Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu
Choquequirao was most likely built during the reign of the Inca king Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui and is considered to be the last bastion of resistance and refuge of the Sons of the Sun, who fled from the city of Cusco when it was under siege in 1535. Led by Manco Inca Yupanqui they took refuge in Choquequirao. Presumably it was used both as a check point to access the Vilcabamba Area and as a cultural and religious center. The city played an important role as it was a connection between the Amazon Jungle and the city of Cusco. The region has a lot of microclimates and a landscape full of snow-covered peaks of about 6000m (19685f).
Summary
DAY 01 – Welcome Lima / Lima
DAY 02 – Historical City Tour + Larco Museum / Lima
DAY 03 – Welcome Cusco Airport / Cusco
DAY 04 – Choquequirao 5d-4n / Camping
DAY 05 – Choquequirao 5d-4n / Camping
DAY 06 – Choquequirao 5d-4n / Camping
DAY 07 – Choquequirao 5d-4n / Camping
DAY 08 – Choquequirao 5d-4n / Aguas Calientes
DAY 09 – Sunrise Machu Picchu Citadel Excursion / Cusco
DAY 10 – Transfer Out Cusco
DAY 01 – WELCOME TO PERU
Upon arrival in Lima, you will be met by our representative and a private driver and will be transferred to your hotel.
Our representative will assist you with check-in procedures and provide you with a detailed itinerary, vouchers covering all the services included in your tour and additional information on the organization of your Peru trip.
Meals Included: None
DAY 02 – COLONIAL CITY TOUR + LARCO HERRERA MUSEUM
Get ready for a busy morning, starting with a guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important sites in Lima, the “City of Kings”. The tour includes Lima’s Historical Center, Casa Aliaga, passing by Plaza San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the City Hall, the Cathedral and its Religious Art Museum, as well as San Francisco Monastery and its famous underground crypts are known as the Catacombs.
We continue to the Museo Larco a housed in an exquisite 18th century vice-royal mansion, built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid and surrounded by beautiful gardens. The museum’s galleries exhibit the finest and most magnificent gold and jewelry treasures from Ancient Peru and the renowned erotic collection, one of Peru’s most celebrated attractions.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 03 – WELCOME CUSCO AIRPORT
Upon arrival at Cusco Airport, you will be met by our representative and a private driver and will be transferred to your hotel. Our representative will provide you with a detailed itinerary, vouchers covering all the services included in your tour and additional information on the organization of your Machu Picchu experience.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 04 – CUSCO – CACHORA – CHIQUISCA
We will leave Cusco (3350m/10991f) approximately at 5:30 am. First, we will head for the village Cachora (2850m/9350f) to meet our horsemen and the mules that will carry all the camping equipment during the expedition. Thereafter, we will continue our journey towards the pass of Capuliyoc (2800m/9186f). The trek offers a beautiful view of the mythical mountain Padreyoc, of the deep canyon and of the river Apurímac, meaning “speaking river”. Thereupon, we will descend towards the canyon’s interior named Chiquisca (1930m/6332f), where we will spend the night.
Climate: warm
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 05 – CHIQUISCA – PLAYA ROSALINA – MARAMPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO
After breakfast, we will descend to La Playa Rosalina (1550m/5085f). From there, we will continue heading for Marampata (2850m/9350f), where we will have a beautiful view of the archeological complex of Choquequirao (3033m/9951f). Our camping site is located 25 minutes from the settlement.
Climate: warm
- Climate: both cold and warm
- Hiking time: 7 hours
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 06 – CHOQUEQUIRAO
At sunrise, we will first visit the archaeological site of Choquequirao. By now, only 30% of this “golden cradle” has been exposed. Also, we will discover the history and recent excavations of Choquequirao which holds many ancestral secrets between the wild natures. Hiking time: 6 hours
Climate: reasonable climate with mosquitoes.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 07 – CHOQUEQUIRAO – SAN IGNACIO – CARMEN
After breakfast, we will take our belongings to descend the Apurímac canyon’s deepest part called San Ignacio at 1500m/4921f and have lunch. After that, we will ascend to our camping site in the beautiful gardens of Carmen (2000m/6562f).
Climate: moderate climate with mosquitoes
Note: Due to the ecosystem’s constant changes, this day is considered to be the most beautiful one. Nevertheless, the route from Choquequirao to San Ignacio is at some parts very slippery. Therefore, we ask you to watch your steps carefully. Moreover, we recommend carrying sufficient water with you.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 08 – CARMEN – TAMBO BAMBA – HUANIPACA
The gardens of Carmen are situated close to the manor of Tambo bamba (2500m/8202f), a region having been governed by landowners during the 19th and 20th century and considered to be one of the most fertile valleys to cultivate maize and a variety of potatoes. We will pass little villages such as Pacobamba and Huanipaca (3150m/10335f) and will return to Cusco by bus.
- Climate: moderate, warm
- Hiking time: 5 hours
- Transport time: 5 hours
- Climate: moderate warm
Note: The trek to Choquequirao must not be underestimated. Especially the second day involves great physical exertion to complete. Combined with high altitude and extreme weather (it can get very hot) the trek can be hard work. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you are well acclimatized, in good shape, and healthy.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 09 – SUNRISE MACHU PICCHU CITADEL EXCURSION
You will leave your hotel after breakfast and board a bus that will take you to the entrance gate of the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu is one of the most-visited sites worldwide. Machu Picchu dazzles all who visit it with its beauty and mystery. You will follow in the footsteps of the ancient Incas as you explore this magical citadel along with your local and experimented tour guide.
After the tour, you will stop at a local restaurant for a buffet lunch.
Afterward, you will have a little time to explore the town of Aguas Calientes before boarding your train back to Cusco.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
OPTIONAL
HIKE UP TO HUAYNA PICCHU, the mountain behind Machu Picchu. This hike is strenuous and recommended only for travelers comfortable with heights and who have a good fitness level.
A fair amount of climbing is required. Get fabulous views of Machu Picchu from the top. Total time for this excursion is 2.5 hours. You may want to extend your hike and go to the Moon Temple as well, which is close to Huayna Picchu. This adds an extra hour total to this excursion. Total time for the Huayna Picchu visit, including the Moon Temple, is 3.5 hours. (This hike requires advanced reservations.
DAY 10 – TRANSFER OUT
At the scheduled time you will be shuttled from the hotel to the airport to board your flight back to Lima. Our representative will assist you with check-in procedures and then to your connecting flight back home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
