Inca stone building with trapezoidal niches at Choquequirao archaeological site

Choquequirao to Machu Picchu 6 Days
Trek from the Cradle of Gold to the Lost City

Más de 20 años de experiencia

Certificación ISO 9001

Con base en el Valle Sagrado

Un trek fuera de lo común

From the Cradle of Gold to Machu Picchu


The 6-Day Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek takes you from the depths of the Apurímac Canyon, at 1,550 m, to mountain passes at 4,100 m in the Vilcabamba range. Visit Choquequirao, the sister city of Machu Picchu, then follow Inca paths, glacier-fed valleys and cloud forest to the Machu Picchu citadel, with far fewer visitors along the way.

  • From the Apurímac Canyon to passes at 4,100 m

  • Acampa dentro del complejo de Choquequirao

  • Back view of Machu Picchu from Llactapata

  • Finish with a guided visit to Machu Picchu

Trekker with open arms between Inca stone walls at Choquequirao, with clouds drifting over the green mountains

Ruta e itinerario

Six Days, One Trail


Interactive map of the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek route from Punta Carretera to Aguas Calientes, including campsites and altitude changes.

Punta Carretera Santa Rosa Baja Choquequirao Maizal Yanama Lucmabamba Llactapata AguasCalientes

Todo el trek

Distancia
59.0 km
Duración
6 days / 5 nights
Punto más alto
4,110 m a.s.l.
Ir al Día 1

Day 1 covers 12.3 km from Punta Carretera to Santa Rosa Baja. On day 2 you climb 8.2 km to Choquequirao. Next, day 3 adds 9.7 km to Maizal, and day 4 crosses Victoria Pass for 7.9 km to Yanama. Day 5 starts with a drive from Yanama to Lucmabamba and then covers 21.0 km on foot to Aguas Calientes via Llactapata. Finally, day 6 is a guided visit to Machu Picchu.

Los tiempos son aproximados y varían según tu ritmo y el clima.

La ruta de un vistazo

Distancia
59.0 km
Punta Carretera to Aguas Calientes
Duración
6 days
5 nights, 4 camping
Inicio
2,899 m s. n. m.
Punta Carretera
Punto más alto
4,110 m a.s.l.
13,484 ft · Victoria Pass

Altitud según el track GPS de la ruta. Distancia medida a lo largo del camino.

Llama-shaped stone figures decorating the Inca terraces of Choquequirao

Lo más destacado del trek

  • Cross Victoria Pass on an original Inca path.
  • Desciende al Cañón del Apurímac y cruza el río.
  • Acampa dentro del complejo arqueológico de Choquequirao.
  • Trek the Vilcabamba mountains to Llactapata and Machu Picchu.

Día 1Día 2Día 3Día 4Day 5Day 6

Muleteer leading a pack mule on the Choquequirao trail

Day 1 of 6

Cusco – Punta Carretera – Chiquisca – Santa Rosa Baja

A steep descent into the Apurímac Canyon, then a climb to camp at Santa Rosa Baja.

We leave Cusco at 6:00 a.m. in a private vehicle and drive to Cachora and on to Punta Carretera, where our muleteers and mules wait to carry your gear. Then you walk for about 4 hours down the Apurímac Canyon to Chiquisca, at 1,800 m, where we have lunch. After one more hour to the Apurímac River, you cross the bridge and climb steeply for about 3 hours to the village of Santa Rosa Baja, where we camp.

Puntos destacados

  • Descend into the Apurímac Canyon.
  • Almuerzo en Chiquisca.
  • Cross the Apurímac River by bridge.
  • Acampa en el pueblo de Santa Rosa Baja.

Comidas: Almuerzo, Cena

View over the deep Apurimac canyon from the trail

Altitude from the route’s GPS track. Distance measured along the trail.

White stone llama and chakana patterns on a terrace wall at Choquequirao

Day 2 of 6

Santa Rosa Baja – Marampata – Choquequirao

Climb to Marampata and camp inside the Choquequirao archaeological complex.

After breakfast we climb for about 3 hours to Marampata. From there the trail is gentler, mixing short ascents and descents for 2 hours to the campsite inside the Choquequirao archaeological complex. Finally, in the afternoon we visit the ruins with your guide.

Puntos destacados

  • Sube a Marampata.
  • Acampa dentro del complejo arqueológico de Choquequirao.
  • Afternoon guided visit to Choquequirao.

