Kaymara Luxury Travel

12 Days / 11 Nights

Andes Traverse Experience: From Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

Lima / Cusco / Capuliyoc / Chiquisca / Playa Rosalina / Santa Rosa / Marampata / Choquequirao / Valle Sagrado / Machu Picchu / Cusco

From USD $4,454.00

Itinerary

Upon arrival in Lima, a private Kaymara Luxury Travel representative will welcome you and accompany you to your hotel in Miraflores, San Isidro, or Barranco.
As the city unfolds between the Pacific, contemporary architecture, gastronomy, and history, begin your first encounter with Peru at your own pace.
The remainder of the day is free to relax, enjoy your hotel, or explore the neighborhood.

After breakfast, you will be privately transferred to the airport for your flight to Cusco. From the air, Peru’s desert coastline gives way to the snowcapped peaks of the Andes. Upon arrival, a member of our team will welcome you and accompany you to your hotel.
Later, explore Sacsayhuamán, where monumental stonework reveals the scale and vision of Inca engineering. Continue into San Blas, wandering its narrow streets and discovering the Sapantiana Aqueduct, the charming Siete Borreguitos passageway, and panoramic viewpoints above the city. Your journey then reaches Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, where your private guide brings the city’s layered history and Andean identity to life. The remainder of the day is yours to rest or explore at your own pace.

Journey into Cuper Pucamarca, where sacred lagoons, mountains, and ancestral traditions create an authentic Andean encounter.
Walk alongside alpacas, share a meaningful Pachamama ceremony with a Q’eros ceremonial master, and discover ancestral textile techniques and natural dyes.
Enjoy a traditional Pachamanca before continuing to Urubamba, where you will create your own ceramic piece inspired by pre-Columbian art at Seminario Ceramics.
A transformative experience connecting spirituality, living culture, gastronomy, and Andean creativity.

Depart Cusco by private vehicle toward the Apurímac region, crossing high-Andean landscapes that gradually shift from open plains to dramatic valleys. Pause in Curahuasi before continuing to Saywite, where its remarkable carved stone offers insight into the Incas’ sophisticated understanding of territory and water.
Continue through Cachora to the spectacular Capuliyoc viewpoint for lunch overlooking the immense Apurímac Canyon and snowcapped Padreyoc. From here, begin the trek with a winding descent through changing mountain scenery, passing Cocamasana and Chiquisca before reaching Playa Rosalina on the banks of the Apurímac River. Dinner and a well-earned rest await in a setting defined by silence and raw Andean beauty.

Begin beside the Apurímac River and cross the suspension bridge at Playa Rosalina to start the demanding ascent toward Santa Rosa. As the trail climbs in sweeping switchbacks, the canyon opens into increasingly dramatic views.
Continue steadily upward through changing vegetation until reaching Marampata. A restorative lunch prepared with fresh local ingredients awaits, followed by time to acclimatize, rest, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. As daylight softens across the ridges, the mountains turn golden before a warm dinner beneath the star-filled Andean sky.

Journey toward mystical Choquequirao, the legendary “Cradle of Gold.” Accompanied by your private guide, enter one of the Andes’ most secluded Inca worlds and explore the Llamas of the Sun terraces, the ceremonial Usno, and sacred sectors where architecture, symbolism, and mountain geography reveal the sophistication of this remarkable sanctuary.
Enjoy lunch surrounded by the extraordinary silence of a site suspended between clouds and canyon walls. Continue toward Pajchayoc, where a dramatic waterfall and agricultural terraces emerge amid dense vegetation.
Return to Marampata for a comforting dinner and a deeply deserved rest. More than a day of exploration, this is the emotional heart of the journey, an encounter with solitude, history, and the untamed spirit of the Andes.

After breakfast in Marampata, begin the return journey with a winding descent through expansive mountain views toward Santa Rosa and the banks of the powerful Apurímac River.
Leave the river behind and begin the ascent toward the Andean oasis of Chiquisca. A revitalizing lunch awaits on arrival, followed by time to relax at camp, contemplate the immense rock walls surrounding the valley, and enjoy the warmer canyon air. The day concludes with a warm dinner and a well-earned night of rest.

Leave the warmth of the canyon and begin the final climb toward Capuliyoc. As you gain altitude, the landscape opens dramatically, revealing the extraordinary scale of the terrain crossed during the expedition.
At Capuliyoc, celebrate the completion of the trek with a farewell lunch overlooking snowcapped Padreyoc and the Apurímac Canyon. From here, settle into your private vehicle for the return to Cusco, watching the Andean geography gradually transform along the way before arriving at your hotel for a deeply deserved rest.

Journey into the living soul of the Sacred Valley, beginning in Pisac with traditional empanadas baked in a historic adobe oven and an exploration of its ancient terraces and sacred pathways. Continue to Ollantaytambo for a culinary experience inspired by Peru’s biodiversity, followed by an intimate encounter with its monumental Inca heritage and enduring Andean culture. End the day carrying a deeper connection to the flavors, stories, and traditions of the Andes.

