Duration: 9 days/8 nights
Choquequirao Elevation: Approximately 2,987 m/9,800 ft
Departure Dates: Any day you would like!
Please see our group departure calendar for Choquequirao group tour dates.
Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek Pricing: From $895 USD per person
Are you looking to get away from the crowds and experience one of Peru’s most breathtaking and rewarding treks? The 9 day/8 night Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu is perfect for all hikers and adventurers looking to explore off the beaten path and hike peacefully through the remote Andes. Although challenging, Choquequirao is one of Peru’s most spectacular hikes, and was recently chosen as one of Lonely Planet’s Best Regions in Travel for 2017 and one of National Geographic’s Best Trips of 2015.
Known as the sister city to Machu Picchu, Choquequirao is the ruins of an ancient Inca city and is similar in both structure and architecture to the better-known Machu Picchu. Serving as both a citadel and an important religious site, Choquequirao was an important link between the city of Cusco and the nearby Amazon jungle. Recovery and restoration of Choquequirao has begun only recently, and the site has yet to gain the popularity of Machu Picchu, despite its many similarities. At Machu Picchu you may be surrounded by 3,000 other tourists in a single day, while Choquequirao hosts this number of tourists in an entire year. Today, you can visit the spectacular ruins, wander its 12 distinct sectors, and admire the Vilcabamba mountain range and Apurimac River Valley all in relative seclusion without the constant hum of tourists.
Choquequirao also hosts some of the richest biodiversity in all of Peru. Located at an elevation of roughly 9,800 feet, the area is characterized by mountain topography, yet hosts Amazonian flora and fauna. It is not uncommon to see giant ferns and a wide variety of orchids, as well as condors, vizcachas (similar to chinchillas), and vicuñas.
The Choquequirao trek begins in Cusco, where you will travel to the town of Cachora. From here, the hike will begin. As you travel along the edge of the Apurimac Canyon, you will be surrounded by snowcapped peaks and breathtaking drops. On the second day, you will begin the steep ascent up to the ruins of Choquequirao. After spending the afternoon exploring the spacious ruins, you have the unconventional opportunity to camp just below the ruins inside the archaeological complex. The trek reaches its conclusion nine days later as you descend into Machu Picchu to watch the sunrise over the ruins- a truly magical and unforgettable experience, and the perfect conclusion to a challenging and rewarding week spent traversing the Andes Mountains. Relax, kick up your feet, and enjoy the remarkable ruins and captivating view of the Vilcabamba River snaking its way below.
Choquequirao is often referred to as the sister city of Machu Picchu, as the two were originally connected by Inca roads, some of which we hike along on this trek. While the ruins are well known and at least as large as Machu Picchu, the route and site remain remote, peaceful and beautiful. This challenging and astoundingly beautiful route is among the very best in the Andes, and recently ranked as a National Geographic 2015 Best Trip.
As with all Ayni Peru travel, this itinerary can be customized or combined with tours in Cusco and beyond. Please contact us for custom itineraries, quotes and questions.
Morning for travel to the town of Cachora (3.5 hrs). We’ll meet our muleteers here, and observe the majestic Padriyoc snow covered peaks before departing. The hike on this day is 16 km and takes approximately 6 hours. Along the way we will observe Padriyoc and Wayna Cachora snow covered peaks. We will absorb the dramatic landscape, from precipices to snowy mountains. The walk starts quite flat, crossing through small farms and lush vegetation. We will break for lunch at Capuliyoc, where we may be able to see condors before beginning then descent down the Apurímac Canyon. The vegetation will gradually change from agaves and cactus forest to dwarf tree forest. We will camp at Chiquisca, close to the canyon floor and located at 1550 msnm.
Trek duration: 6 hours/16 km
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast we will continue downhill to the powerful Apurímac River. We will cross the river in a simple cable car, or oraya. After crossing the river we will take a short rest before beginning the challenging climb to the Choquequirao ruins. The first 4 hours of the hike are steep, until we arrive at the small community of Marampata. In Marampata we will rest and take in the views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, along with Choquequirao in the distance. From Marampata the trail will become more even, and we will slowly ascend to the ruins surrounded by beautiful vegetation, multiple varieties of orchids and other wild flowers. We will reach the archaeological site of Choquequirao in approximately 1.5 hours, and will break for lunch before touring the ruins. The views on the Choquequirao trek are spectacular and it may even be possible to see condors soaring the mountains. Our campsite for the evening is below the ruins and within the archaeological complex.