Comidas: Desayuno, Almuerzo, Cena

Llama-shaped stone figures decorating the Inca terraces of Choquequirao

Altitude from the route’s GPS track. Distance measured along the trail.

Stone terraces covered in grass at Choquequirao

Day 3 of 6

Choquequirao – Maizal

Say goodbye to Choquequirao, descend through cloud forest to Río Blanco and climb to Maizal.

After a last visit to the archaeological complex, we continue through humid forest to the Choquequirao Pass. We then descend toward Río Blanco, stopping at the Pinchiyoc terraces on the western face of the mountain, where you can see curious ritual fountains. After lunch at Río Blanco, we climb for about 3 hours to Maizal, where we camp.

Puntos destacados

  • Final visit to Choquequirao.
  • Cloud forest and Choquequirao Pass.
  • Pinchiyoc terraces and ritual fountains.
  • Camp at Maizal.

Comidas: Desayuno, Almuerzo, Cena

Paved Inca path running beside a stone wall near Choquequirao

Altitude from the route’s GPS track. Distance measured along the trail.

Snow-dusted slope above a valley in the Vilcabamba mountains

Day 4 of 6

Maizal – Victoria Pass – Yanama

Cross Victoria Pass on an original Inca path and descend to the Yanama Valley.

We walk around the Corihuarachina snow peak, where Inca canals have been found. Then, following a stretch of original Inca trail, we reach Victoria Pass and its Inca silver mines, later used by the Spanish colonizers. After crossing the pass we descend into the spectacular Yanama Valley, under the shadow of Mount Pumasillo, where we camp.

Puntos destacados

  • Walk around the Corihuarachina snow peak.
  • Original Inca trail to Victoria Pass.
  • Inca silver mines of Victoria.
  • Camp in the Yanama Valley beneath Pumasillo.

Comidas: Desayuno, Almuerzo, Cena

Original Inca stone steps climbing toward Victoria Pass

Altitude from the route’s GPS track. Distance measured along the trail.

Inca stone steps among bamboo on the way up to Llactapata

Day 5 of 6

Yanama – Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes

A drive to Lucmabamba, then a walk through coffee farms with a first view of Machu Picchu and a night in a hotel.

After breakfast in Yanama, a vehicle takes us down the valley to Lucmabamba, about 5.5 hours by car. We then start on foot in this community, which shows us how organic coffee is grown. Walking through coffee and tropical fruit plantations, you climb for about 4 hours to the Llactapata archaeological site (2,590 m a.s.l.), where the viewpoint gives an exceptional angle on Machu Picchu. A path of flowers and orchids then leads down to the Acobamba River, and a metal bridge near the hydroelectric plant takes you across. From the Hydroelectric station we walk on to Aguas Calientes, or you can take the train (optional, extra cost). Along the way you see waterfalls fed by glaciers. In the afternoon we reach Aguas Calientes, where you sleep in a comfortable hotel. Dinner is not included, but we can arrange an optional dinner at a local restaurant.

Puntos destacados

  • Drive from Yanama to Lucmabamba, about 5.5 hours.
  • Organic coffee farms in Lucmabamba.
  • Llactapata viewpoint over Machu Picchu.
  • Path of flowers and orchids down to the Acobamba River.
  • Walk from the Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes.
  • Night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Comidas: Desayuno, almuerzo

Snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba range at sunrise

Altitude from the route’s GPS track. Distance measured along the trail.

Panoramic view of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from the upper terraces

Day 6 of 6

Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

A guided visit to Machu Picchu, then the train back to Ollantaytambo and Cusco.

After breakfast at the hotel, a bus takes us up to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of about 2.5 hours through the citadel, its amazing architecture and the mysterious temples the Incas left behind. You can add the optional Huayna Picchu hike (ask us for pricing). Then we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and board the Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo, where a private transfer takes you to your hotel in Cusco.

Puntos destacados

  • Guided tour of the citadel, about 2.5 hours.
  • Optional Huayna Picchu climb (ask us for pricing).
  • Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo.
  • Private transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Comidas: Desayuno, almuerzo

Machu Picchu citadel below Huayna Picchu mountain

Tu precio

What’s Included

En el camino

  • Guía profesional en inglés / español.
  • Choquequirao and Machu Picchu entrance tickets.
  • Arrieros y mulas para todo el equipo de camping.
  • Mules for your large backpack (maximum 7 kg).
  • Cook and cook assistant.
  • Botiquín de primeros auxilios.
  • Alojamiento para todo nuestro personal.

