Choquequirao Trek Short Inca Trail 7 Days Overview
Experience culture and nature with a 7-day guided trek along the Choquequirao & Short Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu! An exciting adventure awaits you.
Day 1: Travel from Cusco to Capulilloc. HIKE to Chikisca
Day 2: Chikisca Camp to Choquequirao Ruins
Day 3: Trek from Choquequirao to Rio Blanco – Maizal
Day 4: Hike Maizal to Yanama Pass | Yanama to Lucmabamba by local car.
Day 5: Lucmabamba Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Pueblo
Day 6: Short Inca Trail – Inti Punku – Machu Picchu Pueblo
Day 7: Machu-Picchu guided tour and return to Cusco City
Choquequirao Trek with Short Inca Trail Highlights:
- Embark on a journey through the spectacular Andes and explore two of Peru’s most iconic sites: Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. This 7-day trek plus the Short Inca Trail is sure to be an unforgettable experience!
- Follow this 7-day Choquequirao Trek with Short Inca Trail Adventure to explore Machu Picchu! Hike through ancient ruins while admiring stunning landscapes and discovering the fascinating culture of Peru.
- Trek the Choquequirao trek + Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 7 Days of vacation through the Andes. Read the experiences of previous travelers and share your experiences on TripAdvisor.
Choquequirao Trek Short Inca Trail Itinerary
Embark on a journey through time with this incredible 7-day trek of Choquequirao & Short Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu – the peak of pre-Columbian architecture in South America! Join us for an unforgettable experience!
Choquequirao Trek Short Inca Trail -> DAY 1
Enjoy a vehicular trip from Cusco to Capuliyoc: From CAPILIYOC to CHIQUISCA, enjoy a spectacular hike to the APURIMAC canyon.
We start the trip from Cusco, leaving at 05:00 am to have enough time to complete the walk this day. We travel through the plains of Anta; we will descend through the Limatambo valley and cross the Apurímac region by the Cunyac bridge. We continue the trip passing through the town of Curahuasi at the height of the Sayhuite stone branch; we take the road to Cachora and Capulilloc. In Capulilloc, our horses and muleteers await us to start the adventure of hiking.
We prepare to start walking on the bridle path; the canyon views are unique for taking photos and videos. It does recommend bringing professional poles to walk this walk; This helps support our knees on descents and ascents. The route is remote hiking, and you must get a pair of poles!
We will pass through the properties of Capulilloc and Cocamasana until we reach our camp in CHIQUISCA. “Santa Rosa is in the middle of the mountain in front of our expedition.”
Informative note: Maybe we camped in the Chiquisca area; Our adventure guide will make these decisions according to the evolution and experience of the group of walkers.
Hiking data
Descent into the Apurimac canyon, we stopped by the small settlement of Chiquisca and set up camp for the night.
- Vehicle trip start time: 05:00 “04 hours and 10 minutes approximately”
- In the course of the journey, visit the Saywite monolith.
- Private transfer to the beginning of the trail “from Cusco to Capuliyoc.”
- Adventure distance: 08 km/ 4.9 miles.
- 03 hours and a half of walking “all descent” recommended walking sticks
- Campsite: Chiquisca
- Hiking difficulty: Challenging.
Choquequirao Trek Short Inca Trail -> DAY 2
Hike up the Apurimac canyon near the ruins of CHOQUEQUIRAO – Choquequirao Guided Tour.
When starting the walk early, We will have a fantastic walk covered by the nature of the jungle. Some streams on the route with a mini waterfall provide natural water to walkers “if they will collect natural water, it is important to filter or purify it.”
Well, dear adventurers, we started going up the zigzagged bridle path until we reached the small community of Marampata “in Marampata, there are several local stores to supply us with drinks or snacks for the following days.”
From Marampata, we will have incredible views of the Apurimac canyon and the current Andes. We continue the walk until we reach the foothills of the archaeological group of Choquequirao to have our camp.
During the afternoon, we will have a guided visit to Choquequirao; We will explore the area of the Inca platforms, the main square below and above, the Inca agricultural platforms, the temple of the condor, and the twin funeral system, ceremonial altars, etc.
Important data:
- The start of the walk is at 05:00
- Gap: 14 kilometers / 8.7 miles
- The walking time is 08 hours, with additional time to visit the ruins of Choquequirao for approximately 02 hours.
- Hiking difficulty level: Challenging
- Choquequirao I.N.C. “We set up a base camp just before Choquequirao.”
Choquequirao Trek Short Inca Trail -> DAY 3
We head towards the Río-Blanco ravine through the Choquequirao Pass, a remote and spectacular area with stunning scenic views.
On one of the fascinating days, we ventured to the valley and ravine of the white river; From Río Blanco, we hiked ascending in zigzag until we get the base camp of Maizal.
