Day 1: Cusco – Cachora – Capuliyoc – Chiquisca – Santa Rosa 

We pick you up early from your hotel in Cusco (3,400 m / 11,154 ft) and drive four hours to the small and picturesque town of Cachora (2,900 m / 9,514 ft). This is where you’ll stop to have a nutritious breakfast before beginning one of the most incredible treks in Peru. From here, you’ll drive for half an hour more to get to the trailhead at Capuliyoc (2,950 m / 9,678 ft), to meet the rest of our crew and start trekking there. From the Capuliyoc viewpoint, you’ll make a steep descent into Apurimac canyon via a long series of switchbacks and incredible dropp-offs. As you walk, you’ll get views of Padreyoc and the river below.

The first campsite you’ll pass is Cocamasana (2,330 m / 7,644 ft), and onward is our lunch spot nestled between the trees called Chiquisca (1,900 m / 6,233 ft), where you’ll enjoy a just prepared fresh lunch.

After that, you’ll continue towards the roaring Apurímac river. Just before the bridge over the Apurímac river, you’ll come upon another campsite called Playa Rosalina (1,500 m / 4,921 ft), the lowest point of the trek. Here the trek gets more challenging to the campsite at Santa Rosa (2,100 m / 6,890 ft), the uphill is tough after a long day of hiking, but it will cut some of the altitude gains off of your next day.

• Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Maximum altitude: 2,950 m / 9,678 ft
• Minimum altitude: 1,500 m / 4,921 ft
• Campsite altitude: 2,100 m / 6,890 ft
• Distance hiked: 13.00 km / 8.07 ml
• Approximate walking time: 6 – 7 hours

Day 2: Santa Rosa – Marampata – Choquequirao  

After a delightful breakfast, you’ll have an early start, one more time, since we aim to get the best out of this second day, it will be a tough climb to Choquequirao. Before getting to the ruins, you’ll hit the tiny mountain-top town of Marampata (2,940 m / 9,646 ft).

While it’s only 3 hours of hiking from Santa Rosa to Marampata, this part is tough because of switchbacks, false summits, limited tree cover, and an altitude gain of over 800 m. there you’ll have an impressing view of the valley and the first glimpses of Choquequirao, after resting and contemplating these marvels you’ll continue on to the campgrounds located just beneath the ruins to have lunch there. From Marampata, it’s a gradual incline towards the Choquequirao campsite (2,900 m / 9,514 ft).

After a three course meal in our camp, you’ll start your exploration in Choquequirao descending to the amazing east part of Choquequirao, going to the House of the Waterfall and the terraces of the Waterfall (2,600 m / 8,530 ft). The enclave in which these platforms are located is impressive, since they are almost literally hanging on the edge of a deep abyss at the bottom of which the Chunchumayo stream descends to join the Apurimac river. These platforms seem like a daring challenge to heights and vertigo.

You’ll spend around 2 hours visiting these kind of recently discovered places. Then you’ll hike back to our campsite and, as customary you’ll relish with our classic afternoon tea before our gourmet dinner.

• Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Maximum altitude: 3,050 m / 10,006 ft
• Minimum altitude: 2,100 m / 6,890 ft
• Campsite altitude: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft
• Distance hiked: 11.00 km / 6.83 ml
• Approximate walking time: 6 – 7 hours

Day 3: Choquequirao – Choquequirao Pass – Pincha Unuyoc 

You wake up with a beautiful morning view to the valley from your tent, enjoying the firts sunbeams, and after a nutritious breakfast you’ll head out to the fabulous Inca site of Choquequirao (3,050 m / 10,006 ft) where a private guided tour awaits you this morning, you’ll visit the Main Plaza, the Inca Palaces, the terraces of the Llamas, the Storehouses, and the Ceremonial platform where you can take the classic postcard pictures and spend time gazing at the splendid morning in the heart of the Andes. With a bit of luck you might spot a Condor gliding over the ruins. By noon you’ll finish your exploration and so you can enjoy a picnic lunch before going on to our next campsite at Pincha Unuyoc.

After lunch and a relaxed day exploring the ruins, the trail leads you up to Choquequirao Pass (3,270 m / 10,728 ft) surrounded by native trees, flowers, and orchids and continues over the ridge, followed by the steep descent to the Archaeological site of Pincha Unuyoc (2,420 m / 7,939 ft), which has been recently restored, there you’ll be able to explore and learn more about the Incas. There is also a great place to camp in the middle of the mountains watching a spectacular sunset.

• Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Maximum altitude: 3,270 m / 10,728 ft
• Minimum altitude: 2,420 m / 7,939 ft
• Campsite altitude: 2,420 m / 7,939 ft
• Distance hiked: 13.00 km / 8.07 ml
• Approximate walking time: 8 – 9 hours

Day 4: Pincha Unuyoc – Rio blanco – Maizal 

After a hearty breakfast in our campsite, you’ll continue this once in a lifetime trek, going down to an interesting area of vegetation known as the dry forest, the trail will be sandy and rocky all the way to the bottom of the valley, and the landscapes of the descent are really nice. As you are descending you’ll see the trail up to Maizal on the other side of the mountain. This part of descending and ascending is very similar to the way down to Playa Rosalina and the way up to Choquequirao on previous days.

