Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 7 Days – 10 Days Tour
Choquequirao Trek
Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 7 Days – 10 Days Tour
Choquequirao Trek
Price
$3680
OVERVIEW
ITINERARY
MAP
EXTRA INFORMATION
FAQ's
PACKING LIST
OVERVIEW
Overview
The Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu is trekking off the beaten path. It has the best-designed itinerary in which you will visit the two most important Incan cities of the Cusco region: Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. We include the hike up to Llactapata, which is located right in front of Machu Picchu. From this viewpoint, enjoy the most incredible perspective of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains like Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mounts and Salkantay Mountain. You will also hike along a section of the original Inca Trail on the way to the citadel from Llactapata. We recommend this beautiful and challenging trek for experienced trekkers or people in good physical shape who are used to hiking or running frequently.
Group Price
- The price per person for group expeditions are fixed based on a group size. However, we have optional arrangements for individual private and tailor-made preferences best suited for you, your family and friends.
- All prices are based on shared accommodation. Please inquire for a 1 guest private room accommodation quote
- Prices listed are not final. Please inquire for your final price quote.
| 2 pax | 3-4 pax | 5-7pax | 8-10 pax | 11-14 pax | 15-16 pax | 17-20 pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $ 3,680 | $ 3,539 | $ 3,402 | $ 3,328 | $ 3,262 | $ 3,200 | $ 3,137 |
Included/Excluded
- Pre-trekking briefing with your guide at the office
- Pick-up at your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
- Private transportation from Cusco to Capuliyoc
- Entry fees to Machu Picchu and Choquequirao
- English speaking, experienced professional guide
- Guided tours of Choquequirao and Machu Picchu
- Comfortable and 4 season roomy tents (only 2 people in a 4-person tent)
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food with prior request)
- All camping equipment such as dining tent, table, chairs, kitchen, and toilet tent
- 2 Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and return to Aguas Calientes
- First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Transfer from the train station back to your hotel
- Celebration dinner in an Aguas Calientes restaurant
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private room and bathroom
- Pack horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen – 7 kgs of your personal items such as extra clothes, sleeping bag will be carried by our horses
- Provision of a horse in case of emergency such as illness, to ensure trek can be completed by all participants
- Boiled water for drinking and washing purposes
- Clean water to fill your bottles at each mealtime
- Rain poncho
- Taxes
- Sleeping bag adequate for temperature of minus 10°C $25
- Air Mattresses $25
- Trekking Poles $20
- Entry fee to Huayna Picchu Mountain $75
- Entry fee to Machu Picchu Mountain $75
- Additional horse for extra personal luggage in addition of the 7kg allowance
- Optional upgrades (train and hotel)
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Tips for the cook, horsemen and guide
ITINERARY
DAY 1: Arrive in Cusco
Upon your arrival at Cusco International Airport, a Nature Horizons team member will be waiting to greet you. We will then transfer you to your hotel accommodation in Cusco. The rest of the day is yours to relax and settle in. Upon arriving at your hotel, you will meet your guide, who will be with you for the remainder of your tour. Your guide will give you a briefing on your full tour itinerary. As always, your guide will be there to assist you at a moment’s notice if you would like to head out and explore.
- Meals included: — / — /–
DAY 2
Today you will explore Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes which was once the capital of the Incan Empire that is now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. Plaza de Armas is the central square in the old city, with arcades, carved wooden balconies, and Incan wall ruins. This ancient city is absolutely breathtaking, and we will explore as much of it as we can today. Before the end of the day today, if you need anything extra for your trek that starts tomorrow, we will make sure to assist you in purchasing those items in Cusco.
- Overnight in Cusco
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / —
DAY 3: CUSCO – CAPULIYOC – CHIKISKA – PLAYA ROSALINAS.
