And it’s no surprise as it´s surrounded by fantastic natural landscapes with valleys, snow-capped mountains and an amazing variety of plants, birds and animals.
It is situated in the mountain range of the Salkantay, at over 3030 meters above sea level, surrounded by the Apus (mountain gods) of Yamana, Ampay, Chokecarpu, Pumasiyo and Panta, on the left bank of the Apurimac River. During the time of the Incas, everything was connected and in communication with Machu Picchu through a complex network of trails.
Choquequiraw is considered "The Last Refuge of the Inca Empire".
Visitors will have a chance to discover a complex hydraulic system, most likely for domestic, ceremonial and agricultural use. The geographic location of Choquequiraw in reference to other religious centers of the same period tends to indicate that its function was that Inca enclave toward the valleys of the Apurímac River. There are many similarities between
and Machu Picchu; this trail is a great option for Visit Choquequiraw and Machupicchu.
The purpose of the Trail to Choquequiraw to Machupicchu was religious and ceremonial, a pilgrimage that included rituals to honor the mountains and peaks of the route, like Salkantay sacred mountain.
We leave Cusco at 5am in a private van for 4 hours drive to Capuliyoc, situated on the edge of the Apurimac Canyon and surrounded by impressive snowcapped peaks. Then we will hike down for 2 hours until we arrive at Chiquisca where we are going to have lunch. Afterwards we continue our hike for 1 more hour to Playa Rosalinas (1550 meters/5084 feet), where we will spend the night.
Meals: Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping facilities with an air mattress and 4 season roomy tents
Distance: 12kms/7.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Departing early, we ascend to Santa Rosa and to Marampata where we will have lunch. The climb from the river takes about 4 hours and is tough. From our lunch spot, we can see the remains of Choquequiraw. Then we have 2 more hours to hike to reach the Choquequiraw Archeological site (3110 meters/10120 feet). We spend the evening there and get to watch the sunset and some condors flying.
Meals: Breakfast, boiled water for drinking, snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping facilities with air mattresses and 4 season roomy tents
Distance: 13kms/8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge
After breakfast, is possible to explore more of the archeological site of Choquequiraw, and have a little rest before lunch. In the afternoon, we will climb over a ridge and hike to the remains of Pinchunuyoc where we will camp for the night (2 hours of hiking down). This is definitely the easiest day of the trip.
Meals: Breakfast, Boiled water for drinking, Snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping facilities with an air mattress and 4 season roomy tents
Distance: 10kms/6.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
After a delicious breakfast, we hike downhill for 2 hours and arrive at the canyon of the Rio Blanco (1990 meters/6527 feet), where we have a rest before starting a difficult climb to our campsite of Maizal. The climb is 3- 4 hours long.
Meals: Breakfast, Boiled water for drinking, Snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping facilities with an air mattress and 4 season roomy tents
Distance: 10kms/6.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge
We leave at 7am, and walk uphill for about 3 hours through a semi-jungle towards the Victoria Mines. We visit them as well as some Inca Ruins before climbing 1 hour more to the pass of Victoria (4130mt/13,546 ft). There are spectacular views from the pass as we descend to the charming village of Yanama (about 2 hours walk) following a section with some well-constructed Inca steps.
Once we get to Yanama, we take the local transport all the way to Lucmabamba. Along the way, we get to enjoy the gorgeous views of snow-capped mountains and waterfalls.
Meals: Breakfast, Boiled water for drinking, Snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
Accommodation: Camping facilities with inflatable mattress´s and 4 season roomy tents
Distance: 12kms/7.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge
On this day, we walk for 3 hours by the original Inca Trail and through the cloud forest to the Puncuyoc pass then onto Llactapata Inca remains, an Inca site (2,700m/8,907ft), which is located straight in front of the Citadel of Machu Picchu.
Once there, we enjoy the unique perspective of Machu Picchu from far away. Then we hike downhill for 2 hours to the hydroelectric plant where we have lunch. We continue to walk to Aguas Calientes through the National Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, enjoying the surroundings of the iconic Machu Picchu and the wall, which surrounds the Inca Citadel.
Meals: Breakfast, Boiled water for drinking, Snack, Lunch – Afternoon Tea time – Dinner
Accommodation: Wiracocha Inn Hotel or Andean Terra Hotel
Distance: 18kms/11.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenge
Today’s Highlights: Your excitement for our rendezvous at Machu Picchu will rise as we are hiking early in the morning through the forest to reach the site before most other tourists – even the Inca Trail trekkers!! You will have plenty of time to explore this truly magnificent World Wonder while you enjoy the beautiful sunrise from this once-in-a-lifetime viewpoint. Your group will learn about this mystical place in a two-hour guided tour of the ruins. Afterwards, you can opt to climb Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu Mountain (if you have pre-booked tickets) or walk to the Sun Gate or Inca Bridge (without extra tickets).
We will have breakfast at 5am and take the first bus to Machu Picchu, just in time for sunrise. It will take half an hour to reach the Machu Picchu archeological site, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site: An unforgettable experience you will never forget. Your guide will expertly direct you through the astounding vestiges and its main streets.
After the guided tour, you will have some free time to wander around the town squares as well as to do some of the following activities on your own:
Climb up Huayna Picchu and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there Climb Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there Walk to the Sun Gate or Inti Punku Visit the new local museum or the hot springs in Aguas Calientes later in the day. Then you will descend to Aguas Calientes, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and at 4:22pm, you will board the Expedition train for the return trip to Cusco, stopping at the Ollantaytambo station and taking our private van back to Cusco and your hotel, arriving at about 8pm
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Sarah M
December 5, 2025
Percy was a fantastic guide, and the whole hike to Choquequirao was magical. The route was very varied and Percy timed everything perfectly so that we had the best hiking and time to explore the site when we got there. We will be back again!
Arthur S
December 5, 2024
Our hike to Choquequirao was a beautiful experience. Our guide Percy was well informed, kind and very knowledgable. We felt well looked after the entire time (the cups of tea delivered to our tents in the morning were a particular highlight). Even after four days I wasn’t ready to leave.
Miguel A
November 25, 2024
Nos gusto mucho esta agencia de viaje, nos la recomendaron y nos quedamos con una buena experiencia, muy profesionales, todo en tiempo y cumpliendo con lo contratado. Sin duda los recomendamos y volvemos con ellos.
marialaina p
November 23, 2024
We initially tried booking with one of the more popular companies, but they were fully booked. So, we decided to give this smaller company a try—and it turned out to be the best decision! Smaller groups made the experience more intimate, and the guides were incredibly attentive. Here are some examples of why it was a great experience: Percy and Iza, our tour guides, went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed and cared for. They paid close attention to our needs, making the entire journey enjoyable and safe. On top of that, the cooks provided by the company were outstanding—creative, skilled, and very considerate. I have a gluten intolerance, and I felt very special because they would make an effort to prepare separate dishes for me. It made me feel truly valued. Despite not exercising much before the Salkantay trek, I was able to complete it thanks to Percy and Iza’s support. They motivated me every step of the way, and I felt safe and cared for throughout. I’m so grateful for their kindness, humor, history about the trek and professionalism. When we go back to Cusco we’re definitely wanting to book here and have Iza/Percy as our guides… if we can . Thanks for making our trip so memorable
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