Explore the best Inca trail to Machu Picchu, Choquequirao & Salkantay 9 Days
The great Inca Trail that united in the past two of the most exquisite citadels of the Incas is still in use to be able to visit it and explore its beautiful landscapes that surround it.We have designed this impressive trekking route, which visits the archaeological sites of Choquequirao, the sacred mountain of Salkantay, the mythical Inca trail to Machu Picchu.
If you are a traveler who loves culture and a lot of high-level hiking activity, this route will surely surprise you, for everything it offers. You will travel through ancient inca trail used by the messengers of the Incas the Chasqui. To start the tour you will visit from the Capuliyoq viewpoint to the depths of the Apurimac river canyon, and then ascend a steep path to the archaeological complex of Choquequirao, which is said to have been one of the last strongholds of the resistance of the Incas of Vilcabamba. during the war against the Spanish.
This site is located at more than three thousand meters and its architecture is unique in the entire empire of the Incas, currently only less than 30% of its original design can be seen, since over time this site was covered by large trees and bushes.
Afterwards we will hike from the base of the snowy Salkantay to the Inca Chiriasqa pass, following the most preserved original Inca trail and with many temples, houses, shrines of the Incas. This sector stands out among others for the incredible scenic beauty from the valleys, to the high peaks, and the deep jungles of tropical forests, finally leading us to the fabulous sacred city of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
Trip Highlights
Mysterious Citadels in the mists
- Explore the best Inca citadels built in the mountains with forests, the Inca monuments of Machu Picchu and Choquequirao are the best works of architecture of the ancient peoples of Peru. Both are abandoned citadels suspended on a plateau high in the Andes, surrounded by a wall of mountains that fade in and out of view with the mist. We can show you the Inca masterpiece in its very best light, our private guides are adept at avoiding the heaviest crowds, they know the best attractions in all the adventure.
Breathtaking Scenary
- Peru is one of the most diverse countries in the world, Cusco offers the most spectacular natural settings, between mountains, snow-capped mountains, glaciers and cloud forests full of fresh air. On this tour you will explore the impressive Apurimac River Canyon, the Salkantay Mountain, and the most beautiful valleys of Peru.
Amazing Tours & Athentic Experiences
- On tour with us, you will be immersed in culture and history through experiences such as meeting local families, learning ancient traditions and watching cultural shows. We also include delicious local meals in each region.
Best Culinary Tradition
- Peru managed to win the last 6 years as the best gastronomic destination in the world, this is because its gastronomy is one of the most sophisticated in terms of flavor and it will surely delight your palate.
Inclusions of this tour
CUSCO - CAPULIYOQ - PLAYA ROSALINA - MARAMPATA
We will pick you up from your hotel between 3:30 to 4:00 AM to start our trip in a private van for 4 hours to northeast of Cusco city, through small towns until Capuliyoc town (2.800masl) where we have a delicious breakfast and where also we will meet with our trip staff (muleteers and horses).
After breakfast we begin with our hiking for about 20 minutes and will arrive to our first viewer where we have a panoramic view, in front of us we can see the vilcabamba mountain range called ( padreyoc) and the famous Apurimac Canon, after having an amazing view we will start our descend for 3 hours through beautiful landscapes where you will be able to see different medicinal plants which were used by our ancestors ( muña, chilca and different varieties of plants) If we are lucky we will be able to see the majestic Condor, we descend until Chiquisca Hamlet (1800masl) where we have a delicious tipycal Cusco Lunch Buffet.
After having Lunch we will have a 30 min break to continue with or hiking, Descending 45 minutes more until Playa Rosalina (1700masl), located in Apurimac River. After passing the famous Apurimac river we continue hiking uphill a zigzagging road for 4 hours until Marampata (3500masl), at sunset we will see andean people, how they live in the mountains with a style of life that maybe you wont believe compared to the city. We will arrive to our camping site at 5:30 pm, after a small break its time for dinner, during the night you will be able to see constellations according Andean or Inca religión.
