Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 7 Days
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7 Days 6 Nights
Daily Tour
12 people
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Overview
Choquequirao Trek 2026
Considered the sister of Machu Picchu, the Choquequirao Trek Peru offers a unique and less-traveled path into the heart of the Andes. Known as the “Cradle of Gold,” Choquequirao is actually three times larger than the more famous Inca citadel, yet it remains hidden from the crowds. As one of the last Inca strongholds, this lost Inca city served as a refuge after the Spanish conquest and was eventually swallowed by the dense cloud forest—only to be rediscovered by archaeologists in more recent times.
Our Choquequirao hike is designed for true explorers seeking an authentic and challenging adventure. This is not just a trek—it’s a journey through living history, dramatic scenery, and remote mountain trails. Along the route, you’ll walk the same paths once used by the Incas, surrounded by breathtaking Andean landscapes, steep canyons, waterfalls, and valleys that seem untouched by time.
Unlike the busier Inca Trail, the Choquequirao Trek offers peaceful solitude, allowing you to connect deeply with nature and culture. You’ll camp under the stars, cross hanging bridges, and gradually ascend to the archaeological site of Choquequirao—an awe-inspiring complex of temples, terraces, and sacred spaces still being unearthed today.
This adventure trek in Peru requires good physical condition, but the reward is unparalleled. At the summit, you’ll find yourself standing above ancient Inca structures, with panoramic views of the Apurímac canyon and surrounding peaks.
If you’re looking for a powerful alternative to Machu Picchu—less crowded but equally magical—join us at Inca Trail For Less for the Choquequirao Trek. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime journey into the soul of the Andes
Briefing to choqueaquirao trek to machu picchu.
Thank you for choosing Inca Trail For Less for your adventure. Here is some key information to prepare you for your Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek:
Itinerary
DAY 1: Cusco – Capuliyoc – Rosas Pata
Our private van will come pick you up at your hotel early in the morning for a 4 hours drive to Capuliyoc, a beautiful place located on the edge of the Apurimac Canyon, where you will have the opportunity to watch condors. We will start the hike going downhill for 2 hours and reach Chikiska to have lunch. After lunch, we will walk uphill for an hour and a half until Rosas Pata, the campsite, and stay overnight.
- Accomodation for today: Camp .
- Min Altitude: 1550 m. / 4988 ft.
- Max Altitude: 3324 m. / 10906 ft.
- Distance to walk for today: 14 Km. / 8.7 mi.
- Weather Sensation: Warm, Wind.
- Difficulty of this day: 3.
- Time Statics for this day: Start and End Time: 04:00 am to 06:00 pm, Total enjoying hours
- for today: 14:0 hours, Total Walking Time: 04:00 hours,
DAY 2: Rosas Pata – Maranpata – Choquequirao
This second day, we will leave early after breakfast and hike all the way up to Maranpata to get lunch. We won´t lie to you, the 4 hours climb will be challenging but once you get to the top, you will be rewarded by a breath taking view over the ruins of Choquequirao (3110 meters – 10120 feet). To finally reach it, we will walk another 2 hours and relax, enjoying the sunset and the beauty of the place.
- Accomodation for today: Camp .
- Min Altitude: 2800 m. / 9010 ft.
- Max Altitude: 3100 m. / 10171 ft.
- Distance to walk for today: 13 Km. / 8.08 mi.
- Weather Sensation: Warm.
- Difficulty of this day: 4.
- Time Statics for this day: Start and End Time: 05:00 am to 06:00 pm, Total enjoying
- hours for today: 13:0 hours, Total Walking Time: 04:00 hours,
DAY 3: Choquequirao – Pinchinuyoc
After waking up in beautiful Choquequirao and having a nice breakfast, you will have time to explore the site on your own and rest for a while before having lunch. Then we will slowly take off and hike to the ruins of PInchinuyoc, which are about 2 hours away going downhill and reach the campsite for the night.
- Accomodation for today: Camp .
- Min Altitude: 3110 m. / 10008 ft.
- Max Altitude: 3200 m. / 10499 ft.
- Distance to walk for today: 10 Km. / 6.21 mi.
- Weather Sensation: Warm.
- Difficulty of this day: 1.
