The 8-Day Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful and interesting treks on offer in the Cusco region. This Trek is perfect for those looking to get away from the crowds The trek takes you to the sister city of Machu Picchu, Choquequirao (The Cradle of Gold) which sits high above the Apurimac Valley.
With a wide variety of flora and fauna, beautiful scenery and a visit to two of the most important Inca sites. The trek begins following the regular with a visit of Choquequirao and continues towards the Salkantay mountain until we arrive in Machu Picchu.
1st day: Cusco -Cachora – Santa Rosa
Our trek starts in the village Cachora, 4hrs by car from Cusco. We start to walk an old trail down into the Apurimac Valley, with a fantastic view of the snow-covered mountains and the width of the valley. After some hours of hiking, we will have the first views onto Choquequirao, located at the end of the valley. The entire time, we will walk through a colorful Flora and Fauna. Our first campsite is in Santa Rosa at 2,200 m, on the other side of the Apurimac-River. Since most of the other treks take other trails, we will rest in silence to enjoy the beautiful landscapes without any distraction.
2nd day: Santa Rosa – Choquequirao
Our destination of today is also the first highlight of this trek: Choquequirao. During the day, we will enjoy the diversity of plants, mainly bromeliads, orchids and bamboo and birds, as quetzals, toukans and humming-birds. After walking for 4 hrs, we get to our next campsite, just below Choquequirao, at 3,050 m. In the afternoon, we will have a guided tour to all important places of this wonderful site and after the tour you have enough time to start your own adventure at this mystical place. Around dinner time and with a clear sky, we will have an incredible sunset with condors gliding above the valley and you might dream away with these amazing huge andean birds.
3rd day: Choquequirao – Maizal
Unfortunately we already have to leave this amazing side again, but promise, you will get much more. Today we start to hike up, to a pass and then downwards to the Rio Blanco valley. Depends on the season, you can take a short bath in the river to relax your tired muscles. Next we will again walk upwards towards our nightcamp Maizal, at 2900 m. Close by, is another archaeological inca site, you can explore by yourself, before our dinner and sleep .
4th day: Maizal – Yanama
Today´s walk takes us to the small village Yanana. On the trek along an old inca-path, we will have again amazing views of spectacular landscapes and we will see lots of different plants and birds. Besides that we pass several abandoned gold- and silvermines, originating in the colonial time of Peru. Our nightcamp in Yanama is at a height of 3,250 m and we will stay at the land of a local family. After a typical andine lunch, we visit the homes of the families to learn more about their customs and traditions.
5th day: Yanama – Colpapampa
In the morning, we walk out of the valley, up to the highest mountain pass of our trek at 4,840 m. So far, we mainly passed lush vegetations. Now, towards the pass the landscape gets more and more scanty, with some grasland. Up on the pass, we will enjoy the amazing view on the surrounding snow-covered mountains, especially the sacred Apu Salkantay, the second highest mountain in the Cusco area with 6,270 m. Our way down, takes us to more warm areas and finally to Colpapampa at 2,900 m, where we will rest for the night.
6th day: Colpapampa – La Playa
Today we walk more downwards, along the rio Lluskamayo, passing several coffee- and fruit plantations. In La Playa, our destination today, we can buy all different snacks and refreshments. But the local coffee is much more delicious. In La Playa, also has relaxing hot springs. If you wish to spend some time there, you should clear it with our guide before for arrangements.
7th day: La Playa – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes
Ahead is the last part of our trek to Aguas Calientes and we will follow an old inca path to visit another highlight, the archaeological site Llactapata, above us in the slope of the mountain. Llactapata, at 2,700m, is an incredible Inca fort, also discovered by Bingham and afterwards forgotten. From here, you can see Machu Picchu for the first time, out of a total different perspective. After a guided tour of this interesting site, when you also learn more about the inca culture, we walk downwards to Peru´s most important Hydroelectric Power Plant and take the train to Aguas Calientes.
8th day: Machu Picchu
Ahead, an unforgettable day. For those, who are not too tired yet, can hike 1 1/2 hours to Machu Picchu or just take a short bus ride. When you up early, you might witness a magnificent sunrise at this ancient Inca city. At MachuPicchu, you will have a guided tour for approximately 2 hours. After the tour, you will have free time to explore this mysterious city by yourself or you go up to Huayna Picchu or the Machu Picchu Mountain.
In the afternoon, you will receive your train tickets from the tour guide and head back to Cusco or book another night at this incredible place. In Cusco, you will be transferred to your hotel.
