Overview
The Choquequirao archaeological site is located in the remote mountain range of Vilcabamba on a truncated hilltop over 3,318 m above sea level (10,883 ft). Now you have the chance to trek to this grand ceremonial center and continue your journey to Machu Picchu, which was once listed by National Geographic as one of the best treks in the world in 2015.
Our program, Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu, is supported by Peru by Locals crew, including a trekking guide, muleteers, horses, and a chef for you to fully enjoy this amazing adventure of a lifetime. Hiking high up in the mountains and the cloud forest, it’s not a trip for the faint-hearted, but those who keep it will be richly rewarded.
A Little Bit of History of Choquequirao
Choquequirao is similar to Machu Picchu in design and architecture, which is why it is often known as the sister city of Machu Picchu. It has temples, terraces with incredible design and decorations, open plazas, and water fountains that have remained pretty well preserved for centuries.
Choquequirao was built by the Incas in the 15th century in one of the most inaccesible areas and is believed to have served as a control point or entrance to Vilcabamba and an administrative hub, as well as a vital link between Cusco and the Amazon. During the 16th century, it was used as a refuge by the last Incas when the conquistadores started destroying Cusco and chasing the remaining Incas from Cusco. However, Choquequirao was never discovered by the conquistadores or at least never mentioned in any old documents.
Choquequirao was visited in the 20th century by the American explorer Hiram Bingham, who was in the area in search of Incan treasures, but no treasures were found in this place.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Trek with our professionally trained local guides who enjoy hiking as much as you do.
- Enjoy our premier camping equipment every night.
- Savor the Peruvian cuisine brought by our chefs to the mountains. They are trained whether you are vegetarian, vegan, kosher, or have any special requests. They will be ready to make you happy with the food.
- Experience the vistas of the high-altitude mountains covered with snow, tropical jungle, and deep canyons.
- Be awakened by our chef with a cup of coffee in tents.
- Hike the old Inca trail that once connected the two major cities in the jungle: Machu Picchu and Choquequirao.
Details
- Type of tour: Historical, guided trip, train ride, trekking, camping
- Distance covered: 93 km (58 miles)
- Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
- Lowest elevation: 1,475 m (4,839 feet)
- Highest elevation: 3,100 m (10,170 feet)
- Level of difficulty (1 to 10, 10 being impossible): 7
Group size: Our hiking group sizes are very important to guarantee the quality of our service by giving you personalized service. That is why we run with an average of 2 to 7 hikers.
Could you imagine trying to hike silently along an isolated trail, carefully not disturbing shy wildlife, with 15 or 20 other travelers? Or walking in a remote area to explore the pristine wilderness with dozens of other tourists by your side? We know meaningful nature encounters must be undertaken in small groups, which also makes the trip flexible.
Accommodation: This trek includes 7 nights in tents and one night in a hotel. We use 3 seasonal roomy tents for 2 people. If you are a solo traveler, let us know so we can accommodate someone else or we will just bring a private tent for you upon request.
Our guides: PERU BY LOCALS was a dream that came true in 2015 for Jose Condor, who guided treks from 2014 until today and has been to Machu Picchu over 1,000 times. He started as a porter on the Inca trail, then went to university for a tourism degree. Now, Peru by Locals has a group of top guides, both men and women, who have professional degrees and receive refresher training every year with WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER since our treks go into the wilderness and your health is our priority. Our guides are fully trained to assist with any needs while you are vacationing. We invest in our guides because we believe they are the main ingredient of any trip.
Location: This trip starts in Cusco city or the Sacred Valley upon your request. You will need to fly to Lima, the capital of Peru, then to Velasco Astete or Cusco airport, which is a small domestic airport.
Departures: This hike is operated by PERU BY LOCALS 100%. When you book your hike or take any tour package, you go with us. We don’t rearrange tours, and we depart every day year-round. The group sizes range from 2 to 5 people on average, allowing us to give you personalized service.
We take bookings year-round, and this hike does not need to be booked a long time in advance. So, anytime you are ready, join us and reach out for any questions you have through our 24/7 number +51 989585967 or email us at info@perubylocals.com.
