Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek 11 days
“1 nights in Cusco before the trek, 1 night by Machu Picchu, 8 days Choquequirao package, 1 last night in Cusco…”BOOK NOW
Starting point : Cusco
Ending point : Cusco
Duration : 11 days
Trip style : Active Hiking Tour – Choquequirao Valley Trek
Activities : Archaeological, Cultural, Camping, Ecological, Hiking
Airfares : Not included, available upon request
Highlights : 1 nights in Cusco before the trek, 1 night by Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, complete 8 days Choquequirao to Machu Picchu package, 1 last night in Cusco
Trip Code : 11CHOQ
Accommodation in Cusco and Machu Picchu included, Price includes all credit card transaction and fees
This well thought package includes an incredible journey to the Ruins of Choquequirao and Machu Picchu including two nights of acclimatization in Cusco before the trek, 8 days of trek, an overnight by Machu Picchu in the town of Aguas Calientes, and another night in Cusco at the end. The trek starts at the town of Cachora. This town is located about 3 hours and a half away from Cusco by bus (8640 feet above sea level). The first part of the trek will take you to the amazing and recently discovered Inca Ruins of Choquequirao. Choquequirao was an Inca town located in Santa Teresa, Cusco.
The geographic location of Choquequirao is north of Cusco, between the Apurimac and Urubamba rivers, by the cordillera’s tallest peak, “Nevado Salkantay” with an altitude of 6,271masl-20,575ft. The mountains of the Cordillera Vilcabamba offers the unique opportunity of an amazing trek between glaciars, green mountains, bears, condors, and different kind of fauna. This region was used as a shelter and fortress for the 10th Inca rebelion in the XVI century, that tried to gain back the control of the Tahuantinsuyo from the Spanish conquistadors. Customs and clothes of the local people reflect a mixture of cultures, with a strong influence of the Quechuas people. Vilcabamba is a region with strong precence of arqueological Pre-columbian tresures, including Choquequirao and the famous lost city of Machu Picchu. There is a net of Inca trails that conects pampa de Vitcos, Rosas pata and EspÃritu Pampa sites.
Choquequirao was probably built at the ends of the century fifteenth or beginnings of the sixteenth. This important Inca city was built because of political, social, and economical reasons. It served as a connection between the highland and the coast towns which were joined for the Inca Trails. The city was carefully built and designed. Choquequirao has temples, houses for the commons and the royalty, storages, fountains, water channels, and Inca terraces for agriculture. In the area the biodiversity of flora and fauna are incomparable. The access to Choquequirao is hard to be, but it is definitely well worth.
The second part of the trek will take you to Machu Picchu. Over 250 species of orchid have been counted in the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, as well as numerous rare birds, animals, reptiles, including several species considered to be in danger of extinction. We recommend anyone coming from the coast to spend at least 2 days in Cusco before attempting the trek. This period is ideal for visiting the city of Cusco, the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman and the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Itinerary
11 days
Day 1 : Cusco
Assistance at your arrival to Velazco Astete Airport (CUZ) and transfer to your Hotel after a quick tour of the beautiful Plaza De Armas. You will be free for the remainder of the day to relax and acclimatize to the altitude (3309masl/10856 ft) . Overnight at your hotel.
Day 2 : Cusco (B)
Today you are free to relax, acclimatize to the altitude (3309masl/10856 ft) and get ready for next day’s Choquequirao Trek. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 3: CUSCO – CACHORA – CHIKISKA (B) (L) (D)
We will pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 a.m. A bus will take you to the native community of San Pedro de Cachora. Here you will meet your cook, porters, and muleteers. After meeting your group, you will start the trek. At your arrival to Capuliyoq, you will eat a delicious lunch prepared by your cook. After lunch, you will continue your hike until you arrive to the camp of Chikiska where you will be able to enjoy the fruit of the area and your dinner.
Day 4: CHIKISKA – CHOQUEQUIRAO (B) (L) (D)
After a nutritious breakfast, you will start your hike towards the ruins of Choquequirao. At this point all the trek is uphill. Upon our arrival to the native community of Marampata, your lunch will be served. After lunch, you will continue with your trek. About 5:00p.m., we will arrive to our camp located at Inca terraces. Here you will observe a beautiful sunset and then you will enjoy your dinner.
Day 5: CHOQUEQUIRAO – MAIZAL (B) (L) (D)
After breakfast, you will have a two hours guided tour of the ruins of Choquequirao. About 10:00a.m., you will start the hardest day of the entire trek. Lunch will be served at the pass of Rio Blanco. After a deserved lunch, you will need to hike for another three hours. Maizal is the area where you will spend the night.
