Choquequirao & Salkantay Trek To Machupicchu 8 Days / 8 Nights
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Choquequirao & Salkantay Trek To Machupicchu 8 Days / 8 Nights
You will enjoy the most important and famous archaeological sites in Peru.
You will walk Choquequirao and then make the famous Salkantay trek and arrive at Machu Picchu.
You will begin your trek to Choquequirao along many trails that meander through the cloud forest.
Due to the remote and challenging nature of the trek it is essential to only undertake the trip with companies that are well trained.
This trek is designed for tourists in good physical shape, nature lovers and passionate about the history of ancient civilizations.
The package includes everything you need to have an unforgettable experience, from transportation from Cusco to the site, accommodation with the families of Refugios Salkantay and food. Plus, you'll have highly-trained local guides to help you discover the rich history and stunning natural beauty.
Tour Price Per Person
$870USD
8 Days / 8 Nights
Choquequirao & Salkantay Trek To Machupicchu
Trip Details Choquequirao Trek
Refugios Salkantay
Choquequirao & Salkantay Trek To Machupicchu
7 Days / 7 Nights
We have combined the wonder of choquequirao with the seventh wonder of the world, Machu Picchu, to offer an experience of a lifetime! The salkantay trek will join these 2 wonders.
We have combined the wonder of choquequirao with the seventh wonder of the world, Machu Picchu, to offer an experience of a lifetime! The salkantay trek will join these 2 wonders.
We have combined the wonder of choquequirao with the seventh wonder of the world, Machu Picchu, to offer an experience of a lifetime! The salkantay trek will join these 2 wonders.
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AFTERNOON 01
Transfer to Capuliyoc Andean Huts.
You will start this trek to Choquequirao trek at 2 p.m. local time (1 day before the trek). Where you will meet the Refugios Salkantay team and we will give you all the information you need for the trek.
It is likely that you will be dismissed from the hotel before departure time, we will be waiting for you at our offices for The short Choquequirao route is our offices at Refugios Salkantay.
At 3 pm we will board our private van for a 3.5 hour drive to Capuliyoc Andean Huts, which is located at 2910m above sea level (masl). We will arrive at the cabins just in time for you to take pictures of the sunset over the glacier peaks. At Andean Huts, you will settle in before enjoying dinner along with some hot beverages. This area is known for its beautiful views of the night sky and the breathtaking beauty surrounding choquequirao.
NO HIKING TODAY
*When you book this Choquequirao trek. Departure is the night before the day you wish to start the trek, where you will stay in our Andean Huts and enjoy your first dinner prepared by the families of Refugios Salkantay.
Travel time by vehicle: 3.5 - 4 hoursWeather: warm at night.Accommodation: Andean Huts.Meals: Dinner.Altitude of Andean Huts: 2910m
Food (Lunch - Dinner)WifiHot showerCell phone chargingBedEasyTowels -
DAY 01
(Start Of Trek) Capuliyoc - Chiquisca - Marampata.
The wake up this morning will be at 4:00 am where a member of the families of Refugios Salkantay will give you a coca tea and a small snack and the muleteer will be waiting with the horses to start the hike at 4:30 am, Once we start walking through beautiful landscapes of Apurimac you can appreciate the imposing snowy Padreyoc and in approximately 3 hours we will arrive to Chiquisca where a breakfast with a local family awaits you.
When we are full and with renewed energy we will continue our hike downhill for 1 to 1.5 hours until we reach the bottom of the valley and cross the mighty Apurimac River.
From here begins our ascent of approximately 4 to 5 hours until we arrive at Marampata where a delicious lunch awaits us and recover strength for the next day (always accompanied by a horse to ride).
You will have a riding horse for the climbClimate: hot during the day and warm at night.Lodging: Family Lodging.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Food (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)WifiHot showerCell phone chargingBedChallenging (23 km / 14.29 miles)Towels9 hours Hiking -
DAY 02
Marampata - Choquequirao - Marampata.
After a delicious breakfast, we will begin our hike to the Choquequirao Archaeological Complex, which will last approximately 1.5 hours until we reach Choquequirao (before taking off, you will be given a packed lunch to enjoy in the citadel), you will be accompanied by a member of the families who live in Maranpata and know the ruins perfectly.
