south-america·Multi-day tour·6 days
6-Day Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Express Tour from Cusco: Aguas Calientes | Small Group Tour
★ 4.9· 5 reviewsDaily breakfastSelect Meals Included
What you'll experience
Highlights
• Explore Choquequirao away from the crowds
• Witness the mountain beauty of the Andes
• Marvel at Machu Picchu
• Witness the mountain beauty of the Andes
• Marvel at Machu Picchu
6 days
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Cusco
Arrive at any time.
Arrive early and spend some time exploring the city. Meet the group at the welcome meeting, check for the start time on the welcome note at the hotel.
【Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting with G Representative】
The adventure begins today. Feel free to explore, but make sure you're back in time to meet the group. Your G Representative will review the details of your tour.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Cusco Plaza Nazarenas - 2
Day 2 — Cusco - Choquequirao Trek
Transfer from Cusco at 4am to San Pedro de Cachora where the group will eat breakfast. Travel 30 more minutes by car to the beginning of the trek in Capuliyoc. Walk as a group surrounded by breathtaking views of sweeping mountain scenery at every turn. Finish today's part of the trek at the Santa Rosa Campsite.
The lost city of Choquequirao was discovered hundreds of years ago, but it still feels as though you may be the first to discover it. Encroaching jungle still covers some of the stonework as only roughly 40 percent of these ruins have been excavated. The trek to this remote Incan city although challenging, is well worth the effort. Winding trails take you through the Apurimac River canyon with circling condors up above and views of the snow-capped Salkantay mountains making a breathtaking backdrop.
【Choquequirao Trek to Santa Rosa Campsite】
Embark on the first part of the hike, a scenic route with an incredible view of the Apurimac River. Camp for the night at Santa Rosa (1,900m - 2,850m/ 5,700 - 9.400 ft). The trek today is 18 km long and will take around 7 hours.
【Your G for Good Moment: Handmade Biodegradable Soap Products】
Enjoy local operator-supported handmade biodegradable soap products, for use on our treks. This for Good project empowered local Cusqueña women to start their own business in order to reduce the environmental impact of treks in the region. Planeterra provided $10,000 of seed funding for two young entrepreneurs to register their biodegradable products in order to sell them to the tourism industry. "Esencia Andina" is now a successful business that produces biodegradable soaps, detergents, and natural products for travellers, guides, porters, and cooks on our treks.
Choquequirao
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: Santa Rosa Campsite - 3
Day 3 — Choquequirao Trek
Eat breakfast as a group at the Santa Rosa Camp and then walk 2 hours to Marampata where the group will later camp for the night. From there continue trekking through the Apurimac River canyon on the way to Choquequirao. Spot condors as you make your way up into the cloud forest. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the ruins and marvel at your historical surroundings. Return to Marampata Camp in the early evening.
【Choquequirao Trek to The Ruins】
Depart Santa Rosa and follow the switch back trail up to Marampata. After 2 hours the group will stop for lunch before continuing upwards to the stunning ruins of Choquequirao (3,000m/9,842 ft). When the sun swings around onto the mountain face, it can get warm during the climb. Today has a very early start to hike while it's cool. Make sure to dress in layers and prepare for a strenuous trekking day.
Minimum altitude: 1,550 m / 5,117 ft
Maximum altitude: 3,150m / 10,397ft
Distance: 14kms / 9 miles
Difficulty: moderate / difficult. This day is 8 hours of walking.
【Choquequirao Main Square Guided Tour】
Enjoy a fully guided tour of the main square of Choquequirao and the surrounding terraces. The ‘other Machu Picchu,’ Choquequirao is built at the top of an almost untouched mountain in the province of La Convención. Ancient stone walls adorned with white stone llamas protect its two-leveled palaces and temples, systems of fountains, canals and aqueducts that fed the fantastic terraces farmed by the Inca during the Pachacutec government (XV century). Visit the colcas, used for agricultural storage and learn about the cultivation practices during the Incan Empire.Choquequirao
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: Marampata Camp - 4
Day 4 — Choquequirao Trek
Enjoy an early breakfast in Marampata. Then, the group will begin the return walk to Chiquisca. Once here, have some lunch together and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
【Choquequirao Trek - Day 3】
Leave Marampata behind and head down to Chiquisca (1,800m/5,900 ft), the camp for the night.
