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Immerse yourself in the wonders of the Sacred Valley before embarking on the breathtaking trek to Choquequirao.
Experience Andean culture while you acclimatize to the altitude with visits to weaving communities, Maras salt flats, and the ruins of Moray and Chinchero.
Then, set off on an unforgettable multi-day trek through the dramatic Apurimac Canyon, climbing towards the awe-inspiring Choquequirao ruins. This challenging yet rewarding adventure offers stunning landscapes, rich history, and an off-the-beaten-path experience few travelers get to witness.
Cap things off with a visit to Choquequirao’s “sister city,” Machu Picchu, that unforgettable World Heritage Site.
Begin your journey in Cusco, then head to the Sacred Valley to visit Awanacancha and explore the Pisac ruins and market.
After a restful night, dive into Andean culture with a traditional weaving workshop or a hands-on visit to Chichubamba.
The adventure continues with a trip to Maras, where you will admire the ancient salt mines before exploring the circular terraces of Moray and Chinchero.
Your trek begins with a descent into the Apurimac Canyon, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, before camping near the river.
A challenging uphill climb rewards you with the awe-inspiring ruins of Choquequirao, where you will explore its vast terraces and plazas.
Returning on the same path, we then drive to Ollantaytambo and from there, catch the train to Aguas Calientes.
The next day, we cap off this amazing adventure with the majesty of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guide tour of its fascinating history before heading back to Cusco.
High quality personalized experience
Unique, off-the-beaten track routes
Experienced staff
Verified sustainability practices
$20 of every trek donated to Threads of Peru
Meals
Accommodation
Transportation
Entry Fees
Additional
We offer you the opportunity to personalize your trek and make your experience more comfortable through our Optional Extras and Upgrades. All options are available during the reservation process; please ask your sales consultant for more information.
Get ready for warm days, cool nights, and plenty of adventure! Whether exploring Cusco, visiting the Sacred Valley, or marveling at Machu Picchu, here are some essentials to bring along:
With these essentials, you will be set for an unforgettable Choquequirao tour!
Want to join a trek? Ready to confirm a departure date of your own, but interested in having others join you? Then Trekkers Wanted is for you! Our innovative Trekkers Wanted system matches people up who are interested in hiking the same trek, bringing costs down and multiplying the fun for everyone!
Read More about Trekkers Wanted, post your trek or search for confirmed departures!
Upon your arrival to Cusco, we will meet you at the airport and start our journey towards the Sacred Valley.
As we head out of Cusco, we will enjoy a picturesque drive through the mountains to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which held great significance in Inca culture. The Valley has a milder climate than Cusco and we will see a succession of quaint villages, agricultural terraces, and many archaeological sites.
Depending on your arrival time, we can make a brief stop at Awanacancha. Here we can see llamas, alpacas and vicuñas, all camelid species endemic to the Andes and culturally significant through the centuries as pack animals and for their fleece. We will also have a chance to learn a bit about traditional weaving, a practice that dates back nearly 5000 years.
After this stop, we continue on to Pisac, where we can make a brief stop to check out its famous artisan market, grab a coffee or a bite to eat (not included).
We then continue our picturesque drive through the Sacred Valley until we reach our hotel, nestled in the beautiful landscape alongside the Urubamba river. Enjoy a tranquil evening relaxing in your room or strolling the gorgeous grounds, and enjoying a delicious dinner at the hotel’s on-site restaurant (not included).
Meals: None.
Accommodation: Tierra Viva Valle, or similar (Yanahuara)
This morning, we travel back through the Sacred Valley for about 40 minutes until we reach the hamlet of Huaran, where we will be greeted by the Munay Urpi weaving association. They will demonstrate spinning, warping and weaving, as well as dyeing yarn with natural plant dyes. Most of these plant dyes are collected locally, and you might even have the chance to help!
The weavers will dye a small amount of yarn in 2-3 different natural shades. Depending on your interest and available time, join the weavers on a short excursion to look at or collect dye plants as they are found in nature. After this Andean weaving demonstration, the group will serve a delicious home-cooked meal for lunch.
After lunch, we head back to your hotel, where you will have the rest of the afternoon to free.
Not interested in traditional weaving? Consider Chichubamba instead!
This is an excellent opportunity to explore the culture, food and traditions of everyday rural Peruvian life. The Chichubamba hands-on tour includes a series of workshops presented by community members who have received training in presentations and are experts in their field. By participating in this hands-on community tourism project, you are helping families improve their quality of life, preserve nature and foster self esteem and respect for their cultural heritage.
From your hotel, we travel back towards Urubamba and just beyond until we reach the community of Chichubamba, aiming to arrive around 10AM. We will spend the morning getting our hands dirty partaking in three 1-hour hands-on workshops. After this, we will enjoy a home-cooked meal with one of the families at the Chichubamba Agritourism project.
We will leave Urubamba at around 2:30 to head back to your hotel, where you will have the rest of the day free.
