Impressive Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek: Experience the Majesty with Our Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek
Immerse yourself in culture with our fascinating Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu. This journey will take you through stunning Andean landscapes, deep valleys, and the Cusco jungle, culminating in the majesty of Machu Picchu.
Imagine that many years ago, in Quechua (Inca) culture, there was deep love and respect for Mother Nature, known as Pachamama.
You will feel the incredible connection between you and nature on this epic Choquequirao Trek. This will undoubtedly be one of the most epic hikes! Join us and become part of the Tunqui Expeditions family – whether in a group, as a couple, with friends, or with family – and we will create every small detail just for you.
Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek: Experience the Majesty of Trekking from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu
On this Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek, you will pass through diverse Andean landscapes and witness some of the most breathtaking views imaginable. Explore and discover the snow-capped mountains and lush jungles full of wildlife and unique flora.
If that doesn’t sound spectacular enough, you will also get to walk the cobbled streets of Choquequirao and Machu Picchu.
In the first part of this adventure, you will be far from the crowds, exploring the final resting place of the Incas, a site still shrouded in mystery as more is uncovered over time. In the second part, you will join other hikers on the route to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu.
If you want to learn more about ancient Inca culture and walk through amazing landscapes, what are you waiting for? The Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek is the perfect and awe-inspiring adventure through one of the most impressive tourist destinations on the planet! Join Tunqui Expeditions on this life-changing journey and feel the magic of the Incas for yourself.
DAY 01: CUSCO | CACHORA – CAPULIYUC – CHIQUISCA
Today, you will face a long ascent to the lunch spot. In the afternoon, hike to Choquequirao and explore the site before witnessing a beautiful sunset.
DAY 02: CHIQUISCA | PLAYA ROSALINAS – SANTA ROSA – MARAMPATA
We will descend to the deepest part of the valley and begin the climb to Marampata, where your camp will be set up by our Tunqui Expeditions team. Enjoy the incredible landscapes in the area.
DAY 03: MARAMPATA | CHOQUEQUIRAO ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMPLEX – PINCHAUNUYOC
Enjoy the sunrise behind Choquequirao before exploring more of the site. Then, hike through the mountains and spend the night at Pinchaunuyoc.
DAY 04: PINCHAUNUYOC | MAIZAL – VICTORIA MINES – SAN JUAN PASS – YANAMA
In the morning, descend into the deep Blanco River valley before facing the most challenging ascent of the trek, up to San Juan Pass. Then, descend to Yanama, where the campsite will be set up.
DAY 05: YANAMA | YANAMA PASS – TOTORA – COLLPAPAMPA
Today, we will ascend to Yanama Pass, the highest point of the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek. Along the way, observe local farmers working in their fields. Marvel at the breathtaking views of Salkantay Mountain. Camp at Collpapampa for the night.
DAY 06: COLLPAPAMPA | PLAYA SAHUAYACO – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES
On the penultimate day, hike through the jungle until reaching Hidroeléctrica. From there, choose to walk or take a train to Aguas Calientes. Enjoy dinner at a restaurant and stay overnight at a hotel.
DAY 07: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
In the morning, visit the incredible Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary. At midday, return to Aguas Calientes and take the train to Ollantaytambo. From there, Tunqui Expeditions’ private transport will take you back to Cusco, dropping you off at your hotel.
Highlight of the Day: Witness the magnificent scenery surrounding you.
Walk through Andean landscapes to the Apurímac Canyon.
Your epic journey will begin at 4:30 am when we pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco and travel for 4 to 5 hours to Capuliyoc in our private Tunqui Expeditions transport. Along the way, you will enjoy and appreciate spectacular views of the Salkantay and Humantay snow-capped mountains.
Once we arrive in Cachora, we will visit the small village and walk through its picturesque streets that tell us all about its rich culture, tradition, and way of life. We will enjoy a nutritious and delicious breakfast to have positive energy along the way. Then, we will continue in our private transport to Capuliyoc (2,890 m / 9,482 ft), where we will meet the rest of our Tunqui Expeditions trekking team: cooks, porters, and muleteers, who will carefully carry our belongings, food, and camping equipment throughout the trek. After reviewing the final details, we will begin our hike through the Apurímac Canyon for approximately 2 hours, mostly downhill, towards the lunch spot at the Coca Manzana sector. After lunch and a short rest, we will descend in a zigzag pattern for approximately 2 hours to Chiquisca (1,900 m / 6,234 ft), a beautiful hamlet full of fruit fields.
