Choquequirao Hike 8 Days with Machupicchu

Private transportation from your hotel in Cusco to the town of Cachora.
Transportation from Santa Teresa Beach and the hydroelectric station (for all camping and personal luggage).
Train from the Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes.
Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco or tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
Basic hotel in Santa Teresa. Hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu, continental or similar)
Dinner in Aguas Calientes.
Entrance to Choquequirao.
Entrance fee to Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English).
High-quality camping equipment (we use professional tents, Doite, Kailas 3 model, light/4.5kgs extra and Doite, Himalaya model, light/4.5kgs extra, both are big enough for 2 people. Mattresses, dining tent with table and chairs, toilet tent).
Meals during the excursion (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks – vegetarian option)
Cook and cooking equipment.
Muleteers and mules, for all the camping equipment and clients’ luggage (up to 8 kg).
Emergency first aid kit and oxygen ball.
3 Stars hostel in Machupicchu
Hike Choquequirao Machu Picchu 8 Days

Breakfast on 1st day, lunch and dinner on last day
Water for your water bottles. You can buy water along the way or bring water purification tablets
Activities and items not included in the itinerary
Sleeping bag
Entrance fees for Thermal Baths in Aguas Calientes ($4)
Tips are not included but are optional

Personal hygiene tools
Enough change of clothes: Light and thick
Camera and/or camcorder
Sunblock and repellent
Hat and/or cap
Hiking shoes (trekking)
Sleeping bag and flashlight with backup batteries
Sunglasses for the sun
Plastic Poncho
Carry your passport, ISIC student card (valid, not older than 25 years)
Water for the first day
Water purifying tablets

As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE a horse who will carry up to 7 kgs.

08 t-shirts
04 hiking pants at least
4 pairs of undergarments
4 pairs of hiking socks
Bathing Suit for the thermal waters
Fleece/ Thermals
Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º Celcious.
Waterproof gloves.
Comfortable shoes
Quick dry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger
Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
Portable Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — Please ask for them
Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us.
Personal Medicines

We recommend a small backpack (30 to 40L) for the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu.

Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, then we will provide you with cold boiled water at every morning. Please bring your canteens.
Sun Hat
Sunscreen
Headlamp: essential
Wool Hat
Rain gear
Fleece
Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
Coca leaves
Rain poncho
Gloves
Camera
Hand sanitizer
Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips

Choquequirao Tour 8 Days

We leave early in the morning northwest of the city of Cusco (3350m) in a transport to the town of Cachora (2850m). Cachora, is the meeting place with the muleteers and their mules who will have to carry all the camping equipment throughout this expedition. The presence of the Padreyoc mountain is spectacular, with a very strategic viewpoint known as Capuliyoc (2800m); and in the depths the Apurimac canyon. The temperature increases every time we enter the canyon and our campsite is in the Chiquisca forest (1930m).

Choquequirao Trek 8 Days time 6 hours in a warm climate with mosquitoes.

8-Days Choquequirao Hike

After having enjoyed our breakfast, we begin to descend approximately 30 minutes to the beach Rosalína (1500m). From there we start the ascent to leave the canyon as soon as possible in the middle of a warm climate to the village of Marampata (2850m), where we will have a beautiful view of the archaeological complex of Choquequirao and a very fresh environment. The enigmatic sunset of Choquequirao will allow us to observe with a little luck the flight of “Cóndor”, which descends from the highest mountains of the Vilcabamba mountain range to the archaeological complex of Choquequirao (3033m). Place where we will be able to camp.

Walking time 7 hours in a warm and cold climate with mosquitoes. 3rd Day Tours:

CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK to Machu Picchu 8 days

We will observe the sunrise over the archaeological complex of Choquequirao or “Cradle of Gold”; therefore, the company of a professional guide will facilitate the presentation concerning the history, ruins and recent excavations found. Currently Choquequirao (3350m) keeps many ancient secrets, because at the moment only 30% of the ruin is restored. This project could be completed and presented in its entirety in a few more as even the main function still feels a mystery and enigmatic in the middle of a tropical forest that keeps many ancient secrets. After the visit, we go to the Choquequirao pass (3270m), then to the ruins of Pinchaunuyoc 2450m and from there descend to the deepest part of this mini canyon known as the Blanco River (1900m), where we will set our camp.