This incredible adventure begins at 5 am when your guide picks you up at your hotel in our private van. We will then embark on a four-hour drive to Capuliyoc, situated on the edge of the Apurimac Canyon and surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks. Along the way, there are views of picturesque villages and spectacular valleys. Once in Capuliyoc, we will meet our horsemen and pack all of our equipment onto the horses. You will only carry a small daypack with the essentials you will need on the trail. We will then hike down for two hours until we arrive at Chikiska, where we will have lunch. Afterward, we will continue our hike for another hour to Playa Rosalinas (1,550 m/5,084 ft), where we will spend the first night. Hot drinks and appetizers will be waiting for you when you arrive at camp, and your tents will already be set up. You will have time to settle into your tents before your hearty and delicious dinner.
- Meals included: Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Distance: 12kms/7.5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Overnight in Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 4: PLAYA ROSALINAS – MARANPATA – CHOQUEQUIRAO
Your guide will wake you up with a hot mug of tea or coffee to enjoy in your tent before you get up for breakfast. Departing early, we will ascend to Santa Rosa and then on to Maranpata, where we will have lunch. The climb from the river takes about four hours and is relatively steep. From our lunch spot, we get our first good view of just how expansive Choquequirao is. Then, we have two more hours to hike before reaching the Choquequirao Archeological site (3,110 m/10,120 ft). Drinks, appetizers, and tents will be ready for you when you arrive. Take a well-deserved relaxing evening watching the sunset and soaring condors.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Distance: 13km/8 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge
- Overnight in Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 5: CHOQUEQUIRAO – PINCHIUNUYOC
After breakfast, we will do a thorough exploration of the archeological site of Choquequirao and have a little break before lunch. In the afternoon, we will leave camp to hike up over a ridge, then two hours down to the fascinating site of Pinchiunuyoc, where we will camp for the night. This is definitely the easiest day of the trip.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Distance: 10kms/6.2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Overnight in Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 6: PINCHIUNUYOC – RIO BLANCO – MAIZAL
After another hot drink in your sleeping bag, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast. Leaving camp, we will hike downhill for two hours and arrive at the canyon of the Rio Blanco (1,990 m/6,527 ft), where we will have our lunch. Take some time for a rest before starting a challenging climb to our campsite of Maizal. The climb takes about 3- 4 hours.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Distance: 10kms/6.2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge
- Overnight in Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 7: MAIZAL – YANAMA – TOTORA – LUCMABAMBA
We will leave at 7 am and walk uphill for about three hours through a sub-tropical jungle toward the Victoria Mines. We will visit them as well as some Incan ruins before climbing one hour more to Victoria Pass (4,130m/13,546 ft). There are spectacular views from the passes we descend to the charming village of Yanama(about a two-hour walk), following a section with some well-constructed Inca steps.
Once we get to Yanama, we will take the local transport all the way to Lucmabamba. Along the way, we get to enjoy the gorgeous views of snow-capped mountains and waterfalls.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping facilities
- Distance: 12kms/7.5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge
- Overnight in Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 8: LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA – AGUAS CALIENTES
On this day, we walk for three hours on the original Inca Trail and through the cloud forest to the Puncuyoc pass, then onto Llactapata Incan remains, an Incan site (2,700m/8,907ft) located right in front of the Citadel of Machu Picchu.
Once there, we will enjoy the unique perspective of Machu Picchu from far away. Then, we will hike downhill for two hours to the hydroelectric plant, where we will have lunch. We will continue to walk to Aguas Calientes through the National Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, enjoying the surroundings of the iconic Machu Picchu.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
- 2* Accommodation: Intipunku Tambo or Wiracocha Inn Hotel
- Distance: 18kms/11.2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge
- Overnight in Aguas Calientes
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
DAY 9: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take one of the first busses up to Machu Picchu so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is truly an extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you the full tour, which takes about two hours. You will see all of the most important parts of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor, Temple of Three Windows, Sun Dial, Quarry and the House of the Inca. You will also learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential, and religious.
After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain will have time to enjoy those views on their own. When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing, or a visit to the museum or hot springs. Your train will depart at 14:55 or 15:20.
The train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow, and the river has many beautiful whitewater sections. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00 pm.
- Overnight in Cusco
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch /–
DAY 10: CUSCO DEPARTURE
Today is the final day of your tour. Your guide will be with you up until we drop you off at the airport for your departure home.
- Meals included: Breakfast / — /–
MAP
EXTRA INFORMATION
ACCOMMODATION
| Cities | Hotels / Hab. Standard | NT |
| Cusco | 4* Casa Andina Premium *** https://www.casa-andina.com/en/destinations/cusco/hotels/casa-andina-premium-cusco | 3 |
| Valle Sagrado | 4* Aramwa Sacred Valley *** https://aranwahotels.com/hoteles/aranwa-sacred-valley-hotel-wellness/ | 2 |
| Machu Picchu | 3* El Mapi ByInkaterra*** https://www.inkaterra.com/byinkaterra/el-mapi-hotel/the-experience/ | 1 |
| Total Nº of nights | 6 |
* In the case of room unavailability in the hotels mentioned above, we will use hotels of a similar category.
FAQ's
Do you arrange international airfare?
We arrange trips to Peru, Bolivia, and the Galapagos Islands and can arrange domestic flights within these countries, or international flights between them. We specialize in ground arrangements (drivers, transfers, trains, boats etc in our region) as opposed to flights, so are unable to offer international flights to or from your departure country.
When to Go?
We recommend traveling to Cusco during the drier season – May to October is ideal. Travel from November to March can sometimes include heavy downpours. We recommend you allocate at least a full day to visit Cusco, and to visit after exploring the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu which are at lower altitude. Most of the key sites of interest are easily walkbale, but spectacular ruins like Sacsayhuaman or lesser-visited sites are usually more convenient with a car.
Where to Shop in Cusco?
CUSCO CITY
Cusco is the gateway to the world-famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu where crisp mountain air and clear Andean sky provide the perfect backdrop to the city’s cobbled streets
Cusco was considered the navel of the earth and the capital of the Inca empire – an empire that at its peak spanned north to Colombia, south to Chile and Argentina, and west across the Andes to the Amazon basin. The Incas were outstanding stonemasons and town planners which can still be noted today admiring the walls that serve as foundations to colonial buildings. Cusco is not only culturally fascinating and beautiful to look at, but also easily walkable on foot.
SHOPPING IN CUSCO
Cusco offers a wide range of shops where you can pick up high quality textiles and crafts. The Center for Traditional Textiles has a shop and small on-site museum to explain the importance of traditional textiles in Peru – you can normally see women weaving on their looms at the center’s shop
Where to Eat?
A hands-on cooking class with a professional chef or sampling food tour by day or night is a great way to explore the vast variety of ingredients found in Cusco. There is a lively restaurant scene where you can find anything from stone-baked pizzas, juicy burgers and sushi, to more local delicacies like ‘cuy’ (guinea pig); we recommend trying the latter at Pachapapa restaurant in the San Blas district. Other top restaurants include La Cicciolina and MAP Café in the Pre-Colombian Art Museum, which rustles up gourment cuisine. Chocolate-lovers should stop off in the Choco Museo for free sampling!
Will my mobile phone work in Peru?
Phone and internet coverage is quite good in cities and even some rural areas, including Machu Picchu – though there is no phone coverage on the train ride to Machu Picchu. Most foreign smartphones work in the region if you have an international calling and data plan. If your phone is unlocked you can buy a local SIM card that will work for use while traveling.
What Should I pack?
Given Peru’s diverse geography, you’re likely to experience different climates whatever time of year you travel. We strongly recommend brining layers which makes it easier to deal with changing temperatures, especially in the Andes. We provide detailed packing lists if you book with us, with general suggestions alongside recommendations for specific activities or destination, like hiking or visiting the Amazon. Outside of Lima, in the main tourist destinations travelers tend to dress quite casually, including at hotels. We recommend you bring proper footwear for walking around cities, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Key suggestions:
- Comfortable sneakers or hiking boots
- Short and long-sleeved t-shirts
- Rain gear
- A fleece jacket
- Jeans or casual trousers
- Camera
- Backpack
- Insect repellent, lip balm and sun block
- Binoculars
What currency do I need to bring?
Peruvian Sol is the currency of Peru. Although US Dollars are often accepted in larger hotels, shops and restaurants in larger cities and tourist destinations like Cusco, they are not always accepted. As such, we recommend you always travel with local currency especially for smaller purchases in shops, markets and local restaurants.