During the beautiful walk, we will appreciate the impressive cloud forest landscape offered by the Apurímac Valley. We may also have the chance to witness the majestic flight of the condor and the impressive views of two gigantic glacier mountains called Padreyoc and Qoriwayrachina. As we are deeply focused on walking through the valley, the heat, abundant vegetation, and the rhythmic sounds of the mighty Apurímac River become more noticeable, serving as motivation to continue with the help of Mother Nature.
Hours later, we will arrive at the tropical town of Chiquisca, a warm green camp in the middle of the arid mountain, where we will have dinner and spend the night.
Highlight of the Day: Be amazed by the most spectacular views of the Andes.
Witness the beautiful Andean sunset.
We will wake you up with coca tea, and enjoy a delicious breakfast to recharge your strength and positive mindset. “Remember to have faith in yourself every day to complete the mission to arrive.” We will continue our goal of reaching another camp and begin our hike. A zigzag climb awaits us to reach Marampata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft), where you can take impressive photographs of the canyon and the surrounding snowy peaks.
We will start the ascent for 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the deepest part of the valley known as Playa Rosalinas (1,500 m / 4,921 ft). We will cross the pedestrian bridge to start the most challenging part of our hike, always thanking Mother Nature for helping us climb safely.
Along the way, we will take a short break at the town of Santa Rosa (1,970 m / 6,463 ft), where you can enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our cook and Tunqui Expeditions team to regain energy. After lunch, we will continue the uphill hike for approximately three hours until we reach our camp at Marampata. In the afternoon, you will enjoy the impressive views and feel the positive energy. It will all be worth it once you arrive at this spectacular place near the Choquequirao citadel. Take the time to stretch your muscles or do some exercises with the beautiful views, breathing in the clean and pure air, and enjoying every minute of a beautiful sunset that paints the endless valleys and white glacier mountains with its soft orange light.
As night falls, we will witness the precious sunset accompanied by a sky full of thousands of stars covering the landscape and surrounding vegetation. Afterward, it will be time to have dinner before going to bed to rest and have sweet dreams.
Highlight of the Day: Watch the brilliant morning sun rise and shine over the complex.
Experience the magic of sunrise illuminating the mysterious Choquequirao.
Today we will wake up early with coca tea to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunrises you can imagine. The first rays of the sun will fill this place with color and life. Take a moment to thank Mother Nature for all the wonderful things she has given us. After breakfast, we will hike for 1.5 hours with a view of the cloud bed. You will truly feel above the clouds.
Once at Choquequirao, our guide will explain the history of this incredible place, also known as “the last refuge of the Incas.” At midday, we will enjoy an outdoor lunch prepared by our cook. Then, we will walk to Usnu for a better panoramic view of the area. If we are lucky, we may see condors flying through the Andean sky. We will also visit the terraces and Pacchayoc waterfall.
After this unforgettable magical experience at this enigmatic citadel, we will begin a 1-hour ascent to reach the Choquequirao Pass (3,270 m / 10,728 ft), then descend to the next archaeological complex on our route, Pinchaunuyoc (2,420 m / 7,940 ft). You will be amazed by the terraces that seem suspended over the abyss of the Blanco River canyon. You will enjoy a short visit to the site before resting at our camp near the complex.
Highlight of the Day: Hike among glaciers and snow-capped mountains.
You will enjoy spectacular and breathtaking views every moment, and you’ll also learn more about where Tunqui Expeditions comes from.
After a nutritious breakfast in the morning, we will begin a descent towards the Blanco River. During the hike, we will spot various bird species such as the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruvianus) and different orchids, along with coca plantations. We will cross the river and begin a strenuous ascent to our lunch spot, known as Maizal (3,000 m / 9,843 ft). Today is the most challenging day of the trek, but you will have the chance to rest your legs before starting the uphill hike.
After the break, we will continue the climb with a positive mindset for about 3.5 hours until we reach the summit. This part of the trail holds significant history due to the many archaeological sites found along the way. We will pass by the impressive Inca mines, known as Minas Victoria, where silver was extracted in ancient times. Next, we will head towards the San Juan Pass (4,200 m / 13,780 ft).
Afterward, we will pass through cloud forests and Andean puna, known for its famous high-altitude grasslands (Ichu). We will have lunch while enjoying the views of Choquetacarpo and Padreyoc mountains. If you haven’t seen condors flying by this point, you might have a chance here, depending on the season.
Finally, we will descend along the trail to our camp in Yanama (3,600 m / 11,811 ft), located at the valley floor, where a delicious dinner will be waiting for us before another beautiful night of sleep in the heart of nature.
