Itineraries

5 day/4 night Choquequirau Trek Sister to Machu Picchu

Situated amongst the Salkantay Mountain Range, the Inca city of Choquequirau rises high above the Apurimac River. It bears a striking similarity in structure and architecture to Machu Picchu and is referred to as its 'sister'. Choquequirau receives far fewer tourists than its sister but the ruin is no less impressive and is a good alternative to the overcrowded Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail. Unlike Machu Picchu, Choquequirau cannot be reached by train or bus. The only way to visit the site is to go on a very spectacular 2-day hike from Cachora, a small community 4 hours from Cusco.

Day 1 CUSCO TO CACHORA
After lunch, at 1 PM, you will transfer 4 hours to the small town of Cachora, the beginning of the Choquequirau trek. In route, you will stop at the Saywite arqueological site. The site is regarded as a center of religious worship focusing on water. In Cachora, you will settle into the Tres Balcones guesthouse and have a fabulous handmade stone oven pizza buffet. The day will be spent exploring the small village and preparing for your trek to Choquequirau. D

Day 2 TREK TO CHOQUEQUIRAU
Today you begin your 4 day trek to Choquequirau and back. Cachora to Santa Rosa: From Cachora we begin the two-hour walk to Capuliyoc, nearly 9,600 feet above sea level. Here you will encounter magnificent views of the Salkantay Mountain Range and the plummeting canyon below. From Capuliyoc we begin the long descent to Chikisca. This is a good place to stop for lunch. We continue the trek, reaching the Apurimac River and begin the ascent on the other side of the canyon. (This often is considered the most challenging part of the trek.) We reach Santa Rosa, where our horsemen will help to set up the camp. Rest and have a delicious dinner prepared by our local chef. B,L,D

Day 3 TREK TO CHOQUEQUIRAU
Santa Rosa to Choquequirau: A change for the day before, this section of the trail is very lush full of tropical vegetation. The trail becomes flatter and the trekking spectacular for next three hours until we reach the archaeological complex of Choquequirau. We will camp between the lower and upper sections of the site and have lunch before exploring this magical citadel. While walking through the ruins, it is not uncommon to see condors flying over or to hear the faint sounds of the Andean flute. After an afternoon of visiting the ruins, return to camp for dinner. B,L,D

Day 4 TREK TO CHOQUEQUIRAU
Choququirau to Chikisca: First thing in the morning, we’ll further explore the incredible complex with a guide giving an insightful tour of the ruins. You’ll also be able to explore the ruins on your own. After lunch, we begin the descent to Playa Rosalina near the impressive Apurimac River. We continue on to Chikisca where we enjoy dinner and spend the night. B,L,D

Day 5 TREK TO CHOQUEQUIRAU
Chikisca to Cachora: After breakfast, we ascend up to the Capuliyoc Pass one more time to take in the amazing panoramic view and watch for condors flying overhead. From there, we enter into the town of Cachora where a delicious lunch will be waiting at Los Tres Balcones before departing back to Cusco. B,L

***The itinerary is flexible and can be arranged for an additional evening in Choquequirao or in Cachora at Tres Balcones at the end of the trek.

PRICE:

FOR 2-6 PEOPLE: $650 pp
FOR 7-10 PEOPLE: $600 pp
FOR 11-12 PEOPLE: $550 pp
FOR 13-16 PEOPLE: $500 pp

INCLUDED: Transportation from Cusco to Cachora and back, visit to Saywite archeological site, entrance tickets, one night at Tres Balcones Hostal, dinner, bilingual guide, horses for emergencies, guided tour of Choquequirau, entrance tickets, complete logistical support, tents, bedding, drinkable water, all food on trek, snacks, horses for carrying gear.

NOT INCLUDED: Sleeping back, mattress, water bottles and personal gear.

8 day/7 night Choquequirau to
Machu Picchu Trek

This is a breathtaking trek through remote valleys with stunning mountain scenery of giant snow-covered Andean peaks, ancient cloud forest, abundant wildflowers and two of the most spectacular and enigmatic Inca sites to have survived the ravages of time and the Spanish conquest: Choquequirao and Machu Picchu.

