Choquequirao and Machupicchu Trek 7 Days

We depart from Cusco at 5:00 a.m. in our minivan for a 4-hour journey through the provinces of Anta, Limatambo, and Cachora, finally reaching the Capuliyoc pass, situated on the edge of the Apurimac Canyon, where we will stop for breakfast. Afterward, we will meet the rest of our team (muleteers, horses, etc.).

Then, we begin a 2.5-hour walk to Chiquisca (1,800 meters above sea level) for lunch. Following lunch, we continue for another hour to reach Rosalina Beach (1,500 meters above sea level), where we will spend the night.

Time: Approximately 5 hours of descent
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Lowest altitude: 1,500 meters above sea level at Playa Rosalina
Highest altitude: 2,945 meters above sea level at Abra Capuliyoc
Distance: 12 km from Capuliyoc to Rosalina Beach
Climate: Warm

In the morning, the sound of the river will be our wake-up call. After a hearty breakfast, we begin the day by crossing the bridge over the Apurimac River, which marks the border between the Cusco and Apurimac regions. The first part of the journey is a 5-hour ascent along a narrow, winding path. Along the way, we stop briefly in the small towns of Santa Rosa Baja and Santa Rosa Alta to rest.

Then, we continue on to Marampata (2,900 meters above sea level), where we’ll have lunch. From here, we’ll get our first glimpse of the Choquequirao complex. Afterward, we walk for another 2 hours to reach Choquequirao, where we will camp near the archaeological site and enjoy the sunset, along with views of flying condors.

Time: Approximately 7 hours of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Lowest altitude: 1,500 meters above sea level at Playa Rosalina
Highest altitude: 2,900 meters above sea level at Choquequirao
Distance: 14 km from Playa Rosalina to Choquequirao
Climate: Temperate, warm

Today, you’ll wake up to fresh air and a hot breakfast. We’ll begin the day with a guided tour of the main sites around Choquequirao. In the morning, we’ll visit Paqchayoc, the priest’s house, and the agricultural terraces. At noon, our chef will bring lunch to the main area, and after a short break, we’ll continue our tour, visiting the llama sector, the Inca house, and the temples. Next, we’ll ascend to the Choquequirao pass, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views.

Afterward, we’ll descend to the terraces of Pinchinuyoc (2,487 meters above sea level), where we’ll camp for the night under a clear, star-filled sky.

Time: 5 hours of exploration at Choquequirao, followed by 2 hours of descent to Pinchinuyoc
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Camp: Pinchinuyoc (2,487 meters above sea level)
Lowest altitude: 2,487 meters above sea level at Pinchinuyoc
Highest altitude: 3,150 meters above sea level at Choquequirao pass
Distance: 12 km from Choquequirao to Pinchinuyoc
Climate: Temperate, warm

After a delicious and refreshing breakfast, we will continue our descent through the valley until we reach the White River (1,990 meters above sea level). Here, we’ll take a break, allowing you to enjoy a refreshing dip in the river to relax your tired muscles. Afterward, we will cross back to the opposite side of the valley and begin our ascent to Maizal (2,891 meters above sea level), where we’ll set up camp for the night.

Time: 2 hours of descent and 3 hours of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Camp: Maizal (Cornfield) at 2,891 meters above sea level
Lowest altitude: 1,990 meters above sea level at Río Blanco
Highest altitude: 2,891 meters above sea level at Cornfield
Distance: 16 km from Pinchinuyoc to Maizal
Climate: Temperate, warm

After breakfast, we’ll begin our hike uphill through the humid forest, passing by the Victoria mines before continuing for another hour to reach the Victoria Pass. From here, we’ll enjoy stunning views of the Vilcabamba mountain range, with its glaciers towering above 5,000 meters. We’ll then descend to the charming town of Yanama, where we’ll have lunch and bid farewell to our muleteers.

Upon arriving in Yanama, we’ll take local transport to the Mariano Llamocca Pass at 4,643 meters above sea level, offering a breathtaking view of Salkantay, the second-highest glacier in Cusco. From here, we’ll descend to Lucmabamba, a 3-hour journey, enjoying scenic views of snow-capped mountains and waterfalls along the way.

Time: 3 hours of ascent and 2 hours of descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Camp: Lucmabamba (1,900 meters above sea level)
Lowest altitude: 2,891 meters above sea level at Cornfield
Highest altitude: 4,643 meters above sea level at Mariano Llamocca Pass
Distance: 80 km from Maizal to Lucmabamba
Climate: Temperate, cold

Today marks the final leg of our journey before reaching Aguas Calientes (1,900 meters above sea level). The highlight of the day is a visit to the Llactapata archaeological site, perched atop a mountain. We will follow an original Inca Trail, reaching Llactapata early for a 30-minute exploration of the site. From here, we can enjoy stunning views of the archaeological site, as well as a distant view of Machu Picchu.

Afterward, we’ll descend for 2 hours to the Hydroelectric station, where we’ll have lunch. You’ll have two options at this point:

If you’re feeling tired, you can take the train to Aguas Calientes ($31.00, not included).
If you still have energy, you can choose to walk the 3-hour route from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes, following the railway—this is the same path taken by American professor Hiram Bingham when he rediscovered Machu Picchu!

Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes, you can take some time to relax before dinner or explore this charming town. Aguas Calientes is a peaceful place with no buses, offering a calm atmosphere. At 7:00 pm, we will have dinner at a local restaurant, where our guide will provide more details about the upcoming visit to Machu Picchu. Your room will be equipped with a private bathroom, hot shower, Wi-Fi, breakfast in the morning, and luggage storage while you explore Machu Picchu.

Time: 6 hours of walking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Hotel: Aguas Calientes, 1,900 meters above sea level
Minimum altitude: 2,050 meters above sea level (Aguas Calientes)
Maximum altitude: 2,700 meters above sea level (Llactapata)
Distance traveled: 9 km from Lucmabamba to Llactapata / 10 km from Hydroelectric to Aguas Calientes
Climate: Temperate – Cold

This is likely the most awaited day for everyone, as we visit Machu Picchu (2,850 m.a.s.l.). We have several entry times available: 6, 7, 8, or 9 AM. Depending on when the tour payment is made, we can secure the earliest possible entry time. We will wake up early to have breakfast before heading to Machu Picchu.

There are two options to reach Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes:

• Take the bus (round trip for $24 USD, not included)
• Walk, which takes about 2 hours.

Once at the entrance of Machu Picchu, our guide will begin the tour of the archaeological site, where you can visit key locations like the Temple of the Sun, the sundial, and the House of the Inca.

If you have a ticket to visit one of the available mountains, such as Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (depending on the entry time), our guide will arrange everything, and you can relax and enjoy the experience.

After the tour, you can either walk or take the bus back, but be aware that the bus line can sometimes be long, and it may take over an hour, especially between 12 PM and 1 PM.

Once back in Aguas Calientes, we will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where transportation will be waiting to take you back to Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast
Walking distance from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu: Approx. 5 km
Maximum altitude: 2,850 m.a.s.l. (Machu Picchu)
Minimum altitude: 2,050 m.a.s.l. (Aguas Calientes)
Climate: Warm or cold depending on the season