CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 8 DAYS

Day 01: Cusco – Cachora – Coca Masana – Rosalina Beach

To start with our Choquequirao Trek 8 Days very early in the morning we will pick you up at your hotel in our private mobility to transfer you to the town of San Pedro de Cachora for a period of 4 hours.

On the way we will make a stop to enjoy our breakfast and admire the wonderful and admirable canyon of Limatambo and the amazing snow of the Apu Salkantay, then we will continue with the trip to Cachora where our travel team, horses, muleteers and equipment will wait for us porters who will be responsible for carrying all our camping equipment and the necessary food for the entire trip. Once ready we start with our excursion we will walk about 3 hours to Capuliyoc (2,915 m / 9,564 ft), where we will have the first beautiful views of the Apurimac valley where we can see the mountains of Padreyoc and Wayna Cachora covered with snow in the distance.

Later we descend to Cocamasana located at 2,330 m / 7,664 ft. where the weather becomes significantly hotter and the flora and fauna begin to change, it is necessary to carry a mosquito repellent. Finally we will arrive at Playa Rosalina at 1,550 m / 5,085 ft which is located next to the Apurímac river in this place will be our camp where we will spend the first night.

Day 02: Rosalina Beach – Choquequirao

This day is considered one of the most demanding but at the same time exciting. Early after a strengthening breakfast we will begin to climb a steep zigzagging path with an approximate duration of 5 hours to Raqaypata continuous to the Chunchullumayo river where we will have a well-deserved lunch, 2 hours from the camp is located the archaeological park of Choquequirao where we will have a guided tour of 2 hrs in it you can watch the sunset and hopefully you can see condors flying near us. After the visit we will return to our camp, for a well-deserved rest.

Day 03: Choquequirao – Maizal

This day we will start walking uphill until we reach 3,300 m / 10,827 ft. And then we will descend to the White River (1,900 m / 6,234 ft) on the way we will pass through a forest of clouds until we reach the archaeological site of Pinchaunuyoc, this is a very special archaeological group since it appears suddenly during the journey as well as looking like a forest Overcast covered with a thick layer of moss and vegetation. During the tour we will observe a variety of species of birds, orchids and plantations of the sacred leaf – the Coca leaf at (2,750 m / 9,022 ft), after exploring this beautiful place we will cross the White River and climb to the Maizal sector (3,000 m / 9,842 ft) for approximately 3 hours, this is where we will spend the night. Maybe this is one of the best camps during our trip since from here we can see the 3 valleys and a spectacular snowfall, as well as being a good place to relax.

Day 04: Maizal – Yanama

We will leave our camp in Maizal and head towards the San Juan Pass. Once again a great walk awaits us. This time, in a beautiful and impressive area, first over the cloud forest, and then over the Andean Puna, where we will find the very well-known “ichu” grass. We will rest near the Victoria mines, where the sparkles in the stones will reveal to us the high degree of concentration of minerals and metals in the area. On our hike through the Puna we will walk on the very well preserved Inca Trail, with its classic zigzag shape. Before starting the descent to Yanama – a small settlement in a valley surrounded by mountains -, we will have lunch at 4,000 m / 13,123 ft with a beautiful view of the Choquetakarpo mountain. We will camp and have dinner at Yanama.

Day 05: Yanama – Totora

We will continue from Yanama, through the valley, to the highest point of our tour, the Yanama Pass at 4,800 m / 15,748 ft. On the way we will enjoy a spectacular view of the snowy Sacsarayoc and we will have the opportunity to see the condors fly. In the pass, we may have to walk on the snow and the descent will be a long walk over grassy fields we will pass through tree areas and cross small wooden bridges until we reach the town of Totora located on the 3,700 m / 12,139 ft, in the We’ll spend tonight

Day o6: Totora – Beach

We will ascend gently to the highest part of the entire route and then descend 200 meters through the changing vegetation, to a warmer camp in the town of La Playa (2,320 m / 7,611 ft). This tour will take approximately 7 hours walking. Along the way we will see small waterfalls where we can take a refreshing swim. As the weather and vegetation change, we will have the opportunity to see a great variety of birds, orchids, coffee plantations and bananas. The Beach is the largest town on the road where we will spend the night.