Highlight of the Day: Admire the famous Apu Salkantay and walk through glaciers.
Take in the beauty of nature and experience the changing climate.
We will wake up to the sounds of the forest and a relaxing waterfall. The villagers of Yanama have preserved their ancient customs and traditions to this day, providing the perfect opportunity to learn about their culture. You can make new friends and offer gifts to the local children.
After a hearty breakfast, we will begin a 5-hour uphill hike to the highest point of the trek, Yanama Pass (4,650 m / 15,256 ft). Along the way, you’ll see farmers working their potato fields. You will also witness the snow-capped mountains of Saqsarayoc and Padreyoc in all their glory. Depending on the season, you may even step on snow at this point. For the first time, you will see the imposing Salkantay Mountain in the distance.
At midday, we will descend along a foggy path for about three hours to reach Totora village, stopping for lunch along the way to recharge.
We will continue hiking for another hour to Collpapampa, where you will enjoy a spectacular dinner and a peaceful night at our camp, surrounded by nature.
Highlight of the Day: Hike through Andean landscapes and the jungle to reach Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu.
Walk through Andean landscapes, cloud forests, and the Cusco jungle.
Today is the last day of hiking. You will enjoy an excellent and hearty breakfast before continuing our trek, crossing the river to the other side of the valley. A 5-hour hike through the jungle awaits us. Along the way, you will see plantations of passion fruit, banana, papaya, avocado, and coffee. Of course, you will get to taste the delicious fruits of this region.
Once we reach Playa Sahuayaco, we will rest and enjoy our final lunch prepared by our talented cook. After lunch, we will head to Hidroelectrica by private transport. From there, you can either walk alongside the train tracks through the lush vegetation to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m / 6,693 ft) for about 3 hours or take the train.
Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel and have the rest of the afternoon free. You can relax in your room, explore the town, or visit the hot springs to unwind after the trek.
We will gather for dinner at a nice restaurant and review the final instructions for tomorrow’s visit to Machu Picchu. Then, it will be time to sleep early as we prepare to visit the Lost City of the Incas at sunrise.
Highlight of the Day: Walk through the stone streets of Machu Picchu and imagine what life was like long ago.
Marvel at the energy of Machu Picchu and discover Inca secrets.
Today marks the end of your epic journey with a visit to the New Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu. In the morning, you will enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes before setting off early. We will take the bus from Aguas Calientes to the archaeological complex to arrive before the crowds. This way, you can witness the sunrise as the first rays shine over the ancient rocks.
Once at Machu Picchu, you will feel the energy of the site and see how the large rustic stones transform into magnificent structures in harmony with nature. Our expert Tunqui Expeditions guide will provide all the information you need about this sacred place.
After exploring, we will return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and board the train to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transport will take you back to Cusco and drop you at your hotel.
At Tunqui Expeditions we specify the included and non-included services for all the itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please check the details to make sure you do not miss anything. Some items may be different for certain programmes, so please read carefully before booking with us.
WHAT IS INCLUIDED?
Permits & Tickets
The “Machu Picchu Circuit 2” ticket offers the most complete tour of the Machu Picchu citadel and is also the most requested. For this reason, we recommend booking it well in advance to secure your entry. (Circuit 2)
High Quality Service & Safety
You’ll meet your guide and group at our office for a pre trek briefing. There you’ll receive your duffle bags, which will be carried by our horses. The meeting is at 17:00 the evening before the Ausangate trek.
Our official guides speak English and Spanish and are professionally trained and certified. We choose them for their experience, responsibility, unbridled passion for exploration and pride in sharing our culture and history. On every experience they will keep you safe and comfortable, so you can enjoy your time worry-free!
Private Camping Equipment
All equipment will be carried by our horses.
On the trek you can carry your personal belongings up to a maximum weight of 7kg / 15.4 lb (this weight includes your sleeping bag).
All Tunqui Expeditions guides have received specialised first aid training. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit for basic emergencies (altitude sickness, traveller’s diarrhoea, cuts, abrasions, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the trail as quickly as possible and get you to a clinic for treatment.
We believe that attention to detail is what sets us apart from other local companies. You’ll receive a cover to protect your rucksack on the road and a rain poncho.
We have a telephone service available 24 hours a day for easy communication with Tunqui Expeditions prior to your trek.
Your comfort is our first priority. Although our guides are prepared for emergencies in the mountains, calling a doctor, hospital or friend can make you feel more secure. For this reason, every Tunqui Expeditions guide carries a satellite phone to call anywhere in the world from anywhere on the mountain.