Camping Tent
TOUR IN CHOQUEQUIRAO RUINS - MARAMPATA
After breakfast, we will continue with our hiking to the ruins of Choquequirao, on this day the hiking is going to have a high level physically, where we will be able to see an amazing view of the Archeological Choquequirao Complex (3100masl) we will have amazing canon views. Choquequirao is also knew as the lost city of the Incas, we will visit the magnificent archeological site of Choquequirao for the entire day.These ruins are three times the size of Machu Picchu and new sections, hidden under the dense jungle, are constantly being discovered. Enjoy the private guided tour and explore all of the beautiful sections of the temples, terraces, palaces, the llamas’ section, and much more.
After to visit all of this places we will start our descend until Choquequirao Camping where our picnic Lunch is waiting for us, after having lunch we will take a 30min break and continue to an amazing place that only us know about it, this place is called cataratas de Pachayoc (water falls) a place where you will be in touch with the nature. Finally we will return to Marampata where dinner is ready and is time to stop over.
Camping Tent
SANTA ROSA - PLAYA ROSALINA - CAPULIYOQ
After a nutritious breakfast, we get ready to descend to the Apurimac River, and then we begin our return journey along the same path that took us the first day to Choquequirao. We will have a brief stop at the Playa Rosalina site, where we will freshen up and fill our canteens with more water for the journey.
From that point we head uphill to the Chiquiska farmhouse, there we can learn about the preparation of a typical drink of this region, we refer to the Cambray, which is prepared based on the fermentation of sugar cane juice. You can usually see all the travelers and muleteers consuming this slightly alcoholic drink. It is also a beautiful place where different types of tropical fruits are produced, such as mango, citrus, the sacred coca leaf, etc.
After a short break, we head to the site of Cocamasana, it will be three hours of ascent, the weather is quite dry and hot, but the landscapes that surround us are impressive.
After having lunch, we will make the ascent of the last part to the Capuliyoq viewpoint, where we will spend the night in a beautiful and comfortable lodge, with impressive views of the Apurimac river canyon, and the snowy Padreyoq.
Camping Tent
CACHORA - MOLLEPATA - SORAYPAMPA - ICHUPATA
Today we will have a spectacular sunrise, between the mountains, we will say goodbye to the great site full of energy. After having breakfast we will thank our cooks and muleteers, with whom we live a great adventure in the Choquequirao. Then we will drive to the majestic sacred valley of the Incas, during the journey we will pass through the towns of Curawasi, and Mollepata. At 11 am we arrive at the site of Soraypampa, where we will begin the walk to the humantay lake, itsa lake of glacial origin that has a turquoise color. After taking the pictures, we will descend to have our lunch.
In the afternoon we begin our three-hour walk to the site of Ichupata, where we will spend the night, with a beautiful sky full of stars.
Meals Included:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camping Tent
INCA CHIRIASCA PASS - SIYAYPAMPA - PAMPACAHUANA
After an early wake up and hearty breakfast, we start on a gentle uphill to Incachiriasca pass (4850 m/15908 ft) the highest point of the trek, we enjoy the views of this imposing mountain in front of our eyes , the mountain of Salkantay is the second highest mountain in the Cusco region and one of the Inca gods called “Apu”. As we ascend, we will make stops along the way to enjoy the outstanding mountain scenery of the Vilcabamba range, then we will descend towards our lunch spot at Sisay Pampa, a flat area from which one can observe the neighboring Salkantay Valleys. After lunch, we will gradually continue descending to our campsite in Pampacahuana community (3,700 m / 12,136 ft), located next to an original Inca canal. This is our camp for the night.
Camping Tent
PAUCARCANCHA - HUAYLLABAMBA - AYAPATA - LLULLUCHAPAMPA
After saying goodbye to our muleteers who have accompanied us along the Salkantay route, we continue with the descent to the Paucarcancha valley, where we will visit an Inca ruins, which was used as the main control point for travelers to Machu Picchu. Following our journey we will arrive at the town of Huayllabamba, which is one of the last towns on the Inca Trail network, and traditional agriculture is still practiced, of potatoes and corn. This is the point at which the two routes join, and from where the mythical Inca Trail to Machu Picchu will begin, for two hours you walk along a steep path through the mountains of the Queuñas and Chachacomos forests. We will have lunch at the site of Ayapata, with an incredible view of the Huayllabamba valley, and the Wayanay mountain.
