Choquequirao Trek & Machu Picchu 5D/4N

DAY 1 – CUSCO – CAPULICHAYOQ – CHIKISCA – SANTA ROSA.

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 a.m. and travel by our tourist transport for approximately 4 hours to Capuliyoc (2,915 m / 9,564 ft), the starting point of our trek. Upon arrival, you will enjoy your first breakfast, freshly prepared by our cook.

Our muleteer will be waiting for us in Capuliyoc to help load the duffel bags onto the horses, ensuring everything is ready before we begin our hike. This beautiful area is surrounded by colorful flowers and native plants, including begonias, orchids, and cacti, and it is also home to a variety of local bird species. From the viewpoint, you will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks of Wayna Cachora and Padrayoc, both rising above 5,400 meters (17,717 ft).

We will begin hiking at approximately 9:30 a.m.. During the first three hours, the trail descends along a scenic path with spectacular views of the valley and the river below. Throughout the morning, you will encounter an impressive variety of native flora, including bromeliads, orchids, and bamboo forests. With a bit of luck, you may also spot Andean quetzals, toucans, and several species of hummingbirds.

The trail continues downhill along a zigzagging path until we reach the bottom of the canyon at Playa Rosalinas, on the banks of the magnificent Apurímac River (1,550 m / 5,084 ft), the lowest point of the entire trek.

Upon arrival at Playa Rosalinas, we will enjoy a delicious lunch, scheduled for approximately 1:00 p.m. After lunch, you will have time to relax and enjoy a refreshing cup of tea before continuing the journey.

Following a well-deserved break, we will begin the most challenging section of the day: a 2-hour steep uphill climb to Santa Rosa (2,050 m / 6,725 ft), where our campsite is located.

We expect to arrive at camp at around 5:00 p.m.. There, you will enjoy a delicious dinner before spending the night in our comfortable camping tents.

• Estimated hiking time: 7 to 8 hours.
• Total walking distance : 14km/ 8.70 miles.
• Altitude of our camp : 2050 m.s.n.m.

DAY 2 – SANTA ROSA – MARAMPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO.

Today is one of the most important days of our trek as we reach the magnificent Inca Citadel of Choquequirao, where you will enjoy a guided tour led by our expert guide.

Our cook will wake us up at 7:00 a.m. with a cup of hot coca tea served directly to your tent. After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will begin our hike at approximately 8:30 a.m.. The trail ascends gradually for about 3 hours until we reach Marampata (2,850 m / 9,350 ft), where we will take a well-deserved break while enjoying breathtaking views of the Apurímac Canyon.

After our rest, we will continue hiking for another 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach our campsite (3,000 m / 9,843 ft), located just a short distance from the Choquequirao Archaeological Site. We expect to arrive at camp at around 12:30 p.m., where a delicious lunch prepared by our cook will be waiting for us. After lunch, you will have time to relax and leave your belongings in your comfortable tent before our afternoon excursion.

A short 10-minute walk will take us to the impressive Choquequirao Archaeological Site (3,050 m / 10,007 ft.), where we will spend most of the afternoon exploring this fascinating and mysterious Inca city. Our professional guide will share the history of Choquequirao, which remained abandoned and largely forgotten for centuries. Only after tourism reached the region did archaeological exploration begin.

Even today, only about 50% of the site has been excavated, leaving many of its secrets still hidden beneath the surrounding vegetation. During our guided visit, we will explore the site’s most remarkable sectors, including the Main Plaza, sacred temples, Inca residences, agricultural storehouses, ceremonial areas and altars, the impressive agricultural terraces, and the famous Llama Terraces, where giant stone images of llamas are beautifully integrated into the retaining walls.

As the afternoon comes to an end, we will enjoy a spectacular sunset over the surrounding mountains, and with a bit of luck, we may even spot majestic Andean condors soaring above the valley.

In the evening, our cook will surprise us with a comforting cup of hot chocolate accompanied by cookies and popcorn before serving another delicious dinner. Afterward, we will return to our comfortable tents to rest and recharge for the adventures awaiting us the following day.

• Food : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
• Estimated walking time : 6 to 7 hours
• Total walking distance : 10 km./6.21 miles.
• Altitude of our camp : 3,050 m,a,s,l.

DAY 3 – CHOQUEQUIRAO – ABRA SAN JUAN – YANAMA – LORETA.

Today begins early at 6:00 a.m.. After breakfast, we will set out on the most challenging day of the trek.

The day starts with a 30-minute uphill climb to Abra Choquequirao, followed by a beautiful trail through the lush Cloud Forest, also known as the Montane Forest. As we continue, the climate gradually becomes warmer, and the scenery changes dramatically.

Along the way, we will stop at Palmayoc, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our cook. After lunch and a short rest, we will continue hiking along scenic mountain cliffs, surrounded by native forests and bamboo groves. The views throughout this section are simply breathtaking.

Our trail then leads us to Abra San Juan (4,150 m / 13,615 ft.), one of the highest points of the trek. From this spectacular mountain pass, you will enjoy panoramic views of impressive snow-capped peaks, including Sacsarayoc, Pumasillo, and Choquetecarpo, all rising above 5,000 meters (16,404 ft.).

