Choquequirao Trek + Machu Picchu
6 Days / 5 Nights
With the Choquequirao Trek and Machu Picchu Tour, you can see two breathtaking historic ruins on one trip!
Choquequirao Peru reveals lesser known, historic ruins that are much larger than those at Machu Picchu. Only currently accessible by foot, the Choquequirao Peru tour reveals this currently hidden gem that is not easily accessible to most visitors. Visiting Choquequirao is one of the best ways to get an intimate and unobstructed perspective of remoteIncan history and culture.
Don’t want to miss out on Peru’s most famous site? We have combined the Choquequirao tour with the 7th Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu, to offer an experience of a lifetime!
Tour Location: Choquequirao Peru and Machu Picchu from Cusco, Peru
Tour Type: Hiking, camping, adventure, history, culture
Good For:Â Those who enjoy hiking and are in moderate shape
Difficulty: Challenging
Considerations: This is a multi-day trek
Choquequirao Trek + Machu Picchu 6 Days / 5 Nights
Choquequirao Trek Trip Details
See the Most Underrated and Beautiful Historic Incan Ruins in Peru: Choquequirao
Choquequirao is one of the most important hidden gems you can visit in Peru. Currently only reachable by foot, trekking multiple days to reach these ruins is an immense achievement. More extensive than the famous Machu Picchu ruins, this remarkable site will offer an intimate and up-close look at stunning and mind-boggling ruins.
Experience Stunning Views in the Apurimac Valley and Sacred Valley
Apurimac Valley is a breathtaking natural wonder, boasting rocky cliffs and deep canyons carved by the power of the Apurimac River. Its wild beauty provides a serene escape from the modern world. The Sacred Valley exudes spiritual significance with its terraced landscapes, vibrant Andean communities, and awe-inspiring archaeological sites. These valleys offer a lovely blend of natural splendor and cultural richness, creating an unforgettable experience for those who venture into these valleys.
Spend Two Consecutive Nights At a Stunning Campsite Nestled at The Foot of the Ruins
Your nights before and after exploring Choquequirao will be spent at the same stunning campsite, meaning you have more time to appreciate the morning, travel lighter and enjoy a happy hour instead of packing and unpacking. This is one of our only treks that get to enjoy this luxury!
Finish your Trip Exploring the Most Famous Ruins in the Country: Machu Picchu
The last day is dedicated to the ever-exciting adventure of exploring Machu Picchu. From walking the grounds with your guide learning about the area’s history to breaking off for some solo exploration and photos, this is an authentic once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: CUSCO - CAPULIYOC - CHIKISCCA
Pickup on the first morning is bright and early, between 4-4:30AM. It’s a 4-5 hour drive from Cusco to the trailhead, Capuliyoc. If you are awake during the drive, peek out your window to witness spectacular views of the mountains. Once you arrive to the trailhead, you will meet the team that will be helping you along the way and then enjoy your first breakfast all together.
Todays hike will offer great views of the Apurimac valley and river. The hiking begins with a 2 hour, mostly downhill, trek toward the lunchspot at Coca Mansana. After lunch and a small siesta, you will be back on the Trail for another 2 hour downhill hike to our first campsite, Chikiscca. Chikiscca is a small farming village, with great weather. You will have your first happy hour with tea and popcorn, dinner and then an early night to bed.
Weather: warm
Walking distance: 10km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 2: CHIKISCCA - SANTA ROSA - MARAMPATA
Wake up this morning will be at 5AM, where you will be greeted at your tent by a member of the Green Machine team offering you a hot glass of tea. After you are all packed up, dressed and ready, you will enjoy some breakfast and head out for the morning’s hike. It will be about 1.5 hours downhill to La Playa, located by the river. This will be the hottest weather you will have on the Trail (lowest altitude), so make sure you dress for it. You will cross the Apurimac River and begin your ascent, for 2 hours, to Santa Rosa for lunch. This portion of the hike is a bit challenging, but as you continue uphill, you will be rewarded with amazing views of the canyon.
