SUMMARY:

Choquequirao And Machu Picchu Trekking / 8D7N

This tour with GREAT TRIP WORLD allows you to explore the two largest Inca archaeological sites in the region through this challenging and rewarding trek. It has daily and confirmed departures, and you can book it up to 48 hours in advance. However, access to both Machu Picchu citadel and Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains is always subject to availability. Therefore, we recommend making the reservation as far in advance as possible.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE / DON’T INCLUDE:

Optional Services:

• Upgrade to Vistadome train: US$ 55 per person.
• Machu Picchu Mountain entrance ticket: US$ 68 per person.
• Huayna Picchu Mountain entrance ticket: US$ 68 per person.
• Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (round trip): US$ 25 per person.

NOTE:

It is not possible to climb both mountains, Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, in the same tour.

Remember that if you do not hire a porter, you must carry your sleeping bag and sleeping pad, along with the rest of your luggage.

WHAT TO BRING:

• 40 to 60-liter backpack for the entire circuit
• 30-liter backpack to carry things you will use during the trek
• Waterproof jacket and pants, or rain poncho
• Warm clothing
• Short and long-sleeved shirts
• Trekking shoes
• Sufficient batteries (there are no places to charge energy on the way)
• Beach sandals (for showers, rest, and river crossings, if necessary)
• Swimsuit
• Flashlight
• Towel
• Hat and gloves for cold weather
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Water bottle (Nalgene or similar)
• Insect repellent
• Toiletries and toilet paper
• Ziploc bags or similar (to store your trash)
• Camera
• At least S/. 200 extra for expenses not included in the trek
• Sleeping bag
• Trekking poles (recommended)

PRICE:

Program prices with Machu Picchu entrance by type of accommodation in Aguas Calientes until December 31, 2024

• Without accommodation:
  • Non-resident adult in the Andean Community: US$ 1,250 per person.
  • Andean Community resident adult: US$ 1,225 per person.
• Hostal Vista Machu Picchu or similar with private room:
  • Non-resident adult in the Andean Community: US$ 1,265 per person.
  • Andean Community resident adult: US$ 1,250 per person.
• Hotel SAMANANCHIS MACHU PICCHU or similar with private room:
  • Non-resident adult in the Andean Community: from US$ 1,288 per person.
  • Andean Community resident adult: from US$ 1,265 per person.
• Hotel Jaya or similar with private room:
  • Non-resident adult in the Andean Community: from US$ 1,335 per person.
  • Andean Community resident adult: from US$ 1,295 per person.

If you select a program without entrance to Machu Picchu, you must have an entrance by 09:00h to 10:00h, and a discount will be applied as follows:

• Non-resident adult in the Andean Community: US$ 40 discount.
• Non-resident minor in the Andean Community (14 to 17 years old): US$ 20 discount.
• Andean Community resident adult: US$ 20 discount.

NOTE:

• Andean Community: corresponds to residents in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
• Minor discount: you can access minor prices (14 to 17 years old) directly in the passenger number selector.

ITINERARY:

• Start: First day: Pickup from your Hotel in Cusco at 04:00h.
• End: Eighth day: Drop off at your Hotel in Cusco around 23:00h. approx.

First day: Cusco – Playa Rosalina

Pickup from your hotel in Cusco between 04:15h and 04:55h to then head to Cachora, where we will meet the muleteers.

We will start the uphill trek through Capuliyoc pass, where it is possible to see condors and have a great view of the Apurímac River canyon.

We will descend through a forest of cacti to Playa Rosalina, on the banks of the Apurímac River.

We will set up camp on the beach to have dinner and spend the night at an altitude of 1550 m.

Second day: Playa Rosalina – Marampata – Choquequirao

After breakfast, we will start a 5-hour trek along a narrow trail surrounded by vegetation. We will stop at Marampata for lunch. We continue our journey for a few more hours before reaching Choquequirao, also called the sister city of Machu Picchu.

We will have spectacular views of the canyon, where we will also see condors soaring over the Andes. Then dinner and rest at the camp, at an altitude of 3050 m.

