We depart early again today, in order to get the most out of the day! We begin by continuing upwards to Marampata where we will have a break. The climb from the Santa Rosa campsite to Marampata (2940m / 9646 ft) takes about 3 hours and is a tough uphill stretch. A little further on from our break site we will get our first view of the ruins of Choquequirao! From here we have 2 more hours of hiking over gentle, undulating terrain until we reach the ruins. We take our lunch at the Choquequirao campsite (2900m / 9514 ft) nearest to the ruins, before we head to Choquequirao itself for the afternoon.

Only around 30% of the Inca remains of Choquequirao have been excavated. What can be seen today, however, is most impressive and very much worth the challenging trek to get there! The stonework in Choquequirao is not as sophisticated as that found in Machu Picchu, but the buildings are impressive and suggest a site of high status. Choquequirao evokes a sense of awe simply because of the site’s surrounding beauty and isolation.

Spending the afternoon exploring the ruins, we will watch the sunset and keep our fingers crossed for the chance to see condors soaring through the sky!

• MEALS: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• ACCOMMODATION: Marampata Campsite.
• HIKING DISTANCE: 14 km / 8.7 miles
• HIKING TIME: 10 hours.
• MINIMUM ELEVATION: 1,550 m/ 5,117 ft
• MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 3,150 m/ 10,397 ft

We begin this part of the Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu with an early morning visit to the impressive Choquequirao site.

We will take our lunch within the upper part of the ruins today to allow for more exploration time. After lunch, we climb over a ridge for about 1 hour to the Choquequirao Pass, and then descend for 3h to the ruins at Pinchiunuyoc (2470m / 8104 ft). We will have time to explore these ruins and admire the majestic views before settling in for the night at the nearby campsite of the same name. This is one of the most impressive campsites on the Choquequirao hike to Machu Picchu, and if it’s a clear day, you will be treated to one of the most spectacular sunsets.

• MEALS: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• ACCOMMODATION: Pinchiunuyoc Campsite.
• HIKING DISTANCE: 6 km / 3.7 miles
• HIKING TIME: 4 hours.
• MINIMUM ELEVATION: 2,470 m/ 8,104 ft
• MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 3,150 m/ 10,397 ft

After breakfast, we’ll descend for about 1.5 to 2 hours to the Río Blanco (1,920 m / 6,299 ft), where you can rest and cool your feet in the refreshing water. Then, we’ll begin a challenging 4.5-hour ascent to the mountain clearing of Maizal (3,000 m / 9,843 ft), one of the toughest sections of the trek.

We’ll have lunch upon arrival and spend the afternoon resting and enjoying the stunning mountain views. Overnight at Maizal camp.

• MEALS: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• ACCOMMODATION: Maizal Camp.
• HIKING DISTANCE: 8 km / 5 miles
• HIKING TIME: 6-7 hours.
• MINIMUM ELEVATION: 1,920m / 6,299 ft
• MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 3000m/ 9,843 ft

After an early breakfast, we begin a steep climb through the cloud forest toward the Victoria Mines, gaining over 1,000 m in elevation. Along the way, we can admire mineral-rich rock formations and follow original Inca zigzag trails up to Pajonal (4,000 m / 13,123 ft), offering stunning views back toward the Apurimac Valley.

After about 4–5 hours, we reach San Juan Pass (4,130 m / 13,549 ft), where we’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramas of Mount Choquetacarpo—one of the best photo spots of the trek. With luck, we may see condors gliding overhead. Following lunch at the pass, we descend for around 2.5 hours to the village of Yanama (3,700 m / 12,139 ft), where our vehicle awaits to take us on a scenic 3-hour drive to Lucmabamba (2,100 m / 6,889 ft).

Upon arrival, we’ll visit a local coffee plantation for a coffee-making demonstration and learn about the process from bean to cup. We’ll camp overnight in Lucmabamba, or you may opt for a comfortable homestay with a local family.

• MEALS: Breakfast, lunch.
• ACCOMMODATION: Lucmabamba campsite.
• HIKING DISTANCE: 11 km / 6.8 miles
• HIKING TIME: 7-8h + 3h driving.
• MINIMUM ELEVATION: 2100m / 6,889 ft
• MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 4130m / 13,549 ft

We depart early from Lucmabamba, ascending for about three hours through the lush jungle to reach the Llactapata Pass. A short descent brings us to the Llactapata ruins, where we’ll enjoy our first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu, perched across the valley.

After a brief guided visit (20–30 minutes), we descend steeply to the Llactapata Lodge for a scenic boxed lunch. Continuing downhill for about two and a half hours, we’ll follow a dirt path to Aobamba, and then walk another 30 minutes to the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Station (Hidroelectrica).

From here, we’ll board the afternoon train to Aguas Calientes, arriving after about an hour. Upon arrival, we’ll check into our hotel and enjoy a well-deserved dinner, resting up for our visit to Machu Picchu the next morning.

• MEALS: Breakfast, lunch.
• ACCOMMODATION: Hotel 3 stars in aguas calientes.
• HIKING DISTANCE: 12 km / 7.4 miles
• HIKING TIME: 5-6 hours
• MINIMUM ELEVATION: 1,800m / 5,905 ft
• MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 2,800m / 9,186 ft

We made it! Today, we’ll enjoy a guided visit to the magnificent Inca citadel of Machu Picchu the highlight of the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek and a lifelong dream for many.

Early in the morning, we’ll take the bus up to the site to experience Machu Picchu in the soft light of dawn. Your expert guide will lead a two-hour tour through the most important areas of the sanctuary, revealing the remarkable engineering and spiritual legacy of the Incas.

After the visit, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch at a local restaurant. Later, we’ll board the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo, where our private driver will be waiting to transfer you directly back to your hotel in Cusco.

Total travel time from Aguas Calientes to Cusco: approximately 4 hours.

• MEALS: Breakfast, in the hotel.
• ACCOMMODATION: Not included.
• HIKING TIME: 2 hours