Lunch will be at a family house, where you will taste a drink made from sugar cane prepared by the locals. After a short siesta, you will continue uphill for 2-3 hours. This last section is considered the most challenging, but with the help of your Alpaca Expeditions guide, you will enjoy every step of the trail. You will finally arrive at Marampata, with jaw dropping views of the Andes, neighboring valleys and hopefully some condors flying above. After dinner, make sure to look up at the sky! This is the best spot on the trail to stargaze.
Weather: warm / cold
Walking distance: 16km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO VISIT FULL DAY
While today is another early breakfast, you have the luxury of not packing up entirely because you will spend a second night at the same campsite. Today you will get to explore the fantastic Choquequirao ruins. Before you take off, you will get a packed lunch to enjoy at the citadel. After a 1.5-hour flat hike, your guide will introduce you to the ruins. This archeological site is considered the last Inca city, sister to Machu Picchu. You will walk around with your guide to learn some of the area’s highlights and have plenty of free time to explore independently. This is really special, as it’s still relatively unknown and away from the crowds that visit Machu Picchu.
You will have some time to enjoy your packed lunch before heading to the lower part of Choquequirao, the newest discovered section of farming terraces. You will be impressed by how they built these terraces for agriculture. Once you have explored all you could of Choquequirao, you will begin your 1.5-hour trek back to the campsite. You will have time for a happy hour and dinner before returning to your tents for a good night’s sleep.
Weather: warm/cold
Walking distance: 6 km
Meals: Breakfast, pack Lunch, DinnerDay 4: MARAMPATA - CHIKISCCA - COCAMAZANA
Hopefully you had a good nights rest, because today will be your longest day of hiking. Wake up will be at 6AM with a nice breakfast. When you start your hike, it will begin with 2 hours downhill from Marampata to Santa Rosa and then another hour down to La Playa. Because its all downhill, walking sticks are particularly useful in this area. You will finish the morning with 1 hour uphill to Chikiscca for lunch. After your siesta, its only 1 more hour to the campsite Coca Mazana, where you will finally get time for a well deserved rest, happy hour and dinner. Today will be a bit warmer, so make sure you have plenty of water to keep hydrated.
Weather: warm
Walking distance: 18 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 5: COCAMAZANA - CAPULIYOC - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES
After another early breakfast, you will begin hiking for 2 hours to get to the trailhead at Capuliyoc. This will be the last time to see the beautiful views the Apurimac River offers, so make sure to soak them in. When you get to the trailhead, you will have your last lunch with your entire team, as the horses men will say goodbye.
After lunch, you will head by car for 4 hours to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley where you will have your last dinner prepared by your trekking chef. Say goodbye to the rest of the team, and train to your hotel in Aguas Calientes, where you will finally have the chance for a hot shower and a nights sleep in a bed.
Weather: warm
Walking distance: 6 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 6: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
After an Early breakfast at the hotel, you will take the bus up to Machu Picchu where your guide will take you to look at the view point and scenery of Machu Picchu. It is here you will have the opportunity to take post card pictures with Machu Picchu. After this you will take a 2-3-hour tour of Machu Picchu with your guide, then if you have booked Huaynapicchu mountain hike you will hike this on your own. If not you will have some free time to take more pictures and enjoy the magic of visiting one of the 7 Wonders with us. Afterwards you will walk down to the exit and take the bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will enjoy lunch on your own here. Afterwards, be ready to take the train at 2:55 PM to Ollantaytambo in Sacred Valley. It is here you will be welcomed by our AE drivers and will take the 2-hour drive to Cusco where you will be dropped off at your hotel. If you have any storage left with us we will return it back to you before you reach your hotel.
What’s included in your Choquiquirao Peru tour
Included
- Trekking briefing with your trekking guide at 6 p.m. the night before you depart. You’ll receive your duffel bags for your personal porter.
