+51 942 097 720 info@peruancestralpaths Via A.H. Virgen del Rosario G-2 Cusco – San Jerónimo, Cusco, Peru
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Choquequirao Peru – Choquequirao Trek Peru 9D/8N

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Tour Details

Come with Peru Ancestral Paths on our Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu. This 9-day adventure promises excitement, historical wonders and natural beauty. You will witness majestic Inca ruins and stunning landscapes. 

The trek starts with a descent to the Apurimac River. You will then ascend to the mysterious ruins of Choquequirao. These ruins rival Machu Picchu in grandeur but see fewer visitors. Each step will bring you closer to understanding the Inca empire.

From Choquequirao, we will trek through high-altitude paths. You will navigate Apurimac Canyon’s rugged terrains. The journey will take you to the small village of Santa Rosa Marampata. Here, you will spend the night, resting under the stars.

As we leave Santa Rosa, the trail climbs to San Juan Pass, the highest point of our trek. The vistas here will take your breath away. Then, the path leads us through the Sacred Valley. You will feel the spiritual presence of the ancient Incas.

Our final days will bring you to the iconic Machu Picchu via the scenic Salkantay Trek. Each day includes stops to explore smaller Inca sites and natural wonders. We will ensure you have ample time to appreciate each site.

Peru Ancestral Paths invites you to join this Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu. Bring your sleeping bag and a spirit of adventure. We will provide the rest, from meals to expert insights. Get ready for a trek that will leave you with lifelong memories.

Highlights

  • Starting Point Altitude: 2,900 meters above sea level at Capuliyoc
  • Maximum Altitude: 4,670 meters above sea level at San Juan Pass
  • Total Distance of the Hike: Approximately 115 kilometers
  • Average Highest Temperature: 25°C during the day
  • Average Lowest Temperature: 4°C at night
  • Meals Included: All main meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) except for the first day breakfast and dinner on the final day
  • Level of Difficulty: High – requires good physical fitness due to long distances and high altitude
  • Key Highlights:
      • – Capuliyoc: Starting point with stunning views into Apurimac Canyon.
      • – Apurimac River: Cross this powerful river at the beginning of the trek.
      • – Choquequirao: Explore expansive and less visited Inca ruins, often called the ‘sister city’ to         Machu Picchu.
      • – Santa Rosa Marampata: Small village where trekkers often spend the night.
      • – San Juan Pass: Highest point of the trek, offering breathtaking panoramic views.
      • – Sacred Valley: Journey through this culturally and historically rich area.
      • – Machu Picchu: Conclude the trek with a visit to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Include

  • Professional bilingual guide
  • Assistant guide (for groups of 9 or more people)
  • Return transportation from Cusco to the trek starting point
  • Admission tickets to Choquequirao and Machu Picchu
  • 7 nights of camping and Aguas Calinetes acomodations
  • Camping equipment including tents and a cooking tent
  • A mule or donkey to carry cooking and camping equipment
  • A mule or donkey to carry up to 7 kg of each trekker’s personal items
  • Meals: 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners
  • Drinkable water to fill water bottles each morning
  • First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

Exclude

  • Sleeping bag
  • Breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for the guide and support staff
  • Additional snacks or beverages (outside the ones in the itinerary)
  • Entry to the hot springs
  • Any additional packing animal for personal use beyond the included luggage allowance
  • Porters (instead of horses) to carry personal items
  • Additional nights due to itinerary changes

Recommendations

  • Backpack with rain cover
  • Sleeping bag suitable for cold temperatures
  • Lightweight trekking clothes (synthetic materials; no cotton)
  • Waterproof jacket and pants
  • Insulated jacket for cold evenings
  • Hiking boots
  • Camp shoes or sandals
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Sun hat and sunglasses
  • Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
  • Insect repellent
  • Hydration bladder or water bottles
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Camera or smartphone with extra batteries
  • Trekking poles
  • Snacks (energy bars, trail mix)
  • Personal toiletries and medications
  • Passport and necessary permits/documents
Itinerary

Day 1Cusco to Capuliyoc to Playa Rosalina

Peru Ancestral Paths will pick you up from your Cusco hotel at 4:00 AM. The drive to Capuliyoc takes about 4 hours. There we’ll have a briefing. Remember that for most of the days, we will rely on mules and donkeys to carry our luggage.

Here, you will start your Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu. We’ll walk along the Apurimac Canyon and the snow-capped mountain of Padreyoc.  

Descend for 3 hours to reach Coacamasanam then Chikiska. There we’ll have lunch. Finally we’ll descend to Playa Rosalina where you will camp for the night. Dinner will be prepared at the campsite.

