Trekking Peru - Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

Trip Highlights

Choquequirao trek and Machu Picchu

Way off the beaten track, Choquequirao, the 'Cradle of Gold' is an amazingly preserved Inca outpost, comparable in size to Machu Picchu and dramatically located on a promontory nearly 2,000m above the roaring Apurimac river. It is only accessible by a tough trek.

Our 8-day mule supported hike to Choquequirao and beyond takes in high passes, a perfectly preserved Inca Trail and awesome Andean peaks, and concludes with a full guided visit to the mythical Machu Picchu.

This is a long, spectacular and strenuous hike crossing the entire Vilcabamba mountain range from the Apurimac to the Urubamba watershed. It is approximately 100Km long with 5,000m ascent and descent over passes of 4,600m and river crossings of 2,400m. This is your chance to be amongst one of the few adventurers to visit this incredible site and complete this rewarding trek.

We return to Cusco with time to explore this beautiful and important city, filled with both colonial and Incan history and bustling with life and colour.

Price Details

Price

From: GBP1195 per person (15 Days)

Price Includes

Price Excludes

Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival into Cusco. Start acclimatising to the rarefied air of this beautiful city with a short walking tour of the city.

DAY 2: Visit Tarawasi and the incredible Inca carved boulder at Sahuite, before arriving at the beautiful village of Cachora high above the River Apurimac canyon where we meet our team.

DAY 3: Begin Trek to Choquequirao
With full mule support we descend 2000m down into the spectacular Apurimac canyon, crossing the roaring river and climbing up to camp.

DAY 4: Rising early we spend the day hiking up out of the canyon, regaining the 2000m in altitude we descended yesterday. We set up base camp just short of the Choquequirao ruins.

DAY 5: We arrive early at the amazing ruins of Choquequirao with time to explore and marvel at this dramatic location and extensive ruins, nearly 2,000m above the roaring Apurimac river.

DAY 6-10: Trekking from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu
Camping and trekking in style way off the beaten track, we follow ancient Inca Trails past unspoilt villages and huge Andean peaks as we hike to the road head at Vilcabamba. The change in scenery is dramatic as we trek through dry savanna, rich cloud forest and the llama rich grassing pasture of the high plains. Andean bear and puma trails, wild orchids and specialist birds are some of the many wildlife sights that we look out for.
The views of the snow covered mountains of Pumasillo (6,000m) and Salcantay (6,264m) complete this rewarding trek. You will enjoy unusual and truly amazing views of Machu Picchu during the trek - a perspective few tourists get to see.

DAY 11: Visit Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
Early in the morning we visit Machu Picchu and have it virtually to ourselves as we benefit from guided tour, with free time afterwards for solo exploration. Return to Cusco and enjoy its great nightlife.

DAY 12: Free day. Whether your interest is exploring Incan ruins, visiting colonial churches, bargain hunting in indigenous markets or just soaking in the atmosphere, Cusco has it all.

DAY 13: Transfer to airport or join one of our extensions

Other Info

Accommodation Details

The accommodation on this trip is mostly in hotels, which are of a good standard.

We do also camp on a few nights. The camping is fully supported so you will be very comfortable and well looked after by the support team.