2027 Ultimate Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days

5 Days / 4 Nights
Challenging
4600
2 to 8 people
Van, Trekking, Train

Have the unique opportunity to visit Choquequirao, the sister city of Machu Picchu, and the famous Inca citadel, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, on an unforgettable journey!

Start by hiking through the valley that leads to the Apurímac Canyon, passing through cloud forests until you reach the legendary citadel of Choquequirao. As if that were not enough, you will connect this incredible experience with the Cusco jungle until you arrive at Machu Picchu.

Are you ready?

Highlights

Discover the trail through the dry landscape that leads you to the impressive Apurímac Canyon.
• Camp surrounded by amazing mountain views and lush trees.
• Visit the sister city of Machu Picchu, the impressive Choquequirao Citadel, a large archaeological complex that will leave you amazed.
• Spend the night in a sacred place like Choquequirao and enjoy the special energy of this magical site.
• Continue your adventure through the Cusco cloud forest and spend the night in our panoramic domes in Collpapampa, with hot showers, Wi-Fi, and gourmet meals.
• Finish your journey by visiting Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Discover its beauty and learn about Inca history.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Capuliyoc – Playa Rosalinas – Santa Rosa

We start the day early. Pick-up is at 5:00 a.m. for the nearly 5-hour drive to Capuliyoc, the starting point of the trek. Use the drive to rest and recover some sleep. Once we arrive, you will have time to prepare your last belongings, buy snacks from the local kiosks, and get ready for the hike.

The descent from Capuliyoc to Playa Rosalinas takes about 3 to 3.5 hours. The trail is rocky and dry, typical of this desert area. You will walk among trees and pass through small forest sections until you reach the deepest part of the canyon: Playa Rosalinas. Here you will have a short break and enjoy lunch to recover your energy. From this point, the exciting part begins: the uphill climb.

Start the ascent to our campsite at Santa Rosa. This section also takes about 3 hours. Walk at your own pace, as the heat and weather will be your biggest challenge. Enjoy beautiful views of the river while making your way up. Along the trail you will find small local shops where you can buy a snack or a drink to keep going.

When you arrive at Santa Rosa, you will camp in the middle of the mountains and end this challenging first day.

• Meals included: Lunch, Afternoon Tea, and Dinner
• Accommodation: Tents
• Distance: 15km
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Day 2: Santa Rosa – Choquequirao

Your guide will wake you up for this incredible day through the mountains and forests. After breakfast, you will hike for about 2 hours to Maranpata (2,850 m / 9,350 ft). Enjoy the beautiful scenery and observe the different types of plants and wildlife. Along the way you may see colorful birds, trees, waterfalls, and wonderful mountain views.

From Maranpata, continue for about 2 more hours with some uphill and downhill sections through the jungle until you reach Choquequirao. You will have lunch near the archaeological complex and relax in the peaceful silence of the mountains.

After lunch, you will enjoy a private guided tour of this fascinating site.

During the tour, explore the most important areas, including palaces, temples, ceremonial water fountains, the impressive Usnu (ceremonial platform), agricultural terraces, the famous llama terraces, and much more. Your guide will share the fascinating history of this incredible place. Finally, spend the night in this magical setting.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, and Dinner
• Accommodation: Tents
• Distance: 8km
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Day 3: Choquequirao – Yanama – Collpapampa

Day 3 of our adventure begins with breakfast in Choquequirao. From here, we hike through the Apurímac Valley toward Yanama, a small village surrounded by mountains. Along the way, you will notice how the landscape changes from the dry desert to the beautiful cloud forest, with breathtaking views all around you.

After arriving in Yanama, we will have lunch and continue to the mountain pass, the highest point of the trek. From there, private transportation will take us down through the cloud forest to Collpapampa, where we will stay in our exclusive panoramic dome camp. Here you can enjoy dinner, relax in a comfortable hotel-style bed, and take a hot shower after several days of hiking.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, and Dinner
• Accommodation: Panoramic Domes
• Distance: 12km
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Day 4: Collpapampa – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes

After another hot drink enjoyed in your comfortable dome, you will have the last delicious breakfast prepared by our chef. From here, we take local transportation to Lucmabamba, then walk along the ancient and remote Inca Trail for about 3 hours to Puncuyoc Pass (2,700 m / 8,858 ft).