The walking activities start at 06:00 hours towards the Choquequirao pass (approximately 02 hours of walking). We continue descending for an average of 1 hour until we reach the Pinchaunuyuc ruins.
RUINS OF PINCHAUNUYUC
Pinchaunuyu – the Incas ruins are behind the archaeological group of Choquequirao. There are platforms in perfect condition used to plant agricultural products in the time of the Incas. Pinchaunuyoc did build in a remote and precise elevation area for visual and auditory communication with Maizal, Choquequirao, and other still unknown archaeological groups. The archaeological complex of Pinchaunuyoc has an Inca source of spring water. Those who camp in this area can stock up on fresh water, and hikers can fill their canteen with water to hydrate themselves since it is the only area with water until they reach the white river (RIO BLANCO).
After visiting the Pinchaunuyoc ruins, we continue our descent down the mountain until we reach the fresh waters of the Blanco River. Hikers can take a refreshing cold swim as the entire trek is hot, and splashing around in the river is satisfying. The last section of the walk is from the Río Blanco to Maizal, “03 hours of ascent through the mountain until reaching the base camp”.
Hiking behind the ruins of Choquequirao
- Walking Distance: 18 km/ 11.2 miles
- Approximate walking time: 08 hours
- Camp location: Maizal
- Expedition Difficulty: Challenging
Choquequirao Trek Short Inca Trail -> DAY 4
Conquer the highest point of the entire expedition, “YANAMA PASS.” HIKING BETWEEN MAIZAL TO YANAMA, AND FROM YANAMA, WE GO BY LOCAL TRANSPORTATION TO LUCMABAMBA
We start the walk along the Inca Trail of Maizal that takes us to the Yanama pass or Victoria mines “05 hours of ascent into the jungle and the frozen zone of the Andes where the condor flies in its natural habitat between the valley and the Apurimac canyon.”
From San Juan Pass, we descend to the Yanama Andean community. At Yanama, we use a local transportation ride to Lucmabamba-Santa-Tereza. We will enjoy the gorgeous views of snow-capped mountains and the high Andes jungle along the way.
Description of the Andes and Jungle trek (Maizal to Lucmabamba)
- Start time of the walk: 06 in the morning to save time and reach the finish line.
- Trek distance: 13 km/9.68 miles “Maizal-Yanama”
- Hours of walking between Maizal to Yanama: 04 hours.
- Highest point: San Juan Pass 4,200 meters/12,779 feet
- Local car: Yanama – Collpapampa – Lucmabamba (approximately 02 hours and 40 minutes of trip). The local vehicle can be a truck, a local combi, or any vehicle we find in the community; we will all adapt to Yanama transport.
- Lucmabamba camp height: 3,522 meters/11,555 ft. Beautiful camp within the cloud forest and near the coffee plantations
- Hiking difficulty: Challenging – Moderate
Choquequirao Trek Short Inca Trail -> DAY 5
Enjoy a gradual ascent along the Lucmabamba Inca Trail towards the ruins of Llactapata; in the afternoon, we board the train from Hidroelectrica to Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Hike at the other end of the Inca trail from Lucmabamba to Llactapata and Hidroeléctrica. From the Llactapata ruins, we will have a first impressive view of Machu Picchu and its surrounding mountains. It is essential to detail that you will have the other photo of Machupicchu from the other end of the mountain the next day.
TRAIL INFORMATION: Hiking through the greenish zone of the buffer zone of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
- The start time of the walk is at 06:00
- Hike along the Inca Trail from Lucmabamba to the Llactapata Pass (approximately 02 hours)
- Highest point: Llactapata PASS 3000 meters/9,842 feet.
- Explore and walk through the Inca ruins of Llactapata with an impressive view of the ruins of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and the mountain ranges of the Vilcabamba batholith.
- Observe Machu Picchu in its first panoramic view from Llactapata, which is “really one of the best panoramic views.”
- Trail distance: 10.2 km/6.3 miles
- Trekking time: 05 hours of walking through the circuit; there is a pedestrian path.”
- At 16:35 Train service from Hidroelectrica Train Statios to Machu Picchu Pueblo
- Accommodation: Aguas Calientes “03-star hotel.”
- Difficulty: Challenging/Moderate to Easy
Choquequirao Trek Short Inca Trail -> DAY 6
Adventure along the Sacred Inca Trail to Inti Punku with a view of Machu Picchu from the east
We walk from Aguas Calientes following the train track “be careful with the trains.” Upon reaching kilometer 104 of the railroad, “two hours of walking,” we will officially enter the network of the Inca Trail through the Sacred Trail; We ascend until we reach the archaeological group of Wiñaywayna and Intipunku. In the afternoon, we will observe the last Inca citadel preserved during the previous centuries. Having several alternatives for the panoramic views of Machu Picchu is one of the best adventure options starting in Choquequirao. This site is considered the sister citadel of this majestic Inca citadel.