Day 07: Sahuayaco Beach – Aguas Calientes

This day will be our last day of hiking and we will go uphill for a period of 3 hours, until we reach 2,810 m / 9,219 ft. From here we will have an excellent view of Machu Picchu. After a good rest, we will go down to the Hydroelectric Power Plant of Machu Picchu that is located on the Urubamba River, from where the road starts next to the railway line towards the town of Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu, this last night you will rest in a hostel.

Day 08: Machu Picchu – Cusco

This day our breakfast will be earlier than normal 05:00 hrs., Then start the trek to Machu Picchu for approximately 1 hour and a half, once in Machu Picchu. You will have a guided 2 hours and a lot of time to take photos, it is optional to climb the mountain Huayna Picchu, Temple of the Moon or the Puerta del Sol. Once visited and satisfied to visit Machu Picchu you will return to the town of Aguas Calientes, and here you can enjoy your lunch in the restaurant of your choice. Return to Cusco subject to availability of train schedules.

What time is better to do the Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 8 Days?

The best time is to go from May to December, avoid the rainy season because it is difficult to do with boots full of mud, but it is more beautiful to see everything green so you can do at any time of the year, but with a tour operator.

Is it possible to do the Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 8 Days by my own?

Sure. Take a bus from Cusco to Cachora and spend the night there to leave the next day. The road is simple, it is easy to be guided. Some tips: it is better to start the walk in Cachora or Huanicapa. The road to Cachora is more popular because it is cheaper, but longer. It can be very tiring to get to Santa Rosa (2 e camp) because to get there it takes around 10 hours, at a regular pace. A good alternative is to sleep in Chiquiska (1st camp) before crossing the river. The sun goes down and the night goes down so it is best to camp early and start early in the morning so as not to feel the heat and fatigue both back and forth

What is the degree of difficulty of the Choquequirao Trek 8 Days?

The road must be considered some aspects the time the physical condition Choquequirao remains one of the most memorable experiences around the world, but physically it is stronger than any other road Cusco, 166 kilometers, but especially the 4600 meters of altitude is a real physical challenge, especially if you decide to do the eight days until Machupicchu between them there are two ports to cross at 4,600 mens level. We believe that it is not necessary to be an experienced hiker to make this trip but we recommend that it be better to rent an extra horse and to be able to arrive without problems this challenge to Machupicchu.

Are trekking poles necessary?

We recommend the use of trekking poles, especially for those passengers with known knee problems. There are several times during the hike that trekking poles are useful, whether climbing a mountain or walking on difficult trails.

Is altitude sickness common? And how high is the Choquequirao Trek 8 Days?

It is impossible to predict who will be affected by altitude. Its ability to adapt to a high altitude is determined by its genetic makeup and has little to do with fitness or health. Most people will have no problems as long as they take the time to acclimatize properly. A full 2-day trip in Cusco (3,399 masl) is very easy for some people, but it is quite easy to drink some water, but if you can make arrangements to have a minimum of 2-3 days in case of travel interruptions Then this is what we recommend since there is also a lot to do here! The highest point you will reach while walking the Inca Trail reaches 4,280 meters on the second day.

Will I need extra money?

It is essential as the natural hot springs in “Aguas Calientes” (10 soles) and / or the Cocalmayo hot springs in the town of Santa Teresa and tips for trekking staff, souvenirs, snacks in Machu Picchu, bottled water, drinks, etc. You must take at least 300 soles as emergency money.

Is the road still good during the rainy season? Is it a bad time to do the Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 8 Days?

Some people actually like to go during the rainy season because there are fewer tourists, but we say that they are prepared for wet weather and that they have the right clothes and equipment. Possibly snow, so be prepared for a possible route change if the guide considers that a step cannot be passed. We do not recommend this hike in the months of January, February and March.