Day 6: MAIZAL – YANAMA (B) (L) (D)
After breakfast, the trek is uphill for about three hours and then downhill. During this part of the trek, we will stop at the abandoned Victoria’s mine (Silver is abundant at this mine). Lunch will be served here. After lunch we will continue our downhill trek towards our camp called Yanama.
Day 7: YANAMA – COLLPA (B) (L) (D)
Today, the hike will be moderate because most of the day the trek will be downhill. You will be able to observe an amazing biodiversity of flora and fauna. Lunch will be served at Totora. After lunch, you will need another three hours to reach your camp called Collpa. At this place, you will be able to buy beverages, cookies, batteries, etc.
Day 8: COLLPA – PLAYA (B) (L) (D)
After breakfast, you will start the easiest day of the trek. You will be able to enjoy of the waterfall of the area (Bring a bath suit). Also, you will be able to eat the fruit of the region called Granadilla. Part of the trek will be through plantations of bananas and coffee. Around midday, you will reach your camp located at La Playa. For the remainder of the day, you will be able to relax or explore the area.
Day 9: PLAYA – AGUAS CALIENTES (B) (L) (D)
Today, you will start the hike by going uphill towards the ruins of Llaqtapata. At this ruins you will be able to observe a carved stone that Incas used for astronomy. Lunch will be served at the Hydroelectric. In the afternoon you will walk around 2 hours towards the town of Aguas Calientes where you will eat dinner and you will spend the night at a hotel of your choice.
Day 10: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (B)
After breakfast, a bus will take you to the ruins of Machu Picchu. You will have a two hour guided tour and after that you will be free to explore the Citadel and take pictures, or if you desire, ascent toward the Huaynapicchu Mountain. At 6:45 p.m., you will be taking a train to Ollantaytambo and from there, a bus will drive you to your hotel in Cusco.
Day 11: CUSCO (B)
Morning transfer to the airport for the return flight to Lima. This marks the end of our services. Trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima or Cusco can be arranged.
Included in the Choquequirao Trek Package
- Transfers in/out Cusco
- Accommodation in Cusco (3 nights)
- Accommodation in Machu Picchu | Aguas Calientes (1 night)
- Choquequirao to Machu Picchu 8 days Trek Package
- Weight Allowance: 10 Kilograms per traveler (weights to be carried by horses)
- Transportation to head of Choquequirao trail.
- English/Spanish speaker professional guide
- Personal pad (double foam)
- Tents
- Cook and cooking equipment
- Horses (to carry the tents, toilet and cooking equipment)
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Guided visit to Machu Picchu.
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu (rt)
- Expedition Train ticket Ollantaytambo/aguas calientes/ollantaytambo (Vistadome upgrade available)
- Transfer Ollantaytambo train station to hotel
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Vegetarian food available on request with no extra charge.
- First Aid equipment
Note: Horses will carry the heavy gear; you will hike carrying only your personal pack, sleeping bag and pad.
If you are considering bringing some photography equipment or other heavy accessories, or just simply don’t want to carry anything, please request an additional horse to carry your personal belongings, this way you will freely enjoy the hike. (This is highly recommended if you have never hiked over 10000 feet). Cooks handle all the kitchen chores.
Excluded in tour cost
- Personal trekking gear, sleeping bag, tips to guide and support staff, city services.
- Domestic air LIM/CUZ/LIM: around US$ 220 (subject to change)
- Single Tent supplement: US$ 25
- Sleeping bag (optional): US$ 25. All sleeping bags are laundered between each trek. Please request this rental well in advance.
†Vistadome train upgrade Aguas Calientes to Poroy : USD 70.00
Group Service Price
|
CUSCO |
AGUAS CALIENTES |
Price |
| TOURIST: |
Sol Plaza Inn |
Continental |
|
| SUPERIOR: |
Del Prado Inn |
Presidente |
| PREMIUM: |
Casa San Blas |
El MaPi |
| FIRST: |
Libertador Palacio |
Sumaq |
Note: Should the requested hotel be fully booked, Inca Trail Reservations, reserves the right to book another hotel in the same category and characteristics previous customer approval.
Upgrade to Vistadome or Hiram Bingham trains are available upon request
Student Discount: USD 30.00 off of group service price
To qualify for Student Discount, you have to email us a scanned copy or digital photo of your Student ID card after booking to info (at) incatrailreservations.com
*If any of the third party costs included on this package experiences an increment, we will immediately update the package price.
Choquequirao was probably built at the ends of the century fifteenth or beginnings of the sixteenth. This important Inca city was built because of political, social, and economical reasons. It served as a connection between the highland and the coast towns which were joined for the Inca Trails. The city was carefully built and designed. Choquequirao has temples, houses for the commons and the royalty, storages, fountains, water channels, and Inca terraces for agriculture. In the area the biodiversity of flora and fauna are incomparable. The access to Choquequirao is hard to be, but it is definitely well worth.
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