Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek 7 Days / 6 Night

Please read the following information carefully. It will help with your questions about our services and the Choquequirao 7 Day Trek to Machu Picchu.

ARRIVAL IN CUSCO

You will be greeted at the airport in Cusco and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our representative holding an orange SPIDER TRAVEL PERU board at the exit from the arrivals terminal.

THE BRIEFING

Your briefing will take place the night before your trek. It will be held at our office at 6 or 6:30pm, depending on your confirmation email details.  The office is located at Garcilaso Street 210 , Office Nº:213 (2nd Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Of course! During the Choquequirao Trek your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.

HOW TO BOOK THE 7 DAY CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK TO MACHU PICCHU

FIRST, to book your 7-day Choquequirao Trek, you need to select your trek/tour date and the number of travelers on the right hand side. Then proceed to the next page to complete the booking form. 

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot purchase Choquequirao Trek permits without the following information:

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as it appears on your passport):

  • Gender
  • Passport number
  • D.O.B. (dd / mm / yyyy)
  • Nationality

SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a permit for the Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu.  You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL.  To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address info@spidertravelperu.com to complete the payment.

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?

According to Peruvian Law, you must be under 18 years of age at the time of your trek or tour to Machu Picchu (students 18 & above need student cards). For example: if you book a trek at the age of 17 but you turn 18 before you do your trek, you must have a valid university ID card to qualify for the student discount.

• University students must provide a copy of their ID card showing a photo, University name and card expiration date. Cards must be valid for the current academic year only.
• All students from 11 to 17 years, the discount is $30 USD.
• For children from the age of 2 to 11 the discount is $40 USD.
• Children from the age of 0 to 2 are free.

All students must provide a copy of their passport at the time of their booking to get the student discount. Send us a copy at info@spidertravelperu.com

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

Yes, but with some restrictions. Once the tickets for Machu Picchu have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure dates. Tickets are not transferable nor refundable. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.  If you cancel your Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu, the deposit is non-refundable!

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK? 

Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu, other entrances and reservations. In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or update your name for a fee of $25 per person.  We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.

If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you.  You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both old and new passports to be able to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or the train.  If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter, Machu Picchu or get on the train.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK?

The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. We recommend that you  always dress in layers to facilitate adjusting to the quickly changing weather conditions.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS ON THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK?

In general, if you exercise regularly and spend a couple of days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, you will be able to acclimate normally. It usually take between 1 to 2 days.

The recommended remedies for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN, IF NEEDED. Our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. Click the following link to see detailed information about Altitude Sickness.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE PER GROUP?

The maximum group size is 8 people. Our groups are usually between 2-6 people. Spider Travel Peru specializes in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provides a personalized service.

HIKING THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK

The evening before you start your Choquequirao 7 days trek to Machu Picchu, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/15lbs. Your team of pack horses will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the horses will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc.  A 30 to 40L backpack is sufficient.

IS THE TREK DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?

YES. Its considered difficult by many, you need to be in good physical condition and well acclimated to the altitude. Fitness is naturally important for the trek, and obviously the more fit you are the more you will enjoy the trail and are more likely to take in the scenery and appreciate the Inca ruins dotted along the way. If you do not exercise regularly, it is advisable to do extra walking, hiking or some kind of aerobic activity in the months leading up to your trip.  This trek is difficult..

WHAT ABOUT TOILETS ON THE TREKS?

This has been highly appreciated by most of our clients, especially by our trekkers who want a private, clean and sanitary toilet! SPIDER Travel Peru toilet facilities have an individual tent and a camping toilet with a seat. Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite.  At night if you need to use the toilet it is readily accessible and clean.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK?

In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, Spider Travel Peru will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly, they then continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to original plan.

ARE WE GOING TO BE DROPPED OFF AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK?

Absolutely!! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you off at your hotel! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you off there too!   If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, for sure we will pick you up from there!

AT WHAT TIME IS THE TRAIN DEPARTURE?

It will depend on the train availability (during high season it could be booked out) but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and a chance to enjoy the amazing views of the landscape from the train on the way back to Cusco. Therefore, we usually book the train at 14:55 or 15:20.

WHAT ABOUT THE VISTADOME TRAIN UPGRADE?

The upgrade to Vistadome train which has leather seats the conform around your body, panoramic windows and ceilings. You will be offered some snacks and a dance show will take place on board. The price is $67 USD per person which includes the transfer from Poroy train station to your hotel in Cusco. It is 2 hours by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then another 2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Cusco by bus. If you upgrade to Vistadome, all the way back to Poroy , the trip lasts 3.5 hours, then 25mins by taxi to your hotel. Our clients are back at the hotel by 8pm. If you plan to take the bus to Puno on the same night, that is totally possible.

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SPIDER Travel Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you feel is appropriate, depending on your perception on the quality of service and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

ARE WE SUSTAINABLE? 

Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator  that incorporates universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.