The Wiñaypoco mountain is located on the Choquequirao route, at 2,680 meters above sea level. The route to Wiñaypoco follows the Totora river, and then enters a tropical rain forest passing through another small town in Lluscamayo. After a gradual descent into the rain forest, the vegetation changes very rapidly. Upon reaching Collpapampa, our body will appreciate the beneficial natural hot springs and then we will continue to our camp in Wiñaypoco. Then the route continues on the left flank of the Santa Teresa River, where we will see plantations of bananas, granadillas, cocoa, coffee and others. Arriving at Wiñaypoco, a plain of natural pastures.
Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu
Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek combines the Choquequirao and Machu Picchu routes, with a spectacular and challenging path that crosses the Apúrimac River Canyon, which leads us through little-known archaeological centers and passes, as well as cloud forests located in high mountains. Finally, it connects us with the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu.
Choquequirao was an Inca city similar in size to Machu Picchu divided into different areas. These parts of the complex seem to have had different uses and are linked to a main square by a series of trails.
This plaza has a ceremonial air and consists of two different levels, you can see the Sun and Earth temples, residences, dormitories for the Mitimaes (workers hired by the Incas) and farmers' homes.
The most famous routes are: Choquequirao Trek 4 Days or the the Choquequirao Trek 5 Days.
Useful information:
- Starting altitude - 2900m / 9515ft.
- Highest Altitude - 4840m / 15,879ft.
- Walking distance - 100 km / 62 miles
- Longest day - Days 1 and 6, approximately 18 km / 11.2 miles
- General difficulty - Difficult
- Acclimatization is highly recommended.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Cachora - Capuliyoc - Chiquisca
We will pick you up from your accommodation at 6:00 in the morning and travel northwest to the Saywite archaeological center 3,500 masl (11,482 ft) that houses a rock monolith with zoomorphic, phytomorphic, geographical features and human constructions figures, we will have a brief visit and then we will continue in our transport to the town of Cachora 2,900 masl (9,514 ft), we will continue to Punta Carretera, our mobility will transport us here, from now on we will continue walking with our support staff and our mules, we will stop in Capuliyoc 2,885 masl (9,336 ft) to enjoy our lunch and then we will begin the descent to the Chiquisca camp 1,910 masl (6,266 ft), here we will spend the night.
- Total distance: 7 kilometers
- Estimated time: 3 to 4 hours
- Maximum Altitude Point: 3,500 masl (11,482 ft)
- Camp height: 1,910 masl (6,266 ft)
Day 2: Chiquisca - Marampata - Choquequirao
We will start very early with the descent to Playa Rosalina 1,500 masl (4,921 ft) on the Apurimac river, from this point we will begin to ascend arriving at Santa Rosa, a beautiful place with the option of taking the famous “Cambray”, known as an artisanal drink made from from Caña de Azúcar and we will continue ascending to Marampata 2,870 masl (9,416 ft), where we will have our lunch. Later we continue the walk for about 2 hours until we reach the Choquequirao camp area 2,950 masl (9,688 ft), so this day we will camp near this fascinating archaeological site.
- Total distance: 17 kilometers
- Estimated time: 7 to 8 hours
- Maximum Altitude Point: 2,950 masl (9,688 ft)
- Camp height: 2,950 masl (9,688 ft)
Day 3: Choquequirao
This day we visit this great Choquequirao Archaeological Center, which only 40% is free of vegetation and is made up of nine stone architectural groups and a system of 180 platforms, residential, administrative, artisanal houses, irrigation systems, among other buildings built on a stone base.
- Estimated time: 7 to 8 hours
- Maximum Altitude Point: 3,100 masl (10,170 ft)
- Camp height: 2,950 masl (9,688 ft)
Day 4: Choquequirao - Pinchiunuyoc - Maizal
We will leave the camp early and start the ascent for around 3 hours until we reach the Pinchiunuyoc archaeological site, recently discovered in 1998. This archaeological site is very special because they suddenly appear outside the cloud forest, almost invisible due to the thick layer of mosses and other vegetation that covers them, in this place we will have our lunch, we will continue the descent towards the White River 1,900 masl (6,233 ft), then we start a long and steep climb to our camp in Maizal 3,000 masl (9,842 ft), in the upper part of the river - probably the most beautiful camp on the way, with beautiful views of the valley, trees and snow-capped peaks. Once in Maizal we will set our camp.