Third day: Choquequirao – Choquequirao Pass – Río Blanco – Maizal

Breakfast at 07:00h. We will trek through the cloud forest, valleys, and mountains to reach the Choquequirao Pass. After 5 hours of walking, we will continue through Pinchinoyoc, at an altitude of 2750 m. From this place, we will observe bird species, flora, and coca plantations. Lunch will be near the Blanco River, where we will also stop to cool off in its waters. Later, we will start an uphill trek to Maizal for 3 hours.

Dinner and rest will be at a campsite, at an altitude of 3000 m.

Fourth Day: Maizal – Minas Victoria – Yanama

Early in the morning, we will explore around the Corihuarachina glacier.

Then, we will start the uphill trek, crossing through the Victoria mines towards the pass of the same name. Almost at the top of this area, we will see original Inca paths.

Lunch will be at an altitude of 4200 m, with a privileged view of the Choquetakarpo mountain.

Afterwards, we will descend to the Yanama campsite, at an altitude of 3800 m. Then dinner and rest in a tent.

Fifth Day: Yanama – Totora

We will wake up very early to have our breakfast. With recharged energy, we head towards the Yanama pass, at 4500 m above sea level. From this place, we will see the surrounding mountains: Saqsarayoc and Padreyoc. Depending on the weather, we may even walk in the snow. We will reach the Totora community to have dinner and spend the night in a tent.

Sixth Day: Totora – La Playa

We will hike for 7 hours this day, descending 2000 m towards the Totora River. We will have the opportunity to see birds such as hummingbirds and woodpeckers, as well as orchids and begonias.

We will descend along the path to the Santa Teresa River, where there are banana and coffee plantations. We will witness a change in the landscape compared to what we had been seeing in the previous days. Arrival at the beach, where it will be possible to buy some snacks and drinks. Then dinner and rest at the campsite, at 2125 m.

Seventh Day: La Playa – Santa Teresa – Hidroeléctrica Station – Aguas Calientes

We will have a hearty breakfast and then continue our journey to Santa Teresa, crossing the Vilcanota River. Here we will take transportation that will take us to Hidroeléctrica, from where there is a different view of Machu Picchu. Lunch and rest.

Later, we will walk for 3 hours until we reach Aguas Calientes. We will have time to visit the thermal baths located in the town (not included). We will spend the night in a local hostel.

Eighth Day: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

We will have breakfast in Aguas Calientes, then take our bus to Machu Picchu. In this place, we will have a guided tour with explanations about the citadel.

Later, we will have free time to explore on our own and take photographs.

In the afternoon, we will return to Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo.

There, we will take our transportation to Cusco, end of our services at 23:45 PM.

Visit to the Archaeological Site

To enter the Machu Picchu archaeological site, you must have the entrance ticket called Llaqta Machu Picchu. Remember that, in case you select a program without an entrance, you can buy it on the Ministry of Culture's website.

The ticket will give you access to the archaeological site following one of its 4 circuits, which you must choose once you are at the entrance to the citadel:

• Circuit 1: high and low parts of the archaeological site, as well as the area of terraces and terraces for 3 hours.
• Circuit 2: high and low parts of the archaeological site, as well as the routes to Inti Punku and the Puente del Inca for 4 hours.
• Circuit 3: lower part of the archaeological site that includes the agricultural area, Temple of the Sun, Inca's House, and the Archaeological Reserve for 1hour and a half.
• Circuit 4: lower part of the archaeological site that includes the agricultural area, Temple of the Sun, Inca's House, Sacred Rock, and water mirrors for 2 hours and a half.

We recommend choosing Circuit 2 to explore the Citadel, as you will be able to visit a greater number of attractions within Machu Picchu and take classic photographs. On the other hand, if you decide to add the visit to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain as an optional service, the time in the citadel is reduced, depending on the time of your visit to one of the two mountains.

If it is not possible to confirm the visit to the mountain as early as possible, the only possibility of visiting the citadel will be through circuits 3 and 4.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

• The cancellation or rescheduling of this tour does not have a 100% refund.
• If you cancel or reschedule more than 6 days in advance, only US$ 200 per person of the advance paid to reserve will be refunded.
• If you cancel or reschedule with less than 6 days in advance, the advance paid to reserve will not be refunded.