Itinerary
DAY 0: BRIEFING
At PBL, we believe it’s important that all of our guests get the last details about the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek (the itinerary, the challenges, what to bring, etc.) before we start the lifetime adventure. At a pre-arranged time, your guide will provide a full pre-trek briefing at your Cusco hotel the day before the start of the trek.
DAY 1: CUSCO – CAPULIYOC – CHIQUISCA – PLAYA ROSALINA
We will pick you up at 5:30 am for about a 4-hour drive in our private transport to Capuliyoc (2,915 m / 9,563 ft). We will stop in the town of Curawasi for breakfast. The views along the way are spectacular, making the journey enjoyable as well as appreciating herds of cows, sheep, and mountain villages.
Once at Capuliyoc, we meet our horsemen and horses and pack all our equipment onto the horses, including food, tents, and our gear for the night.
We then start by walking up and down the terrain to Capuliyoc viewpoint. From here, we will have great views of the deep Apurimac canyon, snow-capped mountains, and the majestic Choquequirao way far on top of the mountains.
After reaching Chiquisca, we will stop for a lunch based on an organic and nutritious meal. Our food is a definition of deluxe. While we eat, we get to enjoy great views of Apurimac Canyon and snow-capped mountains such as Padreyoc. After lunch, we then descend for two hours to our first campsite at La Playa Rosalida, which is the base of the canyon where we will spend the night.
- Lowest Elevation: 1,475 m / 4,839 ft
- Highest Elevation: 2,915 m / 9,563 ft
- Distance to walk: 10.3 km / 6.4 miles
- Approximate walking time: 6 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
DAY 2: PLAYA ROSALINA – CHOQUEQUIRAO CAMPSITE
We will wake up by 5 am and have an early breakfast. To ascend 1,400 m / 4,600 ft, we will reach the small town called Maranpata for a delicious lunch. After the meal and a nap, we will walk towards the campsite of Choquequirao near the ruins. The 2-hour hike will be much easier than the morning hike.
Once we make it to camp, tents will be set ready because uphill we will probably be sweaty. So, if you want to take a shower, you have the chance to take a cold one for free or just sit and relax watching the sunset.
- Lowest Elevation: 1,475 m / 4,839 ft
- Highest Elevation: 2,817 m / 9,242 ft
- Distance to walk: 10 km / 6.2 miles
- Approximate walking time: 6 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Demanding
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
DAY 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO RUINS TOUR – PINCHAUNUYOC
The day arrives to see the ruins of Choquequirao. After a nutritious breakfast, we will walk up to the main area to visit the main plaza, Usno or ceremonial platform, storehouses, and others.
We will definitely go to the Llamas and Snakes part. Did we say snakes? Don’t be scared. The Incas built agricultural terraces decorated with llamas and snakes in stones. Then we head back down to lunch followed by our nap.
After a proper lunch and nap, we continue up to the Pass of Choquequirao for a couple of hours, then down to Pinchaunuyoc ruins where we set camp, with incredible vistas of the Vilcabamba mountain range.
- Highest Elevation: 3,318 m / 10,883 ft
- Lowest Elevation: 2,487 m / 8,159 ft
- Distance to walk: 10 km / 6.2 miles
- Approximate walking time: 8 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
DAY 4: PINCHAUNUYOC – RIO BLANCO – MAIZAL
Waking up to a cup of coffee with vistas of these magnificent mountains, we will descend to Rio Blanco for about a 1.5-hour steep descent. Here you can luxuriate in the river and take a bath if you would like in the crystalline water from the glaciers.
Then we will start a difficult climb to a small cleared agricultural area on the mountain called Maizal. For many of our guests, this is the most challenging section of the trek because of the inclination. But don’t worry, your super guide will be there to encourage you to make it. Today you will consider making all the way to camp for lunch and spend the night here.
