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.
