Inca Rivers Trek - Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

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 you will meet with your guide at 6pm at your hotel for an initial trip briefing.
Overnight: Casa Andina Standard Cathedral or similar.

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 superbly constructed Inca walls and architecturally extravagant colonial churches and palaces. This also includes a visit of Koricancha, the Golden Temple of the Sun, in ancient times. After this we take a short drive to visit the monolithic walls of Sacsayhuaman along with Tambomachay, better known as ‘the bath of the Inca. Both sites are spectacularly set above the city. In the afternoon you may have time to explore some of the central parts of the city and a chance to look at some of the great varieties of local craft work on sale in open-air artisan markets and shops. Overnight: Casa Andina Standard Cathedral or similar.

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 Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the snow-capped peak of Salcantay dominating the western horizon. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Next we visit the mysterious concentric circular terraces of Moray which, according to some scholars, could have been an agricultural research centre. From here we head to the salt mines of Maras. This village is a salt-producing centre that dates back all the way to pre-Inca times. There are thousands of salt pools all carved into the mountain side. Due to a change in regulations, visitors are not allowed to walk through the salt mine anymore to avoid contamination of the salt. We will go to a lookout point from where we have stunning views of the salt pools. From here we will walk for about 1 hour mainly downhill to Pichingoto. Enjoy this rarely walked path and soak up the incredible setting of the Sacred Valley. Our car will be waiting for us in Pichingoto and we drive to our hotel in Ollantaytambo. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the beauty of this famous town.
Overnight: Sol Ollantay Hotel or similar.

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 mixture of Inca and Colonial architecture. This evening we have a pre-trek briefing with our trekking guide at our hotel and prepare for the trek.
Overnight: Sol Ollantay Hotel or similar.

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. Departing the main highway, we venture onto a dirt road that leads us to the village of Cachora (2900m). Our journey then ascends, offering breathtaking vistas of the Apurimac Canyon, until we reach Capuliyoc. It is here that we meet our muleteer team and have lunch. In the afternoon, our trek commences with a descent into the Apurimac Canyon, to our first campsite at Chiquiska at 1875m. The trail, marked by a few well-placed switchbacks, takes us downhill, revealing panoramic views of the snow capped peaks and Choquequirao in the far distance. Camp at Chiquiska.
Walking time/distance: approx 4 hours/8km.

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 lunch we continue to Choquequirao (3000m). If we are lucky we
could see some condors and spectacle bears. Camp at Choquequirao.
Walking time/distance: approx 7 hours/15km.

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 centuries as the high jungle in this area soon covered the ruins and it was
re-discovered by Hiram Bingham in the early 20th Century. Camp at Choquequirao.
Walking time/distance: approx 7 hours/6km.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 train to Aguas Calientes (200mts) where we check in to our hotel. This evening we will be free to enjoy the town and the hot shower! Walking time/distance: approx 6 hours/13km.
Overnight: El Mapi Hotel or similar.

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 depart from Machu Picchu for the train ride back to Ollantaytambo where we transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to Cusco.
NB: Depending on train schedules, we may arrive into Cusco very late at night.
Overnight: Casa Andina Cathedral Hotel or similar.
*Important: To ensure the protection and conservation of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and enhance the visitor experience, several restrictions and regulations are in place. The site features three main circuits divided into ten predetermined routes. Visitors are limited to a maximum of four hours within the site to reduce congestion and preserve the ruins, and admission is not permitted after 4pm. Additionally, all visitors must be accompanied by a guide. Despite these restrictions, World Expeditions endeavours to ensure you have a memorable and fulfilling Machu Picchu experience.
OPTIONAL HUAYNA PICCHU CLIMB OR MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN CLIMB - For the adventurous, you can purchase a permit for either the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb (please enquire for costs). Choosing this option means forgoing the guided tour of Machu Picchu, which is non-refundable and non-transferable. Huayna Picchu, with its narrow trails, reaches an elevation of 2,963m, while Machu Picchu Mountain, with a wider path, peaks at 3,082m. Both climbs are steep, slippery, exposed, and involve vertiginous drops, requiring a minimum of 3 hours return. Note that these climbs are not guided. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable, and a waiver form must be signed before purchase. Both permits are limited and sell out quickly, so please contact us if interested.

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