- Lowest Elevation: 1,990 m / 6,527 ft
- Highest Elevation: 3,200 m / 10,500 ft
- Distance to walk: 10 km / 6.6 miles
- Approximate walking time: 8-9 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
DAY 5: MAIZAL – ABRA SAN JUAN – YANAMA
Another beautiful day awaits us. We climb about a couple of hours uphill through the cloud forest to the Victoria Mines that were in use long ago. We will be able to explore a little bit, take a good rest here, and admire the shine of the outcropped rocks illustrating the high concentration of minerals and metals, the reason for the ancient mines. We will then continue our climb to the pass of Abra San Juan where we stop for lunch. This is also the best place to see Andean condors, and it offers us a great view of Vilcabamba Valley, which shares its name with the lost city of the Incas in the jungle.
After lunch, we descend to the charming village of Yanama for about a 2 to 3-hour walk.
- Highest Elevation: 4,130 m / 13,546 ft
- Lowest Elevation: 3,200 m / 10,500 ft
- Distance to walk: 12 km
- Approximate walking time: 8 to 9 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
DAY 6: YANAMA – TOTORA
Waking up in Peru by Locals style, with a nice cup of coffee or coca tea, our hike begins with a 4-hour gradual uphill hike to Yanama Pass (4,672 m / 15,324 ft), the highest point of our trek. We will see many waterfalls on the way up and meet local individuals. From the pass, we will see Apu Salkantay, the tallest mountain in the Machu Picchu area. We will then descend for two hours and have lunch along the way, followed by a good nap. In the afternoon, we hike for a couple more hours downhill to Totora.
- Lowest Elevation: 3,398 m / 11,445 ft
- Highest Elevation: 4,672 m / 15,324 ft
- Distance to walk: 14 km / 9 miles
- Approximate walking time: 8 to 10 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
DAY 7: TOTORA – LUCMABAMBA (COFFEE EXPERIENCE DAY)
We will begin the day by taking our private van from Totora to Colpapampa. We will hike 5 to 6 hours on gentle up and down segments through the cloud forest following the river of Lluscamayo. We will have the chance to see multiple coffee plantations, banana plantations, and fields of passion fruit. Along this path, you will also see the most beautiful waterfall along the trek.
We will reach Lucmabamba, our campsite for the evening, around noon. Here we will relax and enjoy a delicious lunch!
After lunch, we will do an incredible coffee tour at the plantation adjacent to the campsite. We will begin by browsing the fields, learning about the different types of beans, and picking our own beans.
After picking our beans, we will roast them and grind them. Finally, we will brew and drink our own coffee! It is a truly unique experience; it will be the freshest coffee. This camp offers us showers for $3. If you are interested, we can ask the owner of the camp.
- Distance Covered: 14 km (8 miles)
- Time: 5 to 6 hours
- Lowest Elevation: 2,050 m / 6,725 ft
- Highest Elevation: 3,398 m / 11,445 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, coffee, and dinner
DAY 8: LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA INCA RUINS – HYDROELECTRIC – AGUAS CALIENTES
There is nothing better than waking up with a coffee that you made. Today’s hike starts with a moderate 3½-hour climb through the rainforest until we reach the Llactapata Inca site (2,700 m / 8,856 ft), following an old Inca trail that is still very well preserved. After reaching the Inca ruins of Llactapata, we will have the chance to see Machu Picchu for the first time in the far distance.
Leaving Llactapata, we begin a 2½-hour descent to Hydroelectric, where we will have lunch. At 3 pm, we will board the train for a 40-minute trip to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will check into your hotel. Dinner will be at Indio Feliz, the best restaurant in town, a great place to celebrate the success of this incredible journey.
- Distance Covered: 12 km / 7.4 miles
- Time: 6 to 7 hours
- Lowest Elevation: 1,800 m / 5,905 ft
- Highest Elevation: 3,100 m / 10,170 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch with our cooks and dinner at a restaurant
- Accommodation: Hotel
DAY 9: MACHU PICCHU TOUR
The day starts early. Your hotel will provide either a buffet or boxed breakfast at 5 am so that we can take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. The 30-minute drive winds steadily upwards to the citadel, and we should arrive to see the most magnificent sunrise over the Andes before taking our place in the queue to enter the site.
