Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek 7 Days

After a nutritious breakfast, today demands strength and determination. We begin with a steep 4-hour zigzag ascent to Marampata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft), a natural viewpoint offering your first sweeping panoramic views of the Choquequirao citadel and the surrounding Andean peaks. Along the way, pass through sugarcane fields where local families produce cañazo, a traditional Andean spirit with centuries of history.

After a well-earned lunch with postcard-worthy views, continue 2 more hours uphill to the Choquequirao archaeological complex (3,057 m) - the “Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu,” one of the last Inca refuges and one of the least-visited major sites in the entire Inca world. The campsite is located directly beside the ruins, allowing you to explore its terraces, temples, and ceremonial platforms at your own pace during the afternoon and at sunrise the following morning.

• Hiking Time: Approximately 5–6 hours
• Distance: 9 km / 5.6 miles
• Maximum Altitude: 3,057 m / 10,029 ft
• Camp Elevation: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft
• Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

Begin the day with hot coffee and spectacular Andean sunrise views from the ruins. Your expert guide leads a comprehensive morning tour of Choquequirao’s main highlights — including ceremonial temples, agricultural terraces, and ancient water channels that reveal the extraordinary engineering of the Inca civilization.

After lunch, we ascend to Choquequirao Pass (3,300 m) before beginning a long 5-hour jungle descent through the Pinchiunuyoc archaeological site — a series of Inca agricultural terraces reclaimed by dense vegetation. We arrive at the riverside campsite at Río Blanco (1,880 m), in a lush humid jungle zone ideal for tropical birdwatching. Don’t forget your insect repellent!

• Hiking Time: Approximately 6 hours
• Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
• Maximum Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,827 ft
• Camp Elevation: 1,880 m / 6,168 ft
• Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

After a solid breakfast, today brings the most physically demanding section of the entire expedition. We climb steeply for 4 hours through dense jungle vegetation to Maizal (2,891 m), where we stop for lunch overlooking remote, untouched green valleys.

We then continue ascending for another 4 hours past the ancient Victoria Mines — historic Inca silver extraction sites — to our high-altitude campsite at Pajonal (4,000 m). The views from camp at sunset across the glaciers and cloud forest are among the most dramatic of the entire route.

• Hiking Time: Approximately 8 hours
• Distance: 13 km / 8 miles
• Maximum Altitude: 4,150 m / 13,615 ft
• Camp Elevation: 4,000 m / 13,123 ft
• Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping
• Difficulty Level: Strenuous

After an energizing breakfast, we make a 1-hour ascent to Paso San Juan (4,210 m / 13,812 ft) — the highest point of the entire expedition — rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Nevado Salkantay and surrounding sacred Andean peaks. This is a moment you will never forget.

We then descend 3 hours to the remote Andean village of Yanama (3,700 m) for lunch and a heartfelt farewell to our muleteer team. In the afternoon, a private vehicle transfers us through the changing landscape to Lucmabamba (2,100 m) in the cloud forest zone, where you’ll spend the night as a guest of a local coffee-farming family — an authentic and deeply memorable community experience.

• Hiking Time: Approximately 4 hours
• Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles hiking + transfer
• Maximum Altitude: 4,210 m / 13,812 ft
• Overnight Elevation: 2,100 m / 6,890 ft
• Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Rural guesthouse (coffee farm)
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

We begin the day with an immersive visit to an organic coffee farm, learning the full bean-to-cup process — from hand-picking ripe cherries to tasting a freshly brewed cup. We then start a 3-hour hike along an original section of the Inca Trail to the Llaqtapata archaeological site (2,840 m), where you will be rewarded with your first direct aerial view of Machu Picchu — one of the most emotionally powerful moments of the entire expedition.

We descend to Hidroeléctrica for lunch before following the railway line 3 hours into Aguas Calientes, where a hot shower and a comfortable 3-star hotel bed are waiting for you.

