Choquequirao to Machu Picchu 9D/8N

Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Santa Rosa

Our first day starts out from the village of Cachora, a 4 hour drive from Cusco. Leaving Cachora the path works it’s way down in to the Apurimac Valley and we will have fantastic views of snow-capped peaks in the distance and the Apurimac Valley spread out before us throughout the day, also after a few hours walking we’ll get to have our first views of Choquequirao sat on the far side of the valley. The area around Choquequirao is rich in life and we will see a wide variety of flora and fauna as we make our way down in to the valley.

Our campsite for the night is at Santa Rosa (2200m / 7215ft.) which is on the other side of the Apurimac River. As the campsite is a little further along the trail than most groups go it is one of the quietest places to camp on the whole trek so we can enjoy the beautiful scenery around us without distraction.

Day 2: Santa Rosa – Choquequirao

Today is probably the hardest day of the trek. To get to Choquequirao we need to make our way back up the opposite side of the Apurimac Valley which involves ascending about 800m / 2624ft. over a distance of 14km / 8.7 miles through hot and humid conditions. It’s quite tough going but the views we get today mixed with the wide variety of flora and fauna you find on this side of the valley make it worth it.

Throughout the day we will see a wide variety of bromeliads, orchids and stands of bamboo; we’ll also hopefully see birds such as Quetzals, Toucans and a variety of hummingbirds. After about a 5 hour walk we’ll arrive to our campsite close to Choquequirao (3050m / 10,005ft.) and settle in for the night – if the weather is clear the views of the sunsetting from here are amazing and we may be lucky enough to spot Condors soaring over the valley below.

Day 3: Choquequirao – Pinchinuyoc

Today you will have a guided tour of all the main sites of interest throughout Choquequirao and then have some free time to explore by yourself. Choquequirao is one of the most extensive Inca sites to be discovered and a large portion of it has yet to be excavated.

After lunch we’ll set off again on our trek heading for the pass above the city. From the pass we’ll make our way down in to the Rio Blanco valley below and camp at the terraces of Pinchinuyoc (2487m / 8160 ft.).

Day 4: Pinchinuyoc – Maizal

From our campsite we’ll carry on down in to the valley until we reach the river far below. In the dry season the river is calm and it’s waters are warm so it’s a perfect place to stop and have a refreshing dip and ease out your tired muscles. After our swim we’ll make our way back up the opposite side of the valley heading for our campsite at Maizal (2891m / 9488 ft.).

Today we will see a wide variety of native plants and birds and have beautiful views of the lush and green Rio Blanco valley. On arrival to our campsite at Maizal you will have the option of visiting a nearby Inca site.

Day 5: Maizal – Yanama

Todays walk takes us from Maizal to the small community of Yanama. The views are once again amazing and we’ll see a variety of plants and birds, walk along original Inca Trails and pass by abandoned gold and silver mines from Peru’s Colonial days.

Our campsite for tonight is at Yanama (3520m / 11549 ft.) where we will stay on the land of one of the local families. After lunch we will have the chance to visit their home and learn about their customs and traditions.

Day 6: Yanama – Colpapampa

From Yanama we begin making our way back up out of the valley as we head for the highest pass on the trek (4840m / 15879 ft.). Having been trekking through mostly lush valleys up to this point you’ll notice the scenery change to the high puna (barren grasslands) as we head for the pass. Once at the pass we’ll have fantastic views of the surrounding mountain ranges including the might Salkantay (6270m / 20570 ft.).

From the pass the path leads us back down to warmer climes again and our path will eventually converge with the Salkantay Trek at Colpapampa (2900m / 9514 ft.) where we will camp for the night.

Day 7: Colpapampa – La Playa

Our destination today is the village of La Playa about 12km down the valley from Colpapampa. Our route takes us along the Lluskamayo River through an area that is teeming with life and that has various coffee and fruit plantations.

Tonight we will stay at the village of La Playa (2400m / 7874ft.) which is well connected and there are plenty of places where you can buy snacks and refreshments, you can also try some of the locally grown coffee. If you are interested there is the option to visit some hot springs that are close by, let your guide know in advance so that he can organise this for you.

Day 8: La Playa – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes

Today is the final stretch of the trek before we reach AguasCalientes at the base of Machu Picchu. The main focus of today is a visit to the Inca site of Llactapata sat on the mountainside high above. Following an original Inca Trail we’ll arrive to Llactapata by early to mid morning and can enjoy the fantastic views of Machu Picchu that we get from here.

After a tour of Llactapata in which we’ll learn about the Inca people and their culture we’ll head back down the mountainside to the Hydroelectric Station from where we’ll catch our train to AguasCalientes.

Day 9: Machu Picchu!

Waking up early we’ll take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We’ll have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you’ll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you’ll have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.

