Inca Rivers Trek - Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

15 days
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Small Group Tour
Traverse via the lost ruins of Choquequirao to Machu Picchu
17%
$3,499
From$2,890
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Explore the magnificent and remote ‘lost’ Inca ruins of Choquequirao and experience an incredible and very rarely seen view of Machu Picchu against dramatic mountains from the Inca site at Llaqtapata
    • Undertake a remote and unique trek along the spectacular Vilcabamba Mountain Range between two sacred Inca Rivers
    • Discover ancient Machu Picchu
    • Take in the historic city of Cusco, the royal capital of the Inca Empire
    • Visit the Sacred Valley and see ancient Inca salt pans
    • Be immersed in stunning landscapes and cultural encounters providing endless photo opportunities

What's this trip about?

    Traverse via the lost ruins of Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityCusco
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel
  • Trekking & Expeditions

Destinations

  • South America
  • Peru

Attractions

  • Cusco
  • Machu Picchu
  • Ollantaytambo
  • Sacred Valley

Activities

  • Culture
  • Trekking

Trip includes

    • 14 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 8 dinners
    • Airport transfers if arriving/departing on first or last day
    • Expert bilingual guide
    • Group medical kit
    • Comfortable and central hotels, primarily Casa Andina Classic hotels
    • Private internal transportation
    • The use of a gear pack including sleeping bag, fibre filled jacket, thermarest and headtorch
    • Group camping equipment
    • Porters to carry personal gear
    • Sightseeing and site entrance fees as listed (including Machu Picchu entrance fee)

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Arrive Cusco

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel where you are free to rest, essential to initiate successful acclimatisation to the altitude. Our hotel is located in the historic centre so you may also use this time to explore the city. In the evening yo...

Day 2 In Cusco, sightseeing

Today we have a guided tour of Cusco and its nearby ruins. The city, once capital of the extensive Inca Empire, has seen many changes since Francisco Pizarro's men took the city with such apparent ease in November 1533. We explore the city by foot to appreciate its su...

Day 3 Tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas

We leave Cusco and head to the Chinchero Plateau to explore Chinchero, an important town in Inca times. The most striking remnant of this period is the massive stone wall in the main plaza which has ten trapezoidal niches. There are beautiful views overlooking the Sa...

Day 4 Second day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Today we enjoy another day in the beautiful Sacred Valley with a tour of Ollantaytambo. During our time in Ollantaytambo we visit its remarkable temple/fortress set high on a ridge above the village. We also explore the quaint village itself with a fascinating mixtur...

Day 5 Drive to Trailhead at Capuliyoc to start trek

Today we are collected from our hotel for the drive (approx 5 hours) to the trail head. On the way we make a stop at Sahuite, where an astonishing boulder stands, meticulously carved by the Incas into intricate depictions of animals, plants, houses, and streets. Depar...

Day 6 Trek to Playa Rosalinda and continue to Choquequirao

We descend in places very steeply to the spectacular Apurimac river canyon. At first the descent is quite gentle, then it gets steeper and hotter as we go deeper in to the canyon to Playa Rosalina (1550 mts). Continue to Marampata (2930m) where we have lunch. After lu...

Day 7 Full day exploring Choquequirao

This morning after breakfast we explore this marvellous site, which actually is larger than Machu Picchu! There are many similarities with Machu Picchu, this enigmatic monumental site was also built during the mid to late 15th century, it became lost for many centurie...

Day 8 Trek Choquequirao to Pinchi Unuyoc

We walk down through some beautiful terraces and thick, lush vegetation, all the way to Pinchi Unuyoc at 2100mts, where we camp for the night. This is a hot, dusty spot, but we can refresh and wash in this beautiful stream. Camp at Pinchi Unuyoc. Walking time/distance: approx 5 hours/8km.

meals : B,L,D

Day 9 Trek Pinchi Unuyoc to Maizal

Descend approximately 2 hours to the Rio Blanco and then ascend 4 hours through some beautiful cloud forest all the way to Maizal (3085mts) for lunch. Walking time/distance: approx 6 hours/8km.

meals : B,L,D

Day 10 Trek Maizal to Yanama

This morning we climb for four hours to the San Juan pass (4150mts), for lunch. Then drop down into the Yanama Valley with great views of Panta and Pumasillo snowed peaks. Camp. Walking time/distance: approx 6 hours/11km.

meals : B,L,D

Day 11 Trek Yanama to Totora

Today we climb from our campsite to the top of Yanama Pass (4665mts) where we have amazing views of Veronica, Salcantay and Humantay peaks to the south. Then we drop down to Totora (3425mts). Camp. Walking time/distance: approx 10 hours/19km.

meals : B,L,D

Day 12 Trek Totora to Lucmabamba

Today we continue our descent through very lush cloud forest, full of begonias, orchids and crops like coffee and passion fruit, until Wayracpunku. From here we will take a transportation for another hour or so to our campsite at Lucmabamba (1800 mts). Walking time/distance: approx 5 hours/23km.

meals : B,L,D

Day 13 Trek Lucmabamba to Patallacta and train to Aguas Calientes

Today we ascend from Lucmabamba to Patallacta (2655mts), where we have lunch with incredible, and very rarely seen, views of the back of Machu Picchu. After lunch we descend to the mighty Urubamba River - the main source of the Amazon (1900mts) to catch the afternoon ...

