The first day of this exhilarating itinerary takes us first to the pretty village of Cachora. We leave Cusco early in our private transport to meet our trek crew at our starting point. Cachora is a 4 hour drive west of Cusco travelling through some beautiful countryside out into the rural district of Apurimac.

Cachora is our starting and meeting point of the trek. Incredible mountain ranges and glaciers come into view, fueling our expectations for this challenging trek. From this viewpoint, with a clear sky, we will glimpse the magnificent Choquequirao.

The steep descent will take 3 to 4 hours to the lowest point of the canyon, the Apurimac River, a fairly relentless and technical descent. After crossing the Apurimac river bridge, we begin our ascent to our first campsite, Santa Rosa (2095m), where we will spend the night.

A satisfying and well-deserved dinner will be waiting for us at the camp.

Minimum Height: 1520masl / 4985ft.

Maximum Height: 2970maslm / 9745ft.

Approximate Walking time: 6-7 hrs

Distance travelled: 12km / 7.50 ml

Meals: L, D. Snacks

After our first night on the trail and a breakfast of champions, we´ll continue our ascent from the magnificent Apurímac Canyon with a steep zigzag climb, for 3 hours to Marampata (2940 m).

The ascent is steep and tough but as we switchback up from the floor of the canyon we are rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. On reaching Marampata we will get a ‘birds eye view’ of the impressive and powerful Apurimac river. The hike from here is flatter than our challenging uphill . This is the lower sector of the archaeological complex, where we will see ancient Inca water channels, ceremonial rocks and much more.

After a hard day of hiking, we will return to our camp to enjoy a delicious meal and a well-deserved rest.

Minumum Height: 2095m / 6873.36ft

Maximum Height: 3050m / 1895.182ft.

Approximate Walking time: 7 hours

Distance travelled: 9.3km / 5.77ml

Meals: B, L, D. Snacks

Well rested, having breakfast, and ready for the day, we will begin with a morning visit to Choquequirao, exploring more of this incredible site if time allows. This impressive Inca city, hidden deep in the Andes, features expansive terraces, ceremonial plazas, and intricate stonework, with much of it still being uncovered by archaeologists. Afterward, we will leave the magnificent ruins behind, advancing towards our next camp in Pinchaunuyoq. Determined and motivated by our incredible achievement and stunning surroundings, we will enjoy the challenge of today's walk.

We will start off with a gradual ascent to the high pass, a great viewing point to take in the beautiful, lush, and varied flora of this area. Once over the pass, our route continues with a slight descent to the interesting ruins of Pincha Unuyoc.

Dinner will be prepared for us by our trek team as we rest and reflect on how far we’ve come and what we’ve accomplished!

Minimum Height: 2470 masl / 8,104 ft

Maximum Height: 3300 masl / 10,826 ft.

Approximate Walking time: 4 hours (not including Choquequirao exploration)

Distance travelled: 6 km / 3.72 ml

Meals: B, L, D. Snacks

From Pinchaunuyoq, we will descend for about two hours to Rio Blanco (1850m), where we’ll take a well-earned rest before tackling the next challenge. Our ascent follows a steep, zigzagging trail, climbing steadily for four or more hours through changing landscapes until we reach our campsite in Maizal (3000m). Here, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views, we’ll settle in for the night, reflecting on the day's rewarding journey.

Minimum Height: 1920 masl / 6299 ft

Maximum Height: 3000 masl / 9843 ft.

Approximate Walking time: 6 - 7 hours

Distance travelled: 8 km / 5 ml

Meals: B, L, D. Snacks

We will leave early in the morning, ascending for about 4-5 hours through the cloud forest, following the ancient Inca trails until we reach the Victoria Mines (Minas Victoria). After a short rest, we continue another hour to the Victoria Pass (4150m / 13615.5 ft ), where stunning mountain views await. From here, we descend for 2 to 2.5 hours to the picturesque town of Yanama (3700m), where we will settle in for the night, surrounded by breathtaking Andean scenery.

Minimum Height: 3000 masl / 9,842 ft

Maximum Height: 4150 masl / 13615.5 ft

Approximate Walking time: 8 hours

Distance travelled: 12 km / 7.45 ml

Meals: B, L, D. Snacks

Today, we step into almost uncharted territory as we follow a route leading to Vilcabamba, the final refuge of the Incas during their resistance against the Spanish. Along the way, we’ll uncover this lesser-known chapter of history, bringing to life the stories of the last Inca stronghold. This unique section is one of the highlights of the 9-day Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek and one of the reasons we love this journey.

We begin our day from the small village of Yanama, trekking through breathtaking mountain trails that wind through rugged, high-altitude landscapes. By midday, we’ll take a well-earned break at a stunning lunch spot, surrounded by towering peaks. After refueling, we continue for another two hours to our campsite at Quellqca Machay (4100m). Nestled among snow-capped mountains, this remote and awe-inspiring site offers incredible views—but be prepared for a cold night!