Includes

• Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
• Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
• Chef
• Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 7kg of your personal items.
• Pick-up from your hotel
• Transportation by bus to Mollepata
• Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
• Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)
• 8 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 8 Afternoon Snacks and 8 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• 4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
• Sleeping mattress
• Oxygen bottle
• Firstaid kit
• 3 Star Hotel for final night
• Entrance to Machu Picchu
• Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes

Does Not Include

• Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us)
• Breakfast on Day 1 and last lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Tips
• Entrance to Huaynapicchu Mountain or Machupicchu Mountain
• Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

What you need to take

• Original Passport
• ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
• Walking boots
• Water  proof jacket / rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable Trousers
• Sun hat
• Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
• Insect repellant
• Toiletries and hand sanitiser
• Personal medication
• Camera and film
• Torch with spare batteries

Group  Service Price

US$979 per person

Private Service Prices 

• 2 people US$1199 per person
• 3 people  US$1099per person
• 4 people US$999per person
• 5+ people  US$979 per person

Discounts:

Student Discount: US$ 30.00 (Requires ISIC Card to qualify)
Under 18’s Discount: US$30.00

Optional Extras:
Sleeping Bag US$40
Walking Pole US$ 35 (pair)
Inflatable Mattress US$40
Single Tent Supplement US$60

Optional Extras (Need to book in advance):

• Machu Picchu Mountain climbing:  USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance)
• Vistadome Train AguasCalientes-Ollantaytambo: USD50.00 (Need to book in advance)
• Extra Night in AguasCalientes: Depends on the type of Hotel desired (Need to book in advance)
• Howtobook:

You can either book by emailing us or by using the Booking form provided on this site.

By e-mail:

Send us your main Departure date and back up date: By providing us with a main date and a back up date for your trek (classic Inca Trail, Lares, Salkantay, etc) you automatically authorize Quinoa Expeditions to use either of these dates for your reservation. Quinoa Expeditions within the next 48 hours (after you have sent us your booking form and confirm deposit was made) will send you an electronic receipt confirming your trek has been officially booked and also to confirm the exact departure date of your trek.

Send us your Personal Details for Booking: Your passport number and other information must be valid. Please advise if you change your passport number after booking the tour (especially for booking the classic Inca Trail as if we do not make a change in your official details, you may not be permitted to do the trek). Please Note changing passports’ numbers requires an extra fee (we are able to change passports numbers easily on our receipt but its also extremely important that we make the changes with the Inca Trail authorities)

Student rate: In order to obtain this discount you must have a valid ISIC card. It is important you scan and e-mail this to us at the time of booking and that it is valid on the date you are booked on the Inca Trail/alternative trek (you will need to show the real ISIC card upon your arrival here in Cusco and in Machu Picchu).

Payment of deposit: For any of pour Adventure treks ending in Machu Picchu.

We request a non-refundable deposit per person along with personal details of each member participating in the trek:

• Full name
• Passport number,
• Gender,
• Nationality,
• DOB

Payment of deposit amount is:

• US$ 200 per person for the Choquekirao Trek onlyOr
• US$ 275 per person for the Choquekirao Trek+ Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu climbing.Please confirm if you want to climb Wayna Picchu (the 45 minute climb near Machu Picchu site) or Machu Picchu as they need to be booked well in advance too; there are 2 time sessions:
• 7 – 8am or
• 10 – 11am – this also needs to be specified although you need to be flexible to either time.

Please note, if you get the permits for the 7am start you will probably have to miss the Machu Picchu guided tour.

ABSOLUTE ESSENTIALS FOR THE TREK:

• Valid, original Passport (a copy will not be accepted)
• Valid, Student Card (if you booked as a student)
• Trekking boots (light, comfortable and broken in)
• A good quality daypack (light, small and comfortable)
• Water storage for at least 2 liters; either a camel bag or water bottle(s)

FOR YOUR DAYPACKS:

Below is a list of items that we highly recommend you keep with you at all times in your personal backpack. Remember you will be carrying this with you everyday of the trek so we recommend you bring a good quality daypack which is both light and comfortable. It is important to note that due to local regulations, your backpack should not exceed 25L. All larger backpacks can not be taken into Machu Picchu and will need to be stored outside the gates.

• Hat and sunglasses
• Rain gear
• Warm layers (fleece / long sleeved tops)
• Sun cream, bug spray
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Personal medication
• Band-aids, moleskin
• Camera, extra batteries
• Head Torch
• Extra snacks, power bars, chocolate
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips (small change is useful for paying to use the villagers’ toilets on the first day)

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR YOUR DUFFEL BAGS:

During the trek will provide you with a duffel bag in which you can pack any items that you won’t need to keep with you during the day. Our porters will carry this bag for you throughout the trek. Please note this bag should weigh a maximum of 7 kg including the weight of your sleeping bag and air mattress (if you bring/rent one). When rented from us these two items weigh approximately 3 kg. During the Inca Trek, you will travel through different temperatures as you climb/descend, it can also be cold at night when at the campsite. Therefore layers work best!

• Sleeping bag for Inca trail (can be rented from us)
• Air mattress for Inca trail (can be rented from us)
• Some light, comfortable shoes for the camp
• Warm jacket, hat and gloves for Inca trail
• 2-3 t-shirts (wicking t-shirts are best)
• 1-2 hiking pants/trousers
• 4 sets of undergarments
• 4 sets of hiking socks
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket for the coldest nights
• Quick-dry towel
• Soap
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Face moisturizer
• Power pack / battery charger
• Plastic bags to keep wet or muddy clothes separate