This tour connects two of the most important Inca destinations in Peru: Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. It is designed for travelers who want a real trekking adventure to a remote archaeological site, but also want to finish with the comfort of a train journey, a hotel night, and a guided Machu Picchu visit.

If you want the full remote expedition on foot toward Machu Picchu, the Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 7 Days may be a better fit. If you want only Choquequirao without Machu Picchu, consider the Choquequirao Trek 5 Days.

Choquequirao is a remote Inca archaeological site located high above the Apurimac Canyon. Its name is often translated as “Cradle of Gold,” and it is known for its terraces, plazas, ceremonial areas, mountain views, and strong connection with the final period of the Inca world.

Unlike Machu Picchu, Choquequirao can only be reached by a multi-day hike. That effort is part of what makes the experience so special: fewer crowds, remote trails, and a deeper feeling of discovery. For more background before your trip, read our Choquequirao, The Golden Cradle of the Incas.

The updated 6-day route starts in Cusco and takes you by private transportation to Capuliyoc. From there, you descend into the Apurimac Canyon to Chikiska, continue through Playa Rosalina and Santa Rosa, and reach Marampata, the main base for exploring Choquequirao.

On Day 3, you hike about 2 hours from Marampata to Choquequirao, enjoy lunch near the archaeological site, and spend the day exploring the citadel with your guide before returning to Marampata in the afternoon. The return route goes back through Playa Rosalina and Chikiska before the final uphill hike to Capuliyoc.

From Capuliyoc, the route continues by private transportation toward Cusco and Ollantaytambo, then by train to Aguas Calientes for a hotel night before the Machu Picchu visit. The trek includes steep descents, strong climbs, warm canyon sections, and remote mountain trails.

Choquequirao sits at around 3,050 m / 10,006 ft above sea level. The route also drops to lower, warmer canyon sections near the Apurimac River before climbing again toward Marampata and Choquequirao. This means the challenge is not only altitude, but also elevation change.

We recommend arriving in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek. During your first days, keep activities light, drink water, avoid excess alcohol, and rest well. For a gentle activity before the trek, consider the Cusco City Tour or the Sacred Valley VIP Tour.

For general health guidance, review the official CDC Travel to High Altitudes information.

The best months to hike Choquequirao are usually during the dry season, from May to September, when trail conditions are more stable and mountain views are often clearer. April and October can also be good transition months.

The rainy season, from November to March, brings greener landscapes but also wetter trails and more unpredictable conditions. Because this route includes canyon, mountain, train valley, and Machu Picchu environments, pack for sun, wind, cool nights, heat, and possible rain.

Your entrance ticket to the Choquequirao archaeological site is included in this tour. During the visit, your guide will explain the official rules and help you explore the site responsibly.

Choquequirao is a protected archaeological park. Visitors must respect the site, avoid climbing on walls, avoid entering restricted areas, and never camp inside the archaeological zone. Drones require official authorization.

For official information, visit the Choquequirao Archaeological Park page from Cultura Cusco.

Your Machu Picchu entrance ticket is included in this tour. Circuit 2 is included by default whenever available because it gives one of the most complete visits to the citadel. If Circuit 2 is sold out for your date, we will secure the best available alternative, usually Circuit 1 or Circuit 3.

Machu Picchu tickets are limited and assigned by date, time, and circuit. For this reason, early booking is strongly recommended, especially during high season. You can read our Machu Picchu Tickets guide or check the official Machu Picchu circuits and routes.

After completing the Choquequirao trekking section, you will travel to Ollantaytambo and board the train to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. This gives you a more comfortable finish after several days of hiking.

A 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes is included, so you can rest before visiting Machu Picchu the next morning. The return journey includes the Vistadome Panoramic train for a more scenic experience through the Sacred Valley.

This route is best for active travelers with good fitness. You do not need to be an elite athlete, but you should be comfortable walking several hours a day on steep uphill and downhill trails.

The best preparation includes regular hiking, stairs, long walks, hill training, and walking with a daypack. Trekking poles are strongly recommended because the route includes long descents and climbs. You can read our guide on how to use trekking poles in the Andes.

This is an authentic camping trek during the Choquequirao section. You will sleep in comfortable tents at organized campsites along the route. TreXperience provides quality camping equipment, dining support, and a trekking team that prepares camp and meals during the journey.

Bathrooms on this route are basic, and facilities are limited compared with more popular treks. Bring toilet paper, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and a small personal hygiene kit.

Meals are one of the highlights of the Choquequirao Trek with TreXperience. Our trekking chefs prepare fresh, warm, and varied meals on the trail to keep you energized and comfortable throughout the hike.

Breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner are included during the trekking days. Breakfast is included at the hotel in Aguas Calientes. Lunch on the last day in Aguas Calientes is not included. Vegetarian, vegan, and special dietary options are available with advance notice.

