choquequirao Trek

Our driver and guide will pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 a.m. We will travel for 3 hours by bus to the town of Cachora, where we will have breakfast while our staff prepares the equipment for mules and horses. From Cachora, there is a 4-hour hike to our lunch spot, where we will enjoy a delicious meal and views of the majestic snow-capped peaks of Padrayoc, at 5,482 meters, the highest in the area. The hike on this first day is 21 km or approximately 8 hours. Along the way, we will see the snow-capped peaks of other high mountains in the area and appreciate the beautiful changing landscape. The first part is fairly flat, and after lunch, we may see condors and various other birds from the Capuliyoc viewpoint. The second part is a descent into the Apurímac Canyon, observing how the vegetation changes with altitude on our way to Playa Rosalina (campsite at 1,550 meters).

Due to the constantly changing ecosystem, we will take our time to rest and take photos. In this particular section, our passenger will have more time to stop, enjoy the scenery, and take plenty of pictures. We start this morning with a hearty breakfast, making sure to stock up on our water supplies. After hiking for a couple of hours, we will pass by the impressive Inca mines known as Minas Victoria. We will also appreciate the original Inca trails and the beautiful landscapes. At times, we may see small villages where people live near our destination. Our campsite will be in the small village of Yanama at 3530 meters.

Early in the morning, we’ll head towards the highest pass of this trip. We’ll climb to 4,670 meters. The views are incredible, and in this land of condors, we might see some of them soaring overhead. After the pass, we’ll descend, following a river to the village of Totora, where we’ll find our campsite. Totora is nestled in a stunning valley covered in lush vegetation and surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains. Our campsite will be near one of the few families who venture out of Totora.

Before leaving Totora, we’ll meet some of the local indigenous people who speak their native Quechua language, the language of the Incas. Depending on the season, we may see them working on their farms using ancestral Inca techniques. After leaving Totora, we’ll venture into the high jungle of the Lluscamayo Valley, with its many orchids, bromeliads, and diverse vegetation. Along the way, we’ll see small waterfalls and take a refreshing dip in the natural landscape. At the end of the Lluscamayo Valley, we’ll arrive at Sahuayaco Beach. We’ll camp near this village so you can sample coffee, papaya, passion fruit, and avocado, which grow in this area. Here, you can choose our coffee tour or opt for a bus trip to Santa Teresa to enjoy the natural hot springs (bus fares and entrance fees to the hot springs are not included in this tour; the coffee tour is included).

Today, we’ll make our final uphill climb to Llacta Pata, where we’ll have a stunning view of the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu perched on a nearby ridge. After a well-deserved rest, we’ll hike for another three hours to the hydroelectric plant. There, we’ll board the train to Aguas Calientes, where your accommodations await you with the comfort of showers and clean beds. You’ll then enjoy dinner, and at the end of the day, our guide will provide you with all the information and final details you’ll need for your visit to Machu Picchu tomorrow morning.

From Aguas Calientes, we take the bus to Machu Picchu. We begin our visit with a 2-hour guided tour that will take us to the most important sites of the archaeological complex. The guide will tell us about the great importance Machu Picchu held as an astronomical and religious center. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Machu Picchu on your own. If you have booked the Huayna Picchu climb or Machu Picchu Mountain hike in advance, this is the time to start. After Machu Picchu, you will return to Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo. There, our private van will meet you and take you back to Cusco, dropping you off at your hotel or hostel.