The 9 Day Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most challenging trekking routes in Cusco, combining a very unique and classic landscapes of the Andes of Cusco. It goes along the fascinating path, free from the usual tourist masses, you will be able to explore two sister Inca sites. Those are two of the best last Inca Citadels located in the cloud-forest. Taking the Choquequirao trek, travelers will walk across two deep Canyons, high mountain passes, lush cloud forest, Authentic remote villages, sensational valleys and you will visit 2 amazing Inca sites of Choquequirao and Machu Picchu in a great challenging trip.
This adventure Choquequirao Trek starts at Cachora town following the regular foot-path for the classic Choquequirao trek. But instead of coming back the same trail you came. You will continue on towards more remote places and finally you will be connecting to the last section of the popular Salkantay trek, which leads you to Machu Picchu. Due to all types of weather conditions expected on this journey, travelers are suggested to have a pre-trek meeting with the guide before to go on Choquequirao trek. So they can have an accurate preparation for this fascinating trip. This fantastic hike is available from April to November.
In the morning travelers will be picked up from the Cusco hotels, we will drive for four hours to the village of Cachora. Before we start the Choquequirao trek, breakfast will be served at the house of our horseman. This Choquequirao trek starts at Cachora, then there will be a 30 minutes drive; until we arrive at the lookout point of Capuliyoc. From where we will have a magnificent view of the Apurimac canyon and the Vilcabamba mountain range with its fantastic snow-capped peaks above the Apurimac Canyon. After a few hours of downhill we will reach Cocamasana for lunch. On the opposite side of the canyon we will see Choquequirao on the saddle of the mountain.
The area around Choquequirao is alive with nature; it is possible to see a variety of flora and fauna typical of this area. After lunch, we will continue the Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu, walking for another three hours to arrive in our camp. Our campsite for the night is at Playa Rosalinas, which is located 100 meters away from Apurimac River.
Today is one of the most difficult days of the travel. After breakfast, we will start our Choquequirao hike up-hill through the zigzagging path for approximately five hours. We will arrive in Marampata, ascending 1600m over a distance of 18km / 11.2 miles through hot and humid conditions. It is a difficult hike but the views mixed with the wide variety of flora and fauna you find on this side of the valley make it worth all the hard work.
After having lunch at Marampata village, we will continue with the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu, walking another 2 hours to arrive at the base camp of Choquequirao Throughout the day we will see a great variety of orchids, bromeliads and different types of bamboos. We may also be able to see birds such as Quetzals, Toucans and a variety of hummingbirds.
As part of the travel, today we will have a guided tour of the main sites of interest throughout lower Choquequirao. After lunch, we will have time for a further exploration of upper Choquequirao including the llamas sector. This inca site is composed of an amazing and extensive set of agriculture terraces, some religious places and administrative sites with a total area of over 1750 acres. There are amazing irrigation water channels and all of this set in the dramatic setting of the steep Apurimac Canyon.
In the late afternoon, we may be lucky enough to spot Condors soaring over the valley below and then back to our campsite.
After breakfast, we will re-start our Choquequirao trek up-hill for 2 hours until we pass over the mountain above Choquequirao. The views along the way are very impressive. It is amazing how the Incas managed the rugged geography of this area. After enjoying the magnificent views form the mountain top, we will walk down into the valley to visit the beautiful ruins of Pinchaunoyoc: hiking another 30 minutes we will reach the river where a delicious lunch will be waiting for us.
In the dry season the river is calm and its waters are warm so it’s a perfect place to stop and have a refreshing soak and ease out your tired muscles. In the afternoon we’ll make our way back up the opposite side of the same valley heading to our campsite at Maizal (2891m / 9488 ft.).
After breakfast, we will continue with our Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu hiking up-hill for 4 hours until we reach the mountain top. On the way, we will pass the beautiful lush cloud forest rich in birds and species of orchids. We will also see the abandoned gold and silver mine from Peru’s colonial time. A beautiful Inca Trail will lead us to Victoria pass, this is the area where the Andean Condors normally fly. We can take in the scenery as we enjoy a box lunch. In the afternoon, we will head down to the small community of Yanama (3520m / 11549 ft.) where we will stay on the land of one of the local families.
We begin making our way back up out of the valley as we head for the highest pass in the entire Choquequirao trek (4840m / 15879 ft.). We have been trekking through mostly lush valleys up to this point, you will notice the scenery changes as we reach high Puna (barren grasslands) and head for the pass. You will have formidable views of the surrounding mountain ranges including the Mt Salkantay (6270m / 20570 ft.). In the afternoon, we will descend approx. for 3 hours to the village of Totora.
