Choquequirao Trek + Machu Picchu
6 Days / 5 Nights

Highlights

1. See the Most Underrated and Beautiful Historic Incan Ruins in Peru: Choquequirao

   Choquequirao is one of the most important hidden gems you can visit in Peru. Currently only reachable by foot, trekking multiple days to reach these ruins is an immense achievement. More extensive than the famous Machu Picchu ruins, this remarkable site will offer an intimate and up-close look at stunning and mind-boggling ruins.

2. Experience Stunning Views in the Apurimac Valley and Sacred Valley

   Apurimac Valley is a breathtaking natural wonder, boasting rocky cliffs and deep canyons carved by the power of the Apurimac River. Its wild beauty provides a serene escape from the modern world. The Sacred Valley exudes spiritual significance with its terraced landscapes, vibrant Andean communities, and awe-inspiring archaeological sites. These valleys offer a lovely blend of natural splendor and cultural richness, creating an unforgettable experience for those who venture into these valleys.

3. Spend Two Consecutive Nights At a Stunning Campsite Nestled at The Foot of the Ruins

   Your nights before and after exploring Choquequirao will be spent at the same stunning campsite, meaning you have more time to appreciate the morning, travel lighter and enjoy a happy hour instead of packing and unpacking. This is one of our only treks that get to enjoy this luxury!

4. Finish your Trip Exploring the Most Famous Ruins in the Country: Machu Picchu

   The last day is dedicated to the ever-exciting adventure of exploring Machu Picchu. From walking the grounds with your guide learning about the area’s history to breaking off for some solo exploration and photos, this is an authentic once-in-a-lifetime experience.

What’s included in your Choquequirao Peru tour

1. Included

   • Trekking briefing with your trekking guide at 6 p.m. the night before you depart. You’ll receive your duffel bags for your personal porter.
   • Pick up from your hotel and a transfer to the trailhead in our private transportation
   • English speaking tour guide
   • Cook, porters, horsemen, and horses
   • Personal porter who can carry up to 8kg (16 pounds). A duffel bag is provided.
   • Hiking gear: four man tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, chairs, table, foam mat
   • All meals: breakfast, lunch, happy hours, dinner, and snacks each day
   • Vegetarian food available
   • Drinking water each day (you can fill up your water bottle three times a day at breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
   • First-aid kit
   • Oxygen tank
   • Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
   • Entrance fees for Choqueuiraw Inca ruins and Machu Picchu ruins
   • Last night hotel in Aguas Calientes village
   • Guided tours in Machu Picchu and Choquequirao
   • The train ride back to Ollantaytambo and a bus to Cusco
   • We operate this Choquequirao tour ourselves (minimum of two people required)
   • Taxes

   Satellite Phones: Alpaca Expeditions’ top priority will always be the safety of our clients and our team. While we’re prepared and all our guides are trained for the issues clients may have on the mountain, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps everyone feel assured that they’re safe. Radios, which all our guides have, are limited in how far they can reach. That’s why Alpaca Expeditions has added Satellite Phones to every trek. Every guide will have a fully charged phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to connect us anywhere in the world. And they can be used by our clients for non-emergencies as well. While they’re not cheap to use, they’re available just in case you need to check in on the kids or the puppy you left at home with grandma.

2. Not Included

   • • Rentals

   Every trekker needs a sleeping bag when camping. Inflatable air mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but encouraged. If you don’t want to bring any of the above, they are all available for rent:
   Sleeping Bag: $30
   Inflatable Air Mattress: $25
   Walking Sticks (Pair): $25

   • Last lunch
   • Tips for your crew

Price

1. Price

   $825 per person

2. Choquequirao Peru Tour Student Discount:

   $35 off per person

   Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using a university student card to receive the discount, we need to see a copy of the card at booking. For those booking children 17-years-old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. Please send all to info@alpacaexpeditions.com.

   More Information about STUDENT CARD

3. Choquequirao Peru Tour Upgrades:

   Hotel upgrades in Aguas Calientes will depend on the hotel you choose to upgrade to. Hotels that are included in our price will depend on availability, but we frequently book in the following hotels: Intipunko Inn, Waman Hotel, El Presidente, or Casa Andina. All of them have private rooms with private bathrooms, a hot shower, wifi, breakfast and storage to leave your luggage in, while you visit Machu Picchu.

   Vistadome train to return: $75

   Huayna Picchu climb: $75 per person

Travel Info

1. Altitude for the Choquequirao Peru Tour

   As soon as people book their trip to Peru, they start wondering about altitude sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs. Over several days at high altitude your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air. This is why we always recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before beginning any trek. If you have more time that’s even better. Cusco is an amazing city with lots of things to do* link to things to do page* so you won’t be bored.

   With altitude sickness you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe please contact our office and we’ll help you get to a doctor.

   Most of the time these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easing into activity slowly allowing your body time to adjust. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or coca tea. Coca tea has been used to help prevent altitude sickness since ancient times. Leaves from the coca plant contain alkaloids that help bring oxygen into your blood therefore helping your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness. Things to avoid to help prevent altitude sickness:

   * Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee. They’ll cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated.

   * Avoid smoking. It makes it more difficult for your body to get oxygen.

   * Avoid sleeping pills. They may cause shallow breathing at night making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.

   Remember the trek to Machu Picchu is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness if they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Going slowly will give your body time to adjust to this new adventure.
   Your general physical can prescribe medicines to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to a high altitude and continue to take it while you are at high altitude.

   You must remember that this entire adventure is meant to be your holiday and you don’t want to get stressed out about the possibility of getting sick. Do everything slowly, drink lots of water, and enjoy the coca tea. If anything does happen and you unfortunately get sick let your guide know right away – all Alpaca Expeditions guides are trained in how to help you get through it.