Exchanging US Dollars and Euros into Peruvian Sol is possible in banks, by official moneychangers on the street (who you can recognize as by their vests and official IDs), in the airport, hotels, money exchange houses and in some shops (in small towns). The exchange rate is generally the same with the exception of hotels where it tends to be set at a slightly less advantageous rate. Please bear in mind that $100 bills can be difficult to change so it is better to have smaller bills. Dollars are easier to change than Euros. Any ripped US dollar bills (even with slight tears) are usually not accepted.
Visa, Mastercard and American Express are also generally accepted in Peru, although Visa is more widely accepted. When making purchases with a credit card, you may have to pay a 5-6% surcharge and may have to present your passport to make the purchase.
If using traveler cheques, we recommend changing these at banks. Traveler’s cheques are often only cashed in local currency (Soles). For security reasons we highly recommend you use ATM machines in airports and hotels rather than on the street.
Unfortunately, forged notes (both dollars and local currency) abound in some countries in the region, so be sure to examine your notes by feeling their texture and looking for watermarks
Can I rent a car in Peru?
Renting a car in Peru is possible on a tourist visa. However, our tailor-made trips include a dedicated driver. There are certain disadvantages to hiring a car in Peru, including the fact that more rural areas (including the Sacred Valley) do not have signage (or mapper properly on google maps etc). Some roads are of poor quality, depending on the regions you visit, and generally speaking driving standards are less rigorous in Peru than more developed countries, so you need to be a very experienced and confident driver.
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is not usually a requirement, but we strongly recommend you do have insurance. We will request proof of medical insurance for some specific activities (e.g. lodge-to-lodge treks) that includes evacuation coverage if you’re in a remote location. We strongly recommend you travel with insurance whatever your activities, to cover you for flight cancellations, theft, lost luggage and general cancellation by you in the event that you are unable to carry out your trip due to illness or unforeseen circumstances. It should also cover you for potential medical expenses incurred during travel in case of illness or accident.
Do I need any vaccinations to travel to Peru?
We strongly recommend that you visit your health care provider for professional clinical advice and the most up-to-date requirements, in accordance with your personal health and medical history.
Vaccinations and malaria pills:
No specific vaccination is required to enter Peru. Nevertheless, for those travelling to the rainforest, the yellow fever vaccination is recommended by the CDC and WHO. Travel in Peru’s rainforest regions previously required a yellow fever vaccination, and although rules are less strict, it is not unheard of for certification to be requested. The vaccination is normally required or recommended for all rainforest regions around the world and must be administered at least 15 days before arrival. If you are continuing your travels directly from Peru, please check to verify whether a valid certificate of vaccination is required for entry to your next destination. Additionally, for certain areas of the rainforest, malaria pills are recommended but not required. It is best to consult with your health care provider before you travel.
Altitude Considerations:
There are a few different ways to alleviate the potential side-effects of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), also known as Soroche, during your trip. Diamox can help when it is taken a couple of days prior to ascending and a couple of days once at altitude. Once you are in Peru, a natural remedy is coca tea, which is helpful during your stay at high altitude. You should also drink plenty of water before your flight to high altitude and during your stay. Eating lightly before and upon arrival and resting also minimize the effects of altitude, which can include headaches, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea or loss of appetite. Arriving a few days before the start of a trek at high altitude will help your body naturally acclimatize. Nature Horizons deliberately arranges itineraries to spend time in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu before Cusco (at higher elevation), to adjust to the altitude more easily.
Personal medical kit:
Our guides are equipped with basic medical kits, but you may want to bring some of your own medication, especially for treks or adventure activities e.g. antidiarrhetics (Imodium), Pepto Bismol for stomach pain, antihistamines (both capsules and balm), analgesics, band aids and blister plasters and insect repellent. There are pharmacies in all cities and towns in Peru, but if you have specific medical needs bring your medication with you.
How do I book and pay?
