Choquequirao to Machupicchu – 8D/7N

Day Highlight: Traversing the rugged Apurimac river canyon to reach secluded stone terraces surrounded by soaring condors.

Early in the morning after breakfast, we continue our hike to Choquequirao. The first 2-3 hours are steep, but then you will change plane and climb the rest of the way surrounded by beautiful vegetation with several varieties of orchids. We will arrive at the archaeological site Choquequirao after 5 hours. After a good lunch and a short rest we will walk to the main square of Choquequirao, to savor this majestic place, where we will observe the three levels of the excavated ruin. Approximately at 3 o’clock in the afternoon (depending on the weather) we may be lucky enough to appreciate “the flight of the Condors”. The guide will decide where to set up our camp in Raqaypata (2910 m.a.s.l.).

Day Technical Data:

• Timing: Early morning start with well-spaced afternoon transitions.

• Terrain: Variable mountain stone paving, compacted soil paths, and loose gravel slopes.

• Physical Effort: Moderate to demanding exertion adapted to traveler acclimatization.

• Transport Profile: Private van pickup from Cusco hotel and dedicated linking transfers.

Day Highlight: Traversing the rugged Apurimac river canyon to reach secluded stone terraces surrounded by soaring condors.

After breakfast, we have a good time to savor the majestic archaeological site. We can appreciate houses, terraces and other parts of this late Inca village. In addition, we see the ruin under excavation and finally unexplored areas, which can inform us about this last refuge of the oppressed Inca empire. After lunch we walk through Choquequirao, with the whole team going to our next camp.

We follow the old water channel for a while before starting the 3 hour hike to the ruins of Pinchinuyoc found in 1998. First we hike through cloud forest, but then it all turns into steep, open meadow with open views of the mountains and valleys. Pinchinoyoc these ruins are something very special. Suddenly, they appear in the cloud forest, almost invisible due to the thick layer of mosses and other vegetation that covers it. Here we spend the night basically on the ancient Inca terraces.

Day Technical Data:

• Timing: Early morning start with well-spaced afternoon transitions.

• Terrain: Variable mountain stone paving, compacted soil paths, and loose gravel slopes.

• Physical Effort: Moderate to demanding exertion adapted to traveler acclimatization.

• Transport Profile: Private van pickup from Cusco hotel and dedicated linking transfers.

Day Highlight: sweeping trek and guided observations through Maizal with unhurried transitions and panoramic vantage points.

This morning we will walk through interesting vegetation known as the Andean highland dry forest. The trees and plants here look different from what we have seen before. We arrive at the Victoria River after a few hours and use the brake here to take a refreshing swim in the cold, clear water of the river. We walk across the river, as there are no bridges.

After our brake, we begin the long and steep climb to our camp in Maizal, on the river near the sacred Apus of the Incas. On the way we catch our breath in the shade of small trees and other vegetation along the way. In Maizal we have lunch and savor, that we can unwind this afternoon, with only optional physical activity. Maizal is properly the camp in the most beautiful place of all. From here we see 3 valleys and a large snow peak right in front of us. A good place to lie down and think.

Day Technical Data:

• Timing: Early morning start with well-spaced afternoon transitions.

• Terrain: Variable mountain stone paving, compacted soil paths, and loose gravel slopes.

• Physical Effort: Moderate to demanding exertion adapted to traveler acclimatization.

• Transport Profile: Private van pickup from Cusco hotel and dedicated linking transfers.

Day Highlight: Conquering the high mountain pass with sweeping views across multi-tiered ecological microclimates.

We leave our camp in Maizal and walk towards the San Juan pass. Again, a long climb, but we walk in an incredibly beautiful area, first with cloud forest and then over Andean Puna with the well-known ichu grass. We rest at some of the Victoria mines, where the shiny metal stones speak of a high concentration of minerals and metals.

On our way through the Puna, we walk along well-preserved Inca trails, among other features with the classic zigzag. We have lunch at the pass at 4000 m.a.s.l. overlooking the Choquetakarpo mountain, before starting the descent to Yanama, a small isolated settlement at the foot of a long valley surrounded by mountains.

Day Technical Data:

• Timing: Early morning start with well-spaced afternoon transitions.

• Terrain: Variable mountain stone paving, compacted soil paths, and loose gravel slopes.

• Physical Effort: Moderate to demanding exertion adapted to traveler acclimatization.

• Transport Profile: Private van pickup from Cusco hotel and dedicated linking transfers.

Day Highlight: Gazing upon massive Andean condors catching thermal updrafts over the sheer precipices of Colca Canyon.

We continue from Yanama through the valley to the highest point of the trek, the Yanama Pass at 4500 meters above sea level. On the way we have a good view of the snow-capped Sacsarayoc. Once again, we have the opportunity to see condors, and this gentle morning climb takes us through new landscapes, especially the wet grass fields below the snow line that distinguish it from everything else we see on the trail. At the pass we might walk in the snow, and the descent is a long foggy hike through grassy fields and bush areas and crossing small wooden/earthen bridges on the way to the community of Totora, where we spend the night.

Day Technical Data:

• Timing: Early morning start with well-spaced afternoon transitions.

• Terrain: Variable mountain stone paving, compacted soil paths, and loose gravel slopes.

• Physical Effort: Moderate to demanding exertion adapted to traveler acclimatization.

• Transport Profile: Private van pickup from Cusco hotel and dedicated linking transfers.

Day Highlight: sweeping trek and guided observations through Aguas Calientes with unhurried transitions and panoramic vantage points.

We now walk about 2000 meters down through the changing vegetation to the warmer camp in the village of La Playa. Approx. 7 hours walking. On the way we see small waterfalls and take a refreshing wild bath. The area also has a great variation of bird life and it is now obvious that the climate and vegetation have changed completely, and we now see recognizable plants in the living rooms of Europe and various types of orchids.

The beach is the biggest town on the way, where we can find some small stores to buy snacks, etc. In this area we can see small coffee and banana plantations and then we take public transportation to the Hydroelectric and then walk for about 2 One hour more to reach the village of Aguas Calientes, where we will stay in a nice hostel with hot water shower, it is recommended to go to the wild spring here.

Day Technical Data:

• Timing: Early morning start with well-spaced afternoon transitions.

• Terrain: Variable mountain stone paving, compacted soil paths, and loose gravel slopes.

• Physical Effort: Moderate to demanding exertion adapted to traveler acclimatization.

• Transport Profile: Private van pickup from Cusco hotel and dedicated linking transfers.

Day Highlight: Early access to the fabled stone citadel with prime morning light and dedicated archaeological guidance.

We get up early in the morning around 4 am. to have breakfast and leave for Machu Picchu which takes 1:30 minutes walking, but there is another option to take the first bus that leaves at 5:30 am. to Machu Picchu (takes 25 minutes) to appreciate the magnificent city as the sun rises.

Your guide will give you a 2-hour tour and then you can traverse the mysterious city on your own. If you still have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2,720m. / 8,890 ft.) It takes 1:45 minutes to reach the top (optional and check availability). Then you will take the train around 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm or 6:20 pm depending on the availability of the train, so you will arrive to Ollantaytambo after 2 hours of travel, so a private transportation will take you back to Cusco.

Day Technical Data:

• Timing: Early morning start with well-spaced afternoon transitions.

• Terrain: Variable mountain stone paving, compacted soil paths, and loose gravel slopes.

• Physical Effort: Moderate to demanding exertion adapted to traveler acclimatization.

• Transport Profile: Private van pickup from Cusco hotel and dedicated linking transfers.