Choquequirao Trek To Machu Picchu 6 days 5 nights

Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoc – Chikiska – Rosalina Beach
We leave Cusco at 3 a.m. in our minivan for a 4-hour trip passing through Anta, Limatambo, and Cachora, small villages along the way, until we reach Capuliyoc, the starting point of the hike, located on the edge of the Apurimac Canyon and surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks. We then descended for 3 hours until we reached Chikiska where we had lunch. We continued our hike for another hour to Playa Rosalinas, the lowest point, and then began the ascent to the Santa Roza camp. On this stretch, it can get quite hot due to the canyon, so it is highly recommended to bring plenty of water to stay well hydrated.

Time: approximately 10 hours of walking.
Minimum altitude: 1,500 meters above sea level, Playa Rosalina.
Maximum altitude: 2,945 meters above sea level, Santa Rosa.
Distance traveled: 11 kilometers.
Climate: temperate, warm.

Day 2: Santa Roza – Marampata – Choquequirao.
Our adventure begins after breakfast, when we start the approximately 3-hour ascent. The trail is surrounded by dense vegetation with several varieties of orchids. We then arrive at Marampata, a small village with families dedicated to tourism, where we take a short break and enjoy our first view of the Choquequirao archaeological complex. We then continue walking for another 2 hours to the Choquequirao camp.
Around 1:00 pm, we will have lunch at the camp, and then begin our visit to the archaeological sites in this area. In the afternoon, it is possible to see some condors flying around the archaeological site on their way home. Then we return to the camp for dinner in the evening, and thus end the day.

Time: approximately 10 hours of hiking.
Camp: Choquequirao at an altitude of 3,000 meters.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Minimum height: Santa Rosa at an altitude of 1,970 meters.
Maximum height: Marampata at an altitude of 3,000 meters.
Choquequirao height: 3000 meters above sea level.}
Climate: temperate and cold at night.

Day 3: Choquequirao – Rio Blanco – Maizal
After breakfast, we set off to begin our tour of the ruins of Choquequirao, visiting some of the sites once again. We then begin the ascent to the Choquequirao pass, a high point offering impressive views of the entire citadel, the adjacent canyon, and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. From here, we begin a 3-hour descent to the terraces of Pincha Unuyoc and then to the Río Blanco, where we will have lunch and a refreshing break by immersing ourselves in the cool waters. We will then make a steep climb back up to the small and beautiful campsite of Maizal at an altitude of 3,000 meters (9,840 feet). This day is probably the most difficult day of the trip. Around 6:00 PM, we will arrive at Maizal.

Time: approximately 10 hours of walking.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Minimum height: Rio Blanco at 1,900 meters.
Maximum height: Maizal at 3,000 meters.
Choquequirao height: 3000 meters above sea level.
Distance: 9 km.
Climate: Mild and cold at night.

Day 4: Maizal – Yanama – Totora – Lucmabamba
After a delicious breakfast, we will leave the camp in Maizal behind and make a final ascent through the ancient silver mines of La Victoria until we reach the highest pass on the route at Abra de San Juan. This route offers spectacular views of the Vilcabamba mountain range, where we will take a short break and enjoy our lunch.
Then we will continue along a charming and sometimes steep path to the Andean village of Yanama. In this village, we will have lunch and say goodbye to our muleteers, then board the vehicle that will be waiting for us to take us to the village of Lucmabamba. On the way, we will pass through the Abra Mariano, which is 4,600 meters high. In Lucmabamba, we will rest in the afternoon and have the opportunity to learn about and taste the coffee produced in this valley. In the evening, we will have dinner and spend the night.

Time: 6 hours of walking and 3 hours in a minivan.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Minimum height: Lucmabamba 2,000 meters above sea level.
Maximum height: Abra Mariano at 4600 meters above sea level.
Total distance: 40 km.
Climate: Temperate – warm – cold.

Day 5: Lucmabamba – Hydroelectric Plant – Aguas Calientes
After breakfast, we will take the Inca trail that is located between the coffee plantations and the forest. After climbing for 3 hours, we will arrive at a beautiful viewpoint called Mesa pata, from where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu. Then we begin the descent to the archaeological site of Llactapata, where we learn more about the history of this place. We then continue the descent to the hydroelectric plant for 3 hours and have our lunch.
After lunch, we will walk alongside the train tracks for approximately three hours until we reach the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will show you the hotel. In the evening, we will have dinner and rest.

Time: 10 hours of walking.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Camp: Aguas Calientes 2100msnm.
Minimum height: Aguas Calientes 2200 meters above sea level.
Maximum altitude: Mesapata 2800 meters above sea level.
Total distance: 22 km.
Climate: warm-temperate.

Day 6: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
This day will be the highlight of the trip due to the excitement of climbing Machu Picchu. Remember that there are several circuits for visiting the citadel and exploring this wonder.
In the morning, we will have breakfast and then walk to the bus station, board the bus, and arrive at the entrance after a 25-minute trip. Here, we will present our passports and entrance tickets to Machu Picchu and begin our visit to the entire archaeological site.
In the first few minutes, you can reach the most scenic spots for photos. After visiting the different temples inside, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of Chakana, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, and other places, After a 3-hour tour, we will return from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch and in the afternoon we will board the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo for a final 2-hour journey to the city of Cusco

Time: 25 minutes by bus and 3 hours guided tour.
Meals: breakfast.
Minimum height: Aguas Calientes 2,200 meters above sea level.
Machu Picchu: 2400 masl.
Total distance: 9 km.
Climate: warm.