Choquequirao to Machu Picchu 9 days / 8 nights

Cusco, Choquequirao

From

Duration

9 days

Tour Type

Overview

The 9 Day Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful and interesting treks on offer in the Cusco region. Following little visited pathways and Inca Trails, beautiful scenery and visits to the two major Inca sites in the area, this trek has it all!

The trek begins following the regular route for Choquequirao but instead of returning the way you came you continue on and eventually joins the last section of the Salkantay trek to arrive to Machu Picchu.

By booking your Choquequirao Trek with Amazon Andes Peru you are choosing the best. Don’t believe us? Check out our reviews on TripAdvisor!

Useful Information

Starting Altitude – 2900m / 9515ft.
Highest Altitude – 4840m / 15,879ft.
Walking Distance – 100km / 62 miles
Longest Day – Days 1 and 6, approximately 18km / 11.2 miles
Overall Difficulty – Difficult
Aclimatization is highly Recommended.

Very Important: Campsites may vary depending on booking time, weather conditions or on restrictions undertaken for safety reasons by the Peruvian Goverment.

Tour Type / Category:

Adventure & Trekking Tour – Long multi-day trek through the Andes, suitable for active travelers and nature lovers.
Cultural & Historical Tour – Exploration of Inca archaeological sites, including Choquequirao, Llactapata, and Machu Picchu.
Nature & Wildlife – Hiking through diverse ecosystems with opportunities to observe Andean flora and fauna.

Location:

Starting Point: Cusco, Peru
Main Trek Route: Cachora → Santa Rosa → Choquequirao → Pinchinuyoc → Maizal → Yanama → Colpapampa → La Playa → Llactapata → Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu
Regions Covered: Apurímac Valley, Vilcabamba mountain range, Rio Blanco Valley, Sacred Valley, and the Machu Picchu area

Duration:

9 days / 8 nights
Trekking Distances: 8–25 km per day (approx. 5–12 hours walking each day)
Altitude Range: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft – 4,840 m / 15,879 ft

Highlights:

Visit the remote Inca city of Choquequirao
Trek through lush valleys, high puna grasslands, and tropical cloud forests
Observe diverse Andean flora and fauna, including orchids, bromeliads, and birds like Quetzals and hummingbirds
Explore Llactapata, an Inca site with stunning views of Machu Picchu
Enjoy the final visit to the legendary Machu Picchu with an optional climb to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain

Ideal For:

Adventure seekers and experienced trekkers
Travelers interested in Inca history and archaeology
Nature and wildlife enthusiasts

IMPORTANT NOTICE :

ZERO PLASTIC BOTTLES ON THE INCA TRAIL AND MACHU PICCHU FROM DECEMBER 1ST:
- Due to New goverment regulations for the Inca Trail it will be 100% PROHIBITED to TAKE PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES. We believe that in the first days the new enforced regulations may NOT be 100% controlled however as the days go it will be more and more strict therefore WE KINDLY suggest you getting your aluminum plastic bottles to avoid any dissapointment at the check points along the Inca Trail and in the Machu Picchu citadel.
ALUMINUM 0.700ml BOTTLES:
- As a way to avoid any inconvenience with our clientes Amazon Andes Peru offers 0.700ml aluminum water bottles FOR SALE at the office for as liitle as 10 Soles (USD3.00).
- Aluminum water bottles can also be bought in many different shops around the main square.
- Also, if you are still at home and ready to fly to Peru for your trek we recommend you bringing aluminum water bottles or camel bags.

We look forward to meeting you.

What you need to take:

Original Passport
Student card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
Walking boots
Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
Warm jacket
Hat and gloves
T-shirts
Comfortable Trousers
Sun hat
Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
Insect repellant
Toiletries and hand sanitiser
Personal medication
Camera and film
Torch with spare batteries

Included/Exclude

Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
Chef
Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment
Mules to carry 10kg of your personal effects
Pick-up from your hotel
Transportation by bus to Mollepata
Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own)
8 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 8 Afternoon Snacks and 8 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
Dining tent with tables and chairs
4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
3 Star Hotel for final night
Sleeping mattress
Oxygen bottle
First aid kit
Entrance to Machu Picchu
Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes

Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us)
Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 8
Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain
Tips
Travel Insurance - you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

Tour Amenities

Cusco

Tour Plan

Day 1: Cusco - Cachora - Santa Rosa

A challenging and unforgettable journey through two of the greatest Inca sites of Peru

We begin with a 4-hour drive from Cusco to the trailhead in Cachora (2,900 m / 9,514 ft.), passing through stunning Andean landscapes. From here, our trek starts with spectacular panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks of Padreyoc (5,571 m) and the dramatic Apurímac Canyon.

As we descend into the valley, the trail offers our first glimpse of Choquequirao on the opposite ridge. The descent is surrounded by vibrant flora, including cacti, agave, and wildflowers. With some luck, we may spot eagles and even Andean foxes.