All of the itineraries on our website are examples, as we always tailormake every trip to suit each traveler. Just contact us to let us know what you’re interested in doing and we’ll design a tailormade itinerary for you. You can pay either by bank transfer, or online with Visa, Mastercard or Amex. Depending on how soon your trip is, we may ask for a deposit payment first.
Do you arrange group or join-in tours?
At Nature Horizons we only arrange private tours. We do not offer group tours on a join-in basis with a set departure date. We occasionally offer one-off special departure group trips which we will announce on our website. Past trips have included a special lecture cruise in the Amazon or founder-led trip to Uyuni. If you’ve already formed your own group then we would be delighted to assist. We have designed tailormade trips for many groups, from multi-generational families to specialist interest groups and societies visiting Peru.
Do you arrange trips for solo travelers?
Since all of our itineraries are tailormade, we’re happy to design trips for solo travelers, whether you plan to travel alone for part of the journey or all of it.
Do I need a visa to visit Peru?
This depends on your passport. Citizens of most Western European nations and the USA and Canada who are entering Peru as tourists do not require visas in advance and receive visas on arrival. Anyone traveling with a US passport does, however, need a visa for Bolivia, though not Ecuador.
Travelers who require visas in advance can normally obtain them from embassies or consulates in their countries of residence. For specific and timely information please contact your nearest Consulate. For citizens requiring visas, Nature Horizons is able to provide documentation to support the intended purpose of visit (e.g. visa letter).
What is the brief history of Peru?
Peru is full of an innumerable amount of stories, myths, and legends, coming from all the ancient civilizations that have occupied the Peruvian lands. All these civilizations and cultures had amazing stories; the name of Peru also has its own story.
It is said that many centuries ago, when the Spaniards arrived, they asked the inhabitants about the name of the territory they just came to. The inhabitants answered them and said that it was called Virú. The Spaniards, without being able to pronounce the name Virú, decided to call it Peru.
How do I get to Peru?
There are a range of options depending on where you’re starting from. Almost all international flights arrive into Peru’s capital, Lima. From the US there are direct flights from many major US cities, like New York, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta and LA across a range of airlines like America, United, Continental, Delta, JetBlue and LATAM. If traveling from Europe, there are similarly direct flights from hubs like Madrid (e.g. with Iberia) and London (British Airways). There are good connections with other South American countries like Colombia (Avianca) and Chile (LATAM). There are very limited international flights to Cusco from Colombia, with Avianca.
When is the best time to travel to Peru?
Peru is a year-round travel destination. Due to dramatic geographical diversity – with jungle, desert and mountains – the weather in Peru will vary from region to region at any given time of year. The Andes and Machu Picchu sees a dry and rainy season, with the months either side of this forming a shoulder season when weather will vary. It is dry season from May to October with daytime temperatures of 18-25º C / 65-77º F. Rainy season runs from December to March, with daytime temperatures of 20-26º C / 68-79º F. The highest chance of rain is usually in late January and February. The shoulder season months at the start and end of the rainy season – April and November – see less chance of rainfall.
In Lima and along the desert coast – including the beaches of Mancora and Moche Route – there is little to no precipitation. Lima is humid and can be more overcast between May and October. Average daytime temperatures are 23-28º C / 74-82ºF In the Rainforest, the dry and rainy seasons are the same as the mountains but the temperature is higher and fluctuates relatively little year-round, with an average temperature of 21-30º C / 70-86º F.
There are also many colofrul, traditional festivals that take place across Peru, especially in Cusco, which can be great to catch when traveling here. Key festivals include Candelaria (Lake Titicaca, February), Easter Week (nationwide), Señor de los Temblores (Cusco, March), Corpus Christi (Cusco, May) and Señor de los Milagros (Lima, October).
What are the best places to go to in Peru as a tourist?
Peru has a large variety of destinations for tourists in its entire territory.