- Pick up from your hotel and a transfer to the trailhead in our private transportation
- English speaking tour guide
- Cook, porters, horsemen, and horses
- Personal Porter that can carry up to 8kg/16 pounds (we provide a duffel bag)
- Hiking gear: four man tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, chairs, table, foam mat
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, happy hours, dinner, and snacks each day
- Vegetarian food available
- Drinking water each day (you can fill up your water bottle three times a day at breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- First-aid kit
- Oxygen tank
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Entrance fees for Choqueuiraw Inca ruins and Machu Picchu ruins
- Last night hotel in Aguas Calientes village
- Guided tours in Machu Picchu and Choquequirao
- The train ride back to Ollantaytambo and a bus to Cusco
- We operate this Choquequirao tour ourselves (minimum of two people required)
- Taxes
Satellite Phones: Alpaca Expeditions’ top priority will always be the safety of our clients and our team. While we’re prepared and all our guides are trained for the issues clients may have on the mountain, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps everyone feel assured that they’re safe. Radios, which all our guides have, are limited in how far they can reach. That’s why Alpaca Expeditions has added Satellite Phones to every trek. Every guide will have a fully charged phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to connect us anywhere in the world. And they can be used by our clients for non-emergencies as well. While they’re not cheap to use, they’re available just in case you need to check in on the kids or the puppy you left at home with grandma.
Not Included
- Sleeping bag (rentals available from Alpaca Expeditions)
- Inflatable air mattresses for extra comfort – 3 in /8 cm thick (rentals available from Alpaca Expeditions)
- Trekking poles (rentals available from Alpaca Expeditions)
- Last lunch
- Tips for your crew
Price
Price
$825 per person
Choquequirao Peru Tour Student Discount:
$35 off per person
Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using a university student card to receive the discount, we need to see a copy of the card at booking. For those booking children 17-years-old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. Please send all to info@alpacaexpeditions.com.
More Information about STUDENT CARD
Choquequirao Peru Tour Upgrades:
Hotel upgrades in Aguas Calientes will depend on the hotel you choose to upgrade to. Hotels that are included in our price will depend on availability, but we frequently book in the following hotels: Intipunko Inn, Waman Hotel, El Presidente, or Casa Andina. All of them have private rooms with private bathrooms, a hot shower, wifi, breakfast and storage to leave your luggage in, while you visit Machu Picchu.
Vistadome train to return: $75
Huayna Picchu climb: $75 per person
Travel Info
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Altitude for the Choquequirao Peru Tour
As soon as people book their trip to Peru, they start wondering about altitude sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs. Over several days at high altitude your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air. This is why we always recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before beginning any trek. If you have more time that’s even better. Cusco is an amazing city with lots of things to do* link to things to do page* so you won’t be bored.
With altitude sickness you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe please contact our office and we’ll help you get to a doctor.
Most of the time these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easing into activity slowly allowing your body time to adjust. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or coca tea. Coca tea has been used to help prevent altitude sickness since ancient times. Leaves from the coca plant contain alkaloids that help bring oxygen into your blood therefore helping your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness. Things to avoid to help prevent altitude sickness:
* Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee. They’ll cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated.
* Avoid smoking. It makes it more difficult for your body to get oxygen.
* Avoid sleeping pills. They may cause shallow breathing at night making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.
Remember the trek to Machu Picchu is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness if they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Going slowly will give your body time to adjust to this new adventure.
Your general physical can prescribe medicines to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to a high altitude and continue to take it while you are at high altitude.You must remember that this entire adventure is meant to be your holiday and you don’t want to get stressed out about the possibility of getting sick. Do everything slowly, drink lots of water, and enjoy the coca tea. If anything does happen and you unfortunately get sick let your guide know right away – all Alpaca Expeditions guides are trained in how to help you get through it.
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Weather
Weather is unpredictable. Cusco’s dry season is normally from April to October, but this does not stop rain from falling in May or for the weather to turn warm in December. That’s why we always want you to to come prepared. No matter what month you’re doing the trek please make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho and waterproof gloves. Gloves tend to be what most people forget.
You want to prepare for All four seasons. Many of the treks through the Andes Mountains involve walking through a lot of micro-climates that force you to prepare for all seasons. Layers are the key because they’re really easy to adjust to the different temperatures. The evenings will always be cold because of the elevation so you’ll need to bring a warm winter-weight jacket.
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First Aid
Every Alpaca Expeditions guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training every February and every single Alpaca guide attends. Each of our guides will always have a first aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. They’re trained and experienced when it comes to taking care of you and making you feel better.
