Choquequirao to Machu Picchu – 5 Days

This is a unique combination of Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek 5 Days; you will visit the most significant archaeological sites of Cusco. Choquequirao is impressive not only for the archaeological complex but also for the views offered along the route from the city of Cusco. The vegetation, the view of the Apurimac canyon, one of America’s deepest canyons, makes this hike an unforgettable experience.

Built on top of a mountain in the Andes of Peru, the Choquequirao Archaeological Complex can only be compared to the majesty of Machu Picchu in its beauty, its architectural grandeur, and accomplishment. The ruins of this Inca city are located at the height of 3050 m, A wonder of ancient stone walls that protect the palaces and temples. The fountains, canals, and aqueducts that feed the farming terraces are intact and can be clearly seen many kilometers away.

We will pick you up from your hotel at Cusco at 4 am, to drive in our private van for about three hours until to get the trailhead (Capuliyoc 3,200 m). before we stop at Cachora to have breakfast in a local restaurant (not included), at Capuliyoc, we meet our horseman who will be in charge of carrying our equipment and your stuff.

Before beginning our hike, we will take our first group photo with the views of the snow-peak. After that, we will start our expeditions by the Choquequirao trek; it is like a three-hour down hike with some breaks until the lunch stop. The trail is a little dusty and slippery, but you won’t have problems with good trekking boots and poles. Along the way, you will have fantastic views of the Apurimac Canyon.

After lunch we start the walk again towards Playa Rosalina 1,500 meters above sea level (4,921 ft), which is the lowest area of the route where we cross the Apurimac River, then we find a path where the route is only uphill, there is where the practice of agriculture is almost impossible but the inhabitants of the area take advantage of some water currents to grow sugar cane and with this, they produce EL CAMBRAY (produced from sugar cane).

• Accommodation: Tent (4 season tent, allowing greater comfort).
• Meals: Lunch, Tea, and Dinner.
• Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours approx.
• Hiking distance: 15 km / 9.32 miles.
• Highest elevation: 2,890 m / 9,482 ft.

On the most stunning Choquequirao trek day, you will arrive at Choquequirao when the sunrise is just happening and the birds are waking up and singing their magic chants. After a delicious Andean breakfast, you get ready to hike for 2 hours to the village of Marampata located at the mountain top. From here you will already see Choquequirao in the distance and it takes you 2 more hours hiking on a relatively flat surface to get there. This last stretch to Choquequirao has a very beautiful view of the cloud forest and rugged mountains around the Apurimac canyon.

Upon arrival, your tour guide will lead you around the most amazing spots of the Choquequirao Inca settlement. You will explore the main plaza, which is surrounded by huge two-floor buildings and sacred shrines, food deposits, astronomical and religious platforms, the agricultural terraces of Phaqchayoq, and the worshiping terraces of the llamas. Your guide will be a walking encyclopedia and will share interesting facts about Choquequirao, its archaeology, and its history. Around mid-day, your chef and our super porters will bring to you a cold apple juice and a delicious packed lunch. Currently, tour operators are not able to camp, sleep or cook in the ex Choquequirao basecamp that is located next to the Choquequirao ruins.

This is a new regulation of the Peruvian government made in 2021 and that is why our staff will prepare a box lunch that they will carry from Marampata to Choquequirao. Then in the afternoon and after a pretty sunset, you will start hiking back to Marampata. This night will be an amazing opportunity to stargaze and learn more about the constellations of the southern hemisphere.

• Accommodation: Tent (4 season tent, allowing greater comfort).
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, and Dinner.
• Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours approx.
• Hiking distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles.
• Highest elevation: 3,050 m / 10,007 ft.

Your tour guide will come very early to your tents with a hot coffee cup to wake you up just for an incredible sunrise over the Marampata hamlet. After having a delicious outdoor breakfast, you will hike 4 hours downhill through a winding trail to Playa Rosalinas, where you will have the chance to relax your feet in the cold Apurimac river waters, also here you will have a varied buffet lunch. After digesting for 30 minutes you will hike uphill for 2 hours to the Chiquiska farmhouse, where you will camp.

In the afternoon to take advantage of the free time, you will have, your tour guide will teach you how to prepare Cambray, which is an artisanal sugar-cane brandy. Also, you will have a Peruvian cooking class, where your expert hiking chef will teach you how to prepare Lomo Saltado, Aji de Gallina, Quinoa soup, or perhaps an Arroz Verde con Pollo.

• Accommodation: Tent (4 season tent).
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, and Dinner.
• Hiking time: 7 hours approx.
• Hiking distance: 11 km / 6.82 miles.
• Highest elevation: 3,050 m / 10.007 ft.

Your tour guide will wake you up very early to take advantage of the cooler hours of the morning and hike uphill for 4 hours to the Capuliyoc viewpoint. In the morning, the view of the snowy Padreyoc with the sunrise over its highest point is amazing. Once you arrive in Capuliyoc, your porter staff will be waiting for you with a cold fruit juice and a delicious buffet lunch. Afterwards, you will board our private van for 2 hours to the beautiful and crystalline thermo-medicinal waters of Conoc to relax those muscles that were demanded to the maximum in the Choquequirao trek.

