Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek 9D/8N

Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most beaten tracks that we have around in the Cusco Region. A remote hilltop, protected by huge canyons and fierce rivers lies the lost Inca city of Chquequirao. The adventurous Choquequirao to Machupicchu journey connects a few of the fantastic Inca sites discovered by this Explorer Hiram Bingham early 19th century. It is a challenging alternative trek to the Inca Trail.
Supported by mules and horseman you trek old Inca trails to traverse the entire Vilcabamba mountain range. hike from the Apurimac river to the Urubamba River by the stunning Inca sites of Choquequirao, Llactapata, and Machupicchu. hike down into arid canyons and up over high mountain passes. Enjoying the biodiversity of Flora and Fauna. This 58 km. A journey is one of the most spectacular and diverse treks in Peru.

DAY 1: CUSCO CAPULIYOC TO CHIQUISKA

Our trekking crew lead by your private guide will pick you up from your Hotel. you will be driving for four hours during this journey we will pass by farm villages of potatoes, vegetables, avocado plantation, and fruits in Limatambo and Curahuasi valley. then Capuliyoc, where you will have lunch. After lunch, you will start your descend this wonderful Adventure Capuliyoc is a viewpoint to see the Apurimac canyon and the Apurimac river, plus you will be able to see Choquequirao from in front. Today you will hike for four hours to Chiquiska camp This terrain is a Stone path. overlooking the Apurimac canyon. Included L, D.

Note. Very important you have to bring good equipment like good hiking shoes and very good socks to avoid blisters.

Altitude: capuliyoc 2800m/ 8900fts to Chiquiska camp 2000m./6000fts, Distance: 12 km, Time: 4 to 5 hours.

DAY 2: CHIQUISKA MARANPATA TO CHOQUEQUIRAO

Today after a healthy breakfast we will start our descend to playa Rosalina’s where will cross the Apurimac river one of the biggest in the Peruvian Andes flowed into the Atlantic ocean. After we cross we start our ascent for five hours to Marampata where we stop for lunch amazing place overlooking the Apurimac canyons and surrounded áreas like Huanipaca village from in front after a break we will continue our hike up and down to Choquequirao basecamp, today’s hike is more ascent challenging in the lush green Bambu vegetation if you are lucky we can see the Andean spectacled bear.

Altitude: from 1600 to 3000mtrs. Distance: 16 km. Time: 8 to 9 hours.

DAY 3: EXPLORE CHOQUEQUIRAO AFTERNOON HIKE TO PINCHIUNUYOC

This Morning you will explore the hiding city of the Incas civilization CHOQUEQUIRAO. our guide will explain and explore with you the most important place a ceremonial, Residencial, and farming area where you can observe the llama in their figures in the farming terraces After exploring, and taking enough free time for you. you will have lunch. In the afternoon we continue hiking up for 30 minutes then we descend for two hours in a stone path in thick, lush vegetation, until Pinchiunuyoc, where we camp for the night this is a hot spot, but we can refresh and wash in this beautiful water stream.

Altitude: choquequirao 3000m/9500fts. Pinchiunuyoc 2100m./ 6600fts, Distance: 8 km, Time: 3 hours.

DAY 4: PINCHIUNUYOC TO MAIZAL

Today after breakfast we will descend approximately for two hours to Rio Blanco, the morning hike will be in a stone path thick lush vegetation, rich in flora and fauna after crossing the Rio Blanco river, here you can dip in very refreshing glacier water especially in a sunny day, then you will start to ascend for four hours through some beautiful native Banbu forest to Maizal camp for lunch. Maizal is a quiet place there are just two families who live over the years surrounded by beautiful mountains a place to see the sunrise and the sunset.

Altitude: 2100m./6600fts. / to Maizal 3000m/ 9500fts, Distance: 14 km, Time: 6 to 7 hrs.

DAY 5: MAIZAL TO YANAMA COMMUNITY

Today after breakfast. we will start our ascent the morning hike will be in a lush green forest and other native trees from the area as well this section is Muddy and wet highly recommendable to use gaiters in this part of the trail then we arrive at San Juan pass 4100mts This is one best viewpoint to enjoy the Vilcabamba mountain range as a Pumasillo glacier if we are very lucky we can see a Condor. After your free time and having lunch you will start ascending to Yanama local community for two hours where we will camp for the night.

Altitude: 3000m/9500fts. to Yanama 35000mts/ 11000fts, Distance: 15 km, Time: 7 to 8 hours.

DAY 6: YANAMA TO TOTORA

Today is the most beautiful and challenging day you will be trekking overlooking the Vilcabamba mountain range until Yanama pass 4600m/ 14600fts the highest point on the trek. where you will have a spectacular view of Salkantay and Humantay snowed capped mountains after your free time we will continue our hike with a switchback trail downhill into the Totora valley until the small village of Totora where we stay for a night.

Altitude. 3500mts/11000fts. Totora 3400mts/10800fts, Distance: 22 km, Time: 8 to 10hrs.

