KE Adventure

Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek

Trekking in Peru - Choquequiro Inca ruins and Machu Picchu

The alternative Inca Trail trek
Trek between the premier Inca sites of Peru
Lost Inca fortress of Choquequirao
Hike through Apurimac Canyon
Finish with Machu Picchu, the ultimate Peru holiday

Sitting astride a high ridge amongst snow-capped peaks, the Inca outpost of Choquequirao is already a rival to Machu Picchu in terms of its size and splendour - and more of its buildings and llama-decorated terraces are being exposed each year. Our approach to this so-called 'Cradle of Gold' is by way of the awe-inspiring canyon of the Apurimac River, involving a descent and ascent of almost 2000 metres. We then have a day to explore the site, before setting off on trek through the rugged Cordillera Vilcabamba, a region dominated by impressive 6000 metre peaks including Pumasillo and Salcantay. Following a rarely-used Inca trail, we cross the Totora Pass (4500m), then turn north to descend the Rio Colpa, passing untouched Andean villages whose Quechua inhabitants still wear traditional dress. Arriving at the cloud forest cloaked valley of the Rio Urubamba, this great trip concludes with a guided tour of Machu Picchu and a welcome free day in Cusco.

Trip Guide

This trek offers a variety of trekking conditions. Most of the walking is on fairly well-defined tracks, including some sections of ancient Inca highways, which are paved with stone in places. There are occasional river crossings and some steeper sections of trail. It is possible that the highest passes might have a light covering of snow. Overall, the trekking is straightforward and not very sustained. There are however, a couple of long trekking days and we do manage to accumulate more than 5000 metres of ascent and descent during the course of the trek. Crossing the remote Cordillera Vilcabamba, this is a superb short trek which merits its DEMANDING grade.