Undiscovered Peru: Hiking Cusco to Apurimac – 15 Days

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Peru’s untouched landscapes and native species are wonders to discover on this active 15-day itinerary that travels beyond the tourist circuit by foot, car, raft, and horseback. Start in Cusco to learn about the former Inca capital, and then explore the countryside outside the city. Navigate Apurimac River rapids and sleep under the stars, hike to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, a natural wonder, and explore Choquequirao, a mountainous Inca site that’s larger than Machu Picchu.

Highlights

  • Discover the history of the former Inca capital, Cusco
  • Explore an Andean village on horseback
  • Marvel at the natural phenomenon of Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain
  • Navigate a raft on the mystical Apurimac River

Difficulty

Condition

Travel Program

Day 1: Arrive in Cusco

Welcome to Cusco! At Cusco airport, meet a driver for a private transfer to your hotel. Listen to a short briefing about your trip and then rest and acclimate to the high altitude of 11,200 feet (3,400 m). Then, get out and explore the former capital of the Inca Empire, known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. Start with Plaza de Armas central square with its wooden balconies and buildings covering Inca ruins. See Santo Domingo‘s Baroque convent, which is also built over Inca ruins, and then step inside Cusco Cathedral.

Just outside the main city, see the citadel Saqsaywaman and explore these ruins and learn about the history of the 15th-century settlement and its large plaza. Stop in a restaurant for dinner to try your first ceviche, and go back to your hotel for an early night.

Today, explore the Cusco countryside on horseback. In the morning, go to Fundo Molleray stables to meet your horse and get ready for the ride. Cross barley, corn, and potato fields and pass over a few small rivers and through the eucalyptus forest. At Wilcarpay, meet villagers tending to their fields and animals.

Reaching a creek, ascend 200 yards (183 m) along an Inca pathway to Inka Raccay archaeological site. Then, pass Puna Cancha village and continue along the trail to another Inca site at Apu Wanakaure. Take in the views and start your ride back to the stables. Spend the evening exploring more of Cusco and watching its street musicians and dancers.

The outdoor adventure of the trip begins today, leaving Cusco with a transfer, and heading north on the main highway toward Abancay. From here, start an approximately four-hour and 4-mile (7 km) trek. See views of Mount Salkantay and Humantay glacier, and as you leave a high meadow area, the Urubamba mountain range in the Andes will come into view with the Pitusiray, Chicón, and Veronica snow-capped mountains.

Approaching the Apurimac River—where you’ll raft later during the trip—cross an impressive gorge. Take a side road over a ridge leading to Cachora and Cappuliyoc villages. From Cappuliyoc, begin the descent into Apurimac Canyon, and at Chiquisca, set up camp and rest after the first day of hiking.

Wake up with a hot cup of cocoa tea and breakfast around 5:00 am to get ready for a 5:30 am departure for today’s hike to Choquequirao Camp, traveling 6.52 miles (10.5 km). Make a one-hour descent to Rosalina Bridge (Puente Rosalina) and then cross the Apurimac River and continue toward Rosa Baja—about a two-hour hike. Take a break at a small store to buy water and other supplies and from there, continue for another two hours up to the town of Marampata for lunch. After lunch, finish the final leg of the trek to Choquequirao to set up camp and go to sleep early.

After an early breakfast, prepare for a day going back in time, exploring Choquequirao. The Inca site is larger than Machu Picchu, but much of it is hidden by forest and is only a 30-minute hike away from camp. Learn about the area’s history and how it is spread out because of how its builders studied its buildings, terraces, and houses. See the most impressive areas, including temples, astronomical observatories, and water channels.

After a four-hour tour, head back to camp for lunch and to rest. The afternoon is free, or explore with a guide, seeing the llama area—a steep downhill 30-minute walk to narrow farming terraces with white stone llama designs. It is said that the Incas built the terraces to represent the Milky Way llama constellation. At the Usnu Muqu archaeological site, watch the sunset over the mountains. Then go back to Choquequirao campsite for dinner.

Soak up early morning Apurimac Canyon views and then get on your hiking boots for another day on the trail. See cascading waterfalls as you watch clouds lifting from the bottom of the canyon. Depending on the weather, hike through a spectacular Andes landscape and then eat lunch at a lodge in Marampata. From there, it’s a four-hour steep downhill hike to La Playa camp before a two-hour hike uphill to Chikiska Camp, where you’ll rest for the night.

Today is the last day trekking, and after an early breakfast, start toward your destination, Cusco—the first part of the trip will be hiking, followed by a three-hour drive. Follow the four-hour uphill hike ending at Chiquiska Camp for the last lunch with your guide and trekking team before completing the hike to Choquequirao. From there, ride with your guide to Cusco.