Trip Advisor published its ranking of the 25 most popular destinations in South America in 2013, and within it, there are 10 Peruvian destinations that appear on the list. These destinations are:
● Machu Picchu (Cusco): occupying the first spot
● The Sacred Valley of the Incas (Cusco): occupying the third spot
● Sacsayhuaman (Cusco): occupying the fifth spot
● The Monastery of Santa Catalina (Arequipa): occupying the ninth spot
● Pisac (Cusco): occupying the tenth spot
● The Plaza de Armas in Cusco (Cusco): occupying the eleventh spot
● Cusco’s Cathedral (Cusco): occupying the sixteenth spot
● The Temple of the Sun-Qoricancha (Cusco): occupying the eighteenth spot
● The Temple in Ollantaytambo (Cusco): occupying the twenty-first spot
● Moray (Cusco): occupying the twenty-third spot
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located in Peru?
● Peru has 11 renowned places that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and they are:
● The City of Cusco
● The Archaeological Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
● The Chavin Archaeological Site
● The Huascarán National Park
● The Chan Chan Archaeological Site
● The Manu National Park
● The Historic Center of Lima
● The Rio Abiseo National Park
● The Nazca Lines and the Pampas of Jumana
● The Historic Center of Arequipa
● Caral
What is the geography and climate of Peru like?
Peru is one of the countries with the greatest diversity in the whole world. It is a mega diverse country, containing 11 eco regions and 84 areas of life out of a total of 117 in the entire world.
Peru has a large variety of landscapes, owing to the geographic conditions that are within its entire territory. There is also a large amount of diversity in natural resources.
The territory of Peru is divided into three different regions according to the altitudes that are in the country:
The Coast: this region takes up 11% of the country, comprised of a long stretch of land bathing along the Pacific Ocean filled with valleys, beaches, and deserts.
Climate: The coastal region has a warm temperate climate, with high humidity and dense mist. The temperature can reach up to 30 degrees Celsius.
The coastal region is comprised of two different climates:
In the northern part, there are warm temperatures with the presence of rain during the months of November and December.
On the other side, in the central and southern parts, there are two noticeable seasons: winter (April to October) and summer (November to March).
The Mountains: The Mountain region occupies 30% of the country’s land. This is the mountainous area of Peru, owing to the presence of the Andes mountain range. This region has different eco regions within its different levels of altitude, revealing beautiful landscapes like that of the Huascarán, the highest peak in Peru.
Climate: The climate in the Mountains is dry and temperate with varying temperatures throughout the day.
The Jungle: The Jungle region takes up 59% of the country of Peru and contains an abundance of tropical vegetation. In this region, the huge nature reserves of Peru are located here.
Climate: The climate of the jungle region is humid and tropical with a large amount of precipitation.
What is the historic Capital?
The historic capital is Cusco.
What is the capital of Peru?
The capital of Peru is Lima.
What other languages and/or indigenous languages are there in Peru?
Peru has 47 indigenous languages, the majority of them spoken in the Amazonian jungle of Peru. The most well known of these languages are: Shipibo, Asháninca, Aguaruna, and Jaqaru
What are the official languages of Peru?
The official languages are Spanish, Quechua and Aymara.
What is the currency of Peru?
The currency of Peru is the nuevo sol.
How large is the size of the country of Peru?
Peru is the third largest country in South America in size and one of the 20 largest countries in size in the world, comprised of 1,285,215.6 square kilometers.
What Countries Border Peru?
The Peruvian territory is bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile. The borders take the following form:
To the north: bordered by Ecuador and Colombia
To the south: bordered by Chile
To the east: bordered by Brazil and Bolivia
To the west: bordered by the Pacific Ocean
Where is Peru Located?
Peru is located in the western part of South America, and is comprised of 24 regions, and one constitutional province, which is that of Callao.
PACKING LIST
WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU FOR THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK
- Original passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
- Valid university card (if you booked as a student)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: 2-3L reusable bottles (please do not bring disposable)
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from SAM Travel)
- Headlamp: essential
- Toilet Paper, hand sanitizer, and small plastic bags
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DUFFEL BAG FOR THE CHOQUEQUIRAO 7 DAY TREK TO MACHU PICCHU
As a Direct Local Tour operator, we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and INCLUDE an extra pack horse who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14lbs, including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress, and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In these 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants at least
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- Bathing suit for the thermal waters
- Fleece/ thermals
- Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º C
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Quick-dry towel. We provide small ones; you might prefer something larger
- A small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
- Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
- Large plastic bags will be provided at the office to line your duffel bag
- Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us.