We enter the site together, and your guide will provide a fascinating tour for around 2-3 hours. The tour is guaranteed to bring the spirit and history of Machu Picchu to life, and your guide will pick a route that avoids the biggest tourist groups, ensuring that all of the best photo opportunities are covered.
Following the tour, you can either climb Huayna Picchu mountain if you booked the permit in advance or take the bus back to Aguas Calientes to collect your luggage from your hotel. Taking the train back to Cusco at around 3 pm is the perfect opportunity to relax and reflect on the experiences of the last 9 days. Finally, upon arrival in Cusco, you will be met by one of our representatives who will transport you back to your hotel.
Services
SERVICES INCLUDED
- Inclusions on the Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu
- Bilingual English-speaking tour guide, with a university degree, trained in history, wildlife, and most importantly, trained in Wilderness First Responder by NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School)
- Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek.
- Pick up from your hotel and transportation to the trailhead
- Three-person tent for two persons
- Inflatable mattress and pillow
- Kitchen tent
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Toilet tent.
- An expert chef and assistant chef who will make awesome food
- Horse riders and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc.)
- Duffle bag for your personal gear to put on the horses
- Nine breakfasts, eight lunches, and eight dinners
- Hot water for washing every morning and before bed
- Daily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles.
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit carried by your guide
- Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Poroy (Cusco train station)
- Private van transport from train station to your Cusco hotel on day 9
- Permits to Machu Picchu
- Permits to Choquequirao
- Coffee plantation tour in the afternoon of day 7
- Lodging in Aguas Calientes on night 8 of the trek (double occupancy)
SERVICES EXCLUDED
- Day 9 dinner after Machu Picchu tour
- Tips for the crew (muleteers, chef, and guide)
- Hiking poles (can be rented from us for $15 for the whole trek per pair)
Packing list
- Original passport – Please remember to bring your original passport, which should be current. If you have acquired a new one after making your booking, bring both (the one you used for booking your trip and the new one). The information you provided at the time of booking must match your tickets on the Classic Inca trail.
- Sleeping bag – Recommended at least 5°F (If you don’t have one, you can rent from us for $20)
- Good hiking shoes – They should be broken in already. If you have acquired new ones, make sure to break them in before you come. They should be comfortable for your feet and possibly have ankle support.
- Down warm fleece – The jacket should be warm enough for the nights and a jacket that is windbreaker-resistant.
- Few t-shirts – Made for hiking; as you will sweat a lot, you may consider bringing at least 3 or 4 of them: one for the hike, one for the night, and one clean for Machu Picchu.
- Socks – Bring at least 3 pairs.
- Sun hat – As some days can be hot and sunny, we recommend you bring a sun hat that can keep the sun off your face.
- Light long pants – Trekking pants are the best ones, especially those that you can zip off the legs. Plus, they dry fast.
- Clothes for sleeping – Warm long underwear; you can use your fleece to sleep in and consider bringing gloves, especially for the campsite.
- Headlamp – All the camps are dark, so you will need to bring your headlamps for organizing your stuff in your tent or going to the bathroom at night.
- Sunscreen – SPF 35+ recommended.
- Sunglasses
- Trekking poles – They are very helpful and can take 30% off your weight. If you don’t have them, you can rent them from us for $10 per pair for 4 days of hiking.
- Camera – With spare batteries or phones to take great pictures nowadays (batteries run down faster at high altitudes).
- Bug repellent – There are mosquitoes all year round, so make sure you pack your bug repellent.
- Water bottle: Machu Picchu National Park does not allow plastic bottles. Please make sure you have a Nalgene bottle or camel bag. Before we leave the hotel in Cusco, make sure you have filled up your water bottle for the first day, then you will be able to get more from us whenever you need it.
- Toiletries
- Prescription medicines: Please inform your trip leader of any medications you are taking.
- Food restrictions: If you have any allergies or preferences, make sure you add them in the booking form.
- Book to read – You will have some spare time at every camp to read your favorite book or those that are about Machu Picchu, which may make your journey more interesting. (The following books are recommended by us: Last Days of the Incas by Kim MacQuarrie, Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time by Mark Adams)
Important information
OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS
WHERE DO I MEET THE TEAM?