Walking time 6 hours in a warm climate with mosquitoes Tours 4º Day:

Early in the morning, we go up to the village of Maizal (3000m), which is the most difficult section, because it is a sloping road through a tropical forest. Then we will continue with the ascending expedition on an Inca trail that is not in good shape due to the constant natural erosion of the mountain and the intense humidity that exists. The San Juan Pass (4200m), is the place where you will see a magnificent view of the mountains and glaciers of the Vilcabamba chain that are more than 5000m away. From there we descend to the community of Yanama (3530m), to set up a nice campsite. Walking time 9 hours in a warm and cold climate.

At dawn, we began to climb to the highest point of this expedition known as Yanama Pass (4670m). On the way we are very likely to observe the flight of the Condor, in addition to the presence of other mountains are frequent as the Salkantay (6264m), which is the highest snow-capped mountain in the region, and Pintuyu (5450m). The next campsite is in the depth of the Totora pampa Valley (3200m).

Walking time 7 hours in a warm climate and mosquitoes.

Continuing along an Inca trail, we will get to know communities with ancestral customs and cultivation techniques for the good fertilization of their lands. And these have been passed down from generation to generation to constantly improve the development of vegetables, tubers, fruit trees and so on. The flora is increasing every time due to the climate and humidity of this valley so we can recognize the great variety of Orchids, Bromeliads, Bomareas and others. Each of us is in a setting where the vegetation is better developed and tropical fruits are constant along the way and as well as coffee cultivation is in enormous proportions. The beach (2100m) or Lucmabamba (2020m) is the site of our campsite.

Note:

If we continue on the excursion through an Inca Trail to the ruin of Llactapata! The group should decide and the next day in the morning we take the ascent road to the ruin of Llactapata (2650m) where we will do the exploration in the middle of the vegetation of the Aobamba basin. We will also have the best view of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and other mountains. Then we continue our descent to Hidroeléctrica where we will take our train to the town of Aguas Calientes. Walking time 6 hours. Tours 7º Day:

The district of Santa Teresa (1830m), has a very pleasant climate. Being this a rich and fertilizing area for the development of the coffee bean that becomes one of the best high quality products for export to the European market. With the support of some foreign institutions they are improving their export products to the highly competitive European market that is becoming a reality. The Willcamayu canyon is spectacular and at the same time we are preparing to take a very typical transport from the region called “Oroya”, with this we should cross to the other end of the river, which will be very fun and exciting. Then continue on the road to Hidroeléctrica, where we will take our train to the town of Aguas Calientes (2050m). And spend the night in accommodation.

Walking time 4 hours in a warm climate.

Early at dawn, we will take the first bus to the Archaeological Complex of Machu Picchu (2400m) where we will have a guided tour. The excursion is of sufficient pleasant time in an incomparable scenery. Whether by the type of architecture and the meaning of Machu Picchu becoming an enigma that will take your breath away. At the end of the visit, the client will have time to recover or continue with the independent excursion to the summit of Huayna Picchu or to the Temple of the Moon. And then we meet again the whole group in the town of Aguas Calientes, before taking the train back to the city of Cusco.

The climate in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is warm and humid with mosquitoes.

Welcome Choquequirao Hike 8 Days

In 2004 a group of platforms was discovered, located west of the plaza of the lower sector, decorated with a kind of mosaic of flames, something unique in Inca art. This set of pieces has been given the name Flame of the Sun. There are 23 figures representing the Andean camelid located on 15 platforms. The discovery was made by the archaeologist Zenobio Valencia.

The ruins are little known accessible to people of all ages can be done in four days or in eight days to Machupicchu from 3000 mnsm to 4600m, there are several differences in height a spectacular landscape to find isolated Inca ruins and little traffic of people also with the promise of making a difficult hike across the canyon of Apurimac. Little more than what we are used to. A great physical challenge to reach the top of this mountain The first consideration before doing this road should take into account if you are going to do only choquequirao or choquequirao Machupicchu, therefore, is not simply to risk because there is a huge challenge to reach Machupicchu

Choquequirao is named after the Quechua Chuqi K’iraw, the golden cradle. Located at a little more than 3,000 meters above sea level, it is a complex Inca terrace and building to understand, very similar to the citadel of Machu Picchu, in terms of its architecture. Some even call it the «sacred sister of Machu Picchu» or «second Machu Picchu». The site is not as big as Machu Picchu, but it is much less crowded by travelers, since it can only be accessed on foot, with a tour operator, it is the longest and most complete road in Peru, after this expedition there will be no other road left like it.

