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Cusco

CHOQUEQUIRAO AND MACHU PICCHU: THE LOST INCA CITADELS

Hiking

Category

7 Days

Duration

Intermediate

Experience

Intense

Fitness

From 1 to 12

Participants

What you'll do

The Choquequirao Trek and Machu Picchu Tour is Peru’s ultimate hidden Inca odyssey, unveiling two breathtaking historic ruins in one epic journey! Discover Choquequirao—Peru’s lesser-known gem with ruins vastly larger than Machu Picchu, reachable only by foot for an intimate, crowd-free dive into ancient Inca history and culture. We've combined this remote challenge with the 7th Wonder, Machu Picchu, from Cusco—crossing rugged trails on a multi-day adventure blending hiking, camping, and cultural immersion.

Itinerary

As soon as you arrive in Cusco, you’ll have a briefing with your guide at 6:00 PM, and you set into your hotel to rest after the journey. If you arrive earlier, enjoy a stroll through the city’s cobblestone streets, its mix of Inca and colonial architecture, and lively plazas. Have an early dinner and a good night’s sleep—your adventure begins the next morning.
Kick off your epic journey with an early 4-5 hour scenic drive from Cusco to Capuliyoc trailhead (pickup 4-4:30 AM). Meet your team for breakfast, then descend through stunning Apurimac Valley views—2 hours to Coca Masana lunch, followed by another 2 hours downhill to Chikiscca, a charming farming village with warm weather. Unwind with your first happy hour (tea & popcorn), dinner, and starry skies in cozy tents. Distance: 10 km (6.2 mi) | Elevation Gain/Loss: +130 m (+427 ft) / -1100 m (-3,609 ft) | Time: 3-4 hours
Rise at 5 AM to hot tea at your tent, breakfast, then 1.5 hours downhill to hot La Playa by the Apurimac River (dress light!). Cross the bridge, tackle a challenging 2-hour uphill to Santa Rosa for lunch at a local family home—sip fresh sugarcane juice. Push 2-3 more hours steeply up (guide's encouragement key) to jaw-dropping Marampata, with Andes panoramas, condors, and prime stargazing after dinner. Distance: 10 km (6.2 mi) | Elevation Gain/Loss: +1440 m (+4,724 ft) / -420 m (-1,378 ft) | Time: 5-6 hours
Luxury day: no full pack-up, as you stay another night at Marampata! Early breakfast, packed lunch, then 1.5-hour flat hike to Choquequirao—the "last Inca city," Machu Picchu's larger sister. Guided tour of highlights, free solo exploration (crowd-free magic), and newest farming terraces. Picnic amid ruins, return 1.5 hours to camp for happy hour, dinner, and rest. Distance: 8 km (5 mi) | Elevation Gain/Loss: +490 m (+1,608 ft) / -490 m (-1,608 ft) | Time: 4-6 hours
Energized after rest? 6 AM breakfast, then brace for the marathon: 2 hours downhill to Santa Rosa, 1 more to La Playa (use poles!), 1 hour up to Chikiscca lunch & siesta. Final 1 hour uphill to Cocamazana for well-earned rest in warmer vibes—happy hour, dinner, and hydration focus. Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi) | Elevation Gain/Loss: +800 m (+2,625 ft) / -1440 m (-4,724 ft) | Time: 5-6 hours
Early breakfast, 2 hours uphill to Capuliyoc trailhead—soak final Apurimac views and farewell lunch with team/horsemen. 4-hour drive to Ollantaytambo for chef's last dinner, then train to Aguas Calientes hotel (hot shower, real bed bliss!). Distance: 6 km (3.7 mi) | Elevation Gain/Loss: +730 m (+2,395 ft) / -110 m (-361 ft) | Time: 3-4 hours
The grand finale of your trek! After an early breakfast, you’ll board one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. Your guide will take you to the classic postcard viewpoint before leading a comprehensive tour through the citadel’s most iconic areas. Expect to learn about the Incas’ genius in architecture, spirituality, and engineering while soaking up breathtaking views. If you’ve pre-booked Huayna Picchu, you’ll enjoy an extra climb with stunning aerial perspectives. Afterward, return to Aguas Calientes for free time before catching the train to Ollantaytambo and a private transfer back to Cusco (ETA 7:30/8:00 PM), arriving in the evening with memories to last a lifetime. Distance: 10+ km (6.2+ mi) | Elevation Gain/Loss: +460 m (+1,509 ft) / –480 m (–1,574 ft) | Time: N/A (guided tours)

Important stuff

From the highest peaks to the hidden trails, we've got your back

Once you book, your trip is guaranteed to run, allowing you to book your flights with confidence.