The day before the trek starts, your guide will meet you at your chosen hotel in Cusco at 5:30 pm for a pre-trek talk. We recommend booking a hotel in the downtown area of Cusco.
WHAT IS THE TERRAIN LIKE? HOW CHALLENGING IS IT?
The trek is rated as moderate to challenging and covers approximately 51 km (31.6 miles) on uneven, rocky terrain with steep uphill and downhill sections. This trek does not have very high elevations, so it is mostly a physical challenge.
HOW LONG BEFORE SHOULD I BOOK THIS TREK?
This trek does not require booking in advance, but we recommend booking at least a couple of weeks in advance. This gives us enough time to put everything together for you to enjoy this amazing adventure without worries.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE TREK DURING THE YEAR?
Weather in the region is extremely variable, and you should pack for a variety of conditions. In addition, our trek passes through ten bio-zones ranging from high-altitude alpine conditions to high jungle. During a sunny day, you can expect temperatures of about 18–25°C (65–77°F). However, on the second day, the weather is very unpredictable, and temperatures can drop to 6°C (42°F) during the day at the pass (but you won’t spend a lot of time up there).
The Machu Picchu area has a humid climate and tends to be warmer since it is located at a lower altitude and near the Amazon Jungle. The average temperatures at Machu Picchu are between 23°C to 25°C (73°F and 77°F), with the minimum temperature around 18°C (64°F). The Cusco area has only two well-defined seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season starts in November and ends in March. During this period, it rains almost every day for three or four hours, but there are also several sunny days. The dry season begins around March and lasts until October. June and July are the coldest months. Paradoxically, at noon, temperatures can reach 23°C (73°F), the annual highest temperature.
WHAT DO HORSES CARRY FOR ME?
You only carry a day-pack with everything you may need for a day’s hike (water bottle, rain gear, cameras, snacks). Horses carry the rest of your extra baggage and will meet you upon arrival at the next stop. You will be allowed to put up to 8 kilos / 17 pounds, which may include a sleeping bag (1.5 kilos / 3.3 pounds), sleeping pad (1 kilo / 2 pounds), extra clothes for the night such as long warm underwear, warm fleece, and others.
WHAT IS THE ELECTRICAL SITUATION?
There is no electricity while you are on the trek – that is why we recommend you bring extra batteries for your camera if you are considering taking lots of pictures or bring an extra portable charger for using your phone a lot. All the camps are dark, so you will need to bring your headlamps for organizing your stuff in your tent or going to the bathroom at night.
WHAT AM I GOING TO EAT ON THE TREK?
Our meals are based on organic food, and we pack fresh vegetables from the beginning.
Your lunch will be based on quinoa, pasta, vegetable soup, and the main course usually includes a small version of a buffet with rice, potatoes, white or red meat, and salad such as avocado.
Dinner is usually similar but comes with dessert.
Breakfast is based on eggs, omelets, pancakes, bread, cereals, oatmeal, and drinks. You will be very well fed and may just want to pack very few snacks with you because we will even give you snacks such as fruit and a cookie for the way.
Note: We have options for vegetarians or vegans too – at the time of your booking, advise us so we know what to make for you on the trek.
HOW MANY DAYS SHOULD I STAY IN CUSCO BEFORE THE TREK TO ADJUST TO THE ALTITUDE?
This trek does not require altitude adjustments, but we recommend spending at least a day in Cusco for your body to rest and be ready for an amazing adventure. This trek is more about physical endurance, so train before coming.
DO I NEED TO BRING MONEY ON THE TREK?
You should consider bringing money, as you may want to buy bottled water, snacks, Gatorade, beer, etc., from locals that live along the way, especially on day one, as well as if you are thinking of giving appreciations or tips to the porters and guides.
The last lunch at Aguas Calientes is not included, so you will need money for that as well. We recommend you bring soles rather than dollars; there are banks and exchange offices in Cusco where you can change any type of currency.
DO I NEED TO CARRY MY OWN MEDICINE OR FIRST AID?