2. Weather

   Weather is unpredictable. Cusco’s dry season is normally from April to October, but this does not stop rain from falling in May or for the weather to turn warm in December. That’s why we always want you to to come prepared. No matter what month you’re doing the trek please make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho and waterproof gloves. Gloves tend to be what most people forget.

   You want to prepare for All four seasons. Many of the treks through the Andes Mountains involve walking through a lot of micro-climates that force you to prepare for all seasons. Layers are the key because they’re really easy to adjust to the different temperatures. The evenings will always be cold because of the elevation so you’ll need to bring a warm winter-weight jacket.

3. First Aid

   Every Alpaca Expeditions guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training every February and every single Alpaca guide attends. Each of our guides will always have a first aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. They’re trained and experienced when it comes to taking care of you and making you feel better.

   In case something unexpected happens and you feel you can no longer complete the trek, Alpaca Expeditions’ team will figure out the safest and quickest way off the course and to a clinic. You’ll never be left alone; you’ll have a member of the Alpaca Expedition team escort you every step of the way until safely with a doctor. When you’re feeling up to it, we’ll make sure that you still have the chance to visit Machu Picchu and re-connect with your group, traveling by train comfortably.

4. Travel Insurance

   Because there are so many logistics to plan and pay for before your trek occurs, payment for your trek is due even if you’re unable to complete the hike. Please read our Booking Conditions carefully so you know what is due. Obtaining travel insurance before you leave home is strongly encouraged. That way, if something happens, the money you’ve spent will be protected. If that does happen, Alpaca Expeditions will provide you with a letter and your invoice to submit to your insurance to help expedite your processing.

5. Environmental Impact

   Alpaca Expeditions uses biodegradable soap and transports all our garbage back to Cusco. Our porters are trained to look after the trail and pick up any waste from other groups, as well. We also use environmentally-friendly chemical portable toilets that allow us to pack waste out. We believe in leaving no footprint behind.

6. Community

   Alpaca Expeditions is really proud of the work we do for our community. This is a main focus for our company. We have worked with villages directly to help supply them with needs their families were missing. We have supported local schools by giving them computers and books. Alpaca Expeditions currently sponsors a teacher for the village most of our porters come from to ensure their children are offered the best education.

   Alpaca Expeditions buys all our food from local farmers and markets and serve the freshest ingredients. We provide English classes for all our team: guides, porters, chefs and drivers.

   Twice every year we bring our porters and their families to Machu Picchu. This is our favorite trip to do as the guys who work tirelessly have never visited the Lost Citadel of the Incas. Showing them this place is our biggest honor.

   Alpaca Expeditions is always looking to do more for our partners, please let us know of your ideas and we’ll work to help.

7. Our Equipment

   Alpaca Expeditions is dedicated to making sure we have the best equipment available. Casual Adventure Camping Store is a family owned business in the United States that is dedicated to the outdoor travelers needs and helps us with all our equipment needs.

8. Our Tents

   Enjoy a good night’s sleep in our spacious Eureka tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but you’ll only have to share with one other trekker leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffels. They’re an A-frame design with entrances on both sides of the tent. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt. We are proud to be the only company to use these tents.

9. Our Toilet Tents

   No need to add some additional hiking in the middle of the night when you have to use the bathroom! We set up our spotless environmentally friendly toilet tents right at your camping site and lunch sites, so you don’t have to bother with the park toilets that aren’t in great condition. This is Alpaca Expeditions’ way to lessen our footprint on the environment while adding the convenience and luxury of a private bathroom to your trekking adventure.

10. Our Mats

    A foam mat is included to separate and insulate you from the ground. For added comfort you may want to consider upgrading by renting an inflatable sleeping pad. This adds 3 inches of comfort on top of the provided foam mat to help you sleep better each night on the Andes. Alpaca Expeditions uses Thermarest and Eureka inflatable air mattresses.

11. Our Sleeping Bags

    Alpaca Expeditions only uses mummy style sleeping bags that’re 100% down for -15°C/5°F . Please note that if you’re over 1.95 meters / 6´4″ tall then you won’t be able to find a sleeping bag rental in Cusco. In this case it is recommended to bring your own. For everyone else you’ll have a great night’s sleep in this comfy warm bag. Alpaca Expeditions provides liners to everyone that are machine washed between every use. These do need to be included in your duffel weight and weigh 2 kg.

12. Our Walking Sticks

    All of Alpaca Expeditions’ walking sticks are black diamond and can fold up when you’re not using them. They’re sturdy and adjust to your height. Even for those of you who are great trekkers, having a set of sticks is helpful. Especially if the weather turns bad or just to ease the strain on your knees when heading down some of the steeper portions of the hike.

Packing List

1. Choquequirao Peru Tour Packing List

   • Day pack
   • Copy of your passport
   • Good hiking gear: hiking boots, warm jackets, gloves, hat, warm fleece, and socks
   • Sleeping bag
   • Walking boots
   • Waterproof jacket/poncho, pants and waterproof gloves
   • Hat and gloves
   • Warm clothes: layers for variable temperatures, especially at night
   • T-shirts
   • Comfortable trousers
   • Sun hat
   • Sunscreen
   • Insect repellent
   • Re-usable plastic/metal water bottle, or camel bags
   • Water for the first four hours of the trek, then we’ll provide you with drinking water
   • Toiletries
   • Personal medication
   • Camera and films
   • Flashlight with spare batteries
   • Walking stick
   • Bathing suit for the hot springs
   • Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips