Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure through the breathtaking landscapes of Peru on our 6-day Choquequirao to Machu Picchu expedition. This unforgettable journey will take you through stunning mountain ranges, ancient ruins, and hidden gems that few tourists ever get to see. Experience the magic of Machu Picchu and immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of this incredible country.
Brief Itinerary:
- Day 01: cusco – capuliyoc – marampata.
- Day 02: maranpata – choquequirao – choquequirao campsite
- Day 03: choquequirao – río blanco – maizal.
- Day 04: maizal – minas victoria – yanama – lucmabamba
- Day 05: santa teresa – hydroelectric – aguas calientes
- Day 06: aguas calientes – machupicchu – cusco
Itinerary
Our pick up is quite early to start the journey to the sector of Capuliyoc (2800 masl / 9186 feet), we will enjoy a delicious breakfast and meet with the support team (muleteers and mules), then begins our initial hike to the first viewpoint where we already have a panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range also known as Pedrayoc and the popular Apurimac Canyon. We start from here our way down a path that is full of medicinal plants such as muña or chilca, our way will take us to the sector of Chiquisca (1800 masl / 3280 feet) where we have our scheduled lunch. Finally we continue our journey to reach Marampata (3500 masl / 11,482 ft) where our camp is scheduled.
Hiking time: 07 hrs / 15 km
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Challenging
Maximum altitude: 3500 masl / 11,482 ft.
Camp altitude: 3500 masl / 11,482 ft.
In the morning begins our biggest challenge, a complicated climb to reach the archaeological center of Choquequirao (3110 masl / 10 120 feet) we will enjoy free time to visit it calmly and take the best pictures, at the end we return by the same path to have lunch, as the team has prepared everything. Then continuing with our hike we will arrive to Choquequirao camp (3050 masl / 10 006 ft), there we will have dinner and spend the night.
Duration of trek: 06 hrs / 8 km
Lodging: Camping
Difficulty: Difficult
Maximum altitude: 3110 masl / 10 120 ft.
Camp altitude: 3050 masl / 10 006 ft.
After wake up, we will have a delicious breakfast, then we continue the trail again to reach our lunch point and in the afternoon we will climb the slope to reach the pass of Choquequirao (3500 masl / 11 842 feet), we will have some free time in which we can rest comfortably and then descend to the ruins of Pinchinuyoc (3000 masl / 9842 feet) place that will also be our campsite this day.
Hiking time: 09 hrs / 13 km
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Difficult
Maximum altitude: 3500 masl / 11,842 ft.
Camp altitude: 3000 masl / 9842 ft.
This day of the 6-day choquequirao to machu picchu begins in an artistic way, thanks to the songs of the birds and the natural environment. After breakfast we resume our hike uphill observing the beautiful landscapes and mountains that are becoming more noticeable as we advance in our journey, we will also see some Inca canals that withstand the passage of time without problem. We arrive at our lunch spot where our team has everything ready and we just enjoy. On our way we will pass by the Victoria pass (4200 masl / 13 780 ft) and then begin the descent towards our next point in Yamana (3800 masl / 12 467 ft) where we will take a transport that will take us to Lucmabamba (2062 masl / 6765 ft) where we have scheduled our camp.
Hiking time: 07 hrs / 22 km
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Average
Maximum altitude: 4200 masl / 13,780 ft.
Camp altitude: 2062 masl / 6765 ft.
After a good breakfast we take a transportation to get to Santa Teresa (1550 masl / 5085 ft) then we continue our way that will take us to the sector of the Hidroeléctrica plant (1890 masl / 6200 ft) here we will enjoy our lunch and then we will continue the hike next to the railroad track going deeper into the sanctuary, The hike lasts approximately 3 hours until we arrive to the town of Aguas Calientes (2040 masl / 6692 ft) where we will go to our designated hotel to rest comfortably.
Hiking time: 08 hrs / 14 km
Accommodation: Hotel Room (Ask for the type of room)
Difficulty: Difficult
Maximum altitude: 2040 masl / 6692 ft.
Camp altitude: 2040 masl / 6692 ft.
In the morning we go to the bus station to board it, continue our journey and finally we have reached our destination, after passing a small control begins the fun part of the trip, touring the citadel of Machupicchu.
Upon entering begins the ascent to the top to reach the key point of the trip from the beginning and this is the watchman’s house from where we can take the most important classic photo of the trip. After free time to enjoy the view we continue our tour to visit other major sites such as the main square, the sundial, the royal quarters, intihuatana, temple of the 3 windows and the condor, among other important places. This visit as such has a duration of 2 hours in a regular way, however we extend it in a better way for you to enjoy the time and have a total of 3 hours approximately.
At the end we return to Aguas Calientes by the same way to enjoy a well deserved lunch (on your own), then about 14:00 pm we must return to the train station and board it to get back to Ollantaytambo where the tourist bus awaits us to finally return to the city of Cusco, we will arrive on average 18:30 pm. End of our 6-day choquequirao to machu picchu expedition.
Duration of hike: 03 hrs / 2 km
Difficulty: Easy
Maximum altitude: 2745 masl / 9005 ft.