TOILETRIES
- Face moisturizer
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medications
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK FOR CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK?
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking during the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, then we will provide you with cold boiled water at every meal time. Please bring reusable bottles.
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Headlamp: essential
- Wool hat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars, or any dry fruits
- Rain poncho (provided by Nature Horizons)
- Gloves
- Camera
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and a small plastic bag for waste
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
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Our TripAdvisor Reviews
Kika C2024-12-16Amazing experience and customer service!!! I highly recommend Dominick with Nature Horizons Tours!! I am a travel advisor who had a bit of a last-minute booking with a family to Peru. I reached out to Dominick immediately, since I knew he’d be fabulous!! He went above and beyond with communication, response, time, organization, and more! He got the very happy clients booked within a few days and I am super grateful for his services!!! he was so kind to start a WhatsApp group chat with me and my clients to answer any and all questions we had! Thank you!!!!Evan L2024-10-29Amazing time at Machu Picchu We had a great time in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco! Great views and excellent guide and transportation. Everything was great!Karen H2024-10-29Excellent experience I have worked with Nature Horizons as a travel advisor and it was an excellent experience. I 100% trust this team to deliver an exceptional trip for my clients. They are quick to respond to questions and the communication while my clients were traveling was outstanding. They had excellent knowledge of the area and were able to provide more local tips and suggestions that I would have been able to provide alone.Highly recommend.Rosie H2024-08-18Epic African Safari to Tanzania My husband and I planned a trip with 2 other couples to go on an African Safari in Tanzania for the Great Migration experience as well as the Serengeti which was epic all by itself. We visited and stayed across Moshi (Mt. Kilimanjaro area), the North & Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Maynara, nKomazi Black Rhino Sanctuary, Tarangire and probably a few other places I can't recall. We stayed at tented temporary camps to luxury camps. We stayed at Weru Weru lodge, Serengeti Heritage lodge, Central Serengeti Luxury camp, Rhino Lodge, Lake Maynara Safari Lodge and finally at Kilimanjaro Luxury camp. These venues each had their own beauty with furnishings, mosquito nets, traditional African tribal entertainment, good food and amazing staff who catered to our every need and comfort. Even in the bush, we still had access to electricity, hot water, bottled water, showers, toilets and yes of course, the internet but you have to be realistic since the bush is the bush with hyenas, big cats and elephants moving around the property. I really loved the Masai warriors who made us feel safe as they escorted back and forth between tents and the main camp. We were so blessed to experience the BIG 5 largely due to the expertise of our guides Praygod and Victor. They were the best and boy did they make the trip. I was grateful for their knowledge of the terrain, their respect for the wildlife, education and tolerating our 1000s of questions. We had 3 couples plus the owner operator Dominick and we rotated across 2 Land Cruisers. I wouldn't have it any other way, I never felt cramped and being able to pop my head up in the open roof was great for photos and viewing the animals with my binoculars. This was a once in a life time trip that I highly recommend to anyone that has grown up watching animal planet and national geographic as a kids. When you see these animals only feet away from you, the kid in you returns and you will definitely cry at the beauty of these animals in their natural habitat. I highly recommend Nature Horizons since they are well connected across the different operators and local partners. They lodging was great and it provided a little bit of raw nature in the bush, feeling like a roughed it a bit (but not really) to the beauty Kilimanjaro luxury camp the last 2 nights to be at the foot of Kilimanjaro, and being able to see her greatness above the clouds. I have been back a month and I can't stop talking about my experience in Tanzania. I was able to experience the beauty of the people of Tanzania, an actual Masai village, shopping at the awesome African Galleria, and getting souvenir's at the cool places our guides felt were respectable locations for tourists. I am not sure when, but I plan to go back to explore more of Tanzania and Africa.Nikole2024-07-17No Words I feel very fortunate to have gone on this safari with Nature Horizons. I went with a group of people and only knew one. Each place that we stayed at was very special in its own way. Dominick is a very kind, intelligent, fun human. He has built all the right relationships to