Choquequirao Trek & Machu Picchu 6D/5N

Itinerary 

 Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoq – La Playa

The trip will begin with the pick up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:50 am. Our journey to the first point of the trek in Capuliyoq lasts 4 hours. Once we arrive, our trek will truly begin. For the rest of the day, we will walk for approximately 5 hours downhill until we reach our camp on Rosalína beach located at 1578 meters.

Walking Distance: 18 km
Campsite Elevation: 1,800 m
Weather: Hot and Dry

 Day 2: Playa Rosalína – choquequirao

We will start our hike very early. Before leaving, our staff will have breakfast ready and after we eat, we will then continue with our walk to Choquequirao. This site is located at 3,050 meters, and once we arrive, we will spend the night surrounded by impressive views.

Walking Distance: 16 km /9.16 m
Weather: Hot
Meals Included: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Happy Hour, and Dinner.

Day 3: explore the majestic choquequirao

We will begin this exciting day with a delicious morning coffee (or tea) and a classic Andean breakfast. Following this, we will then explore the sacred ruins of Choquequirao. Without a doubt, there is a lot of history on this site and many mysteries in these ruins’ past. Our guide will tell you all the fabulous stories of the these sacred ruins and you will find yourself immersed in the deep history of this ancient site’s past. Once the exploration is finished, we will return to our camp to have a delicious lunch and then additional free time for you to explore the area, before we stay overnight at this camp.

Weather: Hot and Humid
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Happy Hour and Dinner

 Day 4: choquequirao – marampata – chickiska

After rising early and enjoying how beautiful Choquequirao is, we will continue with our return to Cusco. We will have a 4 hour walk back to the Apurimac canyon, after which we will arrive at our chikiska camp located at 1, 985 meters. This is where we will spend our last night, surrounded by beautiful views and a charming landscape that is hard to find anywhere else in the world.

Trekking distance: 18 km/11.32 m
Weather: Hot and humid with mosquitoes
Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Happy Hour, and Dinner are all included.

 Day 5: chikiska – capuliyoq – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

After an early breakfast, you’ll prepare to return to Cusco. It will be a four-hour uphill hike until you reach the end of the trek, where you will enjoy your final lunch with your tour guide, porters, and horsemen. You’ll say goodbye to your Alpaca Expeditions team and then travel with your tour guide to Ollantaytambo to catch the 3:36 p.m. train to Aguas Calientes.

When you arrive in Aguas Calientes, you will be taken to your hotel and then to a restaurant for a delicious dinner.

Walking Distance: 8 km /4.17 m
Weather: Hot and humid
Meals Included: Breakfast, snacks, and lunch

 Day 6: Lost City Machu Picchu – Cusco 

Today is the most crucial day of your Choquequirao adventure. To make the most of the day, AltitudExperience recommends that all groups eat breakfast early before boarding one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu (starting at 5:30 a.m.). While in Machu Picchu, the hotel will store your luggage. You will only need to bring your backpack with you to Machu Picchu. It will take approximately 30 minutes to travel from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu by bus.

When you arrive in Machu Picchu, your local guide will take you directly to a well-known location where you will be able to photograph the sunrise. After that, your guide will show you around the main parts of the citadel for a 2.5-hour guided walking tour. During this guided tour, you will learn more about the Inca Empire’s history and culture.

At the end of the tour, you’ll have some time to wonder or, if you’ve arranged to hike Huayna Picchu* (must be booked in advance, as it sells out and costs $75 per person), your guide will show you where to start this hike, which will take no more than 2 hours round-trip.

AltitudExperience always recommends returning to Aguas Calientes no later than 2 hours before your train departure from Machu Picchu. The return train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo will take about 2 hours. Our Altitude- Staff will be waiting for you right outside the station’s exit door in Ollantaytambo, ready to drive you back to Cusco. The car ride will take about 2 hours and will drop you off at your hotel in Cusco.

Included/Not Included

Included

Tour guide who speaks English

Our private transportation will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the trailhead.

Trekking briefing with your guide at 6:30 p.m. on the night before departure.

You will be given your personal porter’s duffel bags.

Porters, cooks, horsemen, and horses.

Personal Porter capable of carrying up to 8kg/16 pounds (we provide a duffel bag).

Hiking equipment includes a four-person tent, a dining tent, a kitchen tent, chairs, a table, and a foam mat.

Every day, all meals: breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner, and snacks
There is vegetarian food available.

Every day, I drink water (you can fill up your water bottle three times a day at breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

First-aid supplies

Tank of oxygen

Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

Choqueuiraw Inca ruins and Machu Picchu ruins admission fees

Last night’s hotel in the village of Aguas Calientes

Guided tours of Machu Picchu and Choquequirao

The train journey back to Ollantaytambo and the bus ride to Cusco.

This Choquequirao tour is run by us (minimum of two people required)
Satellite Phones Taxes:

Not Included

Last day lunch

 Rentals: every Traveler needs a sleeping bag when camping. Inflatable air mattresses and poles are recommended. If you don’t want to bring any of the above, they are all available to rent:

Inflatable air mattress: $ 15

Poles: $ 10

Sleeping bag: $ 20

Daypacks: the agency does not provide backpacks, so you must bring your own. Note; Machupicchu does not allow the entry of backpacks more than 25 pounds.

