Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

Trek: Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

Days: 8 (not including Machu Picchu visit)

Difficulty: Moderate to High, 

___________________________________________________________________________

This trek is, simply put, one of the finest in the world and one of the best trekking tours in Peru!  The combination of scenery, culture, Incan archaeology, and overall awesomeness can not be described. This trek totals 8 days, up and over several steep mountain passes, and travels through spectacular high Andean terrain and several major Inca sites – starting with Choquequirao, which is often described as a sister site to Machu Picchu.

In the middle of the trek you will visit some recently uncovered Inca sites as well as tradtional Andean villages such as Yanama – one of the most idyllic mountain hamlets to be found anywhere. This is a very rugged and remote trekking trip – there are very few services along the way. However if you have always wanted to go on a world class hike or trek in Peru and not see many other people, this is a great way to do it !

The central plaza at Choquequirau

Then, at the end of course is Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World.  This trek is the very best way to arrive at Machu Picchu, better we think than taking the train or even the famed “Inca Trail” itself – as you will see very few other trekking groups on this route.

We start in either Cusco or Ollantaytambo and make the three hour scenic drive to Cachora.  From this quaint, Clint Eastwood style town we begin this epic trek to Machu Picchu via Choquequirao.

The first day is an easy one, walking along a wide path / 4wd drive road and then we begin the plunge down into the Apurimac canyon where we will spend our first night camping.  There are very basic services here such as cold water showers and bathrooms.  The second day we descend to the canyon bottom and cross the famous Apurimac river and begin a very difficult (3,000 feet and 3 hours) climb back up the other side. A nice rest halfway up  in Santa Rosa Bajo with our friend Juan and some fresh cane or papaya juice, and we will be ready to tackle the rest of the climb, which is steep and relentless. If you have doubts about your physical ability or the high altitude, be sure to ask us about staying with your group while riding a horse instead – a great way to climb up a steep trail !

The second evening we will spend camping near the Incan site of Choquequirao. Today is a long day so we will turn in early after a delicious hot meal so we are ready for Day 3, which is our visit to the site of Choquequirao, or Choquechirau as it is also called, sits near the top of a giant mountain overlooking the Apurimac river. It also has sight lines as far away as Vilcabamba and is still not even 50% uncovered – the thick jungle vegetation is still hiding many Incan surprises.

The third day we will spend the whole morning wandering around Choquequirao, taking the time most groups do not have. This is a very important Inca site and there are many aspects to it – houses, terraces, temples, platforms, waterfalls, plazas, staircases, waterways and more ! We end our visit to KB’s personal favorite, the Llamas or “llamitas”
Only uncovered from between 2003 to 2005, this masterpiece occupies an entire mountainside and has dozens of life-sized llamas made up of white stones, set into the vertical faces of the terracing. The whole effect is one that has to be seen to believed, and like all Inca sites is best seen from afar and above.

We will then pack up and hike up and over the mountain of Choquechirau to end up at our campsite near another Incan site called Pinchinuyoq, which was likely satellite housing for the workers constructing the main site. It features the usual impressive array of corn producing “andenes”, or terraces.  The next morning we make a steep climb down to the hot canyon of the White River, followed by an equally steep and warm climb up the other side to the beautiful hillside camping spot of Maizales. Here we will spend our fourth night with a well earned early rest and hearty meal ! There are great views from our campsite of the surrounding mountains and part of Choquechirau itself.

Newly uncovered Incan site

The next day we continue climbing up the steep mountainside, through some very unique and lush vegetation before coming to the pass of Abra San Juan, carved out of sheer rock atop a high mountain with views in every direction. The trail seems like something out of a movie amidst the breathtaking terrain until we arrive at our camp site of Yanama, one of the more peaceful villages in all of the Andes. This is one of KB’s favorite places, and we will likely get roped into a game of soccer or hide-n-seek  with the local children.

The next day we make the long but easy climb up to the pass above Yanama, then drop down to the other side to our sixth night’s camping spot. Once again, we have stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and valleys below.

High pass near Yanama

Our seventh day hiking we will continue descending towards the ‘ceja de la selva’, or the eyebrow of the jungle. The air gets warmer and thicker as we dropin altitude to less than 1500 meters in altitude amongst roaring rivers.  First via foot and the last part of the road descent via our vehicle, we will make it to St. Theresa where we will spend the seventh night in a local hostal with a well-deserved shower and bed.

The last day, Day 8, we will relax, maybe go to the famous Colo de Mono canopy zipline or the hot springs of St. Theresa, before making the easy three hour walk from the HydroElectric plant to Aguas Calientes – the town below Machu Picchu. 

Cost:  $1095 per person, minimum three people (ask about 2 person price)

Includes:  Everything – breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks for all 8 days; Private transport from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to trailhead at Cachora; mule team to carry all your gear; cook to prepare all meals; English speaking guide; all camping gear including tents, sleeping bags and sleeping bads; also includes entry fee for Machu Picchu !  Does not include return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Also does not include Huayna Picchu entrance ticket. Please notify us ASAP if you wish to climb Huayna Picchu on your trip, as those tickets are very difficult to obtain and often must be done months in advance. There is a $12 per person extra charge for the Huayna Picchu ticket but the bigger issue is getting them. Email us for details !