You’ll discover trees, plants and birds that you have never seen before. There is also a great place to swim and you can refresh yourself in the cold and crystalline waters of the Rio Blanco or White River (1,900 m / 6,233 ft).

Later on, you’ll cross the river and start the long, steep, and demanding climb to your camp in Maizal (3,100 m / 10,170 ft). After 3 or 4 hours of climbing, you’ll finally be there. Lunch and dinner will be served at this camp. This breathtaking campsite features three valleys on the right and snow capped mountains all of the way.

• Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Maximum altitude: 3,100 m / 10,170 ft
• Minimum altitude: 1,900 m / 6,233 ft
• Campsite altitude: 3,100 m / 10,170 ft
• Distance hiked: 10.00 km / 6.21 ml
• Approximate walking time: 5 – 6 hours

Day 5: Maizal – Victoria Mines – San Juan Pass – Yanama

Waking up in the mountain with the sounds of the forest and birds is truly a fantastic experience, and after a nice breakfast you’ll be ready for the next challenge. This day consists of an invigorating climb and cooler weather, but the area itself is one of the most beautiful of the entire trek. Initially, you’ll walk through a mystical cloud forest and then enter the highlands of the Andes.

After being hiking for two and a half hours you’ll take some time to rest at Victoria mines and learn about several minerals and metals of the area (old silver, copper and lead mines abandoned since the time of colonization, but nowadays it is posible that you may hear people working in them).

Next, walk a well preserved Inca path to the highest point in the San Juan Pass (4,150 m / 13,615 ft). From here you can see the immense and breathtaking Vilcabamba mountain range. Finally, continue on your way to our lunch place and campsite at Yanama (3,600 m / 11,811 ft), there is only a small descent of one and a half hours to the small village at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains.

• Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Maximum altitude: 4,150 m / 13,615 ft
• Minimum altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
• Campsite altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
• Distance hiked: 12.00 km / 7.45 ml
• Approximate walking time: 6 – 7 hours

Day 6: Yanama – Mariano LLamoja Pass – Totora

The hike from Yanama to Totora is another gorgeous day for different reasons. This trail mostly follows the high andean valley along the river, and it is during this day that you pass the highest point of this 9-day trek, the Yanama Pass or Mariano Llamoja Pass (4660 m / 15,288 ft). This is also the last big climb of this trek, after been hiking for about five hours you’ll finally be there, and delight in the snowy mountains and the possible glimpse of the majestic condor.

On the landscape side though, you’ll be rewarded by observing impressive landscapes, birds and native vegetation, the mountains are all more impressive than the others and in addition, icing on the cake, you meet for the first time llamas and alpacas roaming freely.

The descent to Totora is quite good but steep, you’ll alternate between the road and the path to spare your knees a little. In the distance, you can see the Salkantay (the highest mountain in the region and known for the trek around it to reach Machu Picchu), a sign that you are getting closer to your objective but also masses of tourists at the same time, it feels like the end of tranquility is close.

After a good two hours of descent, you’ll stop for lunch in the middle of the valley. And after a good and nutritious lunch, you’ll continue your way to the camp. Totora (3,500 m / 11,482 ft) is a small hamlet with a few houses and is the last stop before joining with the Salkantay Trek.

• Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Maximum altitude: 4660 m / 15,288 ft
• Minimum altitude: 3,500 m / 11,482 ft
• Campsite altitude: 3,500 m / 11,482 ft
• Distance hiked: 18.00 km / 11.18 ml
• Approximate walking time: 8 – 9 hours

Day 7: Totora – Colpapampa – Wiñaypoco – La Playa 

The incredible journey continues with a long, winding descent following the road will take you to Colpapampa. One thing to know is that after Totora, there is no longer really a separate path to cut the curves of the dirt road. And as you walk down, you’ll sink into the valley, thus losing the magnificent view you had of the mountains above. After 2 hours between road and path, you’ll finally reach the village of Colpapampa (2,920 m / 9,580 ft), and this is where you join the itinerary of the very popular Salkantay trek. Then it should be known that the itinerary of this trek is not subject to any limitation. In short, there’s no chance you’ll be feeling lonely starting from this point.

After resting and taking pictures of the crossing of valleys, you’ll descend through diverse vegetation and enjoy a warmer climate, toward the lovely farm of Wiñaypoco (2,550 m / 8,366 ft), which marks the beginning of the high jungle. This valley is inhabited by bromeliads, orchids, fruit trees, waterfalls, insects, birds, many butterflies, and other species. You’ll harness the pleasant weather and the presence of beautiful waterfalls for a refreshing natural bath. You would be pleased to stop in Wiñaypoco to eat snacks and perhaps to try local fruit, since this point is about halfway to our lunch place and campiste. From here you’ll be relieved to know there is not much time and distance left to La Playa (2,040 m / 6,692 ft) to finish the day’s hike, have dinner, and enjoy your final night of camping.

• Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Maximum altitude: 3,500 m / 11,482 ft
• Minimum altitude: 2,040 m / 6,692 ft
• Campsite altitude: 2,040 m / 6,692 ft
• Distance hiked: 22.00 km / 13.67 ml
• Approximate walking time: 7 – 8 hours

Day 8: La Playa – Llactapata – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes 

Start your day with a fresh cup of coffee and enjoy a breakfast sourced from local foods in the area, such as plantains, yuca or avocados (depending on the season). Today, you hike towards Machu Picchu via a section of the ancient Inca trail.

The trail leads you first to Lucmabamba and then up and over the Aobamba Pass (2,800 m / 9,186 ft) from where you’ll have spectacular views of the ruins and the peaks of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu. The ruins of Llactapata (2,720 m / 8,923 ft) are less visited and you’ll see few people here while you gaze at Machu Picchu from a distance. Enjoy the solitude, as the next day there may be around 2000 people with you in Machu Picchu.

After the ruins, hike twenty minutes to a small lodge where you’ll have a freshly cooked lunch. After a great meal, descend towards the river and arrive to Hidroelectrica (1,780 m / 5,389 ft) on time for the train to Aguas Calientes. Time to sit back and enjoy the view.

Once in Aguas Calientes (2,000 m / 6,561 ft), you’ll walk from the train station to your hotel. In the night, you’ll have a celebratory dinner in one of the local restaurants in Aguas Calientes. Be sure to go to bed early, so you can get an early start the next day.

• Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Maximum altitude: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft
• Minimum altitude: 1,780 m / 5,389 ft
• Aguas Calientes altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
• Distance hiked: 13.00 km / 8.07 ml
• Approximate walking time: 6 – 7 hours

Day 9: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

After a nourishing breakfast, you’ll take an early bus to Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft), where you will be among the first visitors of the day to enjoy the magic and mystery of one of the new wonders of the world. Once there you’ll realice why this is one for your bucket list. Along with your guide, you’ll uncover the mystical secrets of Machu Picchu during a guided private tour of this Incan citadel. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the most important parts of the ruins to wonder at how they were constructed.

The tour in this ancient Incan citadel lasts approximately 2 hours. After touring Machu Picchu, you have the option to hike up to the mountain Huayna Picchu (2,720 m / 8,923 ft). From there you’ll savor the splendorous views and exotic tranquility of the lost city of the Incas. But if you prefer doing a more relaxed hike you can go to the west part of Machu Picchu in a 30-minute walk to the Inca Bridge.

In the afternoon, you’ll take the bus to Aguas Calientes. Once in town you’ll have free time to grab lunch. After a day you’ll remember for the rest of your life, you’ll depart from Aguas Calientes by train for Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival at the train station you’ll be met and transferred to your Cuzco hotel.

Note: Huayna Picchu Mountain tickets are subject to availability

• Meals included: breakfast at the hotel.
• Cusco altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft
• Minimun altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
• Machu Picchu altitude: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft
• Huayna Picchu altitude: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft

Transportation and tickets

• Transfer in from the airport to your hotel in Cusco
• Hotel pick up in Cusco
• Private transport to the trailhead in Capuliyoc
• Entrance fee ticket to the Choquequirao trail
• Entrance fee ticket to Choquequirao ruins
• Train ticket from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes
• Entrance fee ticket to Machu Picchu
• Round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Hotel drop off in Cusco
• Transfer out from your hotel to the airport 

Camping equipment

• Comfortable 4-season sleeping tent
• Seven nights camping
• One night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes 3***
• Foam mattress
• Outdoor dining and cooking tents
• Food and drink utensils
• Portable chemical toilet tent
• Emergency medical first aid kit
• Emergency oxigen bottle
• Duffle bag for your personal items up to 10 Kg / 22 Lb
• Biodegradable soap and hand towels
• Portable transmitter-receiver radio
• Satellite telephone

Team

• Pre-departure Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek briefing
• Professional trekking Tour Guide
• Personalized service
• Small tour group max 8 people
• Private walking tour in Choquequirao & Machu Picchu
• Professional and well trained Trek Chef
• Horsemen and mules to carry provided equipment and food
• Extra horse for emergencies only
• Guaranteed departure

Food

• High quality meals while on the trek 9B, 8L, 8D & snacks
• Drinking water to refill bottles from first day lunch onwards
• Classic afternoon tea before dinner
• This tour offers vegetarian and vegan food options on request simply let us know the food option that you prefer

• Dinner in Cusco
• Meals after arrival to Machu Picchu
• Personal sleeping tent (available for rent)
• Sleeping bag (available for rent)
• Sleeping bag polar liner
• Insulated air sleeping pad (available for rent)
• Hiking poles (available for rent)
• Extra expenses
• Gratuities
• Travel insurance
• International or local airfare
• Hotel in Cusco

The entrance to the Waynapicchu mountain must be confirmed at the time of booking as it is subject to availability. (maximum 400 spaces per day).