Your guide will have a first aid kit at all times while you are on the trek, which includes some painkillers, bandages, small bandages to prevent blisters, an oxygen tank, pills in case of diarrhea, and similar items. At any time during the trek, please feel free to ask for anything you may need. However, if you need any special medication or have a special medical condition, please contact your doctor to get the best advice before the trek.
CAN I RENT A SLEEPING BAG FROM YOU? WHAT TYPE SHOULD I BRING?
We rent sleeping bags that are specially designed for cold temperatures on the treks, and we offer sleeping bags for up to 5°F (-15°C). At the time you are booking your trek with us, you should request the sleeping bag if you need it, as it won’t be possible to rent one on the spot.
If you have one, make sure it is down and suitable for temperatures up to 5°F (-15°C) or even better, made for colder temperatures than that – you don’t want to be cold.
HOW BIG WILL MY GROUP BE?
We specialize in both small and big groups, but we prefer small groups because that way our clients get personalized service, especially when you encounter lots of things on treks, such as Incan sites, flowers, flora, and fauna. Your guide spends lots of time with you so you can learn more about our culture and history.
We limit the size of our groups on treks to up to 8 people.
Of course, if any situation requires more than 8 people in a group, that is not a problem for us at all. For example, a group of friends or family that is more than 8 can join as a single group.
HOW DO I GET WATER ON THE TREK?
You will be provided with boiled drinking water from day 1 to the end of your trek. However, make sure you have enough water for the first day (you can also purchase it on the way to the beginning of your trek). People usually drink about one and a half liters of water per day, some even more. You need to bring water bottles for the first day to refill them. We recommend you bring Nalgene water bottles or camel bags so that we can make less garbage. You will encounter locals selling bottled water along the way, but not everyone is responsible, and many people litter, which is sad. We need to take care of our home and nature – that is why we recommend you refill your bottles when you can. Thank you for being part of our green home.
IS THERE ANY AGE LIMIT?
In the Inca trail, there is no minimum age or limit. Any person who is prepared for trekking can do it. The Inca Trail is a challenging trek, so there is a requirement of being fit. That is why everybody thinking of trekking the Inca Trail should have a certain level of fitness – you don’t want to give up in the middle of the trek, as the Inca Trail is not like walking in the park, but it is also not impossible.
WHAT TIME DO I GET BACK TO CUSCO ON THE LAST DAY?
You will be back in Cusco around 5 pm after the trek. If for any reason you have to be back in Cusco earlier than that, please advise us at the time of your booking or at least one month before your trek begins, as we have to buy you the train ticket for the specified trains.
WHAT IS THE TOILET SITUATION ON THE TREK LIKE? SHOULD I BRING MY TOILET PAPER?
This trek has toilets, especially at lunch and campgrounds, but they don’t usually offer toilet paper. We recommend one role for every two people, but in case you need extra, your cook will have extra rolls for you. Please don’t hesitate to ask for them as they are always prepared for any emergency.
DO I NEED WALKING POLES?
Walking poles are recommended for everybody. They will help you a lot both downhill and uphill. Our expert guides say that they can take up to 30% off your weight, and a pair is recommended per person.
If you don’t have any but want to have them on your trek, you can rent them from us as well – a pair costs US$15 for the four days.
HOW BIG SHOULD MY DAY BACKPACK BE?
A thirty-liter backpack will be big enough to carry your belongings such as water, rain gear, and extra clothes.
HOW BIG ARE THE SLEEPING TENTS? HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN SLEEP IN THEM?
Our tents are for 4 seasons and each one is designed for 3 people, but we use them for 2 (length 2.30 m / 7.5 ft, width 1.70 m / 5.6 ft).
Please email us if you are a solo traveler, whether you want to share a tent or have your own tent to sleep in.
IS THERE ANY PLACE TO WASH MYSELF? ARE THERE SHOWERS?
This trek does not offer showers, but our crew will provide you with a small bowl of water to wash once you arrive at the camps.
CAN I PAY THE REST OF THE BALANCE WITH A CREDIT CARD OR DOES IT HAVE TO BE IN CASH?
We take the balance of the payment in cash, so you won’t need to pay extra fees. Of course, you can use PayPal or credit card, but you will need to pay the fees, which are usually over 4.5%.