In case something unexpected happens and you feel you can no longer complete the trek, Alpaca Expeditions’ team will figure out the safest and quickest way off the course and to a clinic. You’ll never be left alone; you’ll have a member of the Alpaca Expedition team escort you every step of the way until safely with a doctor. When you’re feeling up to it, we’ll make sure that you still have the chance to visit Machu Picchu and re-connect with your group, traveling by train comfortably.
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Travel Insurance
Because there are so many logistics to plan and pay for before your trek occurs, payment for your trek is due even if you’re unable to complete the hike. Please read our Booking Conditions carefully so you know what is due. Obtaining travel insurance before you leave home is strongly encouraged. That way, if something happens, the money you’ve spent will be protected. If that does happen, Alpaca Expeditions will provide you with a letter and your invoice to submit to your insurance to help expedite your processing.
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Environmental Impact
Alpaca Expeditions uses biodegradable soap and transports all our garbage back to Cusco. Our porters are trained to look after the trail and pick up any waste from other groups, as well. We also use environmentally-friendly chemical portable toilets that allow us to pack waste out. We believe in leaving no footprint behind.
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Community
Alpaca Expeditions is really proud of the work we do for our community. This is a main focus for our company. We have worked with villages directly to help supply them with needs their families were missing. We have supported local schools by giving them computers and books. Alpaca Expeditions currently sponsors a teacher for the village most of our porters come from to ensure their children are offered the best education.
Alpaca Expeditions buys all our food from local farmers and markets and serve the freshest ingredients. We provide English classes for all our team: guides, porters, chefs and drivers.
Twice every year we bring our porters and their families to Machu Picchu. This is our favorite trip to do as the guys who work tirelessly have never visited the Lost Citadel of the Incas. Showing them this place is our biggest honor.
Alpaca Expeditions is always looking to do more for our partners, please let us know of your ideas and we’ll work to help.
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Our Equipment
Alpaca Expeditions is dedicated to making sure we have the best equipment available. Casual Adventure Camping Store is a family owned business in the United States that is dedicated to the outdoor travelers needs and helps us with all our equipment needs.
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Our Tents
Enjoy a good night’s sleep in our spacious Eureka tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but you’ll only have to share with one other trekker leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffels. They’re an A-frame design with entrances on both sides of the tent. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt. We are proud to be the only company to use these tents.
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Our Toilet Tents
No need to add some additional hiking in the middle of the night when you have to use the bathroom! We set up our spotless environmentally friendly toilet tents right at your camping site and lunch sites, so you don’t have to bother with the park toilets that aren’t in great condition. This is Alpaca Expeditions’ way to lessen our footprint on the environment while adding the convenience and luxury of a private bathroom to your trekking adventure.
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Our Mats
A foam mat is included to separate and insulate you from the ground. For added comfort you may want to consider upgrading by renting an inflatable sleeping pad. This adds 3 inches of comfort on top of the provided foam mat to help you sleep better each night on the Andes. Alpaca Expeditions uses Thermarest and Eureka inflatable air mattresses.
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Our Sleeping Bags
Alpaca Expeditions only uses mummy style sleeping bags that’re 100% down for -15°C/5°F . Please note that if you’re over 1.95 meters / 6´4″ tall then you won’t be able to find a sleeping bag rental in Cusco. In this case it is recommended to bring your own. For everyone else you’ll have a great night’s sleep in this comfy warm bag. Alpaca Expeditions provides liners to everyone that are machine washed between every use. These do need to be included in your duffel weight and weigh 2 kg.
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Our Walking Sticks
All of Alpaca Expeditions’ walking sticks are black diamond and can fold up when you’re not using them. They’re sturdy and adjust to your height. Even for those of you who are great trekkers, having a set of sticks is helpful. Especially if the weather turns bad or just to ease the strain on your knees when heading down some of the steeper portions of the hike.
Packing List
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Choquequirao Peru Tour Packing List
- Day pack
- Copy of your passport
- Good hiking gear: hiking boots, warm jackets, gloves, hat, warm fleece, and socks
- Sleeping bag
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/poncho, pants and waterproof gloves
- Hat and gloves
- Warm clothes: layers for variable temperatures, especially at night
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Re-usable plastic/metal water bottle, or camel bags
- Water for the first four hours of the trek, then we’ll provide you with drinking water
- Toiletries
- Personal medication
- Camera and films
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- Walking stick
- Bathing suit for the hot springs
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips
Choquequirao Trek + Machu Picchu 6D/5N
Please fill in our BOOKING FORM carefully with your correct personal details.