Accommodation
Tunqui Expeditions uses the best equipment to ensure your safety and comfort. Every 2 people will share Eureka Timberline or Mountain Hard Wear tents with a capacity for 4 people.
Day 6: The last night of this trek is spent in a 2-star hotel in Aguas Calientes with a matrimonial, double or triple room, private bathroom, hot shower, wifi, breakfast, and luggage storage while you visit Machu Picchu.
Meals
Our chef prepares the most amazing dishes in the middle of the mountain. Our passengers love our food! We respect all diets (vegetarian, vegan or special menus are available at no extra cost), so please let us know on your booking form if you have any special allergies or restrictions and remind your guide during the briefing. You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks and snacks.
We’ll provide you with boiled, filtered and chilled water throughout the trek, from your first lunch to your last breakfast. You will need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle (we recommend a capacity of 2 litres).
Every morning at the campsite you’ll be woken with a cup of hot coca tea. Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you are warm from the inside out before you start your day.
Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide you with popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, hot water, etc. After a long day of trekking, you don’t have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up and enjoy a bite to eat!
Before you start your trek, your guide will provide you with a cloth bag containing local fruit, biscuits, chocolate, caramels, etc. We’ll refill it every morning so you can enjoy your snacks on the trail.
We’ll provide you with a cloth bag for your snacks – perfect for storing wrappers and keeping the environment clean. Feel free to use it throughout the walk!
Transportation
Cargo mules will carry all the camping equipment and your baggage allowance (7 kg / 15.4 lb). Muleteers will be responsible for your duffle bag and personal items.
Cargo mules will carry all the camping equipment and your baggage allowance (7 kg / 15.4 lb). Muleteers will be responsible for your duffle bag and personal items.
Muleteers and Porters (Tunquis)
During the Choquequirao Trek, our muleteers and porters (tunquis) will carry all our camping equipment, from personal tents, clothes and sleeping bags to extra tents for eating and cooking, food, water, tables, chairs and a gas stove. We will include the personal service of a porter to carry your duffel bag and personal belongings.
They will be responsible for transporting all camping equipment and food, setting up and taking down each camp, and assisting the cook with food preparation. By law they can only carry a maximum of 20 kg, a rule we take very seriously.
Extras
We believe that it is the attention to detail that sets us apart from other tour operators. As we wrote above, each walker receives
Taxes and fees
All taxes and permit fees associated with this trek are included in our price. There are no hidden charges.
The Tunqui difference
The following list is less tangible, but equally important and part of everything we do and include at Tunqui Expeditions.
He started in the industry as a porter and understands your needs better than anyone. We are committed and promise a better life for every member of Team Tunqui.
This includes better wages that they can live on so they don’t have to beg for tips to make ends meet. This is our job. We provide them with all the equipment they need, including warm down jackets, proper walking boots, rucksacks, hats, headlamps, sleeping bags and mats, and tents for them to sleep in.
We also help their families by supporting their village schools, bringing doctors and dentists to the families and planting trees in their valleys. We are committed to our social projects and the more than 300 porters on our team appreciate this.
While our porters trek to Machu Picchu dozens of times a year, they never enter our famous citadel. We make four trips a year to take our team inside and spend two days touring the important ruins, allowing them to touch and see the history of their ancestors.
Although the numbers are not yet equal, we look forward to the day when we have 50/50 men and women working in the mountains as part of the Tunqui Expeditions team.
We use local products that are biodegradable and organic wherever possible.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
You can hire one from us if you don’t have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable, protecting you from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy-shaped and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after each use and have a maximum use of 30 trips.
Walking sticks (with rubber tips) can be very useful on rough terrain and for ascending and descending. You can hire a set from us if you’d like.
You can climb the famous mountain you always see in the photos behind the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It’s 45 minutes uphill, and coming back down can be scary if you fear heights. You can take this excursion once your guided tour to Machu Picchu ends. The permit must be issued at least two to three months in advance due to high demand. Consider that there could be changes to protect your integrity, mainly due to weather conditions.
Machu Picchu Mountain is another of the mountains that surround the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It offers less steep, wider, and visually less frightening trails than Huayna Picchu, and it takes 1.5 hours to reach the top. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can secure for you if we have time in advance.
Tipping is the norm on any trip to Machu Picchu. Although we pay our entire team well, a little extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they put in. Typically, group members collect their tips to share with the drivers and cooks.
Landslides, bad weather, changes in itinerary due to safety concerns, illness, pandemics, changes in government policy, political instability, strikes, acts of God, etc.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and worry free as possible. In this section you’ll find the answers to all your questions about travelling with Tunqui Expeditions in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions you may have about our services.