After a rest we continue with our walk to the Llulluchapampa camp (4,000 masl). In this camp we will be the only ones who will spend the night and we will enjoy a magical Andean sky full of stars and constellations.
Camping Tent
WARMIWAÑUSCA PASS - PACAYMAYO - RUNKURAKAY - SAYACMARKA - PHUYUPATAMARKA
Today, we will reach the highest point on the Inca Trail (pass of the dead woman) (Warmiwañusca) (4,200 Meters – 13,776 feet). Upon reaching the pass we will stop for a short break to enjoy the views before leaving again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River). It is another hour and a half by the side of the valley to our lunch spot and the opportunity to fill our water bottles. After lunch, we begin to ascend again to the second step of the walk. After a descent of two hours, we will arrive at the Valley of Pacaymayo (3,600 meters / 11,808 feet) where we will have lunch. Then we will continue to the second pass (Runkurakay) (3,970 meters / 13,022 feet), stopping halfway to visit the impressive archaeological site of Runkurakay. Passing the pass, we descend to Lake Yanacocha and enter the Cloud Forest to reach the ruins of Inca Sayacmarca (3,624 Meters / 11,887 Feet). Our campsite is located in Phuyupatamarka (3,580 meters / 11,745 feet).
Camping Tent
INTIPATA - WIÑAYWAYNA - SUN GATE - AGUAS CALIENTES
Today we will have a beautiful sunrise from the heights we will be able to contemplate the beautiful mountains of the Vilcabamba mountain range, also the Aobamba valley, in the distance it is possible to see the Salkantay snow-capped mountain. Today we will visit the best archaeological sites of the Inca Trail, the first site to explore is the ruins of Phuyupatamarka, and its sacred water sources.
Then we will make a descent following the ancient Inca trail inside the jungle, after two hours we will arrive at the place of intipata, from where you can take the best photos of the Inca trail circuit to Machu Picchu. Near noon we will arrive at the site of Wiñaywayna, which is another archaeological complex that according to scholars was one of the royal residences of the most powerful families of the Inca empire, after making the respective visit, we return to have our lunch, and it will also be The last day that our friends, the porters, with whom we have explored this impressive adventure, accompany us.
In the afternoon we must continue our walk to the famous Puerta del Sol where you will enjoy the first glimpse of the citadel of Machu Picchu, receiving the last rays of the sunset, finally we will go down to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night in a comfortable Hotel.
Retama Machu Picchu
TOUR IN MACHU PICCHU - RETURN TO CUSCO
Today is very important, since we will get up at 4:30 am, to be one of the first to board the bus that will take us to the sacred citadel of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
We start the tour passing the control where we show our passports and tickets at 6:00 am, we can still enjoy the sunrise in Machu Picchu, and we go up the stairs to the viewpoint of the guardian’s house, which is where the best photos will be taken. for your memory in Machu Picchu, then we will visit the Inca sanctuary with your guide, the most important ceremonial and urban spaces for an average of 3 hours approx. Then we must leave the premises, since now it is not allowed to stay longer than authorized, once you go outside you can take any of the buses back to Aguas Calientes, or if you want you can also do the walk back to walk to the village, for approx. 1 hour and a half, along this trail you can enjoy the landscape full of orchids and typical birds of Machu Picchu.
In the afternoon at 14:30 pm, it is your return train to the Ollantaytambo station where your bus awaits you, which will bring you to Cusco, where it will arrive around 19:00 pm.
Best season to travel
The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season, between May and November, when the weather is dry and bright, with more frequent rainfall occurring between November and April.
Trek to Choquequirao, Salkantay & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 9 Days
Price $ USD 1450 PP or Reserve now with $ USD 200 PPChoose your preferred departure date to proceed
A unique adventure in Choquequirao & Salkantay Trek & Inca Trail 9 Days
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Essential Trip Information
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