- Time Statics for this day: Start and End Time: 05:00 am to 06:00 pm, Total enjoying hours
- for today: 13:0 hours, Total Walking Time: 04:00 hours,
DAY 4: Pinchinuyoc – Rio Blanco – Maizal
Today, we will first descend to reach the Canyon of the Rio Blanco (1990 meters – 6527 feet) where you will enjoy the beautiful scenery. Once we get down, you will have time to relax and get ready for the 4 hours climb ahead, ending at Maizal to stay overnight.
- Accomodation for today: Camp .
- Min Altitude: 1990 m. / 6404 ft.
- Max Altitude: 2500 m. / 8203 ft.
- Distance to walk for today: 10 Km. / 6.21 mi.
- Weather Sensation: Warm, Wind.
- Difficulty of this day: 4.
- Time Statics for this day: Start and End Time: 05:00 am to 06:00 pm, Total enjoying hours
- for today: 13:0 hours, Total Walking Time: 06:00 hours,
DAY 5: Maizal – Yanama – Lucma bamba
After an early wake up, a 4 hours walk is awaiting us through a semi- jungle to the Victoria Mines and other Inca ruins that we will visit. Another hour walk and we will reach the wonderful pass of Victoria (4130mt – 13546 feet), and enjoy the views as we will be going down to Yanama, a typical village of the Andes. From there, we will take our private minivan to reach Lucmabamba and enjoy a delicious dinner before resting at the campsite.
- Accomodation for today: Camp .
- Min Altitude: 2500 m. / 8045 ft.
- Max Altitude: 4120 m. / 13518 ft.
- Distance to walk for today: 12 Km. / 7.46 mi.
- Weather Sensation: Warm, Wind.
- Difficulty of this day: 4.
- Time Statics for this day: Start and End Time: 05:00 am to 06:00 pm, Total enjoying hours
- for today: 13:0 hours, Total Walking Time: 06:00 hours,
DAY 6: Lucma bamba – LLactapata – Aguas Calientes
Following the original Inca Trail, you will be exploring through a 3 hours and a half walk in the cloud forest an absolutely beautiful scenery. Once getting at the ruins of Llactapata (2700 mt – 8907 feet), we will have time to visit it and have an amazing view over a part of Machu Picchu. We will then keep walking down for an hour and a half to Rio Aobamba and another 20 minutes to get lunch at Hidroelectrica. The train to Aguas Calientes will leave at 3 pm, where we will check in at our hotel, relax and get ready for the following day. Dinner will be taken at the restaurant.
- Accomodation for today: Hotel .
- Min Altitude: 1200 m. / 3862 ft.
- Max Altitude: 2700 m. / 8859 ft.
- Distance to walk for today: 18 Km. / 11.18 mi.
- Weather Sensation: Cool, Wind.
- Difficulty of this day: 4.
- Time Statics for this day: Start and End Time: 05:00 am to 06:00 pm, Total enjoying
- hours for today: 13:0 hours, Total Walking Time: 04:00 hours,
DAY 7: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cucso
Waking up early, we will have to take the 30 minutes bus leaving to Machupicchu at 5am. We will go through the control entrance and you will receive a 2 hours and half guided tour around the most important places of the site. Don´t worry, you will have free time afterwards to explore on your own and take pictures.
If you are willing to climb Wayna Picchu, please let us know in advance so we can arrange and buy a special ticket for you. The bus then will drive you back down to Aguas Calientes, where you will catch the train to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private bus will awaiting you and bring you back to Cusco and to your hotel.
- Time Statics for this day: Start and End Time: 12:00 am to 12:00 am, Total enjoying hours for today: 0:0 hours, Total Walking Time: 00:00 hours,
Included/Excluded
- Breakfast.
- Comfortable tent for 4 persons.
- Cooks.
- Dinner.
- Dinning room tent.
- Drinking water.
- Emergency horse.
- Entrance ticket for Machu Pichu.
- Horses carrying 8 kg of luggages per each person.
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes town.
- Kitchen tent.
- Lunch.
- Mattresses.
- Muleteers.
- Oxygen tank.
- Round bus ticket from Aguas Calientes town to Machu Pichu- machupicchu to aguas calientes town.
- Round train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Machu Pichu- machupicchu to ollantaytambo-cusco.
- Tables and chairs.
- Tourist guide fluent in English, Spanish and quechua.
- Transport to bring you to the start of the trek.
- First Day Breakfast.
- Lunch for the 5th day.
- Sleeping bag.
- Tips for the Crew, cook and muleteers.
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