Along the way, enjoy incredible views of deep valleys and fruit plantations. We then arrive at the Llactapata Inca Ruins, located directly across the valley from Machu Picchu. Here you will have time to admire the amazing views of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, the surrounding mountains, and the Aobamba Canyon.

From Llactapata, we descend for about 2 hours to the hydroelectric station, the main power source for Cusco. Nearby, we enjoy lunch before taking the train to Aguas Calientes, where we will have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• 3★ Accommodation: Hotel Ferre Machu Picchu
• 4★ Accommodation: El Mapi by Inkaterra
• Distance: 15 km / 9 miles
• Time: Approximately 6 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 5: Machu Picchu

This is the day you have been waiting for!

After an early breakfast at the hotel, take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu to enjoy the unforgettable sunrise over the citadel. It is a truly amazing experience that you will never forget.

Your guide will lead a tour of about 2 hours, showing you the most important areas of the citadel. Learn how Machu Picchu is divided into three main sectors: agricultural, residential, and religious.

After enjoying the incredible views, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train schedule, you may also have time for shopping, sightseeing, or visiting the local museum or hot springs.

The Expedition Train departs at 2:55 p.m. or 3:20 p.m., following the beautiful Urubamba River to Ollantaytambo. Near Aguas Calientes, the canyon becomes narrow and the river flows through impressive whitewater sections. If you look high up the canyon walls, you may even spot Wiñay Wayna from the train.

At Ollantaytambo, our driver will meet you at the train station and take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. Arrival at your hotel is around 7:00 p.m.

  • Meal included: Breakfast
  • Difficulty: Easy

What is Included for the Ultimate Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days ?

Included

  • Pre-trekking briefing with your guide at the office
  • Pick-up at your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
  • Private transportation from Cusco to Capuliyoc
  • Entry fees to Machu Picchu and Choquequirao
  • English speaking, experienced professional guide
  • Guided tours of Choquequirao and Machu Picchu
  • Comfortable and 4 season roomy tents (only 2 people in a 4 person tent)
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food with prior request)
  • All camping equipment such as: dining tent, table, chairs, kitchen and toilet tent
  • 2 Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and return to Aguas Calientes
  • First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
  • Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Transfer from the train station back to your hotel
  • Celebration dinner in an Aguas Calientes restaurant
  • Hotel in Aguas Calientes with private room and bathroom
  • Pack horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen – 7 kgs of your personal items such as extra clothes, sleeping bag will be carried by our horses
  • Provision of a horse in case of emergency such as illness, to ensure trek can be completed by all participants
  • Boiled water for drinking and washing purposes
  • Clean water to fill your bottles at each mealtime
  • Taxes

Not Included

  • Sleeping bag adequate for temperature of minus 10°C $25 USD
  • Air Mattresses $25 USD
  • Trekking Poles $20 USD
  • Entry fee to Huayna Picchu Mountain $75 USD
  • Additional horse for extra personal luggage in addition of the 7kg allowance
  • Optional upgrades (train and hotel)
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Tips for the cook, horsemen and guide

**Huayna Picchu is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which does not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour. 

Best Price for 2027.

The Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days is available on almost any day that suits your schedule! We only need a minimum of two people in order to book! 

Group trek

  • -$877 USD per person

Private trek

  • -$1,257 USD per person

*** If you are ONLY 1 person, please ask for the price. 

***This price includes the extra pack horse which will carry your belongings up to 7 kgs. We will provide you a duffel bag that you can put your things in.

***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.  

Packing List

WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE WITH YOU FOR THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK 

  • Original passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
  • Valid university card (if you booked as a student)
  • Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
  • Water storage:  2-3L reusable bottles (please do not bring disposable)
  • Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
  • Sleeping bag (can be rented from SAM Travel)
  • Headlamp: essential
  • Toilet Paper, hand sanitizer and small plastic bags

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DUFFEL BAG FOR THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TO MACHU PICCHU 7 DAYS

As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and  INCLUDE an extra pack horse who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14lbs including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.