We camp at Santa Rosa (2,200 m / 7,215 ft.), a peaceful and less-crowded spot beyond the Apurímac River crossing.

Walking Distance:15 km / 9.3 miles
Campsite Altitude:2,200 m / 7,215 ft
Maximum Altitude:2,890 m / 9,482 ft

Day 2: Santa Rosa - Choquequirao

Today is one of the most demanding days. We climb nearly 800 m / 2,624 ft up the opposite side of the canyon through humid, lush vegetation. Despite the tough climb, the rewards are incredible: orchids, bromeliads, bamboo forests, and a variety of tropical birds including toucans, hummingbirds, and even the elusive quetzal.

By afternoon, we arrive at our campsite near Choquequirao (3,050 m / 10,007 ft.). From here, sunsets are magical, with condors often soaring over the valley below.

Walking Distance:14 km / 8.7 miles
Campsite Altitude:3,050 m / 10,007 ft
Maximum Altitude:3,050 m / 10,007 ft

Day 3: Choquequirao - Pinchinuyoc

We dedicate the morning to a guided exploration of Choquequirao, one of the largest Inca cities ever discovered—still partially covered by jungle. Highlights include the ceremonial platform (“Ushnu”), agricultural terraces decorated with llama figures, temples, and storehouses.

After lunch, we cross a small pass and descend into the Rio Blanco Valley, camping at the Pinchinuyoc terraces (2,487 m / 8,160 ft.), a mystical site where Inca agricultural platforms emerge dramatically from the cloud forest.

Walking Distance:8 km / 5 miles
Campsite Altitude:2,487 m / 8,160 ft
Maximum Altitude:3,270 m / 10,728 ft

Day 4: Pinchinuyoc - Maizal

We descend to the Rio Blanco (1,900 m / 6,233 ft.), where in the dry season the river offers a refreshing swim. After resting, we begin a steep ascent on the opposite slope, passing through subtropical forests filled with ferns and butterflies.

We camp at Maizal (2,891 m / 9,488 ft.), surrounded by mountain slopes and with the option to visit nearby Inca mining sites.

Hiking distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Approximate time: 5–6 hours
Camp: Maizal (2,891 m / 9,488 ft)
Maximum altitude: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft

Day 5: Maizal – Yanama

Today we’ll walk through one of the most impressive sections of the trek: original Inca trails that cross cloud forests, old colonial silver and gold mines, and mountains teeming with wildlife.

Our destination will be the picturesque Andean village of Yanama (3,520 m / 11,549 ft), where we’ll camp on the grounds of a local family and learn about their customs and traditions.

Hiking distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Approximate time: 6–7 hours
Camp: Yanama (3,520 m / 11,549 ft)
Maximum altitude: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft

Day 6: Yanama – Colpapampa

This will be one of the most challenging and spectacular days. We will ascend to the Yanama Pass (4,840 m / 15,879 ft), the highest point of the entire trek. From here, we’ll enjoy incredible panoramic views of snow-capped mountains such as Salkantay (6,270 m / 20,570 ft).

Then we’ll descend into the valley, reaching the camp at Colpapampa (2,900 m / 9,514 ft), where the weather is warmer and the vegetation more abundant.

Hiking distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Approximate time: 8–9 hours
Camp: Colpapampa (2,900 m / 9,514 ft)
Maximum altitude: 4,840 m / 15,879 ft

Day 7: Colpapampa – La Playa

Today we continue following the Lluskamayo River, passing waterfalls, coffee plantations, tropical fruit, and a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Our camp will be in La Playa (2,400 m / 7,874 ft), a small village with shops where we can enjoy a local coffee or even visit nearby hot springs.

Hiking distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
Approximate time: 5–6 hours
Camp: La Playa (2,400 m / 7,874 ft)
Maximum altitude: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft

Day 8: La Playa – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes

On our last day of hiking, we will ascend to the archaeological site of Llactapata (2,800 m / 9,186 ft), a magical place with direct views of Machu Picchu from a unique and less-visited angle.

After the visit, we’ll descend to the Hydroelectric Station, from where we’ll continue to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m / 6,693 ft), the base town for Machu Picchu. We’ll spend the night in a hotel.

Hiking distance: 25 km / 15.5 miles
Approximate time: 8–9 hours
Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Maximum altitude: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft

Day 9: Machu Picchu

The big day! We’ll take the first bus to Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972 ft) to enter at sunrise and experience a magical morning.

We’ll have a guided tour of approximately 2 hours, visiting temples, terraces, plazas, and the most important sectors. Afterwards, you’ll have free time to explore on your own or climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (with prior reservation).

In the afternoon, we’ll return by train to Ollantaytambo and then by private transport to Cusco.

Transport: Train + bus to Cusco
Maximum altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft

This itinerary combines adventure, history, spectacular landscapes, and cultural immersion. It’s one of the most complete and less-traveled routes to Machu Picchu.