Want to change your departure date or trip? No problem—enjoy maximum flexibility to make changes up to 60 days before departure.

Travel with peace of mind. Our insurance package covers accidents and rescue during outdoor activities, medical expenses, and luggage protection, as well as trip cancellations and 24/7 medical assistance from our insurance partner.

see more on How it works

What's included

Accident insurance
Medical and luggage insurance
Travel cancellation insurance
Cook to prepare meals
Pre-trip briefing in Cusco
Mules carry gear and your 7 kg of items
Hotel pick-up in central Cusco
Water after first 4 hours (bring your own initially)
Tent with tables and chairs for meals
Big shared tents for two (spacious for comfort)
Guidance by an experienced, English-speaking tour guide
Personal duffle bag provided for trek belongings (up to 7 kilos)
Porter service to carry duffle bags, accessible only at evening campsites
Round-trip bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
Return train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco on the Expedition class
Safety gear including a first aid kit, oxygen tank, and satellite phone for the trek
1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
First Aid
Snack
Accomodation in tents
Entrance fee
All Meals except one dinner
1 night in Cusco (3-star hotel)
Machu Picchu entrance
Flight
Visa (if applicable)
Transport from airport
Extra food and drinks
Everything not mentioned in the “What’s included”
Tips
Optional Huayna Picchu Mountain climb available for $75 per person, must be booked in advance
Expenditure of personal nature
Dinner on Day 1
All the meals not mentioned in the what's included section
Sleeping Bag rental: $30
Inflatable Air Mattress rental: $25
Walking Sticks (Pair) rental: $22

Accomodations

3-star hotel in Cusco - Day 1

Your classic 3-star hotel in Cusco offers comfort and charm double rooms. You can enjoy friendly services, and warm décor with local touches. Perfect for resting before setting off on the adventure.

Campsites - Days 2,3,4,5

Campsites along the trail in Peru offer a unique blend of breathtaking natural beauty and historical richness. Nestled amidst stunning Andean landscapes, these sites provide trekkers with a serene setting to rest, surrounded by panoramic views of mountains and ancient ruins. Equipped with basic amenities for comfort, they serve as gateways to experiencing the trail's cultural heritage, connecting hikers to the path once walked by the Incas.

Aguas Calientes Hotel - Day 6

This marks our final rest stop before visiting Machu Picchu. Our exceptional hotel is equipped with Wi-Fi, hot showers, and offers a cozy spot to relax after our day's hike. Nearby, we find local hot springs available for an entry fee of ten soles. In the evening, our local partner treats us to our last dinner, preparing us for the next day's adventure.

Guides

Raul & Alpaca Expeditions

Raul & Alpaca Expeditions

Raul is the owner and director of Alpaca Expeditions. They have tour guides 100% local. They mastered the craft of leading groups through the most beautiful places and over the highest elevations without losing any bit of information and any tip to make the hiking more enjoyable. All the guides have graduated in Tourism and passed tests to be able to guide along the treks.

Meeting point

-13.53195-71.96746259999999
Cusco

Frequently asked questions

Departures

All departures are guaranteed to run

July 2026
Tue
14 Jul
5:00 PM
Mon
20 Jul
8:00 PM

Confirmed

12 spots left
1440 €
(475 € deposit)
Mon
3 Aug
5:00 PM
Sun
9 Aug
8:00 PM

Confirmed

11 spots left
1440 €
(475 € deposit)

J

Tue
3 Nov
5:00 PM
Mon
9 Nov
8:00 PM

Confirmed

12 spots left
1440 €
(475 € deposit)

1440 €

(475 € deposit)