Trek to the Lost City of Choquequirao

Itinerary

• Day01

  Arrive in Cusco

  Meet your MT Sobek trip leader at the airport and transfer to your hotel on the main square. Take a walking tour that introduces you to the history of the Inca civilization and its former capital with its ornate cathedrals, adobe walls, carved balconies, and cobblestone streets. Explore a church built atop the ruins of the most important temple in the Inca Empire, Cusco's main colonial square, and the Sachsayhuamán complex, a masterpiece of Inca architecture. In the evening, enjoy a group welcome toast with an incomparable view of the Imperial City.

  • Accommodation: JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
  • Activity: City walking tour
  • Meals: Lunch
• Day02

  Hike through the Sacred Valley

  Begin your trek along a spectacular route through the Sacred Valley that eventually reaches Choquequirao, the last refuge of the Incas - also known as the "cradle of gold." Early in the morning, travel to the community of Cachora and begin your hike towards the first stop in Capulilloq, where you'll get your first glimpse of Choquequirao in the distance. Along the way, take in dazzling mountain scenery, steep cliffs, snowcapped peaks, and the coil of the Apurimac River. Descend to Cocamasama, then continue to your campsite at Rosalina Beach.

  • Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp - Choquequirao
  • Activity: 6 hours/12 miles hiking with 3,773' elevation loss
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day03

  Hike to Choquequirao

  Set out early for Choquequirao to avoid the heat of the sun. As you hike, keep an eye out for spectacled bears and white-collar Andean condors. Arrive in Choquequirao in time to explore the ruins on your own. Sometimes called Peru's "lesser-known lost city," Choquequirao was a major cultural and religious center for the Incas. Today, it dazzles with its remarkably remote and scenic position on a ledge high above the roaring Apurimac River. In the evening, camp at a nearby archaeological complex.

  • Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp - Choquequirao
  • Activity: 8 hours/8.5 miles hiking with 4,380' elevation gain
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day04

  Explore the Ruins of Choquequirao

  In the morning, enjoy some time to explore the amazing Choquequirao complex on your own. Much larger than Machu Picchu, the site exudes a poignant beauty and stellar views of dramatic surroundings. Once you've soaked it all in, descend back to the campsite at Rosalina Beach.

  • Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp - Choquequirao
  • Activity: 9 hours/12.5 miles hiking with 4,019' elevation loss
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day05

  Trek to Cachora & Return to Cusco

  Depart from camp early to begin a 6- to 7-hour trek back down to the town of Cachora, taking in a breathtaking landscape of snowcapped mountains all the while. From there, connect with your transport back to the city of Cusco.

  • Accommodation: JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
  • Activity: 8 hours/12 miles hiking with 3,412' elevation gain
  • Transportation: 4-hour private van transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Day06

  Take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

  Ride the classic Vistadome train up the narrowing gorge of the Urubamba River. Then, begin your half-day hike along the Inca Trail to the lost citadel of Machu Picchu. After about 2 hours, the valley turns into a cloud-forest canyon. After lunch, we continue steadily uphill to the jungle-bound ruins of Wiñay Wayna, then continue on to Intipunku, the original entrance to Machu Picchu. Pause to absorb the awesome view, then take the bus into Aguas Calientes and relax at the hotel for the rest of your day.

  • Accommodation: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
  • Activity: 6-7 hours/8 miles hiking with 2,692' elevation gain
  • Transportation: 1-hour train transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day07

  Explore Magical Machu Picchu

  Enter the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu by morning light. Take a highly informative tour of the site's main structures and learn about their importance in the lives of the Incas. Take a challenging climb up Machu Picchu's Old Mountain (optional) and be rewarded by breathtaking views of the citadel and the surrounding mountains. Enjoy lunch, then return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where we catch the Vistadome train back down to Cusco and transfer to the hotel. In the evening, explore Cusco on your own.

  • Accommodation: JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
  • Activity: Optional 4 hours/1.5 miles hiking with 2139' elevation gain
  • Transportation: 4-hour train transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Day08

  Bid Farewell to Cusco

  After breakfast at the hotel, catch your transfer to the airport and board your departing flight.

  • Meals: Breakfast