Day 2Playa Rosalina to Santa Rosa to Marampata

Breakfast is the first thing of the day before the Marampata climb.  You will start ascending to Santa Rosa, taking about 2 hours. 

After a short break, continue climbing for another 2 hours until reaching Marampata. In Marampata you’ll have the first views of Choquequirao. Near here is our campsite. We’ll lunch in the camp and take a break.

After resting, we’ll enjoy the views of the llama terraces. Take pictures of the surrounding views and enjoy the sunset. 

Day 3Marampata to Choquequirao, Pinchiunuyoc

Today’s hike will be the main show. We’ll begin after breakfast. The main guided tour to the Choquequirao ruins will be extensive and paused. Our guide will lead you through the most important places and most iconics views.

After Lunch, we’ll take a break before starting the hike again. During this hike we’ll encounter amazing panoramic views in the Choquequirao Pass. 

Our final stop of the day will be Pinchaunuyoc. This is another archaeological site where you can observe the sunset. Our campsite is near there. We will have dinner and sleep near there.

Day 4Pinchiunuyoc to Maizal

We will depart after breakfast. The descent of the day will be to Río Blanco. There you can bathe in the river water. The hike after will be uphill.

You will have a small break to eat and rehydrate. Then we’ll continue to the Maizal. We will stay here for the day. You will sample some native snacks and participate in cultural exchange activities.

Day 5Maizal to Yanama

Following a breakfast with a hot beverage. We’ll embark on a journey across the Vilcanota Mountain range. The road to Yanama is rocky, but the mountain views are spectacular. 

It will take around 4 hours to arrive at the Condor pass ,(4,200 m/13,780 ft). Near here with the views of the Vilcanota Mountain Range, we’’l have lunch.

Finally, after 4 more hours of hiking we will arrive in Yanama town. This day will also have cultural exchange. You’ll visit local houses to learn about the locals and their way of life and thinking. 

Day 6Yanama to Totora

After breakfast, we’ll trek through an impressive route. We’ll reach the highest point in the trip at 4,500 m (14,760 ft). From here you can peak at Salkantay Mountain and  Machu picchu.

We’ll hike a little more after Lunch to arrive to Totora. We’ll enter the paths of the Salkantay trek. We’ll spend the night camping in Totora.

Day 7Totora to La Playa

We’ll trek to Ccolpapampa from Totora for 3 hours, after a good breakfast. During the trek we will encounter other groups of excursionists from the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu.

In Ccolpapampa, we’ll eat a wonderful lunch. Then we’ll continue to La Playa. On the way there we will appreciate the charms of the high altitude jungle. 

In la Playa we’ll be welcome in our camp with snacks and beverages. Our stay overnight will be on La playa.

Day 8La Playa to Aguas Calientes

Today we will hike a section of the Inca Trail. This also will be our last hiking day. As always after breakfast, we will depart to Llaqtapata.  

We’ll witness coffee and fruit plantations along the Santa Teresa valley. After 3 hours, we’ll reach the Llactapata inca site. From here you can observe the approaching Machu Picchu Mountain.

After a short tour, we’ll trek downhill to the Hydroelectric Station. Here we’ll have lunch and say goodbye to the tour crew. We’ll follow the train tracks for around 3 hours to arrive at Machu Picchu town, or Aguas Calientes.

In Aguas Calientes, hotel amenities will be there for you. Here we’ll have a commemorative special dinner.

Day 9Machu Picchu

At 6:00 am, we’ll take the bus to Machu Picchu citadel. We’ll enjoy the last guided tour of our adventure. Of course we’ll visit the most iconic places of the complex. As a tour operator, we want to give you enough time to enjoy this world’s wonder. 

You will also have time to explore on your own before the visit ends. We will go back to Aguas Calientes for lunch around midday. 

We’ll catch the evening train to Ollantaytambo. And from there, the bus back to Cusco after his epic journey.

Useful Information

Information

Before your 9-day Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu, consider this. Optimal trekking conditions occur during the dry season from May to September. During this period, weather conditions are more stable, reducing the risk of rain and muddy trails. But there is still a chance of rain the whole year.

Prepare physically for the trek’s demands, which include high altitude rugged paths. Start training several weeks in advance to improve stamina and endurance. Acclimatization is crucial to avoid altitude sickness. Spend at least two days around 2.800 m (9,190 ft).

Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance. I must cover high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation. Keep emergency contacts informed of your itinerary. Pack enough water.

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1 Review
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Maxime Dupont

Solo Traveller

An expedition into the heart of history! The Choquequirao Trek in Peru was an extraordinary journey through ancient ruins and breathtaking landscapes. Over 9 days and 8 nights, every step brought me closer to the hidden city of Choquequirao, and every vista left me in awe.

February 28, 2024