DAY 7: TOTORA TO LUCMABAMBA

Today is another beautiful day of the hike because you will see the change of the ecosystem from the high Andean mountains to a green lush cloud forest where we will end in a tropical area. After breakfast we will continue our descend following the Totora valley for two hours to Colpapampa is a small village where the Salkantay classic trekkers camp for their second night. we will continue up and down, through a very lush cloud forest, full of begonias orchids, and a huge variety of butterflies, and birdlife. also, you will pass by avocado and granadilla farms (family of passion fruit) Until Granadillayoc where the last part we will take transportation to our camp Lucmabamba. 2000mts. today will camp in this farm village where the main industry is coffee growing, will explore a tropical forest for a little while. if you are a coffee lover this will be the place to taste one of the best organic coffee in Peru. This afternoon you have a chance to visit the relaxing Hot springs Cocalmayo this is an extra activity with additional cost.

Altitude: 3400mts/10800fts. Lucmabamba 2000mts/6300fts, Distance: 20 km, Time: 8 to 9 hrs.

DAY 8: LUCMABAMBA TO AGUAS CALIENTES

We will wake you up early in the morning to have breakfast. Today we will continue the ascent for three hours to Qelloqasa 2700m/8,586ft. from where we have a spectacular view of the lost city of the Incas, the legendary Machupicchu, from a different angle. From this point, you will descend to Llaptapata archeological site where you can see both Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu mountains enjoying a good rest and explanation we will continue our descend to towards to Aobamba river if you are very lucky we will be able to see the cock of the rocks ( the national bird of Peru) crossing lush green forest and more avocado and coffee plantations bring us to the hydroelectric plant of Machupicchu, where we will have our lunch and we will have a thankful meeting and say good-by with our trekking crew, then we will take the train for 45 minutes to Aguas Calientes town where our guide will take you to the hotel you will stay for the night. Trekking distance: 18km, Time: 7 to 8 hours, Highest point: 2700m/8,586ft.

Altitude: 2000 to 2000 meters about sea level.

DAY 9: TOUR OF MACHUPICCHU AFTERNOON BACK TO CUSCO CITY

After Breakfast, your guide will pick you from your hotel for a short bus journey to the entrance of Machu Picchu, today you will explore this magical Inca city of the Inca civilization and enjoy learning about it was built and discovered. for 3 hours. You will then have free time to wander around and if you got a Ticket for Wayna Picchu you can climb. Note. There are just 400 visitors allowed per day. You have to book in advance the entrance with us to ensure your permit In the afternoon we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes. From here we take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy depending on the space and private transportation back to your Hotel Cusco.

BRIEFING

The night before your trek, we will go to your hotel at a coordinated Time with you for your briefing. We will provide you a duffel bag that will stay with your porters while you hike, this duffel bag should not exceed 7kg or 14 pounds does need to include your sleeping bag and air mattress.

PERMITS

As soon we receive your details and deposit, we will purchase your permits depending on availability, these permits are for a specific date and in your name. They cannot be changed once are confirmed. Only your passport number is allowed to be updated. The permit includes an entrance to Machu Picchu.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSE TOUR GUIDE

All our guides who are part of “Machu Picchu Trails Peru” have a degree in tourism that they studied at the National University of Cusco. They are passionate about sharing our Peruvian History, culture, gastronomy, and others, they are fluent in English speaking and many of them speak our local language (Quechua) they will make sure your safety and lifelong memories.

PORTERS

We include a personal porter who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag, you will not have access to your duffel bag until your campsite, there is no extra fee for this.

TRANSPORTATION

You will have transportation include in this trek, from Cusco hotel or sacred valley to Km. 82 starting point and return to your hotel from the train station could be from Ollanta or Poroy.

We include expedition train from Aguas Calientes, you may want to upgrade to the Vistadome train service has extra 75$ per person.

We include the bust ticket from Machu Picchu citadel to Aguas Calientes town.

EQUIPMENT

We provide you a very nice four-season EUREKA TENTS. That is shared for two people you will also have a dining and cooking tents.

FOOD

We provide you an experienced chef who is an expert in cooking in the mountains respecting the food restriction of our clients. Let us know in advance or in your briefing before your departure. The first-day breakfast and the last-day lunch are not included. Other than that, we provide you breakfast, lunch, and diner as well as snacks for the hike.

WATER

Very important and is required to bring your own water bottle for the trek, we will provide you from the first lunch filtered, boiled cool down water to refill your water bottle at every campsite or Lunch spots.

FIRST AID

Every tour guide who is part of “Machu Picchu Trails Peru” received training in first aid from the high mountain specialists we do every February, your tour guide will have a first aid kit for basic medical situations. Also, in all our treks we provide oxygen for emergency situations in the worse cases, our staff will get you off the trail and we will assist you to get to the clinic if is needed.