The Alpaca Difference
Alpaca Expeditions is a 100% peruvian, indigenous owned company. Started by Raul Ccolque, a former porter and tour guide, Alpaca Expeditions separates ourselves by our dedication to both our customer and our team. We work very hard to make sure that all our clients needs are taken care of throughout the tour with us. At the same time, we never forget about our brothers and sisters working tirelessly for us to make all of this possible. Responsible and sustainable tourism that gives as much to our community as to our clients.
Meet the AE Trekking Team!
Everyone on the Alpaca Team is from Cusco region, living the traditions and history they share with you while on one of our tours. Our guides are all graduates of university studying tourism, history and english. Our chefs are trained every February by a professional cooking team learning new meals, adding varieties of entrees for all types of eating. And all our porters are from HUARQUI, HUACAHUASI, PATACANCHA, QUISWARANI, CANCHACANCHA, QUEYUPAY, UMACHURCO and CCACCACCOLLO villages, very often working this job on top of maining their farms back at home. Most of our team has been with us for years, as we have the most loyal, hard working, happy employees in Cusco. We know how lucky we are to have the best team trekking and you will immediately fall in love with all the men and women who call Alpaca Expeditions their home.
AE sĂºper porters
Our Porters represent the Peruvian people, both men, and women who are at the heart of our...
Equality Matters
Alpaca Expeditions aims to promote gender equality and empower women, hiring first Peru Wo...
Our Guides
Travelling and trekking along the mountains is one of the best activities in the World. Co...
Our Chefs
Trekking along the mountain on your way to conquer Machu Picchu is a once in a lifetime ex...
What do we do for our porters?
Alpaca Expeditions would not be where we are today without these hardworking men and women. We could not imagine a harder job and our team does it smiling. We do our best to thank them for their hard work and loyalty by doing as much as we can to make their lives and their families lives better. All our porters receive all their equipment for free from warm winter hats to proper hiking boots. They sleep in proper tents and are given warm sleeping bags for night. They enjoy the same food we serve our clients and all leftovers are donated to their families. We visit their villages with doctors and dentists, donate school supplies and sports equipment. And our favorite time of the year is when we bring a group of porters and their families to Machu Picchu to visit the ruins for the first time.
AE sĂºper porters
Our Porters represent the Peruvian people, both men, and women who are at the heart of our company. It is not possible to ...
Equality Matters
Alpaca Expeditions aims to promote gender equality and empower women, hiring first Peru Women as Porters opening the door ...
Free Medical Assistance to Porters
In 2019, we hired our first Alpaca Expeditions Medical Doctor to help tend to our guides, drivers, chefs…
Our Porter’s bus
We treat our porters with the same dignity and respect as we do our clients. Just as our clients enjoy our…
Our Porter’s House
As we mentioned above, our Porters like many Peruvian people come from distant villages to work our treks…
Tents and Sleeping bags
Again, this is something unique that Alpaca Expeditions provides, and sad others are not doing. We supply…
Proper Equipment for our Porters
Every porter of ours receives proper equipment. That includes moisture-wicking long/short sleeve shirts…
Nutritious Meals for our Porters
A general comment from trekkers on an Alpaca Expeditions tour is that we serve too much food. Well…
Videos of our Porters
Extra information
Alpaca Expeditions is always ready to make your trip safe and as easy as possible for you. Because these trips are a bit more complicated than your typical tour, we have put together some notes on logistics, storage, and even recommendations on where to stay in Cusco. And of course our team is ready to answer any other question, as we promise to be your partner from the moment you first contact us to our last goodbye in Cusco.
Alpaca Expeditions Recognitions
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
In the pursuit to stand out from the rest, Alpaca Expeditions has obtained four ISOs plus our carbon footprint certificate to date. These achievements result from our efforts to implement the internationally-recognized integrated management system. They also represent our commitment to all of our clients and staff of operating sustainability and responsibility in every way possible.