PRESENTATION
Summary Short Description: Eight days of trekking connecting Choquequirao with Machu Picchu along ancestral trails. You descend into the Apurímac canyon, climb to the Cradle of Gold, cross the San Juan Pass at 4,650 meters with views of the Choquetacarpo glacier, and finish at the wonder of the world. 100 kilometers of mountain. Two Inca citadels. One single expedition.
Duration | 10 days / 9 nights |
Distance | Approximately 120 km |
Minimum altitude | 1,000 m (Espíritu Pampa) |
Maximum altitude | 4,650 m (San Juan Pass) |
Difficulty | Very High |
Starting point | Cachora (2,900 m) |
Ending point | Cusco (train from Machu Picchu) |
Group size | 2 to 6 people |
Departures | May, June, July, August, September, October |
This expedition tells the complete story of the Inca empire through its three most important sites.
Choquequirao, the Cradle of Gold, represents splendor. Built at the same time as Machu Picchu, it was a ceremonial center and stronghold of the Inca elite. Its terraces with llamas carved in white stone exist nowhere else in the world.
Vilcabamba, the Last Refuge, represents resistance. Here the empire survived for 36 years after the conquest. You will visit Vitcos-Rosaspata, Manco Inca’s palace; the White Rock of Ñustahispana, a sacred ceremonial center; and Espíritu Pampa, the true lost city where the resistance ended in 1572.
Machu Picchu, the Old Mountain, represents eternity. The citadel the whole world knows, but which you will arrive to see after nine days of walking, with a perspective no bus tourist can ever have.
Ten days that cross all the ecological zones of Peru: from the 4,650 meters of the San Juan Pass to the 1,000 meters of the Espíritu Pampa jungle. Fewer than 200 people per year complete this route.
Distance: 12 km
Elevation change: -1,500 m
Walking time: 6–7 hours
Departure from Cusco at 5:00 in the morning. 4-hour private vehicle transfer to Cachora. Breakfast in Cachora with views of the Padreyoc snow-capped peak.
Registration at Capuliyoc and start of the trek. The trail descends into the Apurímac canyon. Lunch at Cocamasana with panoramic views.
Arrival at Chiquisca (1,900 m) in the late afternoon. Camp setup. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Accommodation: Camping in Chiquisca | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 8 km
Elevation change: +1,500 m
Walking time: 6–7 hours
Early breakfast. Descent to Playa Rosalina (1,550 m). Crossing of the Apurímac River.
Demanding 5–6 hour ascent to Choquequirao. Brief rest at Marampata with the first view of the ruins.
Arrival at Choquequirao (3,050 m) at midday. Lunch. First exploration of the main sector. Sunset on the terraces.
Dinner and overnight at the campsite within the complex.
Accommodation: Camping in Choquequirao | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 10 km
Elevation change: +400 m / -600 m
Time: 6 hours
Optional sunrise at the ruins. Breakfast.
Morning dedicated to exploring the llama sector with its 24 decorated terraces, the priests’ quarter, and the viewpoints over the canyon.
Lunch at the site. In the afternoon, walk toward Pinchauniyoc.
Dinner and overnight in tents.
Accommodation: Camping in Pinchauniyoc | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 16 km
Elevation change: +1,600 m / -950 m
Time: 8–9 hours
The most demanding day. Departure at 5:30.
5-hour ascent to the San Juan Pass (4,650 m). Views of the Choquetacarpo glacier and snow-capped peaks. Possibility of spotting condors.
3–4 hour descent to Yanama (3,700 m). Approximate arrival at 4:30.
Dinner and overnight in tents.
Accommodation: Camping in Yanama | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 12 km
Elevation change: -700 m
Time: 5–6 hours
Departure at 7:00. Gradual descent into the Vilcabamba valley. The landscape shifts to a more temperate climate.
Lunch along the way. Arrival at Huancacalle (3,000 m) in the afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at a local guesthouse.
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Huancacalle | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 8 km
Elevation change: +400 m / -400 m
Time: 5–6 hours
Day dedicated to the Vilcabamba sites.
Walk to Vitcos, the palace where Manco Inca governed the resistance. Guided tour of the ruins.
Continuation to Ñustahispana, the White Rock. An enormous carved granite rock with ceremonial staircases and channels. Sacred spring. Lunch beside the rock.
Return to Huancacalle. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Huancacalle | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 15 km
Elevation change: -1,500 m
Time: 7–8 hours
Departure at 5:30. Descent into the high jungle.
Arrival at Espíritu Pampa (1,000 m), the true Vilcabamba. The last refuge of the empire. Over 400 structures covered by the jungle. 2-hour guided tour.
Lunch at the site. Continuation to Chaunquiri (1,200 m).
Dinner and overnight at a basic guesthouse.
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Chaunquiri | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: 6–7 hours by vehicle
Early breakfast. Departure by vehicle to Quillabamba (3 hours). Brief stop.
Continuation to Santa Teresa passing through the Abra Málaga (4,200 m). Arrival in the late afternoon.
Free time to visit the Cocalmayo hot springs.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel in Santa Teresa | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: 30 min by vehicle + 1.5 hours by train
Free morning to rest or return to the hot springs.
Midday transfer to the Hidroeléctrica train station. Train to Aguas Calientes.
Arrival in the late afternoon. Free time.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Time at Machu Picchu: 3–4 hours
Transport: Bus + train
Departure at 5:30. Bus up to Machu Picchu. Entry at 6:00.
2-hour guided tour. Free time until 10:00.
Bus descent to Aguas Calientes. Lunch at your own expense.
14:55 train to Ollantaytambo. Transfer to Cusco. Approximate arrival at 18:00.
End of services.
Meals: Breakfast
From $1,850 USD per person Price based on a group of 4 or more people.
Group size | Price per person |
2 people | $2,250 USD |
3 people | $2,000 USD |
4+ people | $1,850 USD |
Private group | Contact us |
Not recommended as a first trekking experience in Peru.
Ideal for:
Very High This is a serious expedition. 120 kilometers in 10 days. A mountain pass at 4,650 meters. Descent into high jungle at 1,000 meters. Remote areas with no tourist infrastructure. Variable accommodation conditions.
May, June, July, August, September, and October only. Confirm dates a minimum of 4 weeks in advance. Not operated: November to April
ADDRESS: Cusco – PE
PHONE: +51 999 999 999
EMAIL: info@choquequirao-treks.com
Choquequirao Expeditions – Part of My Peru Destinations Group © 2026 All rights reserved
