Hey there! I’m excited to tell you about one of my favorite treks in Cusco – an amazing journey that connects two of the most incredible Inca cities: Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. This adventure starts right here in Cusco, the heart of the ancient Inca Empire. You’ll trek through some breathtaking high Andean landscapes before reaching the mind-blowing Choquequirao site. Trust me, exploring these ruins is something special. Then we’ll head to Llactapata, where you get this jaw-dropping first view of Machu Picchu – it never gets old seeing people’s faces when they first spot it! You’ll see Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountains, plus the mighty Salkantay Mountain. The grand finale? A proper tour of Machu Picchu itself before heading back to Cusco.
Rise and shine at 5am! I’ll pick you up from your hotel in our van. The drive to Capuliyoc takes about 4 hours, but don’t worry – the views of local villages and valleys are amazing. When we reach Capuliyoc, you’ll get your first look at the impressive Apurimac Canyon with its snow-capped peaks. Here’s where we meet our horsemen – they’re pros at packing the gear. You just need your daypack with essentials. We’ll hike down for 2 hours to Chikiska for lunch, then another hour to Playa Rosalinas (1,550m). When you get to camp, you’ll find hot drinks and snacks waiting, and your tent all set up. Nothing beats ending the day with a good meal under the stars.
Meals: Lunch, Tea Time, Dinner
Sleep: Camping
Distance: 12km/7.5 miles
Today’s Challenge: Moderate
I’ll wake you with some hot tea or coffee – trust me, you’ll want it! We start early with a pretty steep 4-hour climb to Santa Rosa and Maranpata. Lunch break here gives us our first real look at Choquequirao – it’s huge! Two more hours and we’re at the site itself (3,110m). The sunset from camp is incredible, and if we’re lucky, we’ll spot some condors soaring by.
Today’s our chill day. After breakfast, we’ll really explore Choquequirao – there’s so much to see here. After lunch, it’s a 2-hour downhill trek to Pinchiunuyoc, another cool Inca site where we’ll camp. This is definitely your easiest day on the trail.
Another morning, another hot drink in your sleeping bag! We head downhill for 2 hours to Rio Blanco canyon (1,990m) for lunch. The afternoon’s got a tough 3-4 hour climb to Maizal – but hey, the views make it worth it.
7am start today! We climb for about 3 hours through some amazing jungle to reach the Victoria Mines. We’ll check out the mines and some Inca ruins before a final hour up to Victoria Pass (4,130m). The views up here are insane! Then it’s a 2-hour descent to Yanama village, where we catch local transport to Lucmabamba. The drive’s beautiful – waterfalls and snow-capped peaks the whole way.
Today we’re on the original Inca Trail! Three hours through cloud forest gets us to Puncuyoc pass and Llactapata (2,700m). This is where you get that money shot of Machu Picchu from far away – totally different from what most tourists see. After soaking in the view, it’s 2 hours down to the hydroelectric plant for lunch.
Then we walk to Aguas Calientes through Machu Picchu’s national park. The anticipation builds with every step!
The big day! Early breakfast, then we catch one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu for sunrise – it’s magical every single time. I’ll give you a 2-hour tour covering all the important spots. You’ll learn how the city was divided into agricultural, residential, and religious sectors. After the tour, grab lunch in Aguas Calientes (that’s on you), maybe do some shopping, hit the museum, or soak in the hot springs if time allows.
Your train back to Ollantaytambo leaves at 2:55pm or 3:20pm – the ride along the Urubamba River is spectacular. Watch for Wiñay Wayna high up on the canyon wall! In Ollantaytambo, our driver will be waiting to take you back to Cusco, getting you to your hotel around 7pm.
Meals: Breakfast
Pro Tip: Want to climb Huayna Picchu? Book it in advance – you’ll do this one without a guide though.
Sleeping bag (can rent one good to -10°C for $25 USD)
To qualify for the student discount on Inca Trail Permits, travelers must meet the following requirements:
Student IDs will not be accepted for the discount under the following conditions:
This information is crucial for travelers seeking to benefit from discounted permits for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
“ITAN Adventure” is a 100% Peruvian-owned tour operator based in Cusco, with extensive experience in hiking, adventure tours, and customized travel packages. As a completely local company, we’re dedicated to providing travelers with authentic, high-quality experiences.
Our vision as a local company is to deliver personalized travel and hiking journeys, managed exclusively by experienced local professionals, with a strong focus on HIGH-QUALITY and PERSONALIZED SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel agency that upholds RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE practices benefiting both the environment and local communities.
We treat our team like family and ensure they receive fair wages. We are incredibly proud of each member of our team! Their dedication makes it possible for us to provide the top-notch service that our many travelers appreciate.
At “ITAN Adventure,” we understand that our reputation and the feedback from our travelers are essential for gaining the trust of future adventurers. You can check out honest reviews from our guests on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google to see why we’re a reliable choice for creating your Peruvian adventure.
To ensure a more personalized experience at “ITAN Adventure,” we keep our group sizes to a maximum of 8 travelers. This approach allows us to offer a tailored experience, unlike companies that operate with larger groups.
Our guides are our pride. They’re highly knowledgeable and professional, fluent in English, and deeply passionate about Inca culture and history. Each guide is committed to ongoing personal and professional development, allowing them to share accurate insights and fascinating theories about Andean heritage. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with backgrounds in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “ITAN Adventure” ensures a fulfilling experience. Our porters are here to make your journey comfortable and memorable. They carry your equipment, prepare meals, set up camps, and attend to your needs so you can relax and enjoy the adventure. Along the way, you’ll connect with local people, explore stunning sites, and discover historic Inca villages.
We provide our porters with essential equipment at no cost: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. Our porters come from remote communities, and by hiring them, we help improve their economic conditions and support their children’s education. We treat our porters like family!
Our team—guides, cooks, porters, muleteers—and our equipment make “ITAN Adventure” stand out from the competition. During our hikes, we provide:
“ITAN Adventure” is committed to giving back to isolated communities. We support social projects and prioritize hiring local staff.
We are proud to support local communities not only by providing employment but also by offering assistance to their families. This holistic approach benefits our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones, strengthening our connection to the local heritage.
The Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 7 days is available on almost any day that suits your schedule! We only need a minimum of two people in order to book!Â
*** If you are ONLY 1 person, please ask for the price.Â
***This price includes the extra pack horse which will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs. We will provide you a duffel bag that you can put your things in.
***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers. Â
**Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which does not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.Â