Day 1 CUSCO TO CACHORA
After lunch, at 1 PM, you will transfer 4 hours to the small town of Cachora, the beginning of the Choquequirau trek. In route, you will stop at the Saywite arqueological site. The site is regarded as a center of religious worship focusing on water. In Cachora, you will settle into the Tres Balcones guesthouse and have a fabulous handmade stone oven pizza buffet. The day will be spent exploring the small village and preparing for your trek to Choquequirau. D

Day 2 TREK TO CHOQUEQUIRAU
Today you begin your 4 day trek to Choquequirau and back. Cachora to Santa Rosa: From Cachora we begin the two-hour walk to Capuliyoc, nearly 9,600 feet above sea level. Here you will encounter magnificent views of the Salkantay Mountain Range and the plummeting canyon below. From Capuliyoc we begin the long descent to Chikisca. This is a good place to stop for lunch. We continue the trek, reaching the Apurimac River and begin the ascent on the other side of the canyon. (This often is considered the most challenging part of the trek.) We reach Santa Rosa, where our horsemen will help to set up the camp. Rest and have a delicious dinner prepared by our local chef. B,L,D

Day 3 TREK TO CHOQUEQUIRAU
Santa Rosa to Choquequirau: A change for the day before, this section of the trail is very lush full of tropical vegetation. The trail becomes flatter and the trekking spectacular for next three hours until we reach the archaeological complex of Choquequirau. We will camp between the lower and upper sections of the site and have lunch before exploring this magical citadel. While walking through the ruins, it is not uncommon to see condors flying over or to hear the faint sounds of the Andean flute. After an afternoon of visiting the ruins, return to camp for dinner. B,L,D

Day 4 TREK TO Maizal
Choququirau to Chikisca: First thing in the morning, we’ll further explore the incredible complex with a guide giving an insightful tour of the ruins. You’ll also be able to explore the ruins on your own. After lunch, we will trek to Maizal along the sidesteps that goes up to the passage of Choquequirao, 3.300 m above sea level. with impressive views of the cliff of Apurímac. From here we descend to the small archeological complex of Pinchiunuyoq and Rio Blanco (White River). Three hours more and we will arrive to camp. B,L,D

Day 5 MAIZAL TO YANAMA
An early morning will bring us to the stunning pass of Yanama (4.500 m above sea level), with impressive views of the picks of Choquetacarpu and Purinasillu. After a break, we descend to the community of Yanama (3.400 m above sea level) to our camp. B,L,D

Day 6 YANAMA TO COLLPAPAMPA
Our morning trek begins flat and then a slight incline through the mountain pass of Yanama, 4.700 m above sea level. The Puna zone will give us spectacular views of the the snowcapped picks Salkantay and Hunantay. As we descend you will observe a dramatic change in the flora and at our lower camp in the high jungle (cloud forest). Temperatures are colder and humid at night. B,L,D

Day 7 COLLPAPAMPA TO AGUAS CALIENTES
Leaving camp early, the day’s walk is easier, as we sroll along the left side of the river Santa Teresa, in the middle of subtropical forest where we will see coffee crops, native fruits. After approximately 3 hours we will arrive to the town of Lucmabamba. Here we will take a car which will take us to Santa Teresa in about 40 min. From here we descent through orchids and ferns,until we reach the Aobamba river, then crossing a metal bridge with views of an impressive water fall that goes to the hydroelectric plant. Arriving to the rail road tracks and then taking a two hour walk on the rail road tracks to Aguas Calientes. Spend the night in a hotel and visit the local hot springs. Dinner on your own. B,L

Day 8 MACHU PICCHU TO CUSCO
We will spend the entire day exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu hearing the stories of the meaning behind this Inca site from our local guide. In the afternoon you will have free time to explore the ruins on your own and to climb to the top of Wuyanu Picchu and the Temple of the Moon before returning to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cuzco. B

***The itinerary is flexible and can be arranged for an additional evening in Choquequirao or in Aguas Calientes at the end of the trek.

PRICE:

FOR 2-6 PEOPLE: $1150 pp
FOR 7-10 PEOPLE: $1050 pp
FOR 11-12 PEOPLE: $950 pp
FOR 13-16 PEOPLE: $900 pp

INCLUDED: Transportation from Cusco to Cachora and back, visit to Saywite archeological site, entrance tickets, one night at Tres Balcones Hostal, dinner, bilingual guide, horses for emergencies, guided tour of Choquequirau, entrance tickets to Choquequirau and Machu Picchu, Bus to/from Machu Picchu, Train ticket to Cusco, complete logistical support, tents, bedding, drinkable water, all food on trek, snacks, horses for carrying gear.

NOT INCLUDED: Sleeping back, mattress, water bottles and personal gear.

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