Take the evening to enjoy the energy of the city in Cusco. Eat dinner at a restaurant and then make your way back to your hotel for an early morning departure.

After breakfast, travel to Apurímac—the drive is 172 miles (277 km)—to start your river rafting adventure. Reach an elevation of 13,123 feet (4,000 m) with views of the Peruvian Andes’ Cordillera Vilcanota mountain range. From here, descend into the community of Puente Huallpachaca, where it’s time to board your raft for a journey on the river.

Starting with grade II and III rapids, your guide will direct you and help you navigate throughout the day. As the sun sets behind the canyon walls, set up your tent on the beach for the night and eat dinner by the campfire.

Apurímac was a sacred river and source of wisdom for the Incas; today, it is a place to test your reflexes and sense of adventure. After breakfast on the beach, pack up camp and get back on the water, steering through boulders on the river. Watch out for the areas known as Trident, Batman Caves, Babalua, and Last Laugh. At the end of the day, reach a break in the canyon walls and make your way back to land.

At the end of the rafting trip, a driver will be waiting for a transfer to your Cusco hotel. During the drive, see views of the Vilcabamba mountain range and its highest peak, Salkantay. In Cusco, spend the night resting or exploring new parts of the city.

Get up early to leave Cusco for a drive south 60 miles (98 km) along the Vilcanota River (part of the Urubamba River) to Checacupe village, and immerse yourself in village life. After a visit to a colonial church, head toward the Pitumarca Valley along Japura Gorge.

The trails on Apu Ausangate mountain are considered some of the most challenging around Cusco, and you’ll start your trek today to see the area’s magnificent landscapes on a 2.4-mile (4 km) hike. From Japura, it’s a short trek to Chillca and an ecolodge where you’ll spend the night. As you hear musicians playing the quena (flute) and other Andean instruments, you’ll know you’re getting close to your destination at 14,330 feet (4,369 m) on the Pampa Uyuni plain in a valley irrigated by glacial water. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the view of the snow-capped Jatunhuma (“Pico Tres”) mountain.

Your hiking companions today are herds of alpacas and llamas in the Phinaya glacial valley as you get up early to hike with the first morning light. Llamas will also carry your bags for the 9.25-mile (14.9 km) hike on a trail that leads to more glaciers and the inspiring Pjachaj waterfalls for a picnic lunch break.

After lunch, surrounded by moraine walls and lagoons, start a five-hour walk to Machuracay Tambo lodge at 15,790 feet (4,815 m) near snow-capped Apu Ausangate mountain. You’ll sleep here for the night for another relaxing evening above the clouds.

Today is one of the most challenging hikes of the trip, traveling 7.2 miles (11.6 km) to conquer a mountain pass at 16,587 feet (5,055 m). The reward is panoramic views with a descent alongside glaciers on Puca Cocha Lake, where you’ll stop for lunch. See how the landscape changes with red sandstone formations, and watch for roaming vicuña herds and condors flying overhead.

Arrive at Anantapata Lodge at the top of Alcatauri Gorge at 15,580 feet (4,750 m) in a wetland area with alpaca herds surrounded by the snowcapped Tacusiri and Ausangate peaks. Learn about the lodge’s focus on sustainable tourism and how it is working to preserve the landscape.

Lake Kayrawiri is the scenery today, hiking 7.2 miles (11.6 km) among rugged mountain peaks and a red, ocher, and blue soil strata valley. See small herds of graceful vicuñas, and eat lunch in a wide-open space to appreciate the landscape. After lunch, head for the Cerro Playa Grande and the Nevado del Inca mountain, and the spectacular Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain with marbled rainbow colors formed by sedimentary deposits. Take photos of this magnificent natural wonder and then continue on to Huampococha Tambo lodge.

Approaching the lodge, see gaggles of geese nesting on the cliffs of Anta mountain and the flatiron formations of Apu Labrayani. Arrive at the lodge, at 15,740 feet (4,800 m), for a panoramic Lake Huampococha view and clear skies. Before going to sleep, listen to stories about the apus (spirits of the mountains) and deities from this remote area.

After breakfast, hike up the final ascent over Anta Pass and then make a gradual descent with mountain views. Notice the strange shapes of karsts—limestone rock forests—and continue to the end of the trail at Trapiche for lunch, hiking a total distance of 6.52 miles (10.5 km).

At the end of the hike, catch a bus for the trip south to Cusco.

Your driver will pick you up at your hotel for a transfer to Cusco airport to continue on to your next destination.

Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner

What's Included

Included

  • English- and Spanish-speaking guide
  • Entrance tickets as per itinerary
  • Accommodation
  • Trekking staff (if applicable)
  • Camping equipment (if applicable)
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Transportation as per itinerary
  • Airport transfers (if specified)

Not included

  • International or domestic flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses
  • Optional tours or additional entrance tickets
  • Personal equipment

What to Bring

What to Bring or take fo Day Hiking and Technical Equipment for Climbing Expedition

This equipment list is compiled to provide you with adequate help when choosing your equipment for a climb. Most items are required. Please consider each of them and make sure you understand the function and exclusive use for mountaineering, before substituting or removing items from this list. Please note that this list has been carefully annotated by the organizer. Remember that mountaineering, climbing or mountain expeditions tours is an extreme, risky sport, therefore everything related to it is of great attention.

Hiking backpack for hiking 50 to 60 liters

Light gloves for hiking or (Optional Mittens waterproof)

Medium weight socks

Sleeping bag (-15º to 20ºC)

Small daypack for one day hiking 30 liters

Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)

Hiking boots or shoes

Medium weight parka with fibber fill or down

Rain poncho (or rain gear)

Long-sleeved shirts

Fleece or Wool sweater and/or trousers

Lightweight pants

Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts

Water bottle for hiking or trekking

Strong waterproof duffel bag

Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb

Towel for personal hygiene each participantFirst-aid kit

Regular and long underwear

Knife or multi-tool

Light cap and wool hat

Sunglasses with UV certification, Sun block, lips

The rest of the list Essentials as appropriate for your hike

Grooming and personal hygiene kit

One Hiking Buff per person

3 Locking carabiners, we recommended per person

We recommend 2 ice screws for each client

1 Daisy Chain (Life Line) per each person

2 Ice axes (per person) technical, we recommended GRIVEL company

1 ATC descender (Rappel), this is very necessary for technical mountains

2 Cords for prusik, very important (Size Cord 6 mm x 10 m. long)

Gloves(Good gloves) for expeditions over 6000meters

Harness for climbing

Sleeping pad / Mattress, we recommend with air or inflatable mattress

Crampons, we recommended GRIVEL company

Walking sticks – Trekking Poles (optional), a pair per person, we recommended GRIVEL company

Down Jacket for expedition

Very important to have personal clothing such as pants and jacket with GOROTEX certification

First aid kit, for high mountains, because we as guides cannot medicate clients

Backpack Capacity 60 liters, it is better to have a bigger backpack to go comfortably to the high camps, because here you have to carry all your personal things

Gaiters or Leggings, now modern boots already have built-in (Incorporated), but better to have an extra pair

Dressing appropriately for the mountains can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a really uncomfortable one. Clothing must provide the right degree of temperature, perspiration and be well ventilated. Preferably cotton clothing should be avoided, as in humid conditions they absorb body heat.

In general, the weather conditions in in the Andes of South America can vary from day to day and even throughout the day. Therefore, clothing must be versatile.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the necessary equipment.

Prices & Dates

FROM/TO

PRICE (USD)

TRAVEL STATUS

01 APR 2026 / 19 APR 2026

$ —-

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Please note: Insurance for emergency evacuation is required for this trip. Call for more details.

» Additional dates available upon request
» Rates may vary from July 26th to 31th for the national holidays

Prices (per person):

1 PAX 2 PAX 4 PAX 6 PAX 8 PAX 10 PAX 12 PAX 14 PAX
— USD — USD — USD — USD — USD — USD — USD — USD

Deposit for reservations

— USD (– EUR) ✓ Full payment 40 days before. No refund if you cancel less than 30 days!

Places: 🟢 *Available
Trip-code: Number ►BOL-000
Duration: 1 day
Participants: Minimal: 2 Maximal: 15
Members: We don’t have an open group to join – We can open a new group – Contact us!
Country / Location: Bolivia
Mountain Guide: Eric Raul Albino Lliuya
Other dates / additional info: Contact us!

3% early bird discount when booking 6 months prior to departure 2024

Legend Booking-information:
EZZ Single room supplement
🟢 On this trip, places are still available.
🟡 On this trip, only a few places left.
🔴 This trip is sold out / closed.

Eric Raul Albino Lliuya

Expert guide certified by AGOMP
General Sales Manager of Peru Expeditions

Hans Honold | Certified Mountain and Ski Guide

For a trip with a Professional Certified Mountain Guide from abroad with your own language that you speak, please request us to get in touch. We have guides working for our company from all over the world who are members of IVBV/UIAGM/IFMGA Certified Guides.

