Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 8 Days

We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco around 4:00 AM and travel northeast for approximately 4 hours through scenic Andean villages to reach Capuliyoc (2,800 m / 9,186 ft). Here, you enjoy breakfast while meeting your trekking team, including professional muleteers and pack horses.

After breakfast, we hike 20 minutes to the first viewpoint, where you’ll enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range, the snow-capped Padreyoc, and the dramatic Apurímac Canyon.

The trail then descends for about 3 hours through landscapes rich in native medicinal plants such as muña and chilca. With luck, you may spot Andean condors soaring above the canyon.

We arrive at Chiquisca (1,800 m) for a traditional Cusco-style buffet lunch, then continue descending to Playa Rosalinas (1,700 m), located on the banks of the Apurímac River. After crossing the river, we begin a challenging uphill climb to Marampata (3,500 m).

By late afternoon, we arrive at the Choquequirao Sanctuary Lodge, where dinner is served. If the sky is clear, enjoy unforgettable stargazing and Andean constellations.

After an early coca tea and breakfast at 7:00 AM, we hike toward the Choquequirao Archaeological Complex (3,900 m), often called the “Lost City of Gold.”

During a guided tour, you’ll explore:

Main plazas
Ceremonial and astronomical sectors
The famous Llama Terraces
Agricultural terraces and viewpoints overlooking the canyon

Your guide will explain Inca engineering, history, and Andean cosmology while pointing out native flora and fauna.

We descend to Choquequirao Camp for a picnic lunch, then visit the hidden Pachayoc Waterfalls, a pristine natural sanctuary perfect for relaxation and photography.

An early start is recommended to enjoy sunrise over Choquequirao. After final exploration, we begin a demanding hike through cloud forests and Andean valleys.

We descend to Río Blanco, cross the river on foot, and then begin a steep ascent toward Maizal Camp (3,000 m), surrounded by sacred Inca Apus (mountain spirits).

This is one of the most physically challenging days, but also one of the most rewarding in terms of scenery and solitude.

Today we hike through lush cloud forests toward Victoria Pass (4,200 m), passing the ancient Minas Victoria, once used by the Incas for silver extraction.

Enjoy sweeping views of Choquetakarpo, Padreyoc, and surrounding glaciers. Condors are frequently seen flying overhead when weather conditions allow.

We descend to the traditional Andean village of Yanama (3,800 m), where we camp for the night.

We ascend to Yanama Pass (4,700 m), the highest point of the trek, offering breathtaking views of Salkantay, Pedreyoc, and surrounding glaciers.

The trail then descends through wide alpine grasslands, river crossings, and hanging bridges. We stop for lunch in Totora, then continue to Colpapampa (2,900 m), located in the edge of the cloud jungle.

The landscape dramatically changes as we enter the Ceja de Selva (cloud jungle). We hike to La Playa for lunch, passing coffee and coca plantations, tropical fruits, orchids, and lush vegetation.

In the afternoon, we descend to Santa Teresa, where you can:

Relax in natural hot springs
Taste local tropical fruits
Enjoy an optional zipline adventure

Overnight in tents, surrounded by jungle sounds and flowing rivers.

After breakfast, we drive to the Hydroelectric Station, then hike along the railway toward Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.

Along the way, we pass small Inca sites such as Intihuatana and Inka Rakay, while enjoying views of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain.

Overnight in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. Optional visit to the hot springs.

We wake up early to begin the final highlight of the journey: a visit to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arriving early allows us to enjoy the citadel in the soft morning light, when the atmosphere is calm and the surrounding mountains are often wrapped in mist.

During a guided tour lasting approximately two hours, your expert guide will share in-depth explanations about the Inca civilization, focusing on their advanced engineering skills, stone construction techniques, water management systems, and their profound relationship with the surrounding natural environment. You will learn how the Incas adapted their architecture to steep mountain terrain and extreme weather conditions, creating a perfectly integrated mountain settlement.

Your guide will also explain the historical importance of Machu Picchu, its strategic location, daily life within the site, and the reasons why it remained hidden from the Spanish conquistadors for centuries.

After the guided visit, you will have free time to explore designated areas at your own pace, take photographs, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Optional Hikes (Advance Booking Required)

Huayna Picchu: A steep but rewarding climb offering spectacular aerial views of Machu Picchu and the Urubamba Valley (approx. 50 minutes round trip).

Machu Picchu Mountain: A longer, less steep hike with wide panoramic views over the entire archaeological area and surrounding mountain range (2–3 hours round trip).

In the afternoon, we descend to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time for lunch (not included). Later, we board the train to Ollantaytambo, enjoying scenic views along the Urubamba River. From Ollantaytambo, private transportation will take us back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel at approximately 8:00 PM, marking the end of this unforgettable high-Andean adventure.