Minimum Height: 3451masl / 11322.18 ft

Maximum Height: 4595 masl / 15078.4121 ft.

Approximate Walking time: 9 - 10 hours

Distance travelled: 20 km / 12.48 ml

Meals: B, L, D. Snacks

Today, we begin with a 4-hour hike through the Quellqua Machay valley, following smooth terrain and taking in spectacular mountain views. From there, we ascend for 2 hours to the highest point on the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek—the Choquetacarpo Pass (4600m / 15,091 ft). Towering above us are the sacred snow-capped peaks of Choquetacarpo (5500m / 18,045 ft) and Pumasillo (5995m / 19,669 ft), powerful apus that hold deep spiritual significance in Andean culture.

Here, we encounter an impeccably preserved Inca trail, untouched by heavy foot traffic. Walking this route, we retrace the steps of the Incas and their legendary chasquis (messengers), experiencing firsthand the incredible engineering of these ancient roads.

After soaking in the stunning views, we begin a 1.5-hour descent along original Inca stone steps, passing remnants of ancient Inca dwellings along the way. We end the day at our secluded campsite in Incamachay (4070m / 13,353 ft), where we can rest, reflect, and absorb the tranquility of this breathtaking landscape.

Note: Depending on our timing, we will either take a local vehicle to Huancacalle for the night or camp here and drive to Huancacalle the following morning. Once there, we will explore the archaeological site of Vitcos, a fascinating remnant of the Inca resistance and our final adventure before continuing to Machu Picchu.

Start Height: 2900 masl / 9514 ft

Max Height: 4600 masl / 15,091 ft

Approximate Walking time: 9 - 10 hours

Distance travelled: 20 km / 12.42 ml

Meals: B, L, D.

We will enjoy a slightly more relaxed morning, setting out to explore the fascinating ruins of Vitcos Rosaspata and Ñustahispana. Vitcos was one of the last strongholds of the Inca resistance against the Spanish, serving as an important administrative and ceremonial center during the rule of Manco Inca. Nearby, Ñustahispana—also known as the White Rock—is a sacred carved stone associated with Inca rituals, possibly linked to the worship of water and the Andean deities.

After taking in the historical and spiritual significance of these sites, we will return to Huancacalle shortly before noon. Here, we will say a heartfelt goodbye to our incredible team of muleteers, who will make their way back to the trek’s starting point with the mules. Our cooks will continue the journey with us but will later return to our office in the Sacred Valley. Their hard work and dedication have been essential to our journey, and we will take a moment to express our gratitude for their efforts.

From Huancacalle, our private transport will take us on a scenic journey through lush cloud forests and high jungle landscapes to the town of Santa Teresa. Upon arrival, we’ll head straight to the soothing hot springs of Cocalmayo, where we can soak in the warm waters and enjoy a well-earned moment of rest in this peaceful natural setting.

Minimum Height: 1200 masl / 3937 ft

Maximum Height: 4350 masl / 14271.65 ft

Approximate Walking time: 4 hours

Distance travelled: 6 km / 3.72 ml

Meals: B, L, D.

Accommodation: Hotel at Santa Teresa

Once we arrive at the hotel, we can finally unwind with a refreshing hot shower and a well-deserved celebration dinner. A good night's rest is essential, as tomorrow we set off for the grand finale—Machu Picchu!

From Santa Teresa, we’ll take a short drive to the Hidroeléctrica train station, where we board the train that winds its way through lush jungle landscapes toward Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival in town, rested and enthusiastic for our ultimate day, we begin with a relaxing morning or a wander around the town. Today we’ll enjoy an early lunch at one of Aguas Calientes’ excellent restaurants in order to arrive at the Citadel with plenty of time for our full afternoon tour.

Accompanied by our guide, we take a 25-minute bus ride up to the sanctuary of Machupicchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft). Our guide will lead us on a journey of exploration and discovery through the many fascinating corners of this iconic site. The guided tour will last approximately two hours, with time to absorb the awe-inspiring energy of this ancient Inca wonder.

Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu

If you feel like you could take on another uphill challenge, you have the option to climb the famous mountain of Huayna Picchu this morning, pre afternoon tour. It is important to mention that to climb this mountain, you need to buy a separate ticket in advance. Please confirm that you want to make this climb at the time of making your booking with us. The trail consists of many steep narrow steps (not recommended for people who suffer vertigo), the height of the mountain is 2700m / 8858ft (the climb is 300 m.) We will climb Huayna Picchu at 10am. The route is around 3 hours round trip. We will then exit Machu Picchu citadel and have our lunch at Sanctuary Lodge just outside the entrance to the Citadel. After lunch we re-enter the citadel at 2pm for our guided tour of the citadel itself.

As the site closes for the day at 5:30pm we bus back down to Aguas Calientes. We then have a charming train journey back to Ollantaytambo and time to reflect on, quite possibly, one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Our private transport will be waiting to take us back to your hotel.

Meals: B, L Snacks