It is very important to have accident coverage for trekking and climbing mountains, more if you go a technical mountains over 6 thousand meters, we oblige and recommend buying travel insurance with our partner Global Rescue, you get the peace of mind that the finest medical, security evacuation, field rescue, intelligence and telehealth.

Only $1000 deposit to book

Pay over time, interest free

No booking fee, no change fee

24/7 support

Accommodations

Scroll through our exclusive accommodations for this trip below. Although very unlikely, we will be able to make substitutions when necessary. The comfortable accommodations that guests stay in every night offer comfort, the level that these options are are 3 stars and some hostels in some towns of first class quality to make your stay very pleasant.

*These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some cases, alternative accommodation of similar quality and location can be used.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What our travelers or clients always ask questions before joining our trips, tours & expeditions, read all the information provided here.

Suggested FAQs

For our mountain climbing trips: If they are easily accessible mountains: For easy-climb mountains, well, you don’t need much experience, but if you already want to climb mountains above 6,000 meters and the conditions become more difficult, we recommend if you already want to go through mountains above 6,000 meters, have a basic or intermediate course for a good preparation. It is very important to be physically, technically and psychologically prepared.

Regarding the preparation of children: Everything will depend on which mountain you want to climb with your children, once you are clear on which of our tours or mountains you want to go with your children, we can give you some advice or see how to prepare them before going with they.

Regarding older people: It all depends on the condition of experience and how well the person is in health, on many occasions older people are the best to walk in the mountains because they have more experience, so it is always good to ask and find out about their experience of older participant. If you have any other questions, please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066

In all our trekking or mountaineering trips we do not include personal equipment in our prices, so you have to have your own equipment: Personal equipment (such as boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat, Goretex, etc. ) and also within each page of the trips that we sell is a small list so you can see it on our website.

Our company can also rent the materials that you would need for your trip, see the list here on our website: https://peru-expeditions.org/equipment-rental/ . For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066

Safe and effective vaccines are available that provide strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Billions of people have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself against COVID-19, help end the pandemic and stop new variants emerging.

We also recommend having accident insurance, we always recommend. We are Partners –Global Rescue. If you have any other questions about the trip we can schedule a date for a calling via WhatsApp. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066

To do long-distance hiking you need to at least train or do some tours such as visiting lagoons to get the experience and feel comfortable with what you do, it is always good before doing a long-distance hiking tour to test yourself so as not to be with the problems of altitude sickness during the trekking, and if you travel with children it is good to first train them before taking them, if they are accompanied by an adult of legal age, they must do a good acclimatization before going on the long-distance tour or with high altitude camps If you want to know or learn more advice, we can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify your doubts. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066

The preparation is according to what type and what technical level you want to go and climb a trek or mountain, the preparation will always gain experience little by little.

For this type of demanding or technical climbing sports, it is recommended to do some summits above 5 thousand meters beforehand and have good knowledge of high mountain technical equipment such as the use of technical ice axes, ice screws, correct use of crampons, and of course all the technical material. For more information, we can schedule an appointment to be able to explain in more detail everything about the mountain equipment and the preparations prior to joining our outings. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066

Every day we have active walks around approximately 4, to 5 sometimes 6 hours of walking, everything is according to your pace and physical condition of each person, in each of our travel programs you will find more detailed information, and if If you need more information about each day of the travel program, we can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify your doubts or questions, for this please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066

In our trips, either hiking or mountaineering: Depending on the type or destination of the trip that you are going to book, in some parts of the treks you go with mules or donkeys or sometimes with horses, and within the mountain trips, the approach camps are also They go with mules or donkeys, but there are some stretches where pack animals can no longer reach. In this part, our logistics is fully supported by the porters.

Who are the porters? They are people from the area who were born and live in the heights of the towns, they are very strong and are very acclimatized, the reason is that after the tourist season ends they dedicate themselves to agriculture and livestock for that reason they are people They are used to the altitude and have lived in nature all their lives and they are happy to be in the mountains together with our expeditions. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066

About accommodation or meals during the tour: Well, depending on the type of tour, when the tour is a classic cultural tour or a city tour, we eat during the route in tourist restaurants and sleep in category hotels that the client has requested.

If the tour is with camps and trekking: During the activity, logistics we include the service of Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with traditional and typical meals of the region where you are going to travel with us, during the night we stay in tents, and we have a special tent for the kitchen and another for the dining room.

If the trip is at altitude or in the mountains: We bring special high mountain food, It are quicker meals to cook and we provide complete logistics such as Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and we sleep in special 4-season high mountain tents, with the best tents. If you have any questions or concerns, we can schedule an appointment via Whatsapp to clarify all your doubts and give you better information so that your trip is an unforgettable tour.