This archaeological site is considered the last Inca city, sister to Machu Picchu. You will walk around with your guide explaining some of the highlights of the area and then have plenty of free time to explore on your own. This is really special, as it is still relatively unknown and away from the crowds that visit Machu Picchu.
You will have some time to enjoy your packed lunch before heading to the lower part of Choquequirao, which is the most recently discovered section of agricultural terraces. You will be impressed by how they build these terraces for agriculture. Once you have explored as much of Choquequirao as you can, you will begin your 1.5 hour hike back to the family home. You will have time for a happy hour and dinner before returning to your private rooms.
Guided tour of Choquequirao, the Llamas sector, the Ceremonial Usno and the Religious Zone.Walking distance: 8 km / 4.9 miles.Hiking time: 5½ to 6 hours approximately.Climate: hot during the day and warm to cold at night.Lodging: family lodging.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.Maximum Altitude: 3106 masl / 10190 ft (Choquequirao)Minimum altitude: 2850 masl / 9350 ft (Marampata)
Food (Breakfast - Lunch)WifiHot showerCell phone chargingHotel BedChallenging (8 km / 4.9 miles)TowelsHiking time: 5 to 6 hours -
DAY 03
Marampata - Chiquisca - Capuliyoc - Mollepata
Hope you had a good night's rest, today will be a long day of hiking. Wake up at 5 am with a good breakfast. When you begin your hike, you will start with 2 hours downhill from Marampata to Santa Rosa and then another hour to La Playa. As it is all downhill, walking poles are especially useful in this area. At this point you will be able to take the horses uphill. You will finish the morning with a 1 hour climb to Chikiscca for lunch. After your siesta, it is only 2.5 hours more to the viewpoint of Capuliyoc to make a farewell of this fascinating adventure of choquequirao, when we arrive to Capuliyoc we will have a snack and take our private transportation that will take us to Mollepata.
Walking distance: 23 km / 14.29 miles.Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours approximately.Lodging: Cusco (not included).Transfer to Cusco: 4 hours from Capulioc.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.Maximum Altitude: 2850 masl / 9350 ft (Marampata)Minimum altitude: 1475 masl / 4839 ft (Playa Rosalinas)
Food (Breakfast)EasyStore Luggage at Hotel -
DAY 04
Mollepata - Humantay Lagoon - Soray Refuges
In Mollepata, my family will be waiting for you at the restaurant "La Casona", where you will meet the founder of "Refugios Salkantay", Mercedes Sotelo, where you can have breakfast before starting the trek.
You will leave your big backpack with our driver, who will take it to the hostel in Soraypampa. You only need to bring the essentials for the 2-hour hike.
Start of the hike: A member of the Refugios Salkantay family will show you the start of the trail to Soraypampa (7 km - 4.35 miles) on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. The first part of the hike ascends a zigzag trail for about 30 minutes to reach a water channel that will guide you to Soraypampa. Upon arrival at Soraypampa, the first house you will see will be Refugios Salkantay, located right by the trail. Here we will invite you to have a coca tea and show you your private room with a private bathroom, hot water shower, and clean towels.
Experience authentic Inca cuisine: We will help you prepare the pachamanca, an ancestral cooking technique that uses hot stones to cook meats and vegetables. This unique culinary experience will allow you to immerse yourself in Inca history and traditions while enjoying delicious and nutritious meals.
After lunch and a short break, one of our family members will accompany you for about half an hour to show you the way to the impressive Humantay Lake (4200 m - 13779 feet) on the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. This is a round trip hike of 5 km (3.1 miles) that will take approximately 3 hours.
Humantay Lake is one of the most beautiful points of the Salkantay Trek, with its turquoise lake that reflects the surrounding glaciers and the sacred Humantay Mountain. You will also see the spectacular snow-capped peaks of the Salkantay Glacier, one of the most sacred mountains of Inca mythology. Upon return, there will be a snack and a delicious dinner waiting for you.
