7-Day Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu

After a delicious breakfast, you continue down to cross the roaring Apurimac River then climb past the small communities of Santa Rosa and Maranpata to camp next to the Choquequirao ruins. The path is good though steep and it can get very hot. This is a long tough day requiring an early start but the scenery on this part of the Choquequirao trek more than makes up for the hardships endured.

Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, camping equipment (except sleeping bag)

A fifteen-minute walk takes you to the main square of Choquequirao. Perched on a tiny hilltop at 3,000metres, some 1,700m (5580ft) above the Apurimac, the location and views are awe-inspiring. The ruins cover an area far bigger than Machu Picchu. Enormous curving terraces, ritual baths and a fine main plaza are just some of the highlights. Those with the energy can even descend to see the famous white stone llamas laid into the rock.

Choquequirao remains a mystery. It was not mentioned in the Spanish chronicles and although Hiram Bingham visited, he failed to realise its importance. Large areas still remain covered in the thick cloud forest, giving you a true Indiana Jones experience. Even today it receives very few visitors, protected by its remote location.

After a great day exploring, you return to base camp to relax and ponder upon all that you have learnt and seen.

Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, camping equipment (except sleeping bag), entrance fees

This is where the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek deviates from people who are only doing a Choquequirao trek. They turn around and return back the way they came. But you carry on towards Machu Picchu, with lots of great trekking along the way.

You leave early for the short climb to the pass. Then it is downhill 1400m (4600ft) past the recently discovered ruins of Pincha Unuyoc to the Rio Blanco where you can dip your feet in the cool waters. Just beware of the biting sand-flies. Known as “Pumahuacachi” their name means “makes the puma cry”.

Refreshed, you climb steeply again, 1,200m (3900ft) to the small and beautifully located campsite of Maizal at an altitude of 3,000m (9840ft). This is probably the toughest day of the trip but if you have prepared well and are determined, you will succeed. And the cold beer on arrival will taste even better.

Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, camping equipment (except sleeping bag)

You leave camp behind and climb past old silver mines to the highest pass of the trip. Abra San Juan at 4,200m (13780ft) affords spectacular views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba mountain range.

You then take a delightful and at times precipitous path down to the charming Andean village of Yanama. Here you say goodbye to your muleteers and climb aboard the waiting vehicle for the spectacular drive on dirt road over the Totora pass to the small hamlet of Lucmabamba.

Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, camping equipment (except sleeping bag)

Your final day of hiking: you take a spectacular royal Inca trail up through lush coffee and tropical fruit plantations, into pristine cloud forest. As the path crests the ridge, old Inca walls appear out of the forest and you step in the recently cleared ruins of Llactapata.

Hiram Bingham got here too, but the map he drew was so bad, neither he nor anyone else could find the ruins again for 80 years. In the mid-1990s an Anglo-American team found them once more, totally covered over by thick jungle vines. Step a few metres further and you will see just why the Incas built here. The view across to Machu Picchu is magnificent. Few tourists have ever seen it from this side.

After some time to sit, contemplate the view and watch the Andean swifts playing overhead, you descend steeply to the Urubamba valley and the hydroelectric plant train station. From here you have a choice. Either wait for the short but spectacular train ride, or hike two to three hours along the rail track to the bustling tourist town of Machu Picchu Pueblo and your hotel for the night.

Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, train ticket, hotel

Relaxed after a comfortable night, you head up to Machu Picchu for your full guided tour before the crowds arrive. There is time afterwards to hike to the Inca Bridge, Watchman’s hut or just wander through the ruins soaking up the atmosphere.

In the afternoon you descend to the waiting train to enjoy one of the great train journeys of the world back towards Cusco.

Included: breakfast, bus tickets, Machu Picchu entrance, train ticket, transfer

If you want to read up about the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek, we recommend this book, Turn Right at Machu Picchu, by Mark Adams, who trekked with us.

In order to fully enjoy your Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek it is very important that you choose the right trip for you and fully understand what it involves.

There are risks inherent in travelling in Peru, as indeed there are in most of the activities that we provide. Many of the activities we offer also involve a significant level of effort on your part.  After all, it is called Adventure Travel for a reason.

It is really important that you read both the trip notes above and the Risk and Safety Section on our website, to enable you to choose the best trip for you. Once you have read them both, please make sure you ask if there is anything you do not understand. We classify the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek as:

• Trek ‘Advanced’… This trek is mostly aimed at experienced trekkers – But if you are ‘fit’ (What does that mean? In this case – that you do regular exercise – walk/cycle/jog/squash/ etc) and have an ‘adventurous’ disposition, then you might consider this too! As an experienced trekker you will know that this type of trip will involve some sweating and breathing hard! It will involve steep up and down. There may be sections of rough trail that falling off is not an option! The days are likely to be long, remote and even arduous at times. Make sure you are comfortable with this description (and the remainder of the trip notes), if at all unsure, then drop us an email asking for more clarification. We want you to book the perfect trip for you!