Choose your adventure
we'll take care of everything else

You are here: Private Long Treks > Choquekiraw - Machu Picchu Trek 11d/10n

Choquekiraw - Machu Picchu Trek 11d/10n

When faced with the Spanish invasion, Inka rebels lead by Manco Inka II travelled to the Vilcabamba mountain range, using it as their last hiding place during the resistence, and staying hidden for almost 40 years. The site of Choqekiraw was possibly used by this last Inka dynasty.

The Archaeological parks of Choqekiraw and Machu Picchu are located in a chain of mountains dominated by the Apu (Sacred Mountain) Salkantay, linked by a spectacular trail full of history, geography, flora and fauna. The scenery will take our breath away.

For this alternative Inka trail it is necessary to be in good shape, as the walk is classified as CHALLENGING, including steep climbs, long descents and high mountain passes over 4600 masl/ 15091 ft. The path takes us over muddy and rocky terrain.

The best time of year to visit this area is between the months of March and November; is it mainly dry, nights are cold (0ºC / 32ºF), and solar radiation is strong during the day (25ºC / 77ºF). We also operate during the rainy season as we have the equipment to face an adverse climate.

Program itinerary

Day 1: Cuzco - Tarawasi - Saywite - Cachora

We leave the city of Cuzco early heading north west, towards the Apurimac region. We cross the pampa of Anta or Yawarpampa (“Blood pampa” – so called because of the fierce battle that took place here between the Inkas and the Chankas, from which the Inka Cusi Yupanqui, later known as Pachacutek, emerged victorious). Then we cross the mountains to access the Limatambo valley and its famous archaeological site of Tarawasi.
We follow the Apurimac River to the town of Curahuasi which is known for its famous aniseed liquor.
An unmissable site to visit is the enigmatic Saywite rock, possibly a representation of the Andean Kay Pacha. We continue on our route, which brings us to the town of San Pedro de Cachora, where we spend the night.

Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2: Cachora - Chikiska

We begin our walk early in the morning crossing the Cachora valley, to reach the dirt-track which will lead us to the Capuliyoc lookout, where we will have a spectacular view of the Apurimac Canyon and of Choqekiraw. After a snack and a short reast, we begin our descent, to a place called Cocamasana where we will have lunch. We continue our descent, crossing a forest of native trees named Phati full of bromeliads and spectacular flora. We arrive at the campsite of Chikiska, which has toilet facilities and a cold shower. Dinner and overnight.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 2900 masl / 9514 ft

Minimum Altitude: 1836 masl / 6024 ft

Distance Travelled: 19 km / 11.80 miles

Approximate Walking Time: 6 hrs

Day 3: Chikiska - Choqekiraw

We leave very early in the morning to avoid the blazing midday sun. We descend to the Apurimac River to cross over the Playa Rosalinda brigde. Here our climb to Choqekiraw begins. We pass by Santa Rosa, where we will meet our good friend Julian who owns agricultural land and a small shop where we can buy anything from water to rehydrating drinks.
We continue uphill until we reach Marampata; now we are getting close to Choqekiraw. We will have lunch here and rest, enjoying the wonderful view of the Apurimac River and Choqekiraw, to then continue on a path of short uphill and downhill sections until we arrive at the INC campsite. Dinner and overnight.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 3061 masl / 10043 ft

Minimum Altitude: 1836 masl / 6024 ft

Distance Travelled: 14 km / 8.69 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 8 hrs

Day 4: Choqekiraw

After a good rest and a delicious breakfast, we will have the whole day to explore the ruins of Choqekiraw, visiting the principal complex for around 6 hours. We will then return to the campsite to have lunch, and in the afternoon we will visit the lower part of the complex. Dinner and overnight.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Choqekiraw - Pinchaunuyoq

We will have a short extra visit to the principal complex, and then continue our walk towards Pinchiunuyoq. After an uphill stretch climbing through a wood of native trees, we arrive at a pampa before the descent to Pinchiunuyoq, where we will have lunch and in the afternoon we will visit this archaeological site. Dinner and overnight.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 3300 masl / 10826 ft

Minimum Altitude: 2500 masl / 8202 ft

Distance Travelled: 4.50 km / 2.97 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 6 hrs

Day 6: Pinchaunuyoq - Rio Blanco - Maizal

We leave very early in the morning, and descend to the Rio Blanco. We cross the river and climb up to the small village of Maizal, through a wood of native trees, where we have the chance to observe various species of birds.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 3012 masl / 9881 ft

Minimum Altitude: 1500 masl / 4921 ft

Distance Travelled: 5.20 km / 3.23 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 6 hrs

Day 7: Maizal – Highpass Mina Victoria – Yanama

We leave our campsite and continue uphill, crossing a beautiful forest of native trees on a stone path before arriving at the high-pass Mina Victoria, where we will have a spectacular view of the cordillera of the snow-capped peaks of Choqetacarpo and Pumasillo. We descend to our lunch spot and after a brief rest, we continue on to the community of Yanama, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 4200 masl / 13779 ft

Minimum Altitude: 3800 masl / 12467 ft

Distance Travelled: 8 km / 4.97 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 7 hrs