Then you will board the van again for 2 hours to the town of Ollantaytambo, where you will have dinner at a local restaurant. At 7 p.m. you will board the Peru Rail Expedition tourist train for 1 hour and 45 minutes to Aguas Calientes, the closest town to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, your guide will leave you at your hotel and will also tell you the time you will go up the next day to visit and explore Machu Picchu. Finally, you can say that! the journey through the Choquequirao trek has ended and now the trip to the Machu Picchu destination begins¡.

• Accommodation: Hotel.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
• Hiking time: 4 hours approx.
• Hiking distance: 8 km / 4.97 miles.
• Highest elevation: 3,500 m / 11.483 ft.

During the morning, at the agreed time with the guide, we will walk for one hour to Machu Picchu. Once we arrive, we will have to follow our guide, who will take us on a tour of Machu Picchu for two hours. Then you will have free time to explore on your own Machu Picchu to take fantastic photos that will give you much to talk about among your friends.

After the excursion, we will return to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch. In the afternoon, we will return to Ollantaytambo by train, where we will board the private transport that will take us back to the city of Cusco.

• Meals: Breakfast.
• Hiking time: 2 hours approx.
• Hiking distance: 2 km / 1.24 miles.
• Highest elevation: 2,500 m / 8,202 ft.

• Pre trek Briefing (briefing at the hotel or office).
• Pick up from your hotel on the morning of departure.
• Transportation from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the hike by private car.
• English / Quechua / Spanish professional guide speak.
• Second Tour Guide over 12 people.
• Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent, which allows for greater comfort and storage of backpacks.
• Thermarest air-inflate Comfortable sleeping Mattress.
• Cook and assistance of the Cook.
• Cooking equipment.
• Snacks.
• Daily tea service.
• Dining equipment, including chairs and tables.
• Portable environmental Biodegradable toilet (The Pett).
• Foodservice in the campsites (4 breakfast, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, 4 snacks) – nutritionally balanced menu.
• Vegetarian and free gluten food for no extra cost.
• Horseman and Horses. (To carry our camping equipment, food and 8 kilos of your personal stuff like sleeping bag and mat as well as clothes) We Never overload our Horses (well Animal Welfare).
• Choquequirao entrance fees.
• Camping spots fees.
• First-aid kit.
• Emergency oxygen bottle.
• Insurance policy for our porters and cooks.
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu (Huayna Picchu US$ 80 extra).
• 1-night accommodation in Aguas Calientes (twin bedroom with private bathroom and hot shower).
• Tourist Expeditions Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (round trip).
• Visit Machupicchu on the last day (2 hours guided tour to explore the whole Incan sites).
• Private transportation (Ollantaytambo – Cusco).

• Extra expenses.
• Breakfast – Day 1.
• Lunch & Dinner – Day 5.
• Pillows.
• Not detailed meals.
• Travel and health insurance (bring copies with you).
• Sleeping bags (it can be rented from us for US$ 30 for the entire trip).
• Walking sticks (it can be rented from us for US$ 20 for the entire trip).
• Bus Round Trip (Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes).
• Tips (optinal).

• Original Passport.
• Original Student Card (if you book as a student).
• A travel insurance card is essential.
• Sleeping bag.
• Walking sticks.
• Rain gear (jacket and pants) or poncho. Plastic ponchos can be purchased for about $ 2 in Cusco.
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots are recommended. Extra socks are a must.
• Sandals or plastic slip thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breathe at night if you want to take them.
• Warm clothes include jackets, fleeces, gloves, scarf, and knit / tour beanies. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• Camera, and batteries.
• Hat or cap to protect you from sun, rain, and cold.
• Sunblock.
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 40% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported.
• Toilet paper.
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
• We recommend bringing water purification tablets in case you pick up water from streams.
• Your own special medicines you may need, paracetamol, second skin blisters, etc.
• Small towel.
• Cash – sufficient for snacks, tips and souvenirs.
• Bathers/swimsuit (if you think swimming in the hot springs).
• Eager and adventurous spirit to enjoy your hike.

We also offer a special service only for you or your group, you have the power to choose the size of your group and the date of departure, we will never add other people since it will be organized only for you.

Our Choquequirao to Machu Picchu – 5 Days private service includes, additional items such as:

Additional Inclusions:

• Extra Emergency Horse to ride.
• North Face 4 season tents.
• 1 Sleeping Bag per person.
• 02 Waking Poles per person.
• 1 Duffel Bag to carry all your sleeping bags, self-inflating pad as well as clothes.
• Private Transportation just for you.
• Sleeping bag / Silk Liner included.
• Hotel 3 Stars (At Aguas Calientes Town).
• Entrance to climb Huaynapicchu Mountain or Machupicchu Mountain.
• Vistadome Train (First Class train back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo).
• Private Van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Bus Round Trip (Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes).
• Lunch in Machupicchu or Aguas Calientes.
• Tour Guide to explore Choquequirao, Machupicchu, and Huaynapicchu all day. And of course, we pay a little more to our Staff and Guide.

Our prices for the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu – 5 Days are reasonable and are in different packages with the prices that are handled in the city of Cusco, and discounts will apply automatically for groups of over 5 people when booking this tour together at the same time.
We are a local tour operator that never shares service with any other company in Cusco, most agencies in Cusco share their service to save operating costs with poor quality. We guarantee to make the trip even if there are only 02 people in your group.
Our booking process is simple and you can secure your trip with only a 30% deposit and pay the rest at the destination.

We want your vacation to Peru to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. This section contains answers to any inquiries regarding going with Huaynas Expeditions. Please read the following information; it will assist you if you have any queries regarding our services.