Campamento y comidas

  • Carpa doble para 2 personas (3 estaciones).
  • Carpa cocina y carpa comedor con mesas y sillas.
  • Colchoneta.
  • Bolsa de dormir.
  • Bastones de trekking.
  • All meals listed in the itinerary: 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 4 dinners.

Transport and hotel

  • Private transport from Cusco to Cachora and Punta Carretera.
  • Private vehicle from Yanama to Lucmabamba.
  • 1 night in a superior 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes (double or triple room).
  • Bus up and down between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
  • Vistadome train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
  • Transfer from Ollantaytambo station to your hotel in Cusco.
Qué no incluye
  • Propinas para el guía, el cocinero y los arrieros.
  • Desayuno del día 1.
  • Emergency horse.
  • Optional extras (ask us for pricing): Expedition train from the Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes, horse riding (not allowed on descents), Huayna Picchu climb, single tent and single room supplement, and train upgrade to Vistadome Observatory.

Notas importantes

  • Shared departures run on selected dates; ask us for the calendar. Private tours can start on any day of the season.
  • Bring your original passport or ID document. Students under 18 receive a discount; bring a student card.
  • No hay cajeros automáticos en Cachora: lleva efectivo en soles o US$.
  • The Choquequirao and Machu Picchu entrance tickets are included in the price.
  • Train times are set by the railway company and may change. Other times are approximate.

Preguntas frecuentes

Dificultad y altitud

Equipaje y reservas

Antes y después del trek

Viaja ligero

Qué llevar

La mochila que llevas contigo mientras caminas. El equipo de camping lo carga normalmente el equipo de trekking.

Sol y lluvia

  • Sombrero
  • Protector solar
  • Poncho impermeable
  • Chaqueta
  • Repelente de insectos (mínimo 20%)

Esenciales de la mochila de día

  • Agua (botella no desechable)
  • Snacks
  • Papel higiénico y toallitas húmedas
  • Linterna frontal o linterna

Documentos y salud

  • Documents (passport or ID; student card if you are under 18)
  • Medicación personal

Cámara y energía

  • Cámara / teléfono
  • Batería externa

Bring cash in soles and/or US$ (there are no ATMs in Cachora). Our mules carry your large backpack, up to 7 kg.

En el camino

Alimentación y necesidades dietéticas

Vegetarian options are available on this trek. Vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free meals are available on request with advance notice. Please tell us about any food allergies when you book, so we can confirm what we can arrange for you.

Viajar con responsabilidad

Compramos productos locales siempre que podemos, para apoyar la economía local. En el camino reciclamos, reutilizamos y evitamos el plástico de un solo uso.

Muleteer in an orange shirt smiling as he leads a white mule loaded with orange-covered cargo along a mountain trail above a canyon

Nuestros arrieros y mulas

En este trek nuestros arrieros llevan el equipo de camping y tu mochila grande con mulas de carga. Trabajan en las mismas condiciones que nuestros porteadores de otros treks, salvo el límite de 20 kg que se aplica a los porteadores:

  • Alimentación: comidas durante todo el trek.
  • Equipo: uniforme incluido.
  • Cuidado de los animales: protectores de carga en cada mula.
  • Alojamiento: Alojamiento para todo nuestro personal.

That is why your large backpack is limited to 7 kg (15 lb).

Tripadvisor · Opiniones 2026

Lo que dicen nuestros viajeros

Opiniones recientes en Tripadvisor sobre viajes de Santu en Perú, publicadas en 2026.

This is Santu’s overall rating, not a rating specific to this trek.

“La experiencia fue increíble; éramos 3 familias y nos encantó. El nivel de la comida, las carpas, los guías. Un diez.”

Edgardo C · Toledo, España
Escrita el 4 de agosto de 2026 · Traducida del español por Tripadvisor

“… Giuliana superó nuestras expectativas. Hizo un trabajo increíble escuchando lo que queríamos y necesitábamos, dándonos recomendaciones y encargándose de todos los pasos del camino. Nos sentimos totalmente informados.”

Carrie G · Viaje en familia
Escrita el 16 de julio de 2026

“Giuliana es una agente de viajes increíble que lo planificó todo por nosotros y nos dio muchas ideas geniales, y llegó con un paquete extraordinario que cubrió todas nuestras necesidades …”

Kuro G · Burlington, Canadá
Escrita el 9 de julio de 2026

Ver todas las opiniones de Santu en Tripadvisor →

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