Day 14 Visit Machu Picchu

Today we start early to explore these remarkable and truly enigmatic ruins. We will enjoy a guided tour of the sanctuary followed by time to explore this fascinating site at your own pace (with the accompaniment of the guide). In the afternoon or early evening we depa...

Day 15 Drive to Cusco airport, trip concludes

You will be transferred to the airport in Cusco for your flight where your trip concludes.

meals : B

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,890
Price per day$193
Last Updated: 4/17/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
06 Jun 2024
20 Jun 2024
$2,890
22 Aug 2024
05 Sep 2024
$2,890
05 Jun 2025
19 Jun 2025
$3,090
21 Aug 2025
04 Sep 2025
$3,090

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with World Expeditions.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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World Expeditions Reviews & Ratings

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Mary Anderson

Apr 2024

I had to leave the tour early because of illness

My tour guide, Tien, was wonderful. There was a tour participant from Australia who was a physician, and he acted like the tour medical director, demanding I leave...

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Michael Scholer

Apr 2024

An amazing experience that was made truly possible by booking through World Expeditions

. The team in Nepal went above and beyond to ensure our every requirement was met within their control.. The sherpas, guides, cook, and porters were exemplary, very ...

T

Terence Gibson

Apr 2024

My wife and I had a wonderful trek in the Annapurna region

We are both 80 but fit and the route was designed to be less exacting than on our last visit to the same area. This allowed ample time to look at the flowering Rhodo...

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Tour Operator

World Expeditions

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Taking the Paths Less Travelled Since 1975

Since its inception in 1975, World Expeditions has earned an outstanding reputation as an innovator and world leader in quality, small group adventure holidays. Responsible travel at our core, we always believed that it is not only where but also how you travel that truly creates an experience of a lifetime. Over the past decades World Expeditions has been operating authentic and innovative adventure holidays with a genuine focus on the paths less travelled. We are the pioneers in designing groundbreaking itineraries and many say our trips start where others end. As a leader in responsible travel, we offer big adventures with a small environmental footprint. While safety is core to how we operate, we’re also focused on the fun factor and suitably challenging you to reach that great sensation of personal achievement while enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded travellers.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International Flights and Taxes
    • Internal Flights and Taxes
    • Travel Insurance (compulsory)
    • Visas
    • Medical treatment
    • Excess baggage costs
    • Cost of laundry and alcoholic beverages
    • Items of a personal nature

Accommodation

6 nights hotel 8 nights camping,
Requirements
This trip is graded moderate to challenging and is suitable for fit and healthy people. Prior trekking is not necessary, although you would be expected to be comfortable in the outdoors and enjoy camping for successive days. These adventures involve trekking for up to 6 - 8 hours a day at a steady pace and may include longer days up to 10 hours. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and the actual treks are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. *Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. To prepare for a walking holiday we recommend you take every opportunity to walk up and down stairs and/or hills, for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. Please remember the fitter you are the more you will enjoy your holiday. Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking).,
Travel Insurance
We require that you take out a personal travel insurance policy to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. A suggested policy is enclosed with these notes. If you take out an alternative policy, we need to be advised of the details. It is your responsibility to ensure any and all pre-existing medical conditions are adequately covered by your insurer. Please note: if you choose credit card cover, in our experience, this may not insure against high cost needs. For example; helicopter emergency evacuation. If you do decide to choose credit card coverage, please check all policy details thoroughly. You should always carry your travel insurance policy, emergency card and photocopies of your passport and cash cards with you during your trip.
Visa requirements
Please check visa requirements with your reservations consultant*
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
  • 15 day trip
  • 9 day trek
  • 6 nights hotel
  • 8 nights camping
OPTIONAL HUAYNA PICCHU CLIMB OR MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN CLIMB Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountains differ in height and trail difficulty. Huayna Picchu reaches 2,963m and has an almost vertical ascent with narrow trails, while Machu Picchu mountain reaches 3,082m and has a wider and easier path. Access to both mountains is restricted to 75 people per schedule (4 schedules: 7am, 8am, 9am, and 10am). Advance purchase of non-refundable tickets is required. PDF outlining the differences can be found in WE docs to provide to clients.
Trip ID
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