Is it for me?
The Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu is an excellent alternative to the Inca Trail trek and is better suited for more adventurous trekkers who can handle higher altitudes and longer distances.
Plastic-Free Choquequirao Trek
Join us on this journey toward a plastic-free ultimate Choquequirao Trek, where the beauty of the landscape is matched only by our commitment to environmental stewardship. Together we will pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible adventure through the heart of history.
How many days do I need to acclimatise in Cusco before the Choquequirao trek?
It’s very important to be well acclimatised to the altitude before embarking on a trek. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the start of the trek to help you acclimatise and avoid any problems with altitude sickness during the trek.
You may have been in another area of Peru at high altitude before arriving in Cusco. If this is the case, we still recommend that you spend a full day in Cusco to rest, recover from the journey and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cusco before starting the trek.
Here are some suggestions for activities to do around Cusco before starting your adventure trek:
Briefing or information meeting
All information meetings and briefings are held at our main office in Cusco (or your hotel) at 17:00 the night before the tour starts. These meetings last between 30 and 45 minutes. If you can’t make it, you will need to arrange another time by email, phone or in person at the Tunqui Expeditions office.
Trek balance payment (in Cusco)
If you have an outstanding balance, you must pay it 2 days before your trek. Otherwise your reservation will not be confirmed.
If possible, we would appreciate it if you could pay the balance for the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw money from several ATM’s along the Avenida Sol, which offer both US Dollars and Peruvian Soles.
Alternatively, you can pay by credit/debit card or PAYPAL, either online or in person, but please note that a 5% service charge will be applied by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and PAYPAL. We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept bank drafts or traveller’s cheques as payment for the balance.
Duffle bag or canvas bag
You’ll be given a duffel bag or canvas bag during your briefing. Our team of porters will carry it with you throughout the trek and hand it to you at each camp. They measure 60 x 24 x 22 cm (23.6 x 9.45 x 8.66 in).
A maximum of 6 kg / 13.2 lb is allowed for each duffel, including the weight of your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, clothes and other personal items.
Can I store my luggage in your office?
Of course you can! During the trip your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can arrange this with us on the day of the briefing or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment you don’t need on the trek can be safely stored at your hotel. Almost all hotels offer this service. Don’t leave anything of value with your luggage; put it in the hotel safe and get a detailed receipt (in the unlikely event of theft, many insurance companies require a copy of the receipt detailing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards in a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Collecting guests
Please note:
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, therefore physical conditions and ages may vary. By agreeing to join a group tour, you accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, everyone will be able to move at their own pace.
There may be occasions when a group wishes to make changes to the tour, but it is up to the guide to decide, in consultation with all participants, whether such changes are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru and may interrupt some of our tours. Roads may be blocked and railway lines may be occupied. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if this means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Tours may be cancelled in these circumstances. In the event of a change or cancellation, our Operations Department will liaise with you. Your safety is our number one priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost items
Please be careful where you leave your belongings and remember to take everything with you when you leave your transport, accommodation or restaurant. You are responsible for your belongings while you’re on the tour.
BASICS
CLOTHING
EQUIPMENT
The porters will carry up to 7kg of your personal belongings. This should include your sleeping bag and air mattress (if you are bring/renting one). In our case these two items weigh 3.5kg.
RECOMMENDED
“Choquequirao Trek & Machu Picchu 8 days” is available any day of the week, from March to January. We do not operate this itinerary in February due to the rainy season and route maintenance. In addition, during this month, our Tunqui Expeditions team – guides, cooks, porters and muleteers – receive training and plan the year to ensure that you, our travelers, enjoy the trekking experience with us to the fullest.
Cost
Group Price: US$ 1100.00 per person.
Required Pre-payment : US$ 300.00 per person.
Balance (Cusco): US$ 700.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco after briefing).
This small group tour is guaranteed to operate with just 2 people.
Please note that PayPal charges a 5% fee, which we ask the client to cover as it is due to the use of their service. This tax is only for online deposits so you will pay the rest in cash (on the day of the briefing in Cusco) without charge.
Extensions and Offers
There are several extensions that can be included in your Peru Adventure.
Additional Equipment
There are additional items that you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices.
Price guarantee
Once your reservation is confirmed, we guarantee that the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. So, before you book, please make sure you have read all our important information about the tour.
Student Discount
Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years of age or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of your passport at the time of booking. It must be current and not expire within the dates of travel. Please send it to info@tunquiexpeditions.com.
