Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Capuliyoc – Chiquisca – Playa Rosalinas
This incredible experience will begin very early with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We will then embark on a 4-hour journey, passing through the provinces of Anta, Limatambo, and Cachora, finally arriving at the Capuliyoc Pass, located on the edge of the Apurimac Canyon, where we will enjoy breakfast. After that, we will meet up with the rest of the team (muleteers, horses, etc.). We will then begin our 2.5-hour hike to Chiquisca (1,800 m.a.s.l.), where we will have lunch. We will then continue hiking for another hour until we reach Rosalina Beach (1,500 m.a.s.l.), where we will spend our first night.
Day 2: Playa Rosalinas – Marampata – Choquequirao
In the morning, the river will wake us up after recharging our batteries with a hearty breakfast. The first part will consist of crossing the bridge over the Apurímac River, which separates the departments of Cusco and Apurímac. Then, we will begin a 5-hour ascent along a winding and narrow road. Halfway there, we will stop in the small towns of Santa Rosa Baja and Santa Rosa Alta to rest a bit. Afterward, we will continue our journey until we reach Marampata (2,900 m.a.s.l.), where we will have lunch and have our first view of the Choquequirao complex. We will then hike for another 2 hours until we reach Choquequirao, where we will camp near the archaeological complex and enjoy the sunset and the beauty of the condors flying.
Day 3: Choquequirao – Pinchinuyoc
Today we’ll enjoy a freshly breezy sunrise and a hot breakfast. Then, we’ll begin a guided tour of Choquequirao’s main attractions. In the morning, we’ll visit Paqchayoc, the priest’s house, and the cultivation terraces. At noon, our cook will bring us lunch at the main site, and after a short break, we’ll continue to visit the llama sector, the Inca house, and the temples. Then, we’ll begin the ascent to Choquequirao Pass, from where we’ll have a privileged view. Afterward, we’ll descend to the Pinchinuyoc terraces (2,487 meters above sea level), where we’ll spend the night under a clear, star-filled sky.
Day 4: Pinchinuyoc – Río Blanco – Maizal
Después de un delicioso y reparador desayuno, continuaremos descendiendo por el valle hasta llegar al Río Blanco (1990 msnm), donde haremos una parada para refrescarnos y relajar nuestros músculos en el río. Después de nuestro baño, cruzaremos al otro lado del valle y comenzaremos a ascender hacia nuestro campamento en Maizal (2891 msnm), donde pasaremos la noche.
Day 5: Maizal – Yanama – Totora – Lucmabamba
After breakfast, we’ll begin our uphill hike through the humid forest, passing by the Victoria mines before climbing for an hour to the Victoria Pass. From there, we’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcabamba mountain range and its glaciers, which reach over 5,000 meters in altitude. We’ll then descend to the charming village of Yanama, where we’ll have lunch and bid farewell to our muleteers. Once in Yanama, we’ll take local transport to the Mariano Llamocca Pass at 4,643 meters above sea level, from where we’ll have a view of Cusco’s second highest glacier, the Salkantay. We’ll then descend for approximately 3 hours until we reach Lucmabamba. Along the way, we’ll enjoy beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains and waterfalls.
Day 6: Santa Teresa – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes
Today is the final stretch of the hike before reaching Aguas Calientes (1,900 meters above sea level). Our main objective is to visit the Llactapata archaeological site, located high on a mountain. Following a new and original Inca Trail, we will arrive early at Llactapata and enjoy its fantastic views, as well as appreciate Machu Picchu in the distance. Afterwards, we will begin a two-hour descent to the Hidroeléctrica station, where we will have lunch. We have two options:
If you are tired, you can take the train to Aguas Calientes ($31, not included).
If you still have energy, you can hike from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes for approximately three hours following the railroad. This is the same trail used by American professor Hiram Bingham, who rediscovered Machu Picchu!
Once in Aguas Calientes, you can rest a bit before dinner or stroll through this enchanting place. There are no buses in Aguas Calientes, so it is quiet. At 7:00 pm, we’ll have dinner at a local restaurant, where our guide will explain more details about visiting Machu Picchu. In your room, you’ll have a private bathroom, hot shower, Wi-Fi, breakfast in the morning, and luggage storage while you visit Machu Picchu.
Day 7: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
This day is probably the most anticipated by everyone: visiting Machu Picchu (2,850 meters above sea level). We have different entry times: 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, or 9 am, depending on the date of your prepayment for the tour and your ticket reservation. Depending on the entry time, we will get up for breakfast.
To get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, you have two options:
Take the bus ($24 round trip, not included).
Walk, approximately 2 hours.
Once at the entrance to Machu Picchu, our guide will begin the tour of the archaeological site, where we will visit various sites such as the Temple of the Sun, the Sun Clock, the House of the Inca, and more.
If you have an entry ticket to one of the available mountains, such as Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu, our guide will arrange everything depending on the starting time (first time from 7 am to 8 am and second time from 10 am to 11 am). All you have to do is relax and enjoy the tour.
Once the tour is over, you can return on foot or by bus. However, please note that there are sometimes long lines to board the bus, so it can take over an hour between 12 pm and 1 pm.
Back in Aguas Calientes, we will board the train to the town of Ollantaytambo, where our vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.
Details
Includes:
- Pre-departure briefing.
- Pickup from your hotel.
- Transportation from Cusco to Capuliyoc (start of the trek).
- Expeditions Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- Return transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- Overnight in Aguas Calientes (shared room).
- Dinner in Aguas Calientes.
- Professional group guide (English or Spanish).
- Personal tents.
- Camping equipment.
- Mattresses.
- Horses for transporting personal luggage.
- Cook and meals during the tour.
- First aid kit with emergency oxygen cylinder.
Does not include:
- Breakfast on the first day.
- Lunch and dinner on the last day.
- Entrance tickets to Choquequirao and Machu Picchu.
- Round-trip bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Trekking poles.
- Sleeping bags.
- Riding horses.
- Admission to the Cocalmayo hot springs.
- Tips.
- Laundry costs.
Price
Group Price: USD 1050.00.
Recommendations
- Pack as light as possible, as there are no porters on this hike.
- Bring your important documents with you, such as a passport, valid student ID (if applicable), and immigration card.
- Bring a small, lightweight backpack for the trip.
- Remember to bring a water reservoir, such as Camelbags, with a capacity of at least 2-3 liters.
- Wear comfortable, lightweight hiking boots with good soles.
- Don’t forget to include toiletries, such as sunscreen, facial moisturizer, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, a toothbrush and toothpaste, toilet paper, personal medication, and a first aid kit.
- Please note backpack size restrictions inside Machu Picchu; backpacks larger than 25 liters will not be allowed.
- Don’t forget to bring a sun hat, rain gear, a wool hat, a camera, music, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and a small plastic bag for waste.
- Bring extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips.
- Consider bringing earplugs for better sleep during your trip.