Available workshops (choose 3):
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Tierra Viva Valle, or similar (Yanahuara)
We will enjoy this scenic hour and a half drive back to Cusco, making a couple of stops along the way.
Reaching the Maras salineras, or Cusco salt flats, we have about 40 minutes to spend taking in this fascinating sight from the lookout point. The Maras salt flats are a collection of watered terraces that take salt from an underground salty stream. Locals collect the salt through a fascinating process of evaporation. The pools and salt embankments are an incredible sight against the stunning mountain backdrop. Warning: it can get really hot in the salineras on a sunny day!
The next stop will be the archaeological site at Moray, one of the most unusual and interesting in the area. A pre-Incan site believed to have been used by the Incas, Moray is a series of circular agricultural terraces which are believed to be an experimental agricultural station for different crop strains.
Either before or after we visit Moray, we will head to the nearby Misminay community. Here, the traditionally-dressed community members will welcome you with song and dance. We will enjoy a healthy and delicious meal featuring traditional Andean fare, including potatoes, corn and sweet potatoes.
Leaving Moray behind, we continue on towards Cusco, stopping first in Chinchero. Here, you can visit the famous market, the Colonial Church and Incan ruins, as well as have a quick stop at an awana wasi, a weaving house.
Reaching Cusco in the early evening, you will be transferred to your hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Tierra Viva San Blas, or similar (Cusco)
We begin our Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu with an early departure from Cusco and head towards the Apurimac canyon, surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks. After about an hour and a half of driving, we will have a short stop at Tarawasi (2675m / 8776 ft).
Tarawasi gets its name from two Quechua words: tara, a type tree native to the Andes (Latin name: caesalpina espinosa), and wasi, which means “house”. So Tarawasi is “the house of the Tara tree”. Tara is a multipurpose tree that produces large bean pods that turn orange when ripe. The seeds inside are used as a natural dye, and also have medicinal purposes.
Tarawasi is a ceremonial centre that dates to Incan times. One of the most striking features of this archaeological site is the presence of an usnu, a ceremonial structure where ritual offerings would be prepared.
From here, we continue by car another 3h to Capuliyoc (2970m / 9744ft). In Capuliyoc we have our first beautiful views of the Apurimac valley stretching below, as well as the snow-capped peaks of Padreyoc and Huayna Cachora.
We will meet our muleteers here and walk about 15 minutes to have our lunch at the Capuliyoc lookout point. From here, we descend steeply 3-4h into the Apurimac Canyon, taking in the spectacular views until we reach Chiquisca (1950m / 6397 ft), with breathtaking drops on either side. An hour beyond Chiquisca, we arrive at the roaring Apurimac River (1520m / 4986 ft).
From the river, we begin to climb to the Santa Rosa Campsite (2095m / 6873 ft). This is a tough 2h climb but makes the next day easier! As the campsite is further along than the most popular camp, it is often quiet and you can soak up the stars.
This day is flexible and so the route you trek might not correspond exactly to the route described here. Walking times depend on the time of departure and on the nature of the group. The guide may change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group.
Please take note that there might be biting insects on the trail, thus repellent will be needed! It can get very hot on the trail (not just in the canyon!), going up to 30-35 ºC (86 ºF – 95 ºF). It can get as hot as 40ºC (104 ºF) in the canyon.
Meals: B at hotel; all meals on the trail
Included: Private transportation, private English-speaking guide, muleteers, trail chef, camping equipment, all entry fees & permits
Accommodations: Camping
It’s another early start today as we aim to get the best out of day 2 of our Choquequirao tour. After an early breakfast at around 5:30am, we head out at 6am and continue steeply upwards for 3 hours until we reach Marampata.
Once we get going again after our well-deserved break at Marampata (2940m / 9646 ft), we will have our first glimpses of spectacular Choquequirao. From this point, it’s another 2 hours of hiking up gentle, undulating terrain until we reach the ruins, a welcome respite compared to what we’ve just accomplished!
Arriving at the ruins, we can enjoy a picnic lunch on the grounds and have a well-deserved break. After lunch we will start to explore the ruins (3050m / 10,007 ft). Only about 30% of the Inca remains at Choquequirao have yet been excavated, the rest remains shrouded in mystery. As we explore, we keep our fingers crossed for the chance to see some condors!
After about 3 hours touring the site – including the religious sector and central part of the ruins – we start our two-hour hike back to the campsite of Marampata. This is a very long but rewarding day as we aim to maximise our time in Choquequirao.
Meals: All meals
Included: Camping equipment & field team as described on Day 1 of trek
Accommodations: Camping
Today we will leave the beautiful Marampata campsite and start our descent towards the Apurimac River and the so-called Rosalina Beach (1520 m/4986 ft). From there we will continue hiking upwards until we reach our campsite of Chiquisca (1950 m / 6397 ft).
If you have a good pace, we may camp instead at Cocamasana (2450m / 8038ft).