TAXES AND FEES

All taxes and permits fees associated with this trek are included in the listed price.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Cusco Region mainly presents two seasons, the rainy season, from November to April the heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January, February, and March, and the dry season from May to October. The dry season is colder so temperatures can drop to below 0 degrees at night

Along the Inca Trail, temperature ranges from 15-20°c during the day if it’s sunny, to 10 – 28 °c during the day if not sunny, or 05-15°c at night in the first 2 campsites. At Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu, at a lower altitude, temperatures are usually warmer though warm clothes are still recommended at night.

There are benefits to visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu during each season as well you can have some drawbacks. The dry season is usually crowded in all the sites and specially in the Inca Trail you need to ensure your permit at least six months in advance.

The rainy season can be a very pleasant time for you looking to do cultural tours or for you who Will design your holiday with no trekking, including visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu with less crowd.

ALTITUDE: of Cusco city. 3400 meters 10,800 fits

POPULATION: of the Cusco region 1,300,000.

MACHU PICCHU TICKETS

With the new regulations of the Peruvian government now the Machu Picchu entrance ticket goes on sale from 6.00 am. to 3.00 pm.

WAYNA PICCHU TICKETS

With the new regulations from the Peruvian government now the Wayna Picchu tickets go on sale from 7.00 am. Until 10:00 to 11:000 am. The hike Will take 45 minutes up and 30 minutes down all the way step not recommendable for the people who have vertigo. Note. Very important to book in advance to ensure your entrance tickets to the sites.

MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN TICKETS

The hike Will take you 1.45 hs. And 1:00 hs down. The ticket goes in sale in two windows of time from 6 to 7 and the second group is from 8 to 9 am. Takes longer but it’s more beautiful.

STRIKES

Is the biggest problem in South America not just in Peru it can affect us in our tour treks roads are often blocked as well as trains stop their operations. Usually, the advice is two weeks in advance to prevent do not affect too much any of this country’s problems in our tours in the worst-case Private Machu Picchu Will let you know to cancel the tours or treks. Your health and safety are our top priorities.

ARRIVAL AT CUSCO

Cusco has an airport mostly for domestic flights from inside the country. Our international airport is Jorge Chavez Lima.

LATAM Airlines is the biggest company that operates in Peru and has connections all over the world. Is the only airline that doesn’t have too many cancellations in the weather conditions here in Cusco. The time flight from Lima to Cusco is one hour. Always you can connect your flights to Puno, Arequipa, Puerto Maldonado Jungle, Iquitos, or the north of Peru. In our extension tours.

Always there is a bus option from lima to Cusco the time Will take you 22 hours.

FOOD

Peruvian cuisine is recognized for its biodiversity of products and continues conquering the whole world. Peruvian food is being awarded internationally for owning the most delicious food in the world.

Cusco Region has unique gastronomy for the use of local products like potatoes, quinoa, corn, a variety of vegetables, and its exotic fruits plus guinea pig, and alpaca meat. Your travel expert will recommend you restaurants you can wonder here in Peru and Cusco.

On our treks, we provide you with delicious food you just need to make sure to let us your dietary restrictions before departure our treks as well as our chefs are very experienced in cooking in the mountains.

WHAT WE RECOMEND TO BRING

* Backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek.

* Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended.

* Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp.

* Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.

* Cámara and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)

* Sun block or sun cream.

* Hydrating cream for face and body.

* Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% deet – no malaria risk has been reported

* Toilet paper and tissues

* Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, dried fruits, etc. Please note that we do provide a snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it’s not included in our selection.

* Water container and water for the first morning. Important notice: plastic water bottles are no longer allowed into the Inca trail. Plastic water containers or comelback or metal ones are recommended.

* Optionally water sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far.

* Small towel

* Swimsuit (if you a extra day in Aguas Calientes town you can go to the hot springs)

* Cash in soles or in Dollars.

* Original Passport, travel insurance, any important health document you may have to follow any restrictions.

* Original international student identity card (in case you have applied for a student discount)

* Optional, walking sticks or hiking poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage inca trail) if not we have here for rent.

OPTIONAL SERVICES TO BE HIRED

An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be booked for you at an additional cost depending on the Hotel you choose. Please note that if you wish to visit Machu Picchu again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee is not included.

Massage sessions: us$50 per 1-hour session our massage therapists have the highest recognition in Cusco.

RECOMENDED PACKING LIST FOR TREKS

Passport

Valid student card in case if you booked as a student

immigration stamp

25lts or 30 lts daypack

Water battle or comeback at list with 2 lts of storage.

Footwear waterproof hiking boots.

4 or 5 hiking t-shirts, three hiking pants considering one nice outfit for Machu Picchu, 5 sets of undergarments, 4 pers of socks, one fleece and down jacket for cold nights, set for rain gears jacket and pants, sun hat, wool hat, headlamp, warm waterproof gloves, shoes for camp, quickdry small towel.

Battery charger. There is no place to plug in while trekking.

Sunscreen, face moisturizer, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toothbrush and paste, toilet paper, personal medication, band aids, moleskin, and others.

Camara, pone, music player.

Tour: Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek 9D/8N

Type: Alternative Treks

Duration: 9D/8N

Difficulty: Challenging

Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek 9D/8N

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