Trek duration: 5.5 hours/10 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We have the morning to explore the ruins in greater depth before beginning the hike to Maizal. We we will begin the hike by ascending to cool, damp cloud forest, before descending to Rio Blanco, at 1909 msnm. From the pass, our surroundings quickly transform to steep, open prairie with expansive views of the mountains and valleys. We will visit the ruins of Pinchinoyoc during the descent. These ruins are seldom visited, and truly special. They appear unexpectedly, almost invisible because of the thick layer of mosses and other vegetation that covers them. Here we spend time on the old Inca terraces before continuing down to Rio Blanco. At the river we will stop for lunch, take a refreshing bath in the cold, clear river water, and rest before beginning the climb to Maizal. After our break we start the long and steep ascent to our camp, high over the river and close to the sacred Apus of the Incas. The hike to Maizal for about 3 hrs, where we will camp for the night at 3000 msnm.
Trek Duration: 7 hours/12 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning we begin by walking uphill, past impressive Inca mines, Minas Victoria, and toward the Victoria Pass. This is another long climb, but we walk through an amazingly beautiful area – first through cloud forests and then over Andean tundra and through the abundant ¨ichu¨ grass. We will rest near Minas Victoria, where shiny metal stones reveal a high concentration of minerals and metals. As we approach Victoria Pass we will walk along original paved Inca trails. At the pass (4200 msnm) we will eat our box lunch with views of breathtaking Choquetakarpo mountain. We may also be able to view condors in flight, depending on the climate. After lunch we begin the descent towards Yanama, a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley, surrounded by snowcapped mountains. We will camp for the night in Yanama.
Trek duration: 7 hours/13 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we will continue slowly uphill to our highest pass at 4668 msnm. At this final pass we will be rewarded with more amazing views of snowcapped mountains, including Sacsarayoc and Padriyoj. The walk will be through a wide, green valley until the final ascent to the Yanama Pass. On the way we have a good view of the snow capped Mt. Sacsarayoc. This morning´s climb bring us through new landscapes – especially the wet grass fields under the snowline that are different from everything else as seen on the tour. At the pass we might walk through snow, depending on the season. The descent is a long and foggy, through grassy fields and bush. We will cross small wood and dirt bridges on the way towards the community of Totora where we spend the night.
Trek duration: 7 hours/12 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning we will begin the descent to the Totora River. As we walk, we will observe interesting species of birds, including hummingbirds, woodpeckers, along with orchids and begonias. We will hike down through changing vegetation to a warmer camp in Colpapampa for about 4 hours.
Trek duration: 4 hours/8 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning we will leave Colpapampa for Lucmabamba. We will walk through high jungle surroundings, including small coffee and fruit farms. On the way we see small waterfalls and get to take a refreshing natural bath. The area has a large variety of bird life and it is clear at our camp that the climate and vegetations have completely changed. Now we see plants and several types of orchids.
Trek duration: 6 hours/11 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We will begin the morning with a climb to the ruins of Llactapata, where we will enjoy our first views of Machu Picchu. We will have a picnic lunch at the ruins then hike downhill for about 2.5 hours to the Hydroelectric Station where we will arrive by about 3:00 pm. We will take the local train to Aguas Calientes, then check into our hostal for the night. After a final dinner together, we will get to bed early in order to rest for Machu Picchu the following day.
Trek duration: 8 hours/3 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
After an early breakfast in Aguas Calientes we will walk or take a bus to Macchu Picchu. We will start our visit with a 2-3 hour guided tour , which will provide an introduction to the most important and impressive locations at the archaeological site. Early morning is quieter at the ruins, and we will be able to enjoy the beauty and the magic of Machu Picchu before most visitors arrive. After your tour you will have free time to explore on your own, climb Huayna Picchu (additional charge, and entry must be purchased in advance) or visit the beautiful Temple of the Moon. We will meet in the afternoon in Aguas Calientes for a late lunch and our return train to Cusco. At the station we will be met by our driver for hotel dropoff in Cusco.
Trek duration: Depending
Meals: Breakfast