Meals: All meals
Included: Camping equipment & field team as described on Day 1 of trek
Accommodations: Camping
This morning, we finish our Choquequirao trek with a 3 to 4-hour climb upwards to Capuliyoc. When we reach our destination, we’re once again rewarded with spectacular views. Our car will be waiting here to pick us up to start the 4.5-hour drive towards Ollantaytambo.
On the way we have the option of visiting Saywite (3500m / 11,483 ft) which is a pretty archaeological site located in the district of Curahuasi. It’s an Incan complex that probably was built in the 16th century. Saywite occupies an area of around 2 hectares which houses important examples of Inca stone art, as well as religious-ritualistic spaces.
Finally, we hop in our private car to continue the journey to Ollantaytambo. Before reaching the city, we take a turn and head into the Sacred Valley. We’ll head all the way to Ollantaytambo, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening.
After dinner on your own, it’s off to bed so you’re well rested to start the next day’s journey.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Tunupa Lodge, or similar (Ollantaytambo)
Option A – Hike the Short Inca Trail
We pick you up early this morning and head to the train station where we will catch the train (around 7AM) to Km 104, the start of the Inca Trail for us. It’s a lovely 2 hour train ride on a very picturesque route.
Before we begin the hike, we’ll cross the bridge over the Urubamba River to visit Chachabamba (2050m / 6725 ft), a lovely archaeological site known for its flowing water channels and fountains.
From this point, we hike uphill for about 3-4h until we reach Wiñay Wayna (“forever young” in Quechua), an amazing Inca agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector (2680m / 8792 ft). This is a tough stretch with lots of stone steps, so be prepared for a leg workout! We’ll take plenty of breaks to rest our weary legs and admire the vista stretching out before us. We’ll rest at Wiñay Wayna and enjoy our boxed lunch here. Many consider Wiñay Wayna the most impressive site along the entire Inca Trail!
After lunch, we continue another hour to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate (2730m / 8956 ft), from where we will have our first dramatic views of Machu Picchu (2400m / 7874 ft). As we will be arriving late in the day, you have the view all to yourself!
After getting those classic shots of Machu Picchu, we will walk down the last part of the trail towards the site. We deviate to the side in order to walk down towards the area where we will catch the bus to Aguas Calientes below, where we will spend the night in order to have a full day at Machu Picchu on Day 2.
We’ll check into our accommodations and enjoy a celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes before hitting the hay in preparation for another early start tomorrow.
Option B – Take the train to Aguas Calientes
Sleep in and enjoy a relatively relaxed morning today to explore Ollantaytambo, either on your own or with your guide.
The design of Ollantaytambo village and the majority of its foundations date from the Inca era when it was a strategic military, religious, and agricultural center. On one end of the village are its impressive resistance terraces, constructed to avoid landslides. This series of superimposed terraces is made of carved stones, and accessed by long staircases. You’ll have time this morning to climb the ruins if you desire.
Otherwise, stroll the picturesque cobblestone streets or browse its lively souvenir market. Do a little shopping, wander or enjoy coffee and a treat at one of the town’s cute cafes.
After an early lunch on your own, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, a stunning 1.5h journey through the magnificent Vilcanota Canyon. Arriving at Aguas Calientes, we will check into our accommodations. Time permitting, you can explore this village to do some souvenir shopping or check out the town’s namesake hot springs!
We will have dinner together before tucking in for an early night, in preparation for tomorrow’s early start.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Tierra Viva, or similar (Aguas Calientes)
We made it! Today we will have a guided visit of the unparalleled Inca Citadel, Machu Picchu. This is a lifelong dream for many, and also the pinnacle of the Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu!
We will take a bus in the wee hours of the morning up to the ruins of Machu Picchu so that you can appreciate this famous city in the early morning light, aiming to enter the site around 8 AM. Your guide will give you a 2h walking tour of the historic citadel which will leave you in awe of the Incan people’s ingenuity!
After our tour, we exit the site and head to the nearby Tinkuy Restaurant conveniently located inside the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge just outside the gates. Here we will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch before taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes in time to catch our train (you can choose to walk down, but the bus ticket is included in the price of your trek).
We will travel on the Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo where our driver will meet us and transfer you directly back to your hotel in Cusco. Total travel time is about 4 hours from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
Feeling adventurous? You may wish to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain in addition to your tour of the Machu Picchu ruins. This requires an extra permit, and they can sell out well in advance! Be sure to tell us at booking if you would like to add one of these hikes.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Tierra Viva San Blas, or similar (Cusco)
Depending on the time of your flight, you might have the chance for a final walk around Cusco or some last-minute souvenir shopping.
After checking out of your hotel, we transfer you to the Cusco airport in time to catch your outbound flight.
Keep in mind: it is recommended to be at the airport at least 1.5 hours prior to domestic flights, and 3 hours prior to international flight departures.
Meals: B
Included: Airport transfer