Minimum Altitude: 1,550m / 5,117ft
Maximum Altitude: 1,990m / 6,270ft
Distance: 9 kms / 5.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate / Hard. This day is 7 hours of walking.Choquequirao
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: Chiquisca Camp - 5
Day 5 — Choquequirao Trek - Aguas Calientes
The group will have an early departure from Chiquisca. Walk back to San Pedro de Cachora and enjoy lunch together before taking the bus to Ollantaytambo and then catch the train to Aguas Calientes.
【Choquequirao Trek - Chiquisca to Cachora】
Walk back to San Pedro de Cachora today and have lunch before transferring to Aguas Calientes.
Distance: 7kms / 4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate / Hard. This day is 3 hours of walking.
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Seven Machu Picchu Hotel - 6
Day 6 — Machu Picchu - Cusco
Wake up early to visit the breathtaking Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour of the site before taking the train back to Cusco in the afternoon where the trip will end upon arrival.
【Machu Picchu Guided Tour】
Set off with the local guide to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Learn about the history and gain insights into this massive mountaintop citadel while wandering through ancient dwellings, stone temples and along sculpted terraces. Feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded
What's included
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Handmade Biodegradable Soap Products
- Trek to Choquequirao with local guide, cooks, and porters (4 days)
- 2 guided tours of Choquequirao archaeological site
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Accommodations: Hotels (2-night), camping (3-night)
- Transportation: Private van, train, and hiking
- Staff & experts: Local operator Representative in Cusco, specialist Choquequirao CEO (Chief Experience Officer) on hike
- Meals: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners (Allow USD85-110 for meals not included)
Not included
- Airfares or related transportation between your home and destination
- All personal expenses including hotel room service and meals; however, you have the option to pay for meals that tour guide arranges
- Optional tours (Items and prices may vary due to different seasons and are subject to the final confirmation made by tour guide when on tour.)
- It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $5-$10 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. If at the end of your trek you felt your trekking guide and support team did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. You may do this individually, or your CEO will offer to collect the money and tip as a group.
Head guide: 10-25 USD
Assistant guide: 5-12 USD
Your trekking crew: 50 USD
Also at the end of each trip if you felt your CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $20-25 USD per person, per week can be used.
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Refund | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–31 days before | 0% | Cancellation Made Within 31 days prior to departure, No Refund |
| 32–61 days before | 50% | Cancellation Made Within 32 days to 61 days prior to departure, Refund 50% of total purchase amount |
| 62+ days before | 90% | Cancellation Made 62 or more days prior to departure, Refund 90% of total purchase amount |
Read the full cancellation terms
• We are not responsible for any incidental expenses or consequential losses that the Client may have incurred as a result of the booking such as visas, vaccinations, non-refundable flights or rail, non refundable car parking or other fees, loss of earnings, or loss of enjoyment, etc. If the Client is offered a refund but requests an alternative tour of a higher value than that originally booked, then the Client must pay the difference in price.
Important info
Special notes
- Dossier Disclaimer
* The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
* VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans. - Itinerary Disclaimer
* While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
* Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. - Important Notes
* Current and correct passport details are required at time of confirmation. Please also note that regulations have been implemented for all visitors to Machu Picchu which require that different circuits be followed within the site as a way to relieve crowding. The new circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. We will do all that is possible to get everyone traveling in a group on the same route, but be aware that it is possible that members of the same group might be visiting Machu Picchu on a different circuit and not be together during this visit. Rest assured that regardless of the circuit you will enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the site. - Group Leader Description
* All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders, a representative, or an expedition team. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds. - Meals
* Eating is a big part of traveling. We understand the importance of breakfast to start your day, we strive to include a basic breakfast wherever possible. A typical breakfast may include toast, coffee and tea, however this may vary depending on the city. Should breakfast not be included, your CEO can suggest some local options.
* Travelling with us you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. While trekking in remote regions etc. food is included, plentiful and made of fresh local ingredients.
* For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets. - What to Take
* Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, but because of the higher altitude in the Andes, the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night. We recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack, whichever is easiest for you to carry. A good size daypack is also essential. - Laundry
* Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap. - Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Pricing notes (children, single supplement)
* Children under 12 years of age are not permitted on this tour.
* All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
* Child shares the same price as adult.
* All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
* Child shares the same price as adult.
Tour operator
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$899
NPR 1,21,365