Choquequirao to Machupicchu 8D 7N Challenge
Activity Level
Challenging
Group Size
Max 12 People
Locations Visited
9 Places

Choquequirao to Machupicchu 8D/7N Challenge

Choquequirao Trek (meaning ‘cradle of gold’) was discovered in the 18th century by a French explorer, it fascinated 19th century explorers and was also visited by Hiram Bingham prior to his discovery of Machu Picchu. Grandiose and mysterious, this abandoned city has lots of parallels with Machu Picchu and there are a variety of theories about its function. It is only relatively recently, however, that COPESCO (the official body responsible for tourism in Peru) has partially cleared the site and there remains a lot more to be discovered along the Choquequirao Trek.

Lying in a cloud forest, a dramatic 1150 metres (3772 feet) above the Apurimac River and surrounded by a fascinating landscape created by the Vilcabamba mountain range,The Choquekirao Trek has everything to offer a trekker. However, due to its remote location, few tourists visited this site in the past. Fortunately, COPESCO, have now also constructed a footbridge over the Apurimac River, below the site, making it more accessible to reach. It is a challenging but amazing experience to hike down to the depths of Apurimac Canyon and then up to the site in the cloud.

Tour Price

8 Days, 7 Nights

Choquequirao to Machupicchu 8D/7N Challenge
Price from

$1200USD

Per Person

Itinerary

Day 01

Cusco - Cachora - Santa Rosa

We pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 a.m. so we will be arriving at Cachora town at 9:00 a.m. in the morning where we will have our breakfast while we arrange the equipment on mules and horses. Already from the village of Cachora we can observe the majestic Padrayoc snow covered peaks, the highest is 5482 m.a.s.l. The hike on this first day is 21.70 km or 8 hours. On the way we will observe Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora snow covered peaks. We can appreciate the beautiful change of the landscape from precipices to snowy mountains. The walk starts quite flat with views to snow covered peaks and small farms on the step mountainsides. From the viewpoint of Capuliyoc, where we might see condors, the descent towards the Apurímac Canyon starts. As the vegetation is changing from Agave and Tuna cactus forest to dwarftree forest we have lunch break at Chiquisqa (1950 m.a.s.l.). From here we continue the descent to the abundant Apurímac River in 1550 m.a.s.l. in the impressing deep canyon of the same name. After a short brake at the river we start the steep climb towards Santa Rosa, where we camp for the night in a small sugarcane plantation (2115 m.a.s.l.).

Day 02

Santa Rosa - Choquequirao

Early morning after breakfast, we continue our hike going up to Choquekiraw. The first 2-3 hours are going up steep, but then it will change between flat and climb the rest of the way surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. We will arrive to the archaeological place CHOQUEKIRAO after 5 hours. After a good lunch and a little break we will walk to the main square of Choquekirao, to enjoy this majestic place, where we will observe the three levels of the excavated ruin. Approximately at 3 o’clock in the afternoon (depends of the weather) we can be lucky to appreciate “the flight of the Condors”. The guide will decide where to set our camp in Raqaypata (2910 m.a.s.l.).

Day 03

Choquequirao - Pinchinuyoc - Bosque Nuboso

After breakfast we have good time to enjoy the majestic archaeological place. We can appreciate houses, terraces and other parts of this late Inca-town. Besides we see the ruin in progress of excavation and finally areas unexplored- that can tell us about this last refuge of the oppressed Inca empire. After the lunch we walk through Choquekirao, with all equipment going to our next camp. We follow the old water canal for a while before we start the 3 hours walk to the Pinchinuyoc ruins found in 1998. First we walk through cloud forest, but then all becomes steep open prairie with open views of the Mountains and valleys. Pinchinoyoc – these ruins are something very special. All of a sudden they appear in the cloud forest, almost invisible because of the thick layer of mosses and other vegetation that covers it. Here we spend the night basically on the old Inca Terraces.

Day 04

Bosque Nuboso - Bosque Seco - Maizal

This morning we walk down through an interesting vegetation know as Dry Andean Highland Forest. Trees and plants here look different to what we have seen before. We arrive to the river Victoria after a few hours and use the brake here to get a refreshing bath in the cold and clear river water. We cross walking through the river, since there are no bridges. After our brake we start the long and steep climb to our camp in Maizal, high over the river close to the sacred Apus of the Incas. On the way up we catch our breath in the shade of small trees and other vegetations on the way up. In Maizal we have our lunch and enjoy, that we can relax this afternoon- with only optional physical activity. Maizal is properly the camp in the most beautiful location of them all. From here we see 3 valleys and a great snow peak right across from us. A good place to lean back and think.

Day 05

Maizal - Victoria - Yanama

We leave our camp at Maizal and walk towards the San Juan pass. Again a long climb, but we walk in a amazingly beautiful area- first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with the well known ichu grass. We rest at some of the Victoria mines, where metal shining stones tell about a high concentration of minerals and metals. On our way through the Puna we walk on very well preserved Inca trails, among other characteristics with the classic zigzag. We take lunch at the pass in 4000 m.a.s.l. with view of the mountain Choquetakarpo, before we start the descent towards Yanama, a small isolated settlement at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains.

Day 06

Yanama - Totora

We continue from Yanama up through the valley towards the highest point of the tour, The Yanama Pass in 4500 m.a.s.l. On the way we have a good view of the snow capped Sacsarayoc. Once again we have the chance to see condors, and this mornings smooth climb bring us through new landscapes- especially the wet grass fields under the snowline that distinguish from everything else seen on the tour. In the pass we might walk in snow, and the descent is a long foggy hike through grassy fields- and bush areas and crossing small wood/dirt bridges on the way towards the community of Totora, where we spend the night.

Day 07

Totora - Hidroeléctrica - Aguas Calientes

We now walk the about 2000 meters down through the changing vegetations to the warmer camp in the village of La Playa. Approx. 7 hours walking. On the way we see small waterfalls and get a refreshing natural bath. The area also has a big variation of bird life and it is now obvious that the climate and vegetations have changed totally, and now we see plants recognizable from the living rooms in Europe and several types of orchids. The Playa is the biggest village on the way, where we can find some small shops to buy snack etc. In this area we can see small plantations of coffee and bananas and then we take public transportatiion to the Hydrolectrica and then we walk for about 2 hour more to get to Aguas Calientes town where we going to stay in a nice hostal with hot shower , is recommended to go to the natural hotspring in here.

Day 08

Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

From Aguas Calientes we walk or take bus to Machu Picchu. We start our visit with a 2-3 hours guided tour, that will bring us to the most important locations at the archaeological site and the guide will tell us about the great importance Machu Picchu enjoyed as astronomical and religious center. The rest of the day we spend at this amazing ruin and you will have the chance to climb Wayna Picchu or visit the beautiful moon temple. We meet in the afternoon in Aguas Calientes where we take the train to Ollantaytambo, and from here bus to Cusco. In Cusco we go to at central placed hotel close to the colonial style Plaza de Armas. This is the end of our service

Includes / Not includes

Included

Professional bilingual guide (Spanish - English) and assistant guide (only for groups of 8 or more people).

Pick up from the hotel.

Private transportation (Cusco - Cachora).

Tickets to Choquequirao.

Horseman and mules to transport equipment, food and personal luggage (only 7 kilos per person).

A cook to prepare all meals.

Meals: 7 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners; foods suitable for walking and rich in carbohydrates.

Kitchen equipment: dining tent, kitchen with table and chairs.

The capacity of the tent is for 4 people, but it can be used only for 2 people, to have more space for your luggage.

Therma-rest air mattress.

1 night accommodation in Hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Tickets to Machu Picchu.

Bus transportation (Round trip to Machu Picchu).

Train (Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo).

Tourist bus transportation (Ollantaytambo - Cusco).

Boiled water.

First aid kit.

Not included

First breakfast and last dinner.

Sleeping bag.

Additional horse to ride.

Tickets to Huaynapicchu.

What to bring

Original passport and student card (ISIC) green card.

Essential insurance card.

Walking boots (with ankle protectors).

Waterproof jacket / rain poncho.

Warm jacket, hat and gloves.

Comfortable shirts and pants.

Sun protection cream (factor 35 is recommended).

Insect repellent minimum 30% DEET.

Toiletries.

Personal medications.

Camera.

Flashlight with spare batteries.

Water purification tablets (Micropur recommended).

Toilet paper.

Suggested extra contribution.

Price

Price


Precio de grupo

Precio por persona

USD $1,200.00 Per person

Required Pre-payment
USD $200.00

FAQs

Book this tour now

Book Now

Why Choose Bioandean Expeditions?

100% Local

Sustainable

Amazing Chefs

Commited to our Community

Top Guides

Best Equipment

Lo que nuestros clientes dicen en Tripadvisor


Office Ours

Monday to Friday
9AM – 1PM & 3PM – 7:30PM
Saturday 8:30AM – 1PM
Sunday CLOSED

San Andres & Quera street 201, Cusco

Contact

info@bioandeanexpeditions.com
reservations@bioandeanexpeditions.com
+51 969 875 999 (Oficina)
+51 984 404 049 (Sales)

Payment Methods
Payment Method
Connect with us:
Contact Us