peru trek company!
I was lucky enough to visit the place before it became known and we were the only ones on the site… and what a site, it is absolutely amazing, with the most incredible view of the surrounding valley.
Once you get there, take the time to see all the sights, it’s pretty spread out. I recommend the Peru Trek company for these adventures.
One of the most exhausting walks I have ever done, to get to a place that was lost in time. It is a vast site with many secondary trails to different cabins. Overlooking the entire valley, sometimes in the clouds. You just wish buildings could tell you a story. This hike is definitely not for the faint of heart, even the physically fit. Lots of elevation on a very uneven rocky trail. With no electricity or cell phone coverage, prepare to surrender to the Andes.