Choquequirao is remote, so you should not expect reliable phone signal, Wi-Fi, or charging points during the trekking section. Bring a fully charged power bank and let family or friends know that you may be offline for most of the trek.

For safety, TreXperience carries a first-aid kit, oxygen bottle, and satellite phone. Our guides are trained to manage the pace, monitor the group, and respond if a traveler feels unwell or needs support.

Choose this Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 6 Days if you want to connect Choquequirao and Machu Picchu with a smarter trek-and-train route and a hotel night before visiting Machu Picchu.

Choose the Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 7 Days if you want a longer, more remote expedition-style route. For a broader comparison, read our Choquequirao Trek Guide.

It is a trekking and train journey that connects two of Peru’s most important Inca sites: Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. You hike to Choquequirao through the Apurimac Canyon, then continue by private transportation and train to Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu with your guide.

Yes. This tour connects both destinations in one itinerary. You first hike to the remote Inca citadel of Choquequirao, then travel by private transportation and train through the Sacred Valley to reach Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu.

The 6-day version is a smarter trek-and-train route. It includes the Choquequirao trekking experience, then uses private transportation and train travel to reach Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu.

The Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu 7 Days is the longer and more remote expedition-style route, designed for travelers who want a deeper trekking challenge.

The tour takes 6 days and 5 nights. It includes four nights of camping during the Choquequirao trekking section and one hotel night in Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu.

This tour is challenging because the Choquequirao section includes steep descents, long climbs, warm canyon areas, and several days of trekking on remote trails. You should have good fitness and be comfortable walking for several hours per day.

The train and hotel section makes the final part more comfortable than a full expedition route, but the trekking section still requires preparation.

The highest important point of the Choquequirao section is around 3,050 m / 10,006 ft. Machu Picchu sits lower, at approximately 2,430 m / 7,972 ft. The main challenge is not only altitude, but the repeated descents and climbs in the Apurimac Canyon.

Yes. We recommend arriving in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek. This helps your body adjust to the altitude and gives you time to rest, attend the briefing, and prepare your gear.

During your first days, drink water, avoid excess alcohol, and keep activities light. You can also review the CDC Travel to High Altitudes guidance before traveling.

Yes. The Machu Picchu entrance ticket is included. Circuit 2 is included by default whenever available because it offers one of the most complete experiences inside the citadel.

If Circuit 2 is sold out, we will secure the best available alternative, usually Circuit 1 or Circuit 3. You can read more in our Machu Picchu Tickets guide.

Yes. The tour includes the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and the Vistadome Panoramic train for the return journey. This makes the final section more comfortable after the Choquequirao trekking days.

During the Choquequirao trekking section, you sleep in comfortable tents at organized campsites. Before visiting Machu Picchu, you spend one night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Fresh meals are prepared by our trekking chefs during the camping section. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are included during the trekking days. Breakfast at the hotel in Aguas Calientes is also included.

Lunch on the final day in Aguas Calientes is not included. Vegetarian, vegan, and special dietary options are available with advance notice.

Yes. TreXperience provides drinking water during the trekking section. We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle or hydration bladder so you can refill and stay hydrated throughout the day.

Do not drink directly from rivers or streams unless the water has been properly treated.

Bring hiking boots, layered clothing, rain protection, sun protection, insect repellent, a headlamp, personal medication, a reusable water bottle, and a good daypack. You should also pack clean clothes for the hotel night in Aguas Calientes and your Machu Picchu visit.

For more general packing advice, read our Peru Packing List and our guide on how to use trekking poles in the Andes.

Yes. Solo travelers can join our small-group departures. It is a great option if you want to share the adventure with other travelers while enjoying the support of a local team that handles logistics, food, camping, trains, hotel, and safety.

That is completely normal. Hikers naturally walk at different speeds, especially on climbs and descents. The most important thing is to walk steadily and safely, not quickly.

Our guides manage the group pace, set regrouping points, and support travelers during the trek. You should still arrive physically prepared because this is a real multi-day hiking route.

Phone signal is very limited or unavailable in several parts of the Choquequirao route. You should not rely on Wi-Fi, charging points, or stable mobile service during the trekking section.

TreXperience carries emergency equipment, including a first-aid kit, oxygen bottle, and satellite phone for safety support.

Yes, you can add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain if tickets are available. These hikes take place after the guided Machu Picchu tour and must be booked in advance.

You can only hike one of these mountains. Read more about Huayna Picchu Mountain and Machu Picchu Mountain.

We do not recommend it. The return day includes the Machu Picchu visit, bus, train, and private transfer back to Cusco. Delays can happen because of weather, train schedules, road conditions, or group timing.

It is better to spend one more night in Cusco and continue your journey the next day.

TreXperience is a 100% Peruvian local tour operator based in Cusco. We organize premium small-group treks with expert local guides, fresh meals, comfortable camping equipment, safe logistics, Machu Picchu planning, responsible travel practices, and a strong human team.

We do not just organize tours. We create safe, authentic, and memorable experiences in the Andes of Peru.