Hiking data
- Start time of the walk: 05:30
- Inca Ruins to explore: Choquesuysuy, Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, Intipunku (Sun Gate)
- Height of the start of the walk: 2,100 meters/6,900 feet.
- Gap: 16 kilometers / 9.9 miles
- Aguas Calientes to KM 104: 02 hours of walking
- KM 104 – Inti Punko – Machu Picchu: 05 hours of hiking
- Hike Max Elevation: 2,730m/ 8,792ft. (Intipunku)
- Accommodation: 03 Star Hotel “A.C.”
- Hiking Difficulty: Moderate.
Choquequirao Trek Short Inca Trail -> DAY 7
Guided tour of the Inca architectural wonder of Peru, “Machupicchu.”
The Incas trekked the Andes for centuries to reach remote parts of South America. Today we have the most significant exploration of the entire trip and vacation. We start the bus trip to the spectacular Machu Picchu, seen from the Inca viewpoint house in all its splendor. The guided tour will lead us to understand the motives and reasons why the Incas chose to live in this rugged area of the jungle. The majestic Inca citadel was built entirely with granite stone.
After the guided tour with our adventure guide, we returned by bus to Aguas Calientes to start the return trip by train to Cusco.
- Breakfast at the hotel at 06:00
- Bus service to Machu Picchu (up and down)
- Two-hour guided tour inside the archaeological park of Machu Picchu
- In the afternoon, board your train service to the POROY train station.
Train service information: [Inbound journey]
- Train company: INCA RAIL
- Service: MACHU PICCHU– OLLANTAYTAMBO (1 hour and 50 minutes of train ride).
- Class: The Voyager 44
- Departure: 14:30
- At Station: 14:00 – Otherwise, you may not be allowed to board.
- Ollantaytambo arrival: 16:04
- Cusco arrival by transport: 17:50
Meet at the train arrivals area when you get to the OLLANTAYTAMBO train station. Just look for a KONDOR PATH TOURS sign with your name.” Group name: Choquequirao Trek with Short Inca Trail
7-Day Choquequirao Trek Short Inca Trail COST
PRICES PER PERSON 2023. Great hiking tours are open to your party.
- Solo hiker US$ 2,215.
- 02 people US$ 1,399. “prices reduce if there are more people in your group.”
- 03 people US$ 1,140.
- 04 people US$ 955.
- 05 people US$ 915.
- 06 people US$ 820.
- 07 people US$ 780.
- 08+ people US$ 715.
Experience freedom, adventure, and peace of mind while trekking to some of the most spectacular ancient ruins, including the Choquequirao Trek with Short Inca Trail and Machu Picchu! The experience of a 7-day trek is the perfect way to explore all the Andes offer.
Choquequirao Trek with Short Inca Trail Upgrade
Make memories to last a lifetime and traverse the routes of the Short Inca Trail via Choquequirao and Machu Picchu in just seven days with this fantastic hiking tour!
TRAIN SERVICES
PERU TRAINS By PeruRail / PER PERSON
+$45. Vistadome train (Inbound Journey: MACHUPICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO)
+$498.00 Hiram Bingham train (Inbound Journey: Train MACHUPICCHU – POROY)
EXTRA TICKETS
+$75 Huayna Picchu
+$75 Montaña
+$60 RE-ENTRY TO MACHU PICCHU
HOTEL “AGUAS CALIENTES”
PER PERSON
Gringo Bill’s Machupicchu – 3-Star Hotel
+$25. DBL/MATRIMONIAL
+$43 Suite
Inti Punku Machupicchu – 3-Star Hotel
+$25. Standard
+$33. Superior
+$39. Junior Suite
+$63. Senior Suite
Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu – 3-Star Hotel
+$29. Traditional
+$35. Superior
+$45. Suite
Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu – 3-Star Hotel
+$35. Standard SGL/DBL
+$80 Suite
Jaya Suite Machupicchu – 3-Star Hotel
+$40.
El MaPi ByInkaterra – 4-Star Hotel
+$69. Superior Deluxe SGL or DBL
+$91. Suite SGL o DBL
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel – 5-Star Hotel
+$244. Superior
+$271. Superior Deluxe
+$298. Junior Suite
+$389. Junior Suite Deluxe
+$488. Suite
+$555. Inkaterra Suite
Choquequirao Trek Short Inca Trail 7 Days Discounts
This applies to the following services
Machu Picchu Fee
College & students$35 off
* Kondor Path Tours operates the Choquequirao Trek with Short Inca Trail 7 Days.
Choquequirao Trek with Short Inca Trail cars
