Combine two epic trails to two different "lost cities" - the iconic Machu Picchu, and its lesser-known counterpart, Choquequirao - for one incredible Peru journey. The trip begins with a trek to Choquequirao, once a major cultural and religious center for the Incas. These remote ruins enjoy a breathtaking location high in the mountains above the roaring Apurimac River. Then, hike the last leg of the Inca Trail to explore the spectacular stone citadel of Machu Picchu. Your journey is book-ended by stays in beautiful Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Discover the mist-shrouded wonder of magical Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas
Trek to Choquequirao, the last refuge of the Incas perched high above Apurimac River
Explore the timeless city of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After breakfast at the hotel, catch your transfer to the airport and board your departing flight.
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Download ItineraryMT Sobek has been designing pioneering trekking adventures in the Sacred Valley for nearly 50 years.
Follow expert local guides on heart-pumping hikes amid breathtaking Andean scenery and enjoy immersive cultural experiences.
This trip has been carefully crafted to visit not one but two iconic Inca sites - the amazing Choquequirao and Machu Picchu - in just 8 days.
Our expert guides and trip leaders are truly the key to our trips' success. Many are locals who live in-country year-round; others have made it their second home—all are passionate, enthusiastic and endlessly knowledgeable. Meet a few of the guides that might be on your trip.
Strenuous hiking to remote ruins high in the mountains, rewarded with spectacular views.
Three nights of camping; four comfortable & charming hotels.
Weather can be erratic in the mountains at higher altitudes, so you should be prepared for rain, wind and clouds regardless of the time of the year.
There are currently no direct international flights to Cusco, so you will need to route through Lima. Airlines that operate flights from Lima to Cusco include LATAM, Star Peru, Peruvian Airlines, and Avianca. KLM, American Airlines, and LAN have code share agreements so you can fly from your home city to Cusco on the same ticket.
We design our treks to maximize altitude conditioning in the early part of the trek. However, there are no guarantees that your body will acclimatize properly. If, in the opinion of the trip leader, you show signs of potential acute mountain sickness, you will descend and remain at comfortable altitudes.
On this trip, you should come with the intention of hiking each day. We will hike from point-to-point, without a vehicle on most days. The hike up Machu Picchu's Old Mountain on Day 7 is optional.
Tap water is not safe to drink. We will provide purified water along the way.
We recommend you bring your own duffle. If you don't have one, we can provide a small duffle for the 4 nights of camping.
The Choquequirao is pristine wildnerness camping at its best. This means we will be tent camping in roomy but basic 3-person tents, with sleeping pads, a dining tent and a toilet tent set up at each site.
Make any of our trips a custom adventure or start from scratch. Take two itineraries and match them up to create a unique third. Add extras and extensions and more...if you can imagine it, we can make it happen!
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MT Sobek Guest
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MT Sobek Guest
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