ensure all of his clients are taken care of. We were able to see all of the big five. Our guides felt like family. I’ve never been on a trip that was so magical and was so hard to leave. It has nearly been half a year and our group still talks with each other. We bonded so much that we committed to going on a trip together every 5 years. If you’re thinking about this, DO IT! Do it with Nature Horizons! They will go the extra mile for you to get the experience of a lifetime. They even made sure we had opportunities to connect with the people of Tanzania.Rebecca M2024-06-23Unforgettable vacation We worked with Nature Horizons for our honeymoon to Peru and it far exceeded any expectations we had! It was the most incredible experience and itinerary they created for us and Deivis was always on top of everything and extremely responsive if we had questions. I give this company my highest/strongest recommendation if you are thinking of going to any of the countries they service!Dream224010839132024-06-12Great Travel Team! I am a travel advisor and just sent my clients on their honeymoon with Nature Horizons. They visited Peru and had the most amazing time. The Nature Horizons team was so easy to work with. listened to my requests, and made all the revisions I needed. They took wonderful care of my clients as if they were their own. I can't wait to work with them again!Noe V2024-06-11Full service trip to Perú We had a wonderful time traveling through Perú for two weeks on an itinerary planned by Deivis, through nature horizons.The experience was so much more than we originally expected. Every detail was accounted for. From private drivers to knowledgeable tour guides, there was nothing lacking.I don't know if we'll ever be able to take a trip like this again, but I'm so glad we did at least once. Thank you so much. I'll never forget these amazing days.Jill D2024-04-20Not enough stars to rate this company- THE BEST time ever!!! If there were a million stars to rate this company and my recent trip, it wouldn't be enough. Nature Horizons is amazing. I first met the owner, Dominick at a convention for travel advisors in 2023. I knew immediately that he was a very special person and he had a very obvious love for the tours he had created in the destinations he adored. The story of developing his company is inspiring and his work ethic has continued to impress me during all stages of my Safari planning, from its conception to preparation to hosting us during the Great Migration in Tanzania. His communication is efficient, sincere and organized. He is thorough and thoughtful. He is fun and personable. He is extremely knowledgeable and has vetted resources to execute adventures across many countries. Our Safari was 12 days of awesome-ness. We truly couldn't have asked for a better experience. Each day was well-planned and our guides helped us see so many animals, sites and natural wonders. They knew where to be and when for us to see the most miraculous things. Dominick was such a friendly host, helping us gain perspective and a true taste of Tanzania. He listened to our wishlist, considered our requests and delivered days that we will never forget. Dominick truly cares about each and every guest and also has such respect for some of the most treasured creatures and places on our planet. I can't imagine a better Safari ever happening. But, knowing Dominick, he will make sure the next one and the next and the next are better than the one before it. That's how much he cares.I have to share a couple of our favorite moments were totally unplanned, though. Our Safari vehicle got stuck in the mud as rains started in the Central Serengeti. Dominick stayed calm, assured us that all was well and we sipped champagne as we watched the men try to get us unstuck...comical. Everything happens for a reason and we saw a perfectly complete rainbow soon after our vehicle was moving down the road. It couldn't have been scripted any better! As we continued on the way back to our lodge, we came across a Lioness and her brand-new cub. This is something rarely seen and we were sure Dominick paid the Lioness to appear for us. LOL. These examples are merely a glimpse of memories we made. And, part of the reason these moments were so special was because we were in the moment, which was as Nature Horizons intended. We had not a care in the world and could simply "be" in nature. I can't thank the entire team enough for such a wonderful two weeks.416marlysl2024-04-04Amazing Experience! This trip was, by far, the most amazing trip I have ever taken! Dominick and his driver/guides were fabulous! They definitely found all the animals we wanted to see and many unexpected sites as well. They were so accommodating, stopping whenever we asked even if it was just for a bird or turtle crossing the road. Our guide, Praygod, was able to identify every bird we saw! Their knowledge of the wildlife was phenomenal. We learned so much about the culture, food, and local life from our casual conversations. The accommodations, while not luxury, were very comfortable and the food was very good, especially the soups. When I go back, it will definitely be with Dominick and Nature Horizons Tours!
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