This is a trek for hikers, history lovers and adventurers! The 9-day Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu via Vilcabamba is Apus Peru’s signature trek. This tour follows a completely innovative route, pioneered by Apus Peru, deviating from the standard Choquequirao to Machu Picchu route taken by other agencies.

One of the most challenging and spectacular hikes in all of Peru, you’ll have the chance to visit the stunning Choquequirao ruins without the crowds, travel along original Inca trails, and visit the last refuge of the Incas: Vilcabamba. The 9 day Choquequirao trek culminates in a visit to the unforgettable Machu Picchu. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Please note: The Choquequirao to Machu Picchu treks are the MOST difficult treks in the region. Make sure you fully understand what each day of trekking is like before you sign up for any of these treks, and ensure that you are equipped to face the challenge.

TREKKERS WANTED!

Words from the group:

"Father and son from the US just finished a climb of Kilimanjaro with a mixed group and had a great time.  Now we're off on one last adventure before he heads off to school.  We are open to other travelers and hikers joining us for our second high-altitude trek."

Final rates are based on the number of paying participants that enroll for this trip.
 

We are currently accepting deposits to secure space on the trek. Please be advised once the deposit deadline is reached, we will, at that time, determine how many paying participants have enrolled and adjust the final cost of the trip. This information will determine the final balance per person.

If you have any questions please ask prior to signing up. 

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Solo travellers and odd-number groups may incur a single occupancy supplement.

Group of 3 people: $2650 USD

Group of 4 - 6 people: $2050 USD

Group of 7+ people: $1715 USD

Single Occupancy Supplement: $60 USD

Single supplement tent: $45

Final balance is due 7 days prior to your trek departure.

Hi Fellow Trekker, 

This is your payment link for your upcoming 9-day trek. The price quoted here is the price per person. Please be sure to enter the correct number of passengers for whom you will be paying the deposit.  

Please make sure you read and understand our Booking Conditions before paying your deposit. Please also download and fill out this Passenger Details Form and this Medical Declaration & Insurance Waiver Form. You will be prompted to upload these documents when paying your deposit. 

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you in Peru!

The Apus Peru team

We leave Cusco early in the morning to start our Choquequirao to Machu Picchu 9 day trek and head towards the Apurimac Canyon, surrounded by breathtaking snow-capped peaks. After about an hour and a half of driving, we will have a short stop at Tarawasi (2675m / 8776 ft).

Tarawasi is a ceremonial centre that dates to Incan times. One of the most striking features of this archaeological site is the presence of an usnu, a ceremonial structure where ritual offerings would be prepared.

We will then continue another 3h to Capuliyoc (2915m / 9563 ft). When we arrive, we’ll have our first views of the incredible Apurimac Valley stretching below, as well as the surrounding mountains Padrayoc and Wayna Cachora.

We arrive at the roaring Apurimac River (1550m / 5085 ft).

We’ll cross the river and then begin the difficult 2-hour climb to Santa Rosa campsite (2095m / 6873 ft). This is a less popular camp, making for a typically quiet and restful night under the stars.

This day is flexible and so the route you trek might not correspond exactly to the route described here. Walking times depend on the time of departure and on the nature of the group. The guide may change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group.

It’s another early start this morning as we depart early to escape the heat of the canyon. Today, we are continuing upwards towards Maranpata (2940m (9646 ft). After a good night’s sleep, we should be ready to tackle this tough, 3-hour uphill stretch.

A little beyond Maranpata we’ll be treated to our first views of Choquequirao, a nice reward for the morning’s challenge. From here, it’s just another 2 hours over gentle, undulating terrain until we reach the ruins – a welcome change of pace! Stopping first for lunch at the Choquequirao campsite (2900m / 9,514ft). 

Early this morning, we’ll have another chance to wander the ruins at Choquequirao before continuing on to Pinchiunuyoc after lunch. This is a 3-hour hike taking us over a ridge and then down towards this other stunning archaeological site.

We’ll take a short break here to enjoy the majestic views and then continue our descent for another 1.5 h to the Rio Blanco where we’ll camp for the night. Note: insect repellent is a must at Rio Blanco!