Day 8: Yanama - Abra Apacheta - Totora

The big day. We leave early and climb up the ravine of the Yanama River upriver. It begins as a gentle slope and becomes steeper and steeper as we approach the high-pass. We can appreciate a beautiful contrast of ecological levels as we arrive in the puna, to then descend into the Totora River Valley, where we will have dinner and spend the night in the community of Totora.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 4600 masl / 15091 ft

Minimum Altitude: 2860 masl / 9383 ft

Distance Travelled: 18.32 km / 11.38 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 9 hrs

Day 9: Totora - Colpapampa - Playa Santa Teresa

We leave very early in the morning, following the We leave very early in the morning, following the Totora River towards the point where it meets the Chalan River, to then follow it downstream to the Santa Teresa River. Exuberant vegetation and beautiful waterfalls line our path to the playa Santa Teresa.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 2860 masl / 9383 ft

Minimum Altitude: 2088 masl / 6850 ft

Distance Travelled: 8 km / 4.97 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 6 hrs

Day 10: Playa Santa Teresa - Llaqtapata - Hidro - Aguas Calientes

After breakfast we say goodbye to our mule-handlers, and begin our walk to Lucma area where we will take a path to the archaeological site of Llaqtapata. We climb up through beautiful coffee plantations and native trees, to arrive at this interesting place, from where we can see both Machu Picchu and the Apu Salkantay.
We descend to the Aobamba River valley, to get to the train station at the Hydroelectric plant, and take our train to Aguas Calientes. Accommodation in chosen hotel.

Meals: breakfast and lunch

Maximum Altitude: 3000 masl / 9842 ft

Minimum Altitude: 1800 masl / 5905 ft

Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6.21 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 2 hrs (by car)

Day 11: Tour of Machu Picchu – Return to Cuzco

Early in the morning we take the bus from the town of Aguas Calientes to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. We will have the option to climb up the Huayna Picchu mountain, which is difficult, but rewards us with spectacular and different views, it is even possible to see the Apu Salkantay.
The tour of Machu Picchu will allow us to understand what a high level of development the Andean civilization achieved under the Inkas.
A supreme religious site, Machu Picchu demonstrates the superior knowledge achieved in astronomy and astrology. This knowledge is indispensable for measuring weather cycles (rainy and dry seasons) through the solstices, for the development of agricultural activity; the primary means of survival in the Andes. We will try to spend as long as possible in the archaeological complex, depending upon what time our train leaves to return to the city of Cuzco.

Meals: ---

Maximum Altitude: 2437 masl / 7995 ft

Minimum Altitude: 2070 masl / 6791 ft

Distance Travelled: 1.50 km / 0.93 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 3 hrs

Services included

• Private tourist transportation Cuzco - Cachora
• Guide service in Spanish/ English
• Sleeping bag per person (-10 ºC - Eureka - Cimarron - mummy form, our sleeping bags are cleaned after every use)
• Sleeping liner
• Pillow
• Inflatable sleeping pad (Therm A Rest)
• Cook and assistant
• Cooking equipment
• Snacks
• Daily tea service
• Dining equipment including chairs and tables (Travel Chair)
• Cooking, eating and bathroom (The Pett) tents
• Portable enviromental toilet (The Pett)
• Food (9 breakfast, 10 lunch, 9 dinner) - nutritionally balanced menu
• Vegetarian menu at no extra cost
• Two person tents (3-people capacity tent used as doubles - Eureka - K2 XT - 4 seasons)
• Single tents available for extra cost
• Mule-handlers
• Mules
• Saddled horse (for every 6 passengers there is one saddled horse)
• One Pachatusantrek kit of 100% biodegradable products (toiletries)
• First-aid kit
• Emergency oxygen bottle
• Pachatusantrek water resistant duffel bag for carrying personal stuff (on loan)
• Pre departure briefing
• Train ticket Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
• Round trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu
• Train ticket Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo
• Private tourist transportation Ollanta – Cuzco

Services not included

• Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Not mentioned meals
• Extra costs
• Evacuation expenses
• Optional tip for field staff

We recommend that you bring

• Water-resistant trekking shoes and sandals
• Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat, gloves, socks)
• Waterproof clothing (poncho)
• Synthetic or cotton clothing (socks, trousers, shorts, t-shirts)
• Sunhat and sunglasses
• Sun cream and insect repellent
• Water bottles such as Nalgene
• Basic medications
• Walking sticks
• Swimsuit and towel
• Personal items
• Personal snacks
• Previous acclimatization in Cuzco city, for at least 2 days and general good health. Pachatusantrek offers easy one day and half day routes which can be completed before the main trek
• DNI / Original Passport

Please note

• This program can be shortened in one day by cutting the day 1 (visit to Saywite and Tarawasi) and going straight to Cachora to start the trek to Chikiska
• The distances, times and campsites are for reference, they may be modified by our field staff, depending on the group.

Booking and information

• Booking and information

Important Environmental Note

Pachatusantrek is committed to following the principles of ecotourism in our operations, and request the understanding and cooperation of trekkers, especially by not contaminating the waters and in the adequate disposal of non-biodegradable waste. We must also respect the customs and traditions of the local people.

“With the protection of mother earth and the permission of the apus …”