In mountains above 5000 meters: A local guide takes a maximum of 3 clients = Ratio 3pax = 1 local guide

In technical mountains: In large-big mountains we manage the travel policy, a guide and a maximum of 2 clients = Ratio 3pax = 1 local guide. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066

For all the trips that we offer within our main tourist destinations such as South America and Central America, also including the ascent of the 7 continents and the 7 highest peaks of each continent, on each page of our website for each trip we indicate that month or what season to travel, then please read the information you find in our travel offers for each tour. If you have any other questions you can contact us by WhatsApp with one of our travel experts. Thank you so much. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066

In the interest of the team’s enjoyment and success, we work with every single guest to ensure they are properly prepared and ready for this expedition. We pride ourselves on vetting every member to make sure that the team can bond and succeed together. It really sucks to be grouped with members that are much faster, or much slower, than you are. No one wants to the weakest link on a trip like this. By setting expectations and a solid training plan, we work to insure maximum cohesive success. Use this trip as an exercise motivator, and we will succeed together with style.

For the pick-ups of each trip, depending on the place or the trip that you are going to make with us, the meeting point is always at our office, in one of our trips we pick you up where you are staying or staying, or in some cases a A representative of our company will pick you up and then ship you to your transport to continue with your destination of the tour or trip you have booked with us. If you wish to request more information, do not hesitate to contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066

For all the trips that we offer within our main tourist destinations such as South America and Central America, also including the ascent of the 7 continents and the 7 highest peaks of each continent, on each page of our website for each trip we indicate that month or what season to travel, then please read the information you find in our travel offers for each tour. If you have any other questions you can contact us by WhatsApp with one of our travel experts. Thank you so much. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066

About the meteorological conditions of the climate, we try to organize the trips of each tour in the best season to have the best views and enjoy the selected trip but sometimes even is good season we can have bad weather, in this case on hiking or treks trips The complications are minimal, but when this happens during high-altitude climbing expeditions, the complications can become very difficult, that is why the bosses or leaders of the local guides must always make the most correct decision for the safety of our passengers, so we always recommend listening to the best advice from the local guide assigned for each tour. If you have any other questions please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066

We as a local company and connoisseurs of tours have departures on different dates. The best thing to do is to join a travel group to take care of your budget, and of course you can join our groups, but on trips like mountaineering we recommend going in small groups. To join a group, ask us for the dates and we will send you the necessary information to be able to join any of our trips.

Why go in a private trip: For trips whether trekking or high mountains, going privately is the most recommended option, but the costs are more expensive. So, if one joins a group, the prices will be more reasonable. In the mountains, the only disadvantage is if you are in a wall with another partner and if one of the participants gets tired or gets sick. In this case, you have to abort or cancel the summit and return together. For more information, contact us. We can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify all your questions.

In a mountain, for example, if 3 people go and one of the participants falls ill on the route, for security reasons they have to cancel or abort the summit or return all together. The same in a technical mountain if the climbing partner gets sick they all have to return, for these reasons sometimes it is better to go private only because for a single person the costs are more expensive for the same reason that the trip would already be private .

For more information please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066

Additional information

We help in the purchase of air tickets: we set up convenient flight options with each participant of the trip and book tickets such as international flights and domestic flights in each destination city of the countries that we offer our trips. We recommend you booking international flights tickets well in advance so we can find current flights offer prices from the airlines. In order for us to search for and book your flight, please contact us and we will be happy to help you!. → More information click here
About a Satellite Phone or inReach® Messenger - GARMIN: On each trip we recommend having a satellite phone at your disposal. The possibility of quick contact from anywhere on the mountain will guarantee your safety on the road. In case of need (for example, contact with the family or the travel company), for this service the participants have to request to rent a satellite phone, of course this service has an additional cost, contact us or ask our office for more information. A practical device is to have an inReach® Messenger - GARMIN also helps for any emergency. → More information click here
Many of the participants or clients of our adventures, hikes and expeditions in the mountains are people who sign up alone, but in some of our trips you will be able to find a travel partner companion to join a group. We have many options for you from day tours, short treks, long duration tours, and even the most extreme climbing high mountains on each country or South American continent and other destinations, as like the destinations you can see on our website. The mountains are a great place for rapid integration and a very healthy sport. → More information click here
Our mountain guides or tour leaders: All of our Tour Leaders are multiple conquerors of the peaks they lead the expeditions to. Each of our cultural guides, high mountain guides, mountainbike guides, among others are internationally recognized and certified guides, such as the certifications of (UIMLA) Union of International Mountain Leader Associations & (IFMGA) International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations. The mountaineering experience, skills and knowledge of your guides are a priority for us. → More information click here

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