On the day of your briefing when your guide meets you, one of the representatives will also meet you to collect the rest of the balance for your trek.
PERUVIAN CURRENCY
The Peruvian sol is the currency of Peru and usually fluctuates between 3.3 to 3.8 Nuevo sol to 1 US Dollar.
LANGUAGE
Spanish is the national language of Peru. Also, 20% of Peruvians speak Quechua (Inca language). Our guides are fluent in Spanish and English.
Why Peru by Locals
- Peru by Locals offers tailor-made treks and tours, catering to your interests when planning your tour.
- We are committed to providing world-class tours based on exceptional customer service.
- We are a locally owned and highly experienced travel company based in Cusco, Peru.
- Our staff consists of members who have decades of first-hand experience in the Peruvian tourism sector.
- All the management and staff at Peru by Locals speak English, Spanish, and Quechua (the language of the Incas).
- Our guides and staff members are professionally trained and educated in the history of the Incas, Peruvian history, culture and traditions, first aid in the wilderness, guiding treks and tours, the fauna and flora of the region, and tourism management.
- We are committed to protecting our environment.
- We are committed to creating jobs and empowering local people. We believe in fair labor practices and honor and treat all our employees with dignity.
- We have programs to help with the development of the porters’ families and communities, such as planting trees and buying school books and school equipment for poor local communities.
- We honor native communities that have stewarded the land you visit.
- We have also started an Education Fund to support the education of the children of porters. A percentage of income from every tour and trek goes to the education of those in need.
- Our trips are carefully designed to meet your needs, and we create diverse unique itineraries from 1 to 15 days in length. We offer a wide range of tours and treks and all the tours. We guarantee you the experience of a lifetime!
- Peru by Locals organizes free worry-free trips for you to fully enjoy.
Peru Small Group Specialists
Our tours are designed for those who love adventure, want to explore new places, experience the local culture, love food, like history or photography for all ages, whether you are traveling alone, with friends, as a couple, or with family.
Small groups are the best, and the average tour or trek group is around 4 to 8 people. Why is this great? Well, have you ever waited in line while 40 other people get a coffee in the morning? Believe it or not, it is not fun. Taking small groups allows us the flexibility to take you on an adventure to places that nobody else goes.
Price
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Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu | Hiking Trips in Cusco, Peru
Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu, a 9-day journey, invites you to explore hidden Inca ruins and breathtaking mountain views on this once-in-a-lifetime trek.
Product Brand: Peru by Locals
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GROUP SERVICE
Our tour groups are very important. We run tours from 2 to 8 people usually per group and open any tour dates with 2 guests. This service is considered semi-private for personalized experiences, so you can take advantage of your valuable time.
Accommodations
Costs are based on double bedroom occupancy and US dollars. For single room occupancy, contact us at info@perubylocals.com or through our 24/7 number +51 989585967 (WhatsApp).
To assure your booking with us, we require a 20% deposit pre-payment of the total cost, and the outstanding remaining will be paid 30 days prior to your trip.
Choosing this option
- Once a tour date is opened with 2 guests, the travel date probably won’t be changed later.
- This is a great option to meet other travelers and hang out during the trip.
- The quality of service is the same as the private option.
- If for any reason one of you or others can’t continue the tour for any reason, the tours will go as planned from the beginning to the end.
PRIVATE SERVICE
Our private service can start from 1 person to any number you desire, and you can choose your travel date.
Accommodations
We run all our tours with 3-star hotels, but we can customize with 5-star hotels.
Costs are based on double bedroom occupancy and US dollars. For single room occupancy, contact us at info@perubylocals.com or through our 24/7 number +51 989585967 (WhatsApp).
To assure your booking with us, we require a 20% deposit pre-payment of the total cost, and the outstanding remaining will be paid 30 days prior to your trip.
Choosing this option
- We cater this tour to your needs with flexibility.
- Once a tour date is opened, it can still be changed if time allows at your requested time.
- This is a great option to spend time with your parents, family, and friends or travel for special occasions such as a honeymoon.
- The quality of service is the same as other tours.
