Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 8 Days 7 Nights

Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Playa Rosalina (Campsite):

Our driver and Guide will pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 a.m. We will drive for 3 hours to Cachora town where we will have our breakfast while our staff will prepare the equipment on mules and horses. From Cachora there is a walk of 4 hours until our lunch spot where we will enjoy a delicious meal and the views of majestic Padrayoc snow covered peaks, at 5482 meters the highest of the area. The hike on this first day is 21km or 8 hours approx. On the way we will see the snow covered peaks of other high mountains in the area and appreciate the beautiful change of the landscape. The first part is quite flat and after lunch we might see condors and different birds from the vantage point of Capuliyoc. The second part is a descent towards the Apurímac Canyon, observing as the vegetation changes with altitude on our way to Playa Rosalina (Campsite at 1550 meters).

DURING THE TREK:

• Meals: lunch, dinner.
• Accommodations: Playa Rosalina Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 3102 meters
• Minimum Altitude: 1550 meters
• Temperature during day: 17ºC – 27ºC
• Temperature during night: 12ºC – 15ºC
• Hiking Distance: 21 km approx.

Day 2: La Playa Rosalina – Maranpata – Choquequirao Archeological Site:

Early morning after breakfast, we will start crossing the river Apurimac and then walk uphill through zig zag trail until we arrive at Maranpata (approx. 4 hours) where we will enjoy lunch, our first meal prepared by our chef. After lunch we will continue on to Choquequirao arriving around 2pm. First we will visit this magnificent archaeological site with our guide. Then for the rest of the day we will be able to explore the beautifully preserved Inka buildings and structures and enjoy the spectacular views of the canyon. If we are lucky we may see condors soaring over our heads and in the valley.

By the end of the day we will camp close to Choquequirao (altitude approx. 3050 meters).

DURING THE TREK:

• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodations: Choquequirao Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 3202 meters
• Minimum Altitude: 1550 meters
• Temperature during day: 17ºC – 28ºC
• Temperature during night: 12ºC – 15ºC
• Hiking Distance: 13 km approx.

Day 3: Choquequirao – Pinchinuyoc Archaeological Site – Maizal:

After our day in amazing Choquequirao we continue to Maizal. In this part of the tour we will see another archeological site called Pinchinuyoc which is at 3300 meters. Then we will descend to Rio Blanco is at 1900 meters. In Rio Blanco we can take time to refresh ourselves with the cold water and prepare for a 3 hour climb trekking through a cloud forest to Maizal is at 3000 meters where our campsite awaits us in a most beautiful location. We finish our day with great food and a good night’s sleep.

DURING THE TREK:

• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodations: Maizal Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 3300 meters
• Minimum Altitude: 2920 meters
• Temperature during day: 17ºC – 25ºC
• Temperature during night: 10ºC – 15ºC
• Hiking Distance: 16 km approx.

Day 4: Maizal – Minas Victoria- Yanama:

Due to the ecosystem’s constant changes, we will take our time to rest and take pictures. In this section in particular, our passenger will have more time to stop, enjoy and take lot of pictures. We start this morning with a great breakfast, making sure we stock up on our water supplies. After we have been hiking for a couple hours we will pass by the impressive Inka mines we call Minas Victoria. We’ll also appreciate original inka trails and beautiful landscapes. At times we will be able to see some villages where people are living close to our destination. Our camping place will be in the little village called Yanama is at 3530 meters.

DURING THE TREK:

• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodations: Yanama Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 4150 meters
• Minimum Altitude: 3530 meters
• Temperature during day: 10ºC – 25ºC
• Temperature during night: 07ºC – 10ºC
• Hiking Distance: 17 km approx.

Day 5: Yanama – Highest Pass Of This Trip- Totora:

Early in the morning, we will head toward the highest pass of this trip. We will be climbing to 4670 meters. The views are amazing and in this land of condors we may see some of them flying over our heads. After the pass we will descend, following a river to the hamlet of Totora where will find our campsite. Torora is in an amazing valley covered in lush vegetation and surrounded by majestic snowcapped mountains. Our campsite will be close to one of the few families leaving in Totora.

DURING THE TREK:

• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodations: Totora Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 4670 meters
• Minimum Altitude: 3220 meters
• Temperature during day: 12ºC – 21ºC
• Temperature during night: 10ºC – 12ºC
• Hiking Distance: 20 km approx.

Day 6: Totora – La Playa Sahuayaco (Hot Springs Optional):

Before leaving Totora we will be able to meet some people indigenous to the area who speak their native language of Quechua, the language spoken by the Inkas. Depending on the season we will be able to appreciate them working on their farms with ancestral Inka techniques.

After leaving Totora we will get into the highland jungle of Lluscamayo valley with many orchids, bromeliads and lots of different vegetation. On the way we may see small waterfalls and have a refreshing natural bath. At the end of the valley of Lluscamayo we will arrive at La Playa Sahuayaco. We will camp close to this village so we’ll be able to try coffee, papaya, passion fruit and avocado which are growing in this area. Here you can choose to go on our coffee tour or opt for a bus drive to Santa Teresa to enjoy the natural hotspring (Bus fares and entrance fees to the natural hot spring is not included in this tour), (coffee tour Is included).

DURING THE TREK:

• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodations: La Playa or Lucmabamba Camping.
• Maximum Altitude: 3570 meters.
• Minimum Altitude: 2120 meters.
• Temperature during day: 17ºC – 28ºC
• Temperature during night: 12ºC – 15ºC
• Hiking Distance: 21 km approx.

Day 7: Playa – Llacta Pata – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes:

This day, we will make our final uphill climb to Llacta Pata, where we will have an excellent view of the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu on a nearby ridge. After a good rest, we will go 3 more hours down to the Hydroelectric plant. There we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, where your accommodations are awaiting you with the comforts of showers and clean beds. Then you will enjoy the dinner, and by the end of the day our guide will let you know all the information and last details you’ll need for Machu Picchu tomorrow morning.

DURING THE TREK:

• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Accommodations: Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Maximum Altitude: 2810 meters.
• Minimum Altitude: 2020 meters.
• Temperature during day: 14ºC – 25ºC
• Temperature during night: 10ºC – 14ºC
• Hiking Distance: 14 km approx.

Day 8: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo – Cusco:

From Aguas Calientes we take bus up to Machu Picchu. We start our visit with a 2 hour guided tour that will bring us to the most important locations at the archaeological site. The guide will tell us about the great importance Machu Picchu enjoyed as astronomical and religious center. The rest of the day is free for you. In this time you will be able to go on to explore Machu Picchu by yourself.  If you have booked the Huayna Picchu in advance climb or the walk up Machu Picchu mountain this is the time for you to set off.
Afterward Machu Picchu you will go back down to Aguas Calientes town to catch the train to Ollantaytambo. There our private van will meet you and take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel or hostel.

DURING THE TREK:

• Meals: breakfast
• Maximum Altitude: 2450 meters
• Minimum Altitude: 2220 meters
• Temperature during day: 15ºC – 25ºC
• Temperature during night: 09ºC – 14ºC
• Hiking Distance: 4 km approx.