DAY 1: Cusco – Capuliyoc- Rosaspata Bajo
Your journey begins with a convenient hotel pick-up in Cusco, where our tourist car awaits. We’ll be heading westward from the city, embarking on a scenic 4-hour drive. Our destination is the quaint community of Capuliyoc, where the real adventure towards Choquequirao and Machu Picchu commences. Get ready to explore the wonders ahead as we set the stage for an unforgettable experience, starting from this charming starting point.
Our trek kicks off towards the community of Rosaspata, where we’ll set up camp for the night. The initial leg of the journey spans approximately 4 hours, leading us to our lunch spot, Coca Masana. Here, our team will have access to water for meal preparation. After a rejuvenating lunch break, we’ll resume our hike to the Apurimac Valley, a captivating 1-hour stretch. Upon reaching the valley, a breathtaking view of the Apurimac River unfolds, marking the division between the Cusco and Apurimac regions.
As we traverse along the lakeside, the trail unveils a rich display of flora and fauna. The landscape is adorned with spectacular views of towering mountains such as Padriyoc, Pumasillo, and the majestic Salkantay. This full-day trek promises not just a physical journey but an immersive experience, where the beauty of nature intertwines with the cultural and geographical richness of the Peruvian landscape.
- Meals included: lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
- Accommodation: camping tent
- Hiking time: 7 hours
- Distance to cover: 14 km/ 8.5 miles
- Difficulty: moderate / challenge
DAY 2 : Rosaspata Bajo – Marampata – Choquequirao
Start your day with an invigorating cup of coca tea, gearing up for the challenges ahead. Follow it up with a delicious Andean breakfast that captures the local flavors perfectly. Our journey commences as we trek uphill towards the community of Maraampata. Along the way, encounter local vendors offering refreshing drinks and snacks for solo trekkers. The initial stretch takes around 2.5 hours, leading us to Marampata.
Continuing onward, a 2 hour hike brings us to the Choquequirao camp. Enjoy an early lunch, leaving plenty of time to explore the mesmerizing Inca city. Dive into the rich history of Choquequirao as you wander through its ancient ruins during the midday. In the afternoon, savor hot tea and later indulge in a satisfying dinner against the backdrop of these stunning surroundings. Prepare for a peaceful night’s sleep in this remarkable setting.
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
- Accommodation: camping tent
- Hiking time: 7 hours
- Distance to cover: 12 km / 7 miles
- Difficulty: challenge
Day 3: Choquequirao – Rio Blanco – Maizal
On the third day, we are in for a spectacular journey, exploring the heart of this Choquequirao complex, one of its main attractions known as the ‘Ceremonial Center of the Llamas.’ This features impressive Inca architecture. After our exploration, we’ll head back up to the higher part of the Choquequirao site for lunch along the way, before embarking on a downhill trek towards the White River and Maizal.
A descent of about 2 hours will bring us to the White River, from where we’ll then ascend uphill to reach Maizal, where we’ll set up camp for the night. It’s a truly breathtaking location in the Andes of Peru.
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
- Accommodation: camping tent
- Hiking time: 8 hours
- Distance to cover: 13 km /8.07 miles
DAY 4. Maizal – Minas Victoria – Yanama
Start your day with a cup of coca mate, and within 30 minutes, get ready for breakfast before embarking on a hike towards the Yanama community. The path leads uphill to the ‘Paso de Victoria’ (Victory Pass). Along this journey, you’ll encounter fascinating tunnels carved into the mountains and large rocks, considered as Incaic gold and silver mines. The Incas utilized these locations to extract minerals for adorning their temples and palaces.
This day promises not only a historical journey but also a challenge for each individual facing the reality of the trek. Soak in the captivating scenery and delve into the rich history, turning this day into a memorable adventure in the heart of the Andes.
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
- Accommodation: camping tent
- Hiking time: 8 hours
- Distance to cover: 12 km /7. 5 miles
DAY 5: Yayanama – Mariano LLamoca – Collpapampa
This day will prove to be quite challenging for each of us, as the journey is long and filled with numerous surprises along the way until we reach the Mariano Llamoca Pass. From there, it’s a descent all the way to the Totora community and the Salkantay Valley, leading us to our campsite named Collpapampa.
Prepare for a day of adventure and discovery as we navigate diverse landscapes, tackling the highs and lows of the trail. The trek promises not only physical challenges but also breathtaking vistas and the satisfaction of conquering each step towards our camp in the scenic Collpapampa.
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
- Accommodation: camping tent
- Distance to cover: 25 km /15.5 miles
- Difficulty: challenge
DAY 6 . Collpapampa – Playa – Hot Spring Santa Teresa
This day presents a unique challenge as we venture into the Cusco jungle. Our trek will span only half a day, concluding with lunch in the picturesque Playa or Lucmabamba Valley. This area is home to local coffee farmers who cultivate these lands. After a delightful lunch, we’ll hop on a local vehicle to reach the town of Santa Teresa and the renowned Cocal Mayo hot springs.
Following our triumphs, it’s time to unwind by indulging in the soothing warmth of these natural baths. A truly enticing experience awaits in this captivating locale, where we can relax and rejuvenate amidst stunning surroundings.
- Meals inccluded: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
- Accommodation: camping tent
- Distance to cover: 8 km /4.9 miles
- Difficulty: moderate / easy
DAY 7: Hot Spring – Hidroeléctrico- Aguas Calientes
On this day, as we draw near to the illustrious Incan city of Machu Picchu, our morning will commence with a local transport journey after breakfast, leading us to the Hydroelectric station. Here, we’ll share a final lunch prepared by our skilled chef, marking the conclusion of our culinary journey with the team. Post-lunch, we bid farewell to our dedicated crew and set out on a three-hour trek towards the town of Aguas Calientes, also known as the Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Navigating the train tracks, we make our way to the mentioned village, where we will soon embark on the final leg of our expedition, eagerly anticipating the awe-inspiring visit to the iconic Machu Picchu.
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Accommodation: hotel in machu picchu town
- Distance to cover: 18 km/11.1 miles
- Difficulty: Easy hike
DAY 8: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu Ruins – Cusco
On our final day, we come together as a team for the ultimate challenge: to revel in the marvel of the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
Our morning begins with transportation from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu ruins. Once there, we’ll embark on a 3-hour guided tour of this historic and sacred site, delving into its rich history and significance. Following the guided exploration, we’ll return to the village for a well-deserved lunch.
From there, we board the train for our journey back to the city of Cusco, marking the culmination of our adventure exploring both Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. Join us for an unforgettable experience blending history, culture, and the breathtaking landscapes of Peru.
