Hidden Inca City Choquequirao Trek – 15 Days

Upon your international arrival at Lima International Airport, you will receive assistance and be transferred to your hotel. There, you’ll receive a comprehensive briefing about your tour, vouchers for all included services, and additional information regarding your trip to Peru.

Enjoy a free morning to relax and prepare for your unforgettable journey. In the afternoon, at 1:30 PM, you will be picked up from your hotel for a guided sightseeing tour of Lima, the «City of Kings.» This excursion combines the best attractions from Lima’s three historical periods: pre-Hispanic, colonial, and contemporary. Learn about the ancient pre-Columbian cultures that thrived here for thousands of years before Lima became part of the Inca Empire and was later founded by Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535.

After breakfast, transfer to Lima airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted, assisted, and transferred to your hotel, with a free morning to acclimatize to the altitude. At 1:30 PM, begin a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco. Visit Koricancha, the Temple of the Sun, one of the most significant shrines during Inca times. Explore the impressive Cusco Cathedral in the Main Square. Continue to Sacsayhuaman, a magnificent megalithic fortress built by the Incas, boasting extraordinary precision in its stonework. Your tour proceeds to Qenqo, a singular limestone outcrop used for religious ceremonies, concluding with visits to Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up at 9:00 AM for a transfer towards the Sacred Valley. Begin your hike across the fertile plain of Chinchero, abundant with grain, potatoes, and beans. Walk through the small town of Maras before arriving at the unique circular Inca ruins of Moray, often referred to as ‘the Inca agricultural laboratory.’ Descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the famous Salineras (salt pans of Maras), where over 5,000 terraces are still actively producing salt. Many families from Maras continue to transport their salt to the Urubamba market by mules, just as they have for centuries. After meeting your vehicle beside the Urubamba River, you’ll be driven back to Cusco.

Your day begins with a 5:00 AM pickup from your hotel for a four-hour private transfer to Cachora (9,348 ft / 2,850m). While you enjoy breakfast, the crew will prepare the horses for the trek. Start your walk from Cachora, observing the majestic, snow-capped Padrayoc Peak (17,980 ft / 5,482m). The first 10 miles (16 km) of hiking, lasting approximately 6 hours, begin with a flat section. From the Capuliyoc Viewpoint, where you might spot condors soaring, you’ll begin your descent towards the impressive Apurímac Canyon. The vegetation transforms from agave and tuna cactus to a dwarf tree forest. Lunch will be served at Cocamasana before continuing to Chiquisca (6,398 ft / 1,950m), where you’ll set up camp for the night.

After an early breakfast, begin your descent towards the abundant Apurímac River (5,028 ft / 1,550m), situated deep within the impressive Apurímac Canyon. After a short rest, continue the challenging ascent to the Choquequirao Archaeological Site. The first 2-3 hours involve a steep climb to Santa Rosa, after which the trail alternates between flat sections and climbs, surrounded by beautiful vegetation with various orchid species. Enjoy lunch at Maranpata (9,348 ft / 2,850m) before continuing for another two hours to reach Choquequirao (9,948 ft / 3,033m). Your campsite offers spectacular views of the canyon, and you might even witness Andean Condors soaring among the mountains.

Today is dedicated to a complete guided tour of the magnificent Choquequirao complex, meaning ‘Cradle of Gold.’ You will explore both the upper parts (Hanan) and the lower parts (Urin) of the site, including some areas still covered by wild foliage that await restoration to their original Inca splendor. The steep mountainside below the main plaza features several newly discovered buildings, such as the Ridge Group and the Waterfall Temple, an intriguing ceremonial complex facing the cascades of a steep ravine.

After breakfast, begin your uphill trek to the first Choquequirao pass at 11,152 ft (3,400m), passing through cloud forest. Descend to Río Blanco (6,262 ft / 1,909m), stopping to rest and observe the flora and fauna around the ancient Inca terraces of Pinchayunuyoc Archaeological Site. Enjoy a break, a swim, and lunch at Río Blanco. After lunch, begin a steep climb for about 3 hours to the village of Maizal (11,152 ft / 3,400m), situated high above the river and close to the sacred Apus (mountain deities) of the Incas. Camp overnight in Maizal.

Following breakfast, your trek continues uphill, passing by the impressive Inca mines known as Minas Victoria, as you make your way towards the challenging Victoria Pass (13,776 ft / 4,200m). This long climb takes you through an amazing high-altitude landscape to the remote village of Yanama.

Today, your trek continues through high Andean passes and into the cloud forest, navigating diverse landscapes. You will encounter local communities and enjoy more stunning panoramic views as you make your way towards Totora or Collpapampa, small villages that serve as important points along the route.

The trek today involves a gradual descent through coffee plantations and agricultural fields to La Playa. From there, you’ll travel to Hidroeléctrica, where you can choose to take a scenic train ride or continue hiking alongside the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes, the town nestled at the base of Machu Picchu. You’ll check into your hotel and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Early morning, take a bus up to the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a comprehensive guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site, exploring its temples, terraces, and plazas, and learning about its fascinating history. Afterwards, you’ll have free time to explore on your own. In the afternoon, descend to Aguas Calientes, board your train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, and then transfer back to your hotel in Cusco.

Enjoy a well-deserved free day in Cusco to relax, explore the city at your own pace, or shop for souvenirs. You might visit local markets, museums, or simply soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the ancient Inca capital.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Cusco airport for your domestic flight back to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for leisure or last-minute souvenir shopping.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Cusco airport for your domestic flight back to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for leisure or last-minute souvenir shopping.