Choquequirao Vilcabamba Trek Travel Information & Frequently Asked Questions
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 to Machu Picchu via Vilcabamba Trek is one of Peru’s most epic and rewarding adventure routes — perfect for travelers seeking a true off-the-beaten-path experience. Unlike the classic Inca Trail, this journey ventures deep into remote Andean valleys, following ancient Inca roads through the Vilcabamba region, the final stronghold of the Inca Empire.
This trek combines challenging mountain passes, hidden archaeological sites, and raw natural beauty — from the dramatic Apurímac Canyon to the snowcapped peaks of Pumasillo and Choquetacarpo. Along the way, you’ll explore legendary ruins like Choquequirao, Vitcos, and Ñustahispana, immersing yourself in the living history of the Andes.
It’s ideal for experienced hikers and strong adventurers who are comfortable with multi-day treks, varied terrain, and high-altitude hiking. The highest point of the trek reaches 4,600 m (15,091 ft) at the Choquetacarpo Pass, rewarding you with jaw-dropping panoramic views across the sacred Vilcabamba mountain range.
While this route is more demanding than most, it’s also one of the most authentic and spiritually enriching treks in Peru — a true expedition through untouched landscapes and history.
We recommend spending at least two to three days in Cusco (3,400 m / 11,155 ft) before the trek to properly acclimatize to the altitude. This will help you fully enjoy the challenge and beauty of the Andes.
Choosing the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek with Tunqui Expeditions means embracing the spirit of exploration — walking in the footsteps of the Incas, discovering hidden citadels, and ending your journey at the crown jewel of Peru: Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Plastic-Free Choquequirao to Machu Picchu via Vilcabamba Trek
At Tunqui Expeditions, we are proud to be leaders in sustainable trekking in Peru, pioneering the Plastic-Free Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek via Vilcabamba. This remarkable journey not only immerses you in the untouched beauty of the Andes but also allows you to travel responsibly and respectfully, in harmony with Pachamama (Mother Earth).
This nine-day expedition passes through ancient Inca trails, lost cities, and remote Andean communities — places that remind us how closely human life is tied to nature. To preserve this sacred landscape for future generations, we are committed to completely eliminating single-use plastics on our treks.
During this unforgettable adventure, we proudly provide:
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Reusable water bottles refilled daily with safe, boiled water.
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Eco-friendly food containers and cloth wraps instead of disposable plastic packaging.
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Biodegradable bags for responsible waste management on the trail.
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Partnership with local communities who share our values of protecting and honoring the Andes.
By choosing the Plastic-Free Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek, you become part of a movement — one that supports responsible tourism, reduces waste in the Vilcabamba region, and directly benefits the Quechua families who collaborate with us along the route.
This trek is more than a journey from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu — it’s an invitation to travel consciously, honor the wisdom of the Andes, and reconnect with nature through the ancient spirit of the Inca trails.
With Tunqui Expeditions, you don’t just visit the Andes — you help protect them. 💚
How many days do I need to acclimatise in Cusco before the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Via Vilcabamba 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:
- 🏞️ Sacred Highlands Hike To Pisac: US$ 210.00 → Special offer: US$ 180.00
- 🏛️ Cusco Ruins Hike: US$ 210.00 → Special offer: US$ 180.00
- 🎒 Authentic Andean Experience: US$ 180.00 → Special offer: US$ 150.00
- 🥾 Chinchero to Urquillos Inca Trail Adventure: US$ 210.00 → Special offer: US$ 180.00
- 🦙 Scenic Day Hike with Llamas: US$ 210.00 → Special offer: US$ 180.00
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:
- All pick-ups are within the city of Cusco, but we recommend that you book a hotel in the historic centre for its convenient location.
- Our guide or staff will confirm the pick up time the day before the tour.
- Due to traffic conditions the pick up time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Cusco is an old city with many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets that are inaccessible by car or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. For these reasons, we strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Returning to Cusco from Machu Picchu
Returning from Machu Picchu requires some logistics, but don’t worry. It is all included in your tour!
- In Machu Picchu, you’ll board a bus that will take you 25 minutes to the small town of Aguas Calientes. Buses are boarded in order of arrival.
- In Aguas Calientes you’ll take the train to Ollantaytambo. Your guide will give you the train tickets, which will show you the boarding time.
- Make sure you’re on the platform 30 minutes early. The train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Once you arrive at the train station, our representative, wearing Tunqui Expeditions clothing, will be waiting to take you to Cusco or directly to your hotel. The journey from Ollantaytambo to Cusco takes 1:30 hours.
- Once in Cusco, depending on the location of your hotel, we’ll transfer you to a smaller company car (Hyundai H1) to get you to your hotel faster.
Note: Your tour includes a one way bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu, so you can choose to use it from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu or from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes. If you want a return bus ticket, you’ll have to pay an additional US$ 12.00.
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.