After a nourishing breakfast, we start a difficult 3-hour climb, zig-zagging uphill to Maizal (3000m / 9,842ft), a small, cleared agricultural area on the mountain. Make sure you are physically and mentally prepared before we head out: many people find this to be the hardest section of the entire Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek!

We’ll have lunch in Maizal and then climb a further 4-5 hours uphill through cloud forest to the Victoria Mines, gaining about 2000m in elevation as we go! We’ll take a short rest here and admire the shine of the outcropped rocks illustrating the high concentration of minerals and metals – it’s no wonder this was an ancient mining site!

We then continue our trek through the puna, treading well-preserved Inca trails with their classic zig-zag shape, before setting up camp for the night at Pajonal (4150m / 13,615 ft). From here we can look back over the terrain we’ve just traveled towards the incredible Apurimac Valley. This will be a cold night so make sure you’re prepared to bundle up!

Between Maizal and Yanama are the recently discovered Coryhuayrachina ruins. We won’t have time to stop and explore them, but we encourage you to read more about this fascinating and little-known Inca history.

After spending the night at this cold, high altitude campsite, we venture higher still, climbing for about an hour to the San Juan Pass (4150m / 13,615 ft).

From the pass we’ll have spectacular views as we descend for about 2.5h to the charming village of Yanama (3700m (12,139ft). We’ll visit Yanama, having lunch near the village. Some of the horsemen accompanying you on your trip may even be from Yanama! We always try to hire locals and many come from this community.

From here, we head into virtually uncharted territory on a route pioneered by Apus Peru that takes us to Vilcabamba, the Last Bastion of the Incas! This is what makes our Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu so unique.

After lunch, we head down into a valley towards a small river, and then start climbing again on the other side towards Yutuypata where we’ll have beautiful views through the valley. Hiking time to Yutuypata is around 3 hours. 

We’ll have a relatively easy morning today, walking for about 4 hours through the Quellqua Machay valley over gentle terrain. We will be surrounded by dramatic mountain views until we reach our lunch spot.

After lunch, we climb another 2 hours to our highest point along the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu route, the Choquetacarpo Pass (4600m / 15,091ft).  At this point, we have the chance to walk an almost perfectly preserved Inca trail. Following in the footsteps of the Inca chaskis or runners, you’ll marvel at the engineering skill of the ancient Incas who created these unique trails.

We head down for about a 1.5h over original Inca steps, observing many ancient Inca dwellings along the way. This is an incredible immersion into ancient Incan history as we’ll have constant opportunities to admire their ingenuity.

We continue downwards this morning, following a gentle slope and passing some small roads no longer used for transportation along the way. After about 4 hours, we arrive at the village of Huancacalle (2900m / 9514 ft) where we will have lunch.

From here, we will climb up to visit the interesting ruins of Vitcos-Rosaspata and Ñustahispana for the afternoon before returning to Huancacalle for the night. The route from Huancacalle to the ruins and back again is around 3.5 hours.

This morning we can relax and reflect on the journey we’ve just taken along the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trail, from the verdant valleys and plunging canyons to the high mountain passes at San Juan and Choquecatarpo.

Huancacalle is a quaint rural village, where you might spot pigs and their adorable piglets wandering the streets. Isolated in the mountains. From here we will take private transport over narrow, winding mountain roads to Santa Teresa (1550m / 5085 ft). 

Arriving at Aguas Calientes, a soak in the thermal baths might just be the perfect recipe for aching muscles! We’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes before turning in early in anticipation of the next day’s centerpiece: Machu Picchu.

Today we achieve what for many is a lifelong dream: a visit to the Imperial Inca City of Machu Picchu! In the pre-dawn hours, we’ll take the bus up to the site to enjoy the ruins at sunrise. Your guide will give you a 2-3h walking tour of the historic citadel.

We return to Cusco in the afternoon by Expedition (tourist class) train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, where we will be met by our driver who will transfer you directly back to your hotel in Cusco. Total travel time is about 4 hours from Aguas Calientes to Cusco.