Self-Launched Trek: Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). Take an official taxi from the airport rank to your hostel near the Plaza de Armas (~£5–8). Spend the afternoon acclimatising — walk slowly, drink coca tea, avoid alcohol. In the evening, head to one of the many restaurants around the Plaza de Armas to sample local Peruvian cuisine. A great budget option is Marcelo Batata or any of the lively menú del día spots for a full meal under £5.

🚌Official airport taxi to central Cusco (~£5–8). Book through the official taxi booth inside arrivals.

🛏Hostel near Plaza de Armas, Cusco — e.g. Loki Hostel Cusco or Wild Rover Hosco (dorm ~£10–14/night, private twin ~£20–28/night)

• →Explore the Plaza de Armas and surrounding Inca stonework on foot
• →Visit the free Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) exterior and wander San Blas neighbourhood
• →Grab a welcome dinner at a local restaurant — try ceviche, lomo saltado or alpaca steak

Take a shared colectivo from Cusco's Pumapacchupan terminal to Pisac (~£1.50, 1hr). Explore the Pisac Inca ruins and market independently — entry to the ruins is included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico, ~£35 for the full 10-day pass, worth buying now). Walk or take another colectivo to Ollantaytambo (~£1.50) and explore the impressive fortress ruins. Head back to Cusco by shared van (~£2). In the evening, attend your own informal pre-trek briefing by reviewing your kit list, route maps, and booking confirmation with your hired local guide (arrange this in advance via reputable Cusco agencies such as Apus Peru or SAS Travel).

🚌Shared colectivo Cusco–Pisac (~£1.50), Pisac–Ollantaytambo (~£1.50), Ollantaytambo–Cusco (~£2). Total ~£5.

🛏Same hostel in Cusco

• →Explore Pisac Inca ruins and the famous artisan market
• →Visit Ollantaytambo fortress — one of the best-preserved Inca sites in Peru
• →Optional: visit a llama and alpaca farm near Pisac or Chinchero (en route colectivos pass through)
• →Pack your daypack and confirm arrangements with your local guide for tomorrow's early start

Your hired local guide and arriero (muleteer with horses) will meet you at your hostel early. Take a private transfer or shared van arranged through your guiding agency from Cusco to Capuliyoc trailhead (2,915m, ~4.5hrs, ~£12–18pp depending on group size). Have brunch at the trailhead, load the horses with your main bags (you carry only a small daypack), then begin the downhill trek to Chiquisca campsite (1,900m) — approximately 8km, 3–4 hours. Your arriero will set up camp and cook dinner.

🚌Private/shared transfer Cusco to Capuliyoc (~£12–18pp). Arrange through your guiding agency in Cusco.

🛏Wild camping at Chiquisca (1,900m) — your hired arriero brings all tent and cooking equipment

• →Scenic Andean road trip through the mountains to the trailhead
• →First section of the Choquequirao Trek — dramatic descent into the Apurímac Canyon
• →Spot hummingbirds and Andean flora in the canyon vegetation zones

An early, long and demanding day — 14km, 8–9 hours, with 1,600m of ascent. Descend to the Apurímac River crossing at 1,550m (the lowest point of the route), cross the bridge and begin the long steep climb up to Maranpata (2,850m) where you'll stop for lunch with your first views of Choquequirao's terraces. Continue uphill to your campsite at 3,150m, just below the ruins. Your arriero cooks a hot dinner. Hydrate well and take altitude slow.

🚌On foot

🛏Wild camping at Choquequirao campsite (3,150m)

• →Cross the Apurímac River bridge — the lowest point of the entire route
• →Long ascent through subtropical vegetation with dramatic canyon views
• →First sighting of Choquequirao's famous llama terraces from Maranpata viewpoint

Spend the morning exploring Choquequirao — the 'sacred sister' of Machu Picchu. Covering a larger area than Machu Picchu and receiving only a tiny fraction of its visitors, this is one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the Americas. Your local guide will bring the history to life. Note: entry to Choquequirao (~£10–15) is paid directly at the gate and should be budgeted separately. After exploring the plazas, temples and iconic llama terraces, hike over the Abra Choquequirao pass (3,318m) with views of the Vilcabamba range and Choquetacarpo glacier, then descend to camp at the ruins of Pinchuyniyoc.

🚌On foot

🛏Wild camping at Pinchuyniyoc ruins

• →Guided exploration of Choquequirao's plazas, temples and llama terraces
• →Cross the Abra Choquequirao pass (3,318m) with panoramic Andean views
• →Spot Andean condors riding thermals above the canyon

A tough 10km, 6–7 hour day with significant descent to the Río Blanco (1,990m) and a steep, punishing climb back up to the mountainside clearing of Maizal (3,000m). Take a refreshing dip in the Río Blanco at lunchtime — one of the highlights of the route. The zig-zagging ascent is challenging but rewards you with a dramatic mountainside camp.