• Hiking Time: Approximately 6–7 hours
• Distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles
• Maximum Altitude: 2,840 m / 9,317 ft
• Overnight Elevation: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft
• Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel, Aguas Calientes
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

The moment you’ve been working toward all week. We board the first bus to Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972 ft) in the early morning for a comprehensive 2–3 hour guided tour of Circuit 2, covering the main temples, agricultural terraces, the Intihuatana stone, and the Sacred Plaza. Your expert guide brings the history and meaning of every stone to life.

After the guided visit, enjoy free time to explore the citadel at your own pace or optionally hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (additional entry tickets required — must be booked in advance due to strictly limited daily capacity).

In the afternoon, board the Vistadome panoramic train from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo, taking in spectacular views of the Sacred Valley. A private vehicle then transfers you to your hotel in Cusco, where you’ll arrive at approximately 7:30 p.m. — completing one of the greatest trekking adventures in the Andes.

• Guided Visit: 2–3 hours (Circuit 2)
• Machu Picchu Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
• Meals Included: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Your hotel in Cusco

The best season is April through October during the Andean dry season. These months offer stable weather conditions, clear skies, spectacular panoramic views, and trails in their best condition. Avoid the rainy season (November–March) when trails can become slippery, visibility is reduced, and snow may be present at the high-altitude passes.

This is a challenging to strenuous trek requiring good physical fitness. Expect 6–9 hours of hiking daily, significant elevation gain and loss, and altitudes reaching 4,210 m at Paso San Juan. Day 4 (Río Blanco to Pajonal) is the most demanding, with 8 hours of steep ascent. With proper physical preparation and acclimatization in Cusco beforehand, active and motivated travelers can complete it successfully. Our expert guides support you every step of the way.

Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, no government permit is required for the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu route. However, official entry tickets for Choquequirao and Machu Picchu are included in your tour package and arranged by Machu Picchu Explorators. If you wish to add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, these must be reserved well in advance due to strictly limited daily capacity.

You’ll sleep in fully-equipped campsites for 5 nights — spacious tents with foam mattresses, a dining tent, and a kitchen tent set up by our crew. On Night 5, you’ll stay at a cozy rural guesthouse on a local coffee farm in Lucmabamba. On Night 6, a comfortable 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes with private bathroom and hot water awaits.

There are no showers at the mountain campsites. However, our team provides hot water in basins each morning and evening at camp so you can wash and freshen up. Wet wipes are highly recommended for days without access to water. Hot showers are available at the Lucmabamba guesthouse (Night 5) and the Aguas Calientes hotel (Night 6).

Yes. Both the official entry ticket to Choquequirao and the Machu Picchu entry ticket (Circuit 2 access) are included in the tour price. Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain tickets are optional extras that must be purchased separately and reserved well in advance, as daily capacity is strictly limited.

Machu Picchu Explorators provides a duffel bag with a maximum limit of 7 kg (including your sleeping bag and any rented mat), carried by our mules. You also carry your own 30–40 L day pack containing your daily essentials: water, snacks, sun protection, camera, and rain gear. All items should be labeled and protected in waterproof bags.

Mobile signal and internet access are very limited or completely unavailable throughout most of the route, particularly on Days 1–5 in the remote high-altitude and canyon sections. For emergency communication, our team carries a satellite phone at all times. Full connectivity returns when you reach Aguas Calientes on Day 6 evening.

We strongly recommend spending at least 2–3 days acclimatizing in Cusco before the trek begins. During acclimatization: rest and avoid strenuous exercise, drink 3–4 liters of water daily, avoid alcohol, and consider drinking traditional mate de coca. Consult your doctor about altitude medication (Diamox / acetazolamide) before departure. Our guides are trained to recognize and respond to altitude sickness symptoms throughout the trek.

You can book via our website or by contacting us directly by email or WhatsApp. We accept credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), international bank transfers, and in-person payment at our Cusco office. We recommend booking at least 3 months in advance, especially if you wish to add Huayna Picchu or travel during peak season (June–August).

Absolutely. At Machu Picchu Explorators we are fully committed to responsible tourism: we use only biodegradable products at camp, actively support and hire local communities along the route, and follow strict Leave No Trace principles on every tour. Booking with us directly contributes to local employment, education, and environmental conservation in the Cusco Region.