This is one of the great long-distance treks of South America: eight days linking the two most impressive Inca cities of the Vilcabamba range. You start at Cachora, descend into the Apurímac canyon and climb to Choquequirao, where you spend a full day with your guide among its plazas and llama terraces.
From there the trail crosses wild, rarely visited country past the Inca site of Corihuayrachina and the village of Yanama, climbs to the La Puerta pass (about 4,400 m) and drops into the cloud forest to La Playa. The last trekking day passes Llactapata, with its view of Machu Picchu across the valley, before a hotel night in Aguas Calientes and the guided visit of the citadel. Camping gear, a cook, horses, both entrances and the Machu Picchu visit are included for US $930. Read our 8-day trek guide.
Choquequirao and Machu Picchu, the great sites of the Vilcabamba range.
The Apurímac canyon
A deep descent and climb on the first days of the trek.
A full day at Choquequirao
Time to explore the plazas, temples and the terraces of the llamas.
La Puerta pass
The high point of the route at about 4,400 m.
Remote Andean villages
Yanama and other communities rarely seen by travellers.
Llactapata
An Inca site with a view of Machu Picchu from across the valley.
Machu Picchu to finish
A guided visit after a hotel night in Aguas Calientes.
Fully supported
Horses, a cook and camping gear for six nights on the trail.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu 8 Days, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.
DAY 1
Cusco to Cachora, Capulichayoc and Chikisca
A 5:00 AM transfer reaches San Pedro de Cachora (2,800 m). You hike to the Capulichayoc viewpoint over the Apurímac Canyon for lunch with a first view of Choquequirao, then descend to camp at Chikisca (1,800 m).
Distance
15 km / 9.3 mi
Altitude
2,800 m down to 1,800 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 2
Chikisca, Playa Rosalina, Marampata and Choquequirao
You descend to the Playa Rosalina bridge, then climb 4–5 hours to Marampata (2,950 m) for lunch and on to the Inca citadel of Choquequirao (3,033 m), the Cradle of Gold, camping among the ruins.
Distance
12 km / 7.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,233 m
Campsite
3,033 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 3
Choquequirao guided tour
A full guided tour explores the urban, agricultural and ceremonial sectors of Choquequirao, of which only a third has been excavated, with chances to watch Andean condors over the canyon.
Visit
Full Choquequirao tour
Campsite
3,033 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Moderate
DAY 4
Choquequirao to Corihuayrachina (Santa Rosa)
You trek across the mountain past the recently uncovered site of Qorihuayrachina and the Pincha Unuyoq terraces through varied Andean terrain to camp at Santa Rosa (2,200 m).
Distance
14 km / 8.7 mi
Altitude
3,033 m to 2,200 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 5
Corihuayrachina to Yanama
Climbing ancient Inca trails past old silver mines, you reach a high lunch spot near 4,000 m, then descend to the peaceful village of Yanama (3,520 m).
Distance
15 km / 9.3 mi
Elevation gain
1,800 m
Campsite
3,520 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 6
Yanama, La Puerta pass and La Playa
You cross the La Puerta pass (about 4,400 m) amid waterfalls, glaciers and snow peaks, then descend to camp at La Playa (2,400 m).
Distance
14 km / 8.7 mi
Max altitude
4,400 m
Campsite
2,400 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 7
La Playa, Llactapata and Aguas Calientes
A three-hour climb on an original Inca trail reaches Llactapata (2,700 m) for panoramic Machu Picchu views, then you descend to the Hydroelectric Station and walk to Aguas Calientes for a hotel night.
Distance
12 km / 7.5 mi
Altitude
Aguas Calientes 2,040 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty
Hard
Good to know: Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveler's passport details when you book.
DAY 8
Machu Picchu guided tour and return to Cusco
An early 5:00 AM start lets you enter Machu Picchu among the first groups for a two-hour guided tour, with optional Huayna Picchu, then the train to Ollantaytambo and a private transfer to Cusco.
Visit
2-hour guided tour
Optional
Huayna Picchu
Meals
Breakfast
Return
Train and private car
Difficulty
Easy
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Choquequirao to Machu Picchu 8 Days tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Hotel pickup in Cusco
Private transport Cusco to Cachora
Bilingual professional guide (English and Spanish)
Choquequirao entrance ticket
Chef and full camping equipment
Mules and muleteers for gear and luggage
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners as detailed
Oxygen cylinder and first aid kit
Vegetarian options on request
Return transport to Cusco
Machu Picchu entrance and guided tour
Hotel night in Aguas Calientes
Return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Not Included
Sleeping bag (rent in Cusco)
Trekking poles (rent in Cusco)
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Choquequirao to Machu Picchu 8 Days day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Spend a day or two in Cusco (3,400 m) before this high-altitude trek. Hydrate well, eat light, drink coca tea and avoid alcohol. Our guides carry oxygen and a first aid kit throughout.
Physical fitness
Very challenging. Eight days of long stages through the Apurímac canyon and over high passes of about 4,400 m, with big daily climbs and descents. Only for experienced, well-acclimatized trekkers.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October, with clear skies and firm trails; nights at camp are cold, especially from June to August. From December to March rain, mud and cloud are frequent, and snow is possible on the high passes.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is intense at 4,400 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF. Nights at camp can drop below freezing, so pack a warm jacket, hat and gloves.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $930 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $884 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $837 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Very challenging: eight days of long stages with big climbs and descents and passes of about 4,400 m. Only for experienced, well-acclimatized trekkers.
No. Choquequirao and Machu Picchu entrances are included.
Six nights camping and one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Yes, the 9-day trek follows a higher route reaching about 4,840 m.