A lightweight backpack with clothes suitable for very variable temperatures, gloves, scarves, rainwear from January to April (poncho), good footwear (ideally waterproof trekking boots), several pairs of socks, sleeping bag, lighthouse / flashlight, hat / cap, sunscreen / after-sun, mosquito repellent, toilet paper, snacks (granola bar, cookies, etc.)), bottled water, necessary medications, small towel, passport, cash for some expenses, hiking sticks help a lot and finally, sandals can be a good idea to make your feet breathe during breaks.

If you do the trek to Choquequirao with Andean Peru Treks, here we mention everything that is included and those that are not. Includes: Round trip transportation from Cusco, in private transportation, entrance fees and choquequirao sayhuite ruins, professional guide, personal tent (generally 4 places tent for 2 people), sponge mattresses, cook and cooking equipment, food ( Peruvian food and international cuisine), horses for the transportation of camping equipment and personal backpacks (maximum 7 kg per person), one emergency horse, these are meals, kitchen tent, first aid kit with oxygen ball, contact us.

Not included in Choquequirao Trek 8 Days?
Breakfast on the first day (usually present in hotels/hostels anyway)
dinner on the last day
sleeping bag (can be rented at the agency)
free of charge to the guide
the cook, extra horse muleteers for personal luggage.
What is the Weather on the Choquequirao Trek?
The best time to go is from May to December, avoid the rainy season because it makes it difficult to do with boots full of mud, but it is nicer to see all green so you can do at any time of year, but with a tour operator.

Is it possible to do Choquequirao alone?
Sure. Take a bus from Cusco to Cachora and spend the night there to leave the next day. The way is simple, it is easy to guide yourself. Some advice: it is better to start the hike in Cachora or Huanicapa. The road to Cachora is more popular because it is cheaper, but longer. It can be very tiring to get to Santa Rosa (2 and camp) because it takes about 10 hours to get there, at a regular pace. A good alternative is to sleep in Chiquiska (1 st camp) before crossing the river. The sun goes down and it gets dark so it is best to camp early and start first thing in the morning so as not to feel the heat and tiredness so much on the way there or back.

Choquequirao Trek & Machu Picchu (8 days): Tours & Prices
If you don’t want to go through a travel agency, but you are not ready to go alone inform yourself first about the costs of bus, muleteers in cachora as a crazy guide, because carrying all your own backpack is impossible to reach, you could spend in all about usd$190.00 for the 4 days and even Machupicchu about uds$500 dollars because the cost of horse is average of 30 dollars a day and food for muleteers and you

Can we do it alone without a local guide?
We really recommend you to travel at least two people if you want to make the long trip to Machupicchu. Because on the way there are people and they could not help someone if they stay with any emergency. Technically speaking the road is really not difficult to find, the path is well signposted and it is almost impossible to get lost, so a guide is not important but necessary in case your vacation is tight.

How much does this trip cost?
The tour of choquequirao with a travel agency the four days varies between about 350 to 400 dollars per person, however until Machupicchu, the eight days leaves about 750 dollars including the ticket to Machupicchu, minimum 2 people in basic service, ask an operator by this means

Choquequirao Trek 8 Days Difficulty
The Choquequirao hike should be considered some aspects the time the physical condition Choquequirao remains one of the most memorable experiences around the world, but physically it is stronger than any other road Cusco, 166 kilometers, but especially the 4600 meters of altitude is a real physical challenge, especially if you decide to do the eight days to Machupicchu between them there are two ports to cross at a level of 4,600 mens. We believe that it is not necessary to be an experienced hiker to do this trip but we recommend that it would be better to rent an extra horse and be able to get to Machupicchu without any problems.