🚌On foot

🛏Wild camping at Maizal (3,000m)

• →Swim in the clear waters of the Río Blanco
• →Steep zig-zag climb through remote Andean cloud forest
• →Enjoy a remote mountaintop campsite with valley views

Another big day — 12km, 8–9 hours. Climb through cloud forest to the Victoria Mines at 4,000m, then push on to the Abra San Juan pass at 4,130m — a prime spot for watching Andean condors soaring overhead. Descend to the charming village of Yanama (3,600m), where your arriero will arrange camping in the grounds of a local family's home — a wonderful cultural encounter.

🚌On foot

🛏Camping in local family's grounds, Yanama village

• →Visit the mineral-rich Victoria Mines at 4,000m
• →Cross the Abra San Juan pass (4,130m) — prime condor-spotting territory
• →Stay in a local community setting in Yanama village

The most physically demanding day — 14km, 8–10 hours, cresting the Yanama Pass at 4,672m above sea level, the highest point of the entire trek. Views of Salkantay ('Savage Mountain'), the highest peak of the Vilcabamba range, are your reward. Take your time ascending and descend carefully on the long trail to camp at Totora. Move slowly, breathe deeply, and stay well hydrated.

🚌On foot

🛏Wild camping at Totora

• →Summit the Yanama Pass at 4,672m — highest point of the trek
• →Views of Salkantay and the Vilcabamba range
• →Long descent through changing vegetation zones

Transfer by van to the Colpapampa trailhead, then hike 14km (5–6hrs) along the Santa Teresa River through lush rainforest, passing the trek's most spectacular waterfall. Arrive at Lucmabamba in time for a relaxed lunch. In the afternoon, tour the adjacent coffee plantation — pick your own beans and watch them being processed. Then take a well-earned soak at the Cocalmayo hot springs (entry ~£3). Your cook will prepare a celebratory meal using locally grown vegetables.

🚌Short van transfer from Totora to Colpapampa trailhead (~£3–5pp, arranged through your guiding agency)

🛏Wild camping at Lucmabamba

• →Hike through lush Santa Teresa River valley rainforest
• →See the trek's most impressive waterfall
• →Tour a local coffee plantation and pick/grind your own beans
• →Soak in the Cocalmayo hot springs (~£3 entry)

Final trekking day — 13km, 6–7 hours. Hike through rainforest to the Llactapata Inca complex (2,700m), a lesser-known ruin with a stunning first distant view of Machu Picchu. Explore Llactapata with your guide, then descend to the valley for lunch. Board the train to Aguas Calientes (30 mins, ~£15–20pp — book in advance at perurail.com or incarail.com). Check into your hostel and enjoy a celebratory dinner in town — try one of the restaurants along the main street.

🚌Trek to train boarding point, then Peru Rail or Inca Rail train to Aguas Calientes (~£15–20pp, ~30 mins). Book well in advance at perurail.com or incarail.com.

🛏Hostel in Aguas Calientes — e.g. Hostal Machu Picchu or Presidente Hostal (dorm ~£12–18/night, private ~£25–35/night)

• →Explore the Llactapata Inca complex with your guide
• →First distant sighting of Machu Picchu from the ridge
• →Scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes
• →Celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes

The day you've been trekking towards. Take the bus from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu (~£15 return, buses run from 05:30). You must book your Machu Picchu entry permit in advance at ticket.machupicchu.gob.pe (~£35–40pp). Entry includes a slot time, so book early — these sell out months ahead. Consider hiring a licensed guide at the gate (~£15pp for a 2hr tour) or use an audio guide app. Spend the morning exploring the citadel at leisure. Return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch. In the afternoon, take the train back to Ollantaytambo (~£25–35pp) then a shared bus/colectivo to Cusco (~£3). You'll be back at your Cusco hostel by around 21:00.

🚌Aguas Calientes–Machu Picchu bus return (~£15). Train Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo (~£25–35pp, book at perurail.com). Shared colectivo Ollantaytambo–Cusco (~£3).

🛏Back to your hostel in Cusco

• →Self-explored visit to Machu Picchu with optional licensed guide at the gate (~£15pp)
• →Option to hike the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for panoramic citadel views — no extra permit needed if entering via the Llactapata/trekking route
• →Return to Aguas Calientes for a celebratory lunch
• →Train and colectivo back to Cusco

Your Peruvian adventure ends today. Enjoy a final breakfast near the Plaza de Armas — try a local café for a classic Cusco breakfast of bread, fruit, eggs and coffee. Take an official taxi from your hostel to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (~£5–8) in time for your outbound flight. Budget a little extra time — the airport is small and can get busy.

🚌Official taxi from central Cusco to CUZ airport (~£5–8)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final breakfast in Cusco — soak up last views of the Plaza de Armas
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping at San Pedro Market or the artisan stalls near the cathedral
• →Airport transfer and onward flight home