Walking distance: 5 km / 3.10 miles.Weather: Cold at night.Accommodation: Refugios Salkantay.Meals: All the foods.Altitude of Refugios Salkantay: 3900m
Food (breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)WifiHot showerCell phone chargingBedEasyTowelsHiking time: 3 to 4 hours -
DAY 05
Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass - Lucmabamba (Family Home).
5:00 am will be your wake-up call and we will bring you coca tea. At 5:30 am a delicious breakfast will be waiting for you in our dining room. (Your main backpacks will be transported by mules with a family member, for all of the treks). At 6:00 am we will start our day's hike by climbing the highest part of the trail, the Salkantay Pass (4650 m /15255 Ft). The distance is 7 km (4,34 miles) on a steep ascent and will take approximately 3 hours from the base of the rocky valley to the magnificent Salkantay Mountain (6271 m /20574 Ft). When we reach the top of the pass, we will be able to gather our breath and take in the impressive views of the surrounding valleys and the imposing snow peaks that surround us, of the Salkantay, Humantay, and Tucarhuay mountains. Salkantay Mountain is the 2nd highest Mountain in the Cusco region.
If you are tired or suffering from any altitude symptoms, please do not worry, there will always be a muleteer close by who carries a first aid kit and has an emergency horse that you can ride if need be.
Once we have reached the highest point on the trek, we will descend for approximately 2 hours until we reach the village of Huayracmachay, all downhill. You will reach a point when the trail becomes flat and you will see a small house selling water and bathroom facilities, continue past this house for 10 minutes more and you will reach a white house on the left-hand side of the trail with a large "Refugios Salkantay" sign. This is where you will have lunch. If it rained while you hiked the pass or if it's cold, we have heating where you can warm up and dry your clothes if necessary.
In the afternoon you will continue hiking with the pack mules, carrying your backpacks and we will reach the high jungle area of Amazonas also known as the Cloud Forest. This is approximately a 10 km, downhill walk (6.2 miles) and will take about 3 hours. This is a wide trail passing through a highly vegetative area with lots of tree cover. This is an incredibly beautiful part of the trail with lots of flora and fauna and with panoramic views, extensive wildlife, with native plants and flowers. These forests for most of the year are quite warm and tropical with high temperatures at certain times of the year. We will then arrive at the village of CHALWAY (2,900 meters / 9,514 ft. elevation).
On arrival, our private car will be waiting to take us to Lucmabamba, about a 1 hour's drive. Here we will now have dropped in elevation and be in the jungle region and we will head to our lodge for the night and meet our local family. You will have a private room with a private bathroom, with hot and cold showers. There will now be the option of an interactive, cultural experience with the native people of the area, including meeting the coffee farmers, who grow.
their organic coffee, still using traditional methods to roast and grind the coffee beans. We will then continue through the banana, granadilla, yucca, and avocado plantations. You will then enjoy a traditional dinner before resting for the evening. If for any reason you don't have time to visit the farms (due to time restrictions or tiredness) there will be another opportunity to visit the following morning, before breakfast.
Starting elevation: 3850m /12631 feet.Max elevation: 4660m / 15,288 feet.OVERNIGHT: Lucmabamba Lodge: 2400 meters / 7874 feet.We include an emergency horse if altitude sickness affects you or if you are very tired, during the most difficult section (Soraypampa - Salkantay Pass).Weather: Cold
Food (Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner)WifiHot showerCell phone chargingHotel BedChallenging (8 km / 4.9 miles)TowelsHiking time: 5 to 6 hours -
DAY 06
Lucmabamba (Family Home) - Llactapata Inca Trail - Llactapata (Lodge In Front Of Machu Picchu)
Experience a traditional breakfast made with locally sourced products on this exciting day of the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. Our vehicle will then collect you and take you on a 30-minute journey through coffee and local fruit plantations, to take you to the best hot springs in the region of Cusco (Cocalmayo), where you will relax for a couple of hours.
Visit the coffee farms belonging to the Refugios Salkantay family, where the coffee from this region is considered one of the best in the world. If you are a coffee lover, this will be a phenomenal experience for you! Sample freshly prepared coffee made from the freshest coffee beans, recently toasted and ground. You will also pass through banana, granadilla, yucca, and avocado plantations. At the end of the visit, you will enjoy a local lunch made from the products that you have picked yourself, an unforgettable experience!