Flashlights (lamps): it is recommended to bring flashlights for camping or lighthouses

Tips: Tips are always considered, and should be based on your travel satisfaction (not required)

Travel insurance: Travel insurance is recommended, but it is not mandatory, normally many people get sick with altitude sickness, so we recommend adapting 1 day or 2 days.

Price 

Price Tour

• $ 809 per persons

This means the journey is open for other Altitude travelers to join you. Our guide is prepared for different walking rhythms.

• Required pre-payment: $ 200 per person
• Balance in Cusco: commonly pay in cusco after the briefing

Student discount 

The student discount only applies  for people who present a valid UNIVERSITY CARD. Minors 17 years old or younger. We need you to send us a copy of your university ID Tt award the discount. For children 17 years old and under, we need a copy of passport. More Information about STUDENT CARD

• Discount: $ 30 per person

 Vistadome Train

All our services include the regular train service, Expeditions or Voyager. The vistadome train or panoramic train is an upgraded train.

• Vistadome train: $ 75 per person

 Huayna Picchu

This mountain is a 50 minute walk to the top and another 50 minutes return. If you are planning to do this hike on your own, your guide will give you all the information you need. An additional ticket is required for this hike and we can reserve it for you.

• Ticket to Huaynapicchu:  75$ per person

Importan Information 

1. Altitude in Cusco

People begin to worry about altitude sickness as soon as they reserve their trip to Peru, specifically Cusco. Because there is less oxygen in the air at high altitudes than there is at sea level, your body must work harder to get the oxygen it needs. Your body becomes accustomed to the lower oxygen content of the air over a period of days at a high altitude.

You could initially experience the illness or a hangover when suffering from altitude sickness. You can get headaches, exhaustion, a loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty breathing while exercising. Please get in touch with our office if any of these side effects worsen, and we’ll assist you find a doctor.

These symptoms will typically be slight. Always ease into action gradually to give your body time to acclimate. Drink a lot of liquids, such as coca tea or water. Since ancient times, coca tea has been used to help avoid altitude sickness.

The coca plant’s leaves contain alkaloids that assist your body absorb oxygen and ward off the effects of altitude sickness. A lot of alcohol and caffeine should be avoided.

They will make you urinate more frequently and dehydrate you. Don’t smoke. Your body has a harder time getting oxygen when you smoke. Don’t use sleeping medicines. Your body may have a harder time absorbing oxygen when you sleep as a result of their potential for shallow breathing at night.

To assist prevent altitude sickness, your doctor may recommend medications like acetazolamide and dexamethasone. Two days before you travel to a high altitude, begin taking the medication. While you are at a high altitude, keep taking it.

2. Getting to Cusco

All international passengers by plane must disembark in Lima and pass through Customs because the airport in Cusco is currently only for local flights. You must pick up your luggage in Lima and then check them back in, even if your trip from there to Cusco is on the same day and with the same airline.

The best way to go to Cusco is by plane, and there are many airlines to choose from. Although LAN generally offers the most options and flights, it is also the most expensive. Be prepared for flight delays or cancellations.

3. Weather in cusco

Of course, the weather is erratic. In Cusco, the dry season typically lasts from April through October, but be prepared because it can rain in June or get sunny in December.

Please make sure you have rain gear, including a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves, no matter what month you are taking the journey.

Consider the four seasons as well. You should be prepared for all four seasons as many of the climbs over the Andes entail numerous microclimates.

Always wear layers since they make it simple to adapt to changing temperatures. Please be ready with a heavy, winter-weight jacket because evenings will always be chilly.

4. Luggage Storage

Your luggage allowance is still restricted owing to railway regulations even if this is an overnight train vacation. To be transported to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu), all bags must fit in a carry-on.

While you trek, you can leave any additional luggage in Cusco at your hotel or with us at the Alpaca Expeditions deposit. On the morning of your tour, we will collect from you and return after you have reached Cusco. Make sure your baggage are identified in some way so they can be found easily.

5. First Aid

AltitudExperience guide has completed a physician-led first aid course. Every February, we hold a training session that is required for all ALTITUDE guides. When guiding you, they’ll have oxygen and a first aid pack for common medical emergencies including traveler’s diarrhea and cuts and scrapes.

In the event that anything unforeseen occurs and you feel you are unable to finish the walk, they will plan the fastest and safest route off the trail to a clinic. You won’t ever be on your own; a team member will accompany you at all times until you reach a doctor in a safe location. We’ll make sure you still have the opportunity to see Machu Picchu and get back in touch with your group when you’re feeling up to it.

6. Environmental Impact

AltitudExperience carries all of our trash back to Cusco and uses biodegradable soap. Our staff are taught to maintain the trail and collect any trash left by other groups. Additionally, we employ chemical portable restrooms that allow us to pack trash out. Leaving no trace is something we highly support.