Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 7 Days – 10 Days Tour
Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 7 Days – 10 Days Tour
Price
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
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 / — /–
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.
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What Should I pack?
- 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
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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
Jennifer F2025-04-27Amazing Tanzanian Safari Nature Horizons planned an unforgettable Tanzanian safari for 20 guests on a yoga retreat. Beginning in the planning stages, Dominick was helpful, knowledgeable, and would go out of his way to ensure we had an amazing trip planned. He was on top of the details, such as collecting passport and travel info, and answered all of our questions. Because of NHT’s attention to detail? Our guests enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime trip. If we needed anything during our stay, Dominick was responsive and would get any problem resolved. Every detail was fine tuned, and several of the accommodations were beyond expectation. The guides he set us up would were funny, personable, and genuinely cared to make sure we had the best safari experience. I highly recommend the hot air balloon ride!If you are looking to plan a Tanzanian safari, FIBI! Look no further and reach out to Dominick for a life-changing vacation.Erin Y2025-04-23Magical restorative adventure! My yoga studio hosted an unforgettable trip to Tanzania, thanks to Nature Horizon Tours! Every detail was perfectly planned—from the beautiful accommodations to the incredible excursions and welcoming local guides. The trip created space for adventure, reflection, and connection, making it both inspiring and restorative. We came home with lasting memories, a deeper bond as a group, and new friendships that we truly treasure. This experience far exceeded our expectations, and we’re so grateful for the care and thought that went into every moment. We can’t wait to travel with this team again!Jen B2025-04-08Life-Changing Safari I am very grateful for Natures Horizons Tours for providing the trip of a lifetime. They ensured our safety, took care of all of our needs, and treated us with the best care and consideration even when some of us didn’t deserve it. This tour company is very PROFESSIONAL!! They know what they are doing and they do it very well. I would tour with them again in a heartbeat! The attached photo is completely untouched. This is how close they got us to the action! If we weren’t in the rover, this beautiful but very full, lioness was only feet away. We could see every beautiful detail of her.Nancy C2025-04-06Lasting memories My trip to Tanzania was amazing. Nature Horizons put together a fantastic itinerary. Our guides were knowledgeable, hard working, and friendly. They turned the Safari from a trip into an awesome and unforgettable experience.Getaway310895774142025-03-24A bucket list trip dreams are made of! Nature Horizons organized a trip for 20 people from our yoga community for a yoga and safari tour in Tanzania. Every detail was curated perfectly from the those greeting us at the airport to those touring us through the urban and cultural centers of Arusha all the way though an unforgettable experience in the Serengeti. Our 5 tour guides were friendly and fun and beyond knowledgeable and we got to see THE BIG 5!!! The locations they choose for our Safari camp and for our journey along the way were superb with perfect views for our yoga practice and the food was out of this world every place we went! We will for sure be traveling with Nature Horizons again, in fact we already have Egypt booked as our next destination!!! For world class bucket list travel these are your people. Rarely does one get the owner and CEO of a travel company hand selecting every detail of your trip and ensuring it goes off without a hiccup… this oversight and hand on help is unbeatable in the travel industry… trust me after a decade of taking yoga groups traveling, this is something you never see! Thanks Dominick and Team for a memorable bucket list trip and for taking superb care of us along the way!Shreya B2025-03-11Excellent customer care! We travel a lot and for the first time let Nature Horizons Tours plan our trip for us! It was an amazing experience as there was always someone to take care of us and our needs. Our daughter needed urgent care on the last day of the trip and we were helped all the way through! Better than 5*s!!!Mary D2025-02-11Fantastic Safari My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the safari that we took thru Nature Horizons Tours in Tanzania last month. It truly was a trip of a life time. We saw lots of animals and birds throughout Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. To see 20 elephants (including babies) casually stroll by us was an experience I will never forget. Another time, we saw two herds of zebras that must have totaled 20,000 zebras. WOW! Our guide, Praygod was great and we really enjoyed spending time with him. He was great at identifying animals and provided lots of the environmental, historical and cultural information. I recommend bringing a notebook to write down all the animals you will see.One advantage we had with Natures Horizon compared to other Safari companies is that there are only four people in a jeep during the safari (well, plus the driver). This was really nice being able to easily see animals on both sides of the jeep without stepping over people. We saw a lot of jeeps that had 6 people in them.Everyone associated with Nature Horizons Tours and the lodges we stayed at went out of their way to make our stay/experience fantastic. We learned that if there was something that we wanted, we just had to ask. At the Kilimanjaro Lux Camp, Grace personally made avocado toast for us each morning. In Zanzibar, we asked the driver where we could buy spices and he took us to a local outdoor market which I appreciated as I enjoy experiencing the local experience.It was a great trip and I would have no doubt that I would go on another tour led by Natures HorizonsTrail311312224182025-02-11Fantastic Photo Safari I traveled with Nature Horizons to Tanzania in 2024. I am writing this review as a Travel Agent. My clients just returned from their safari with Nature Horizons. From the time they booked, Dominick was in close contact with both me and my clients. He made sure that all of our questions or concerns were handled very quickly. He took the time to do zoom calls with me and my clients more than once to make sure that they were comfortable with everything to do with the trip. While there were a couple of things lost in translation with his team in Tanzania, they were minor and were dealt with immediately. The driver/guide is the absolute best. The lodging, while not close to town, was all very nice with fabulous food. The balloon ride is not to be missed! One of the things that I appreciate the most is that Dominick will not take more than 4 people in a vehicle, even though more can fit. He wants every passenger to have the best view, no matter which side of the vehicle has the views of the wildlife. I am very happy with Dominick and his team at Nature Horizons and would not hesitate to use them again for myself and my clients!Geri M2025-02-10Tanzania and Serengeti Safari Phenomenal experience! Once in a lifetime trip! The guide was top of the line! I would suggest this trip to everyone! We added on Zanzibar and that was beautiful as wellByrd B2025-01-14The BEST Partner for a Travel Agency!! Nature Horizons has been an amazing partner for us. I own a travel agency that does $13MM in revenue and when it comes to unique, off the beaten path, this partner always delivers exactly what my clients are looking for. The support is impressive and the work has love poured into every detail. You cannot go wrong with this company!
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