After lunch, continue your journey by hiking to Llactapata along an original Inca trail for about 2-3 hours. On the way, visit the Llactapata Inca site, where you will see incredible views of the Santa Teresa Valley. At the Llactapata Pass, you will arrive at the family home of Sra. Susana, Sr. Pedro, and their son Elio, who will welcome you and show you to your rooms. From your room with a purpose-built glass roof, you will be able to see Machu Picchu and the archaeological sites of the Machu Picchu Mountain and the Huayna Picchu Mountain. After dinner, enjoy a bonfire under the stars and with a view of Machu Picchu.
Starting elevation: 2400 metros / 7874 feet.OVERNIGHT: Llactapata Lodge: 2700 meters / 8858 feetWeather: During day time hot and humid, chilly at night -
DAY 07
Llactapata (Glass Roof) - Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes.
You will have the opportunity to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu, from your bed! If it is cloudy, don't worry, at some point the sky will clear and you can enjoy your first views of Machu Picchu.
A delicious breakfast will be waiting for us and after breakfast we will continue our descent, reaching the Inca site of Llactapata... right in front of Machu Picchu. This will be the first archaeological site on the way to the mysterious lost city of the Incas! After visiting the ruins of Llactapata, we will continue our walk, descending for approximately 2 hours. During this part of the descent, we will have a continuous view of Machu Picchu until we reach the hydroelectric train station, where we will have lunch. (You will be wondering about your backpacks, don't worry, the families of Refugios Salkantay will take care of all the logistics so that when you arrive at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, it will be waiting for you)
After a delicious lunch you will continue along the train tracks. The walk along the train tracks will be approximately 3 hours and will lead to the town of Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of the Machu Picchu valley. This part of the walk will be interesting because it was the trail used by American professor, Hiram Bingham, when he rediscovered Machu Picchu.
We include your hotel in Aguas Calientes and your breakfast the next day.
This is where we say goodbye and where the services of "Refugios Salkantay" end.
Aguas Calientes Elevation: 2,000 metersWeather: HotAccommodations: -
DAY 8
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
You will need to arrive early at Machu Picchu which means waking up early! Machu Picchu opens at 6 a.m. until 5p.m. You can choose to hike up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes.
which is a hike of about 2 hours. OR you can take the shuttle bus up to the archaeological site for $12 USD (one way) which takes 30 minutes. If you wish to hire the services of an official guide, there are many at the entrance to Machu Picchu, who form groups for a guided tour. The cost is usually around s/.20 soles per person for a group tour and around s/.150 soles for a private tour. A guided tour usually lasts 2 hours for this mystical site. A regular entrance ticket will only allow you to visit for about 2 -3 hours. When you enter Machu Picchu you will head to the main viewpoint. Here you may take your idyllic, postcard photos of Machu Picchu. After seeing the sunrise (weather permitting), you will start your guided tour which will take about 2.5 hours. You will visit the most important sites and temples inside the archaeological site. At the end of the tour, you will have some time to take photos, or if you have reserved the permit to climb Huayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain, to climb your respective mountain. These permits need to be reserved ahead of time and cost $70 USD per person). If you haven't reserved a climb, you can hike to the Sun Gate (1.5 hours approximately) or even to the Inca Bridge (45mins).
Please>Please note: Huayna Picchu tickets are subject to availability. Please ask your Refugios Salkantay specialist for details upon booking.
Machu Picchu Mountain may be hiked as well, instead of Huayna Picchu Mountain. This hike is more challenging and takes four hours minimum, round-trip (at an extra cost of USD $70 per person).
The citadel of Machu Picchu has many steps and uphill climbs.Approximately 4 hours.Machu Picchu: Easy to moderate.
Food (Breakfast)EasyStore Luggage at Hotel
Any additional information on how to book your entrance to Machu Picchu, or options on how to return to Cusco either by train or bus, we will be happy to help you.
Per Person
$ 790
- You will enjoy the most important and famous archaeological sites in Peru. You will walk Choquequirao and then make the famous Salkantay trek and arrive at Machu Picchu. You will begin your trek to Choquequirao along many trails that meander through the cloud forest.