- Total distance: 14 kilometers
- Estimated time: 6 to 7 hours
- Maximum Altitude Point: 3,300 masl (10,826 ft)
- Camp height: 3,000 masl (9,842 ft)
Day 5: Maizal - Yanama
We leave our camp in Maizal and begin a long climb to the Victoria pass 4,200 masl (13,779 ft) first we walk through the cloud forest and then on high Andean grasslands, we will have lunch passing this pass, with views of the Choquetakarpo mountain, before we start the descent to Yanama, a small isolated town in the lower part of a very broad valley, surrounded by mountains. Here we set the camp for the night.
- Total distance: 13 kilometers
- Estimated time: 6 to 7 hours
- Maximum altitude point: 4,200 masl (13,779 ft)
- Camp height: 3500 masl (11,482 ft)
Day 6: Yanama - Totora
This will be the day with the highest demand, we will start with the ascent through the valley to the highest point of the trip, the Yanama pass 4,550 masl (14,927 ft). On the way we will have a good view of the snow-capped Sacsarayoc or Padreyoc and hopefully we will see some condors. As we walk on the pass we can walk in snow. For the descent the road becomes misty and muddy, until we reach the community of Totora 3,600 masl (11,811 ft), where we spend the night.
- Total distance: 15 kilometers
- Estimated time: 7 to 8 hours
- Maximum altitude point: 4,550 masl (14,927 ft)
- Camp height: 3,600 masl (11,811 ft)
Day 7: Totora - Playa - Lucmabamba
After a very early breakfast, we begin our seventh day of excursion, this day we will have a long descent until we reach the town of La Playa 2,400 masl (7,874 ft), descending more than 2,000m, this town is one of the largest on the way, here we can find small shops to buy some snacks. In this area we can see small coffee and banana plantations. Then we will continue our walk until we reach Lucmabamba 2,000 masl (6,561 ft), this will be the place of our camp, keep in mind that it will be our last night of camping.
- Total distance: 12 kilometers
- Estimated time: 6 to 7 hours
- Maximum altitude point: 3,600 masl (11,811 ft)
- Camp height: 2,000 masl (6,561 ft)
Day 8: Lucmabamba - Aguas Calientes
We will start early with the walk, we will ascend to the Inca city of Llactapata 2,700 masl (8,858 ft), from this place we will be able to see the Inca city of Machu Picchu from a different angle, here we will have our lunch, we will continue with the walk descending to the town of Hydroelectric 1,809 masl (5,935 ft), here we will take the train that will take us to the town of Aguas Calientes 2040 masl (6,692 ft) where we will spend the night in a hostel.
- Total distance: 10 kilometers
- Estimated time: 4 to 5 hours
- Maximum altitude point: 2,700 masl (8,858 ft)
- Camp height: 2040 masl (6,692 ft)
Day 9: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
We get up early (5:00 a.m.) after breakfast we take the first bus (5:30 a.m.) to Machu Picchu. Once in the Archaeological Park, we will have a guided tour for about 2 hours. Then they will have the rest of the day free to explore the rest of the city. You must be at the train station in Aguas Calientes about 30 minutes before the train departs.
Recommendations to visit Choquequirao and Machu Picchu
- The Cusco - Choquequirao - Machu Picchu hiking route is one of the most extreme and adventurous experiences in Cusco.
- Tour the 2 most enigmatic sites that the Incas built more than 600 years ago: Choquequirao and Machu Picchu.
- Due to the physical effort that the 8 days of trekking requires, it is necessary to take some precautions.
- Before starting the route, a previous acclimatization in the city of Cusco is important. Simply drinking plenty of water and adjusting the body to height are enough to avoid possible discomfort.
- The walk is of medium-high difficulty. While you don't need to be an expert mountaineer, it is important to be in proper physical shape to do so.
- The tours that offer this route generally include a specialized guide, food and camping. The visitor must provide sleeping bags, walking sticks and other accessories.
- The entrances to the archaeological sites of Choquequirao and Machu Picchu are also generally there. It is recommended to look for an authorized travel agency.