  • 2 t-shirts
  • 2 hiking pants at least
  • 4 sets of undergarments
  • 3 sets of hiking socks
  • Bathing suit for the thermal waters
  • Fleece/ thermals
  • Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º C
  • Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
  • Comfortable shoes for camp
  • Quick dry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger
  • Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
  • Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
  • Large plastic bags will be provided at the office to line your duffel bag
  • Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us.

TOILETRIES

  • Face moisturizer
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Wet wipes
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Personal medications
  • First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK FOR CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK  

We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.

  • Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, then we will provide you with cold boiled water at every meal time. Please bring reusable bottles.
  • Sun hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Headlamp: essential
  • Wool hat
  • Rain gear
  • Fleece
  • Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
  • Rain poncho
  • Gloves
  • Camera
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
  • Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
2027 Ultimate Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days
machu picchu tours

Join SAM Travel Peru for an Unforgettable Travel Experience In Peru

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  • The Highest Quality Personal Service
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Your adventure. Our expertise.

Why Travel with SAM travel Peru?

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  • 100% value for money
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Anna R Mar 2026 • Friends

Fantastic 4 Day Salkantay Trek

I did the 4 day Salkantay trek with Joaquin (Guide), Matias (Chef) and Zenobio (Assistant Chef) and had the best time! The crew were so friendly and caring. It was well organised and they let us know what we would be doing each day. I struggled with the altitude and got a headache on day 2 so the crew gave me some oxygen to help. I felt very cared for. Joaquin was so knowledgable and gave us lots of information on the history of Machu Picchu. Matias and Zenobio’s cooking was incredible and much needed after long days of hiking. We had such a great time and I would highly recommend Sam Travels to anyone who is planning a trip to Peru!

Georgia Hayes Mar 2026 • Friends

Great experience with Sam Travel Peru!

I had a fantastic experience with Sam Travel Peru on the Salkantay Trek. Our guide Joaquin was great. He took great care of us throughout the journey, ensuring all our needs were met while also sharing fascinating historical insights that really added the experience. Chef Matias exceeded all expectations with his food. It was really delicious with generous portions. His assistant, Zenobio, was equally fantastic. The whole team had a great sense of humour, which made the experience even more enjoyable. When I started feeling unwell due to the altitude, they were incredibly attentive, making sure I was comfortable and providing any medicine I needed. I felt well looked after from start to finish. Would definitely recommend!

Danielle Nikka ... T Mar 2026

2 day Inca Trail with Sam Travel

Sam Travel has made our trip to Machu Picchu seamless. Joel Apaza was our guide and he has been extremely helpful throughout! I had stomach problems during our hike, not sure if it was food poisoning or altitude sickness, but I was extremely nauseated up to Winay Wayna which was the most strenuous part of the hike. He was very patient with us and even helped carry out daypacks with our heavy water bottles. We were stopping every 5 minutes because of my condition, but he was very gracious and still encouraging me that we can do it! We were able to reach the citadel after almost 9 hours and wouldn’t be able to do it if it wasn’t for Joel’s kindness. Definitely recommend!

dave d Mar 2026 • Couples

Two day tour of sacred valley and machu picchu

Carlos estrada was our guide for the 2 day sacred Valley and machu picchu tour .He was very knowledgeable and really courteous. As I am a man in his sixties and was in a group of twenty year old he paced the trip brilliantly .Great guy and guide

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Matt Ward 2026/01/29

We had a wonderful few days with Liz as our guide and Jair as our driver. We did a city tour of Cusco and then the Sacred Valley, culminating with an early start and Machupicchu on our final day. Liz was very patient and had incredible knowledgeable of all sites as well as telling us about all the history and importance of each site. She knew some ways to avoid packed areas and made each day special. Jair was a very skilled driver, courteous and made sure we were comfortable in the very clean car. Liz checked on us to make sure we arrived on time, smoothed the path for transport on the train and hotel stays, as well as entry to each site. Wilfredo was a good driver to take us back to Cusco and more than willing to stop so I could take photos of dairy cows. I’d highly recommend SAM tours as they had everything sorted for each amazing site, removed the stress and hassle of entry and logistics and made you feel like one of the family.

Tess Edwards 2026/01/29

We did the 3-day Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour with Sam Travel, and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. This was a real bucket-list trip for us, and with somewhere as iconic as Machu Picchu, expectations can sometimes be unrealistically high. In this case, the experience far exceeded them and was the highlight of our four weeks travelling in South America. Sam Travel is locally owned and operated, and our guide Liz Montesinos is also local. Liz has a university degree in tourism and a deep love for her history, culture and people — and that really shows. Her enthusiasm and knowledge made the three days feel meaningful rather than rushed or superficial.

Nina Shen 2025/10/29

We had an amazing experience visiting Machu Picchu with our guide, Liz Montesinos from SAM Travel Peru. She was so knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture. Liz was also incredibly kind and patient, making sure everyone in our group was comfortable and enjoying the day. Plus, she took some of the best photos of our trip. She knows all the best spots and took truly great photos and didn’t try to make us do cheesy poses like some other guides try to. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and would absolutely recommend her to anyone visiting Machu Picchu. She really made our 2-day trip to Sacred Valley and Machu Pichu very special!

Marcelle James 2026/02/29

We just completed our 3 day Sacred Valley and Machu tour with Sam Travel Peru (our guide was Jose). Firstly they were very easy to deal with, and able to add in airport transfers etc as needed. Jose was an excellent guide for the whole 3 days from airport pick up to the end of the tour. Jose was able to amend the itinerary as we went to suit the weather conditions and our ability to walk through all of the sites, ensuring we still got to see all of the most picturesque and important parts of each site. Jose is exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about Peru as well as being very adaptable and positive - would absolutely recommend him.

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Cheri Buccino April 21, 2024
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Powerful! This journey tests your humanity and leaves you in awe of yourself and the beauty that Pachamama provides. April 2024 We conquered the Inca trail and it was only made possible with the help and guidance from our expert guides Jean Pierre (JP) and Jimmy. The knowledge these gentlemen shared was admired by all of our group and the envy of other trail hikers who stopped to listen. The hike has many layers of challenges including language barriers, altitude sensitivities and food specifications. The team at Sam travel exceeded the needs and went above to ensure our comforts were met. A special mention must be made to Mario, the Chef who somehow performed magic with nutritious flavourful meals to satisfy even the pickiest consumers and Francesco who was our lead porter who orchestrated the harmony that happened behind the scenes to get everything done. Nothing less than marvellous from this team. Thank you to each of the group who made our trek a remarkable experience.

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Bhavana Lalwani April 18, 2024
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Jose and Henry were great guides for our first time exploring machu pichu! They were very attentive and kept everything on a smooth schedule. Highly recommend!

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Ryan April 9, 2024
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The whole experience was amazing. Ray, our guide answered all of our questions and definitely had our best interest in mind the whole time. Timothy the cook made fantastic food and somehow found a way to prepare a birthday cake with no notice! Boni our head porter and his whole crew were kind, accommodating, and had such upbeat attitudes which really made the experience great!

Isabel Batteria April 17, 2024
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I spent two days with Sam Travel’s guide Raymier, who guided us through the one-day 12-km stretch of the Inca trail and then took us to Machu Picchu the next day. In my group, I was always the last one on the trail because I come from the coast and I’m not used to altitudes, and honestly I could also have prepared physically a little better. Raymier respected my pace, never rushed me, and supported me throughout the ardous trail. He had much knowledge to share. I speak Spanish, but ended up in an English tour, and Ray’s English was very good. He was funny, respectful, and versatile. He knew where to take all the best photos and patiently took photos of all of us. I would trust Sam Travel again especially if I was lucky enough to have Ray as a guide again.

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Sam Travel is a renowned local travel agency based in Cusco -Peru, recognized for its commitment to customer satisfaction, expert travel advice and personalized itineraries that meet the needs and preferences of each traveler.

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