You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will have the morning free to get used to the altitude (3300 meters / 10,900 feet) and to wander through the narrow streets of the historic center of the city. In the afternoon, we will visit the impressive Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, high above the city of Cusco. This great complex was once the Inca “House of the Sun”, composed of temples, palaces and astronomical observatories. Many of the stones which form the walls weigh up to 130 tons each and were positioned with incredible precision.

Overnight stay in Cusco

We will leave Cusco in the early morning and head by bus to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Along the way, we will visit a weaving center and museum, where local weavers will explain the textile making process, from shearing, spinning and dyeing with plant extracts to the actual weaving process. After this special experience, we will continue our tour by visiting the archaeological site of Pisaq. This charming colonial-era village with its lively local market is situated at the base of a mountain upon which the Incas built a fortified temple complex. We will have plenty of time to explore this beautiful place. After a picnic with fantastic views of the Sacred Valley far below, we will visit the colorful handicraft market in the village, and in the afternoon we will drive to the village of Ollantaytambo. Located at the narrow end of the Sacred Valley, this village is often described as a living museum, where the descendants of the Incas continue to live in houses built by their ancestors, below the ruins of an imposing Inca temple complex.

Overnight stay in Ollantaytambo

After breakfast, we will head to the local station to board the train for the magnificent ride through the Urubamba Gorge to the small town of Aguas Calientes, located below the ruins of Machu Picchu. During this two-hour journey following the course of the Urubamba River, we will pass from high Andean scenery to lush tropical vegetation. Arriving at Aguas Calientes, we will take a bus up to the most famous site in the southern hemisphere: the fascinating ruins of what the world knows as the Lost City of the Incas: legendary Machu Picchu. You will visit this magical site in the company of a highly experienced and knowledgeable guide. We will return by train to Cusco in the afternoon.

Overnight stay in Cusco

An early morning scenic bus ride of approximately four hours through high Andean plains will bring us to the village of Cachora, from where we will drive on a country road to Kapuliyoq, where we will meet our mule drivers. We will begin with a gentle hike along an old mining road to Kapuliyoq Pass (2800 meters / 9,240 feet). From this pass, we will have our first mesmerizing view of the deep Apurimac canyon and the surrounding snow peaks. After resting and enjoying the scenery, we will continue our descent of approximately three hours along a dusty trail, zigzagging down the arid wall of the canyon, to our first camp.

Camp at Chiquiska (1800 meters / 6000 feet)

After a nourishing breakfast, we will continue our descent to the valley floor, where we will cross the Apurimac River (1495 meters / 5000 feet). From here, we will start to climb the long, steep trail (approximately five hours) to our destination: the impressive archaeological complex of Choquequirao, where we should arrive just in time to enjoy a breathtaking sunset over the deep canyon and the surrounding mountains.

Camp at Choquequirao (3000 meters / 9,900 feet)

During the morning we will visit the restored section of Choquequirao and explore some of the ruins that are still covered by lush cloud forest vegetation. Much work has been done in recent years to excavate, clear and restore the site.  From the highest point of the archaeological site (the “usno”, or ceremonial platform) there are fine views of the Apurimac canyon far below, and if we are fortunate, we may even see a great Andean condor soar above us. After lunch, those who choose to can visit the Cascade House (restored buildings and terraces some 300 meters (1000 feet) below the main structures of Choquequirao).

Camp at Choquequirao (3000 meters / 9,900 feet)

After breakfast, we will begin the long descent to the Apurimac River, where we will stop for lunch and a rest, before the three-hour climb to our last camp at Cocamazana. On our last night together we will enjoy an excellent meal with spectacular views of Choquequirao and the Apurimac Canyon. 

Camp at Cocamazana (2300 meters / 7,600 feet)

To avoid the intense sun, we will start our day early with the climb up to Kapuliyoq Pass (2800 meters / 9,250 feet). After our 4-hour hike, our vehicle will be waiting to take us back to the city of Cusco.

Overnight stay in Cusco

You will be transferred to Cusco airport for your domestic and international connections.

2024 cost per person in US dollars

Double accommodation