Walk to the train station and begin your journey toward Aguas Calientes through some of the Sacred Valley’s most spectacular scenery. Mountains, rivers, and cloud forest gradually transform the landscape as you approach one of the world’s most iconic destinations.
Continue to Machu Picchu, the legendary Inca sanctuary set high among the mountains. With your private guide, explore its terraces, temples, plazas, and ancient pathways while discovering the history, architecture, and profound spiritual meaning of this extraordinary place.
After your exploration, enjoy a refined lunch before returning to Aguas Calientes and boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. Your private vehicle will be waiting for the onward journey to Cusco.

Today is entirely yours to experience a more intimate, unhurried, and sophisticated side of Cusco. Browse discreet concept stores and independent designer boutiques hidden within elegant colonial courtyards, where fine Andean fibers, contemporary jewelry, and distinctive works of art reinterpret Peru’s cultural heritage through modern design.
For a moment of stillness, retreat into the courtyard of a former convent transformed into a boutique hotel or museum and linger over origin chocolate or specialty Peruvian coffee. Later, explore Cusco’s contemporary culinary scene, where native tubers, Andean river ingredients, and aromatic local herbs are reimagined through modern techniques.
This is a day without urgency created to absorb Cusco’s atmosphere, follow your curiosity, and celebrate an unforgettable journey in your own way.

After breakfast, your private transfer will take you to Cusco Airport for your return flight to Lima.
Your journey through Peru comes to a close carrying far more than photographs, memories of extraordinary landscapes, authentic encounters, living traditions, and moments of genuine connection with the enduring spirit of the Andes.

Description

A high-end journey through contrasts, blending refined comfort, deep cultural immersion, living Andean traditions, high-altitude exploration, and some of Peru’s most extraordinary archaeological landscapes.

Physical Level: Demanding. The Choquequirao expedition requires excellent physical condition, with steep descents, sustained climbs, irregular terrain, and changing weather conditions.

Maximum Altitude: 3,106 m / 10,190 ft – Marampata and Choquequirao Archaeological Complex

Duración 12 Days / 11 Nights

Destino Lima – Cusco – Capuliyoc – Chiquisca – Playa Rosalina – Santa Rosa – Marampata – Choquequirao – Sacred Valley – Pisac – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu – Cusco

INCLUDED

  • Personalized briefing before the key expeditions, including route conditions, terrain, logistics, and practical recommendations.

  • Highly specialized bilingual guides with expertise in Peruvian history, Andean culture, high-altitude trekking, and first aid in remote areas.

  • Round-trip domestic flights between Lima and Cusco.

  • Private ground transportation for all transfers and touring specified in the itinerary.

  • High-quality trekking equipment, including adjustable trekking poles, expedition duffle bag, high-altitude sleeping bag, folding camp bed, waterproof rain poncho, and backpack rain cover.

  • Full Choquequirao trekking operation with muleteers, pack animals, specialized mountain cook, camp logistics, and route coordination.

  • Meals specified throughout the program, including traditional Pachamanca, trekking meals, Sacred Valley culinary experiences, and the Machu Picchu lunch.

  • Cusco Tourist Ticket and entrance to Qoricancha; Choquequirao permits and admission; Machu Picchu admission; round-trip ecological bus tickets; and premium round-trip train tickets between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.

NOT INCLUDED

  • Gratuities for guides, porters, and support staff.

  • Personal travel and medical insurance, required for the trekking route.

  • Additional alcoholic beverages or soft drinks.

  • Meals not specifically listed in the program.

  • Personal expenses, phone calls, laundry, and souvenir purchases.

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Allow the first days in Cusco and the Sacred Valley to support gradual acclimatization before the trek.

  • Use a three-layer clothing system: thermal base layer, insulating layer, and waterproof outer layer.

  • Wear well-broken-in technical trekking boots with reliable grip for steep and irregular terrain.

  • Follow Leave No Trace principles and respect archaeological structures, communities, and fragile natural environments.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Light, comfortable clothing for Lima; technical thermal layers and quick-dry or waterproof trekking pants for the Andes.

  • Technical trekking footwear plus lightweight camp shoes.

  • Daypack, sun hat, warm hat, UV-protection sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, lip protection, and insect repellent.

  • Reusable water bottle or hydration system.

  • Original valid passport or national identity document and small-denomination Peruvian soles for local purchases or gratuities.

  • Personal medications, camera or smartphone, and a high-capacity power bank for trekking days without reliable electricity.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are all entrance fees included? Yes. The program includes the governmental, communal, and cultural admissions specifically listed in the itinerary, including Choquequirao and Machu Picchu.

How demanding is the Choquequirao trek? It is considered one of Peru’s most beautiful and physically demanding treks. The Apurímac Canyon involves steep descents and sustained climbs under changing temperatures. Good physical condition and endurance are essential.

Is camping equipment included? Yes. The trekking service includes specialized equipment designed to provide greater comfort and safety in remote mountain conditions.

Will I have phone or internet service during the journey? Connectivity is generally available in Lima, Cusco, and the principal Sacred Valley towns. During the Choquequirao trekking section, service can be extremely limited or unavailable, creating a genuine opportunity to disconnect.

When is the best time to travel? The dry season, generally from May through October, offers favorable conditions for trekking. The journey can operate at other times of year, subject to seasonal weather and route conditions.

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