Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek – Choquequirao Trail Peru
If you are looking for a real adventurous experience you must consider the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek popularly known as Choquequirao Trail Peru. This lesser known Incan site is located in southern Peru. It is an archeological complex that nestles at 3200 metres above sea level (10498 feet) between the foothills of the ‘Nevado Salkantay’.
Often referred to as the ‘Sacred Little Sister’ of Machu Picchu. This complex is similar in structure but bigger than the lost city of the incas. Both were built at the same time. However, the Archaeological site of Choquequirao was the last refuge of the Incas after the conquerors invaded the Inca city. Thanks to his hidden location all covered by dense vegetation it remains intact. Only 30% of the ruins is open to tourism now.
The Route to Choquequirao runs through the canyons of Apurimac surrounded by snow capped peaks and dense rain forests. Choquequirao Trail Peru has unreal new views at every turn. It is not surprising the place is gaining popularity as “New Machu Picchu”. Government had plans to make a cable car in Choquequirao to enhance tourism in the place.
Tour operators offer this tour as an alternative to the Inca trail for the ones who dare this hard but worthy experience. If you like adventure you definitely must go on this trek!
Check out our four days Choquequirao Trek Itinerary.
Do take a moment to check our reviews on Trip Advisor.
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Destination
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Departure
Pick up from your Hotel -
Departure Time
5:00 AM. -
Return Time
Approximately 6:00 PM. -
Dress Code
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk -
Included
AccommodationEntrancesFirst aid kit and emergency oxigenMealsPick up from your HotelProfessional GuideTransportation -
Not Included
Walking Stick
Day 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – CHIQUISKA
Day 2: CHIQUISKA – MARANPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO
Day 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO – PINCHAYUNUYOC – RIO BLANCO
Day 4: RIO BLANCO – MAIZAL
Day 5: MAIZAL – YANAMA
Day 6: RIO BLANCO – MAIZAL
Day 7: CCOLPA – LA PLAYA
Day 8: LA PLAYA – LLACTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU
After breakfast, we will trek up for about 3 hours to the archaeological site of Llactapata.
An extensive and well-preserved Inca settlement that leaves you with intrigue.
Next, we will continue for another two and a half hours to the hydroelectric plant, making a stop for lunch nearby. After lunch and a short but deserved rest, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. We are finally closer to the city of Machu Picchu.
Here we will stay in a comfortable place, in rooms with private bathrooms. Once we have had time to rest in Aguas Calientes, we have prepared a celebration dinner in an elegant restaurant right in the heart of town, to celebrate that we finish this wonderful trek all together.
If the group is tired towards the end of the trek, there is also the option to take a bus from La Playa to the hydroelectric plant, from where it is a 2½ hour walk through the forest along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes, observing a variety of flora and fauna along the way. This is also an excellent option because you will get a glimpse of the mystical structures of Machu Picchu in the distance.
Day 9: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
On this last day we will finally get to visit the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu (2453 meters / 8045 feet).
The plan is to leave the hotel very early around 5:30 am, so we can be one of the first groups to visit the ruins (entrance fee is already included), but we can set off a little later on if you are too tired. Your guide will allow some flexibility in this regard, after discussion with the group the night before. We will spend the day visiting what has been hailed as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.
Machu Picchu is situated on a forested mountain peak amid spectacular scenery, our visit will begin shortly after sunrise, you will receive a complete guided tour of the site, you will learn about the historical and cultural aspects of this lost city.
Here you can also see the Huayna Picchu from where you have an extraordinary and panoramic view of the precincts, but unfortunately we won’t be able to make it, for us to climb we need to reserve our entrance with 6 months anticipation because of the amount of visitors it has per day.
In the afternoon we will take the train to Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, from where we will be heading back to Cusco by road.
Tour Location
Make Your Own Memories
- The times that are provided on this itinerary are approximate.
- Trekking times depend on how the group progresses.
- There is plenty of adventure to be had along this trek.
- .Students: US$ 29 students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please note that Youth Travel Cards are not valid
- Teenagers: US$ 20 up to 16 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings
- Children: US$ 46 up to 10 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings
- Pre trek briefing.
- Pick-up from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
- Transport from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek in private car.
- Entry fee to Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. (Huayna Picchu $15 extra)
- English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide. (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 6 people)
- Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks.
- Basic foam mattress.
- Toilet tent.
- Toilet paper, pack-in &pack out.
- One textile snack bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment.
- Bio-degradable personal hand soaps.
- Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items. (up to 7 kg/15lbs per person)
- 1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower.
- Tents for our staff to sleep in.
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
- Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu.
- Train or equivalent luggage from Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes.
- Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- We will be serving lunch on the last day of the trek.
- 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes in a basic Hotel El Mistico.
- Huayna Picchu entrance fee: if you would like to climb this mountain an additional fee of US $16 per personal applies Breakfast on the first morning
- Entrance to the thermal springs.
- Sleeping bags – If you haven’t got a sleeping bag or you don’t want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.
- Tipping is completely optional.
- Cook and Cooking equipment. (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
- Meals (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes) Salads, if served, are washed in boiled water.
- Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals.
- Celebratory dinner in Restaurant Indio Feliz in Aguas Calientes.
- Dinner on the last night.
- Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead.
- A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek – prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature.
- Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk.
- Sleeping bag. (we can hire these to you)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold.
- Sun block.
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body.
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
- Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
- Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
- Small towel.
- Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs.
- Cash in soles and/or US$.
- Original passport.
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended.
- Flashlight/headlamp and batteries.
- Camera and batteries. (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Water container and water for the first morning. Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed into Machu Picchu. Plastic water containers (ie. Nalgene) or metal ones are recommended.
- Optionally: water- sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far.
- Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount.
- Optional: walking sticks or poles. (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites)
- Once you have chosen your tour, please read the Booking Terms & Conditions, as your booking is subject to these terms.
- In case your reservation is confirmed, a money deposit will be requested to secure your reservation.
- Once we confirm the deposit reception, your booking is confirmed. A Service Confirmation Form will be sent to you including all the details of your program.
Optional Extras
- Sleeping bag USD 5 per day.
- Inflatable mattress USD 5 per day.
- Walking Sticks USD 2 per day.
PRICE $USD PER PERSON
Private Group| Person | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5-6 | 7-8 | 9-12 | Per Person USD | |
| $ USD | 1900 | 1630 | 1455 | 1355 | 1135 | 955 | X |
|---|