After taking time to rest and capture some memorable photographs at Abra San Juan, we will begin a 3-hour descent into the valley, reaching the farming community of Yanama (3,375 m / 11,072 ft.) at approximately 4:00 p.m.

Upon arrival in Yanama, our private vehicle will be waiting to transfer us on a 2-hour drive to our comfortable lodge in the Sahuayaco area.

In the evening, our cook will prepare a delicious dinner. If the sky is clear, you will have the opportunity to admire a spectacular star-filled sky while relaxing around a warm campfire. Finally, you will spend the night in our cozy wooden Eco Dome, enjoying a peaceful and restful sleep before the next day’s adventure

• Food : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
• Estimated walking time : 8 to 9 hours.
• Total walking distance : 17 km. / 10.6 miles.
• Altitude of our camp : 2100 m,a,s,l. / 2890 ft.

DAY 4 – LORETA – LLACTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES.

This day begins with breakfast at 6:00 am. After leaving the lodge, just a 5-minute walk away, we will participate in the Coffee Experience Tour. This activity lasts approximately 1 hour and takes place at a local coffee farm owned by one of the residents of the area.

During this amazing tour, you will be accompanied by a coffee expert who will teach you about the entire coffee production process. You will have the opportunity to experience firsthand how to harvest, wash, peel, dry, roast, grind, prepare, and taste a delicious organic coffee made by yourself. It is a unique and unforgettable experience.

After the coffee experience, we have two options to continue our route.

The first option is to walk for approximately 1 hour until reaching the Lucmabamba sector, where an original Inca Trail begins. From there, we will hike uphill for about 2 hours until reaching the archaeological site of Llactapata. The trail passes through the Cloud Forest, offering a lush landscape with a great variety of plants and numerous species of orchids.

At Llactapata, our guide will explain the history and importance of this place during the Inca period. From this location, we will have a partial view of Machu Picchu.

After a well-deserved rest, we will continue our hike, descending for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes until reaching the Aobamba Valley. We will cross an ancient bridge and then continue walking on flat terrain for another 30 minutes until reaching Hidroelectrica, where we will arrive around 1:00 pm.

If the traveler feels very tired and prefers not to walk this section, there is a second option: traveling by vehicle from the lodge to Hidroelectrica. Along the way, we can take the opportunity to visit the Cocalmayo Hot Springs, arriving there around 9:00 am.

Here, you will enjoy the medicinal thermal waters for approximately 2 hours. This beautiful place is located in the middle of a stunning subtropical jungle landscape and features three large pools with crystal-clear waters coming from underground springs. The water temperature varies between 38°C and 45°C.

These medicinal waters are believed to have therapeutic benefits for skin problems, rheumatism, and joint pain, while also providing a natural hydromassage experience and a perfect moment for relaxation.

After relaxing at the hot springs, we will continue by transportation until reaching Hidroelectrica, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we will continue the route on foot, walking close to the banks of the Urubamba River for approximately 3 hours until reaching the town of Aguas Calientes.

Along the way, you will be able to appreciate the peaks of the Sacred Mountains, Huayna Picchu, and Machu Picchu. The trail continues following the train tracks until we arrive at Aguas Calientes around 5:30 pm.

Upon arrival, we will spend the night at a comfortable hotel. Dinner will be served at a tourist restaurant. During dinner, our guide will provide important information about the following day, which will be the most important day of your journey, as you will visit the magnificent wonder of the world: Machu Picchu.

After dinner, it is recommended to rest at a reasonable hour in order to leave early the next morning and arrive at Machu Picchu with enough time to explore this incredible destination.

• Food : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Estimated walking time : 8 to 9 hours
• Total walking distance : 20km./12.5 miles
• Altitude of our camp : 2.000 m,a,s,l / 6,562.ft

DAY 5 – MACHU PICCHU TOUR – CUSCO

This is the most important day of your journey. We will begin our final and most exciting day very early in order to reach Machu Picchu, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the sunrise at this incredible destination.

After breakfast, we will leave our hotel at 6:00 am and walk to the bus station (2,000 meters above sea level / 6,562 feet). From here, we will take a tourist bus that will ascend for approximately 30 minutes along a zigzagging road until reaching the Inca Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (2,400 meters above sea level / 7,874 feet).

Upon arrival at this incredible place, we will begin our guided tour, which will last approximately 2 hours and will be led by our professional guide. During the visit, the guide will explain the history and importance of this fascinating site while exploring the magical and impressive places that have made Machu Picchu one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

During the tour, you will have enough time to capture the famous panoramic photograph of Machu Picchu.

After the guided visit, depending on availability, you will have the option to hike the ancient Inca trail to the summit of Huayna Picchu Mountain (2,700 meters above sea level / 8,858 feet), where you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.

In the afternoon, after enjoying your visit to Machu Picchu, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. Here, you will have free time to enjoy lunch at one of the town’s excellent restaurants, explore the village, or visit the hot springs located just 10 minutes from the town center.

Later, at 4:20 pm, we will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, arriving at approximately 6:00 pm. Upon arrival, our transfer will be waiting for you and will take you by tourist bus back to the city of Cusco, arriving around 8:00 pm.

Finally, we will drop you off at your comfortable hotel located in the city of Cusco.

End of services.