Our destination today is the village of La Playa, approximately 18km down the valley from Totora. Our route will take us along the Totora River through an area that is teeming with life. We will be able to see various tropical fruit plantations like: passion fruit, avocado, bananas, lemons and a lot of coffee plants. Tonight, we will spend the night at the village of La Playa (2400m / 7874ft.), camping on the property of one of the local families; it is our chance to try the organic coffee produced in the local farm.
For this last section of Choquequirao hike you have two options, depending on your interest and fitness. You should discuss each option with your guide. You should also be aware that Salkantay trek is the second most touristic route in the area of Cusco and inevitably this means you will encounter other hikers on the trail (this part of Choquequirao trek becomes busier)
On the final morning of Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu, after breakfast at the hotel, our guide will pick you up and lead you to the bus station to board one of the buses, which will take us to the citadel of Machu Picchu. A guided tour is provided visiting the Main Plaza, Sun Temple, Royal Palace, Temple of the Three Windows, Main Temple, Sacred Rock warehouses and the large central square. It will be a marvelous experience at this mystical and charming place, the legendary lost city of the Incas.
After the guided tour on, you will have free time to explore the zone on your own or you can take the hiking options:
In the afternoon, at the scheduled time, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and then catch the Train back to Cusco. The journey by train takes approximately 3.4 hours.
In the evening, upon arrival to the train station of Cusco, you will be greeted and transported to the hotel.
Choquequirao trek goes on parts of Vilcabamba mountain range and takes trekkers away from the regular tourist routes. This choquequirao hike offers an interesting and very authentic trail to explore the extraordinary Inca site considered as the sister city of Machu Picchu. Choquequirao is perched on the ledge of Auprimac canyon, is the biggest Inca ruin in the area and it was only 30% freed by the archaeologist.
The Choquequirao trekking goes from Cachora town with an elevation of 2980m / 9800ft. and after to go around some rugged hills takes you down to Apurimac canyon, with the final up-hill to the site itself. The classic Choquequirao hike usually is done in 5 day, but it can be link up with Machu Picchu in 9 day adventure.
Choquequirao is one of the most challenging hiking routes in the Peruvian Andes, due its rugged geography and weather conditions is definitely a hike for experience people. Any version of Choquequirao hike we suggest for fit people. Which means you need to be in good shape to hike this remote trekking trail in Peru. But if you are not fit to hike and still want to visit Choquequirao you can hire a horse or a mule to ride and travel to Choquequirao (Cradle of gold)
This Choquequirao to Machu Picchu is lesser traveled route, very remote, wilderness, clean with sweeping views of the Andes and great opportunities to observe local plant and wild life, including the sacred Andean condor. Suggested for serious hikers who like to explore great sites with no many hikers around. Choquequirao trek is not too high in altitude and it is open the year-round.
Salkantay is the second touristy route in Cusco region with hundreds of hikers every day, very popular route. Salkantay pass is one of the highest on the hikes to Machu Picchu and usually not available for the wet season. You will find many versions of Salcantay trek. But all of them using the same path
Unlike the classic Inca Trail, Choquequirao trek is totally possible to do it without tour guide. If you are an expert trekker, we just want to remind you that is required for Choquequirao trek, an appropriate camping equipment, food supplies, some drinkable water, transportation to the trail-head and to carry your luggage independently you can hire the services of horses and a horseman in Cachora. But if you consider backpacking to Choquequirao will be necessary to have a good map with accurate walking distances and elevations.
The trekking cost for Choquequirao hike depends of the quality service you deserve, is very illogical to expect a great service if you paid very cheap price. Here is the ideal cost to be paid for a good Choquequirao trek service:
The cost for 5 day Choquequirao trek $650.00 USD per person based on 2 participants, usually this includes everything you need for your experience, except sleeping bag and tip for the crew.
The ideal cost for Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 9 day is $1200.00 USD per person based on 2 people. If the numbers of participants increase, also de cost of the trip becomes lower. To have a memorable trek we suggest not booking with travel agents offering very cheap prices. Because you would be abandon in somewhere half way, pay something fear to get a good service.
Yes, Choquequirao is amazing, great adventure trek and well worth it to do it. If you are looking for lesser traveled places to trek, then this trail is for you. Choquequirao was recommended by Lonely Planet as a must do destination in South America and only a few hundreds of hikers arrive there every year.
