Peru is a country bursting with culture, vibrant cities, diverse landscapes and some of the world’s most iconic World Heritage Sites. Beyond the classic Inca Trail, Peru offers routes that arguably could rival the Himalayas in scale and challenge, through remote canyons, high-altitude passes and some of the most significant archaeological sites on Earth. Among these, the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu adventure stands out as one of the most rewarding journeys through Peru and provides a rare chance to link two legendary Inca ruins. We sat down with KE’s Gemma, who recently returned from this adventure, to hear about her remarkable experience on trek and why, in her view, it’s the ultimate way to experience Peru.

As I fortunately already live in the Lakes I just tried to get out on the fells as much as possible. There was definitely a concentration on doing walks that involved quite a bit of ascent and descent - not just rolling tops - which really helped build the stamina I needed for this grade 8 trek! You’re right in saying Peru’s landscape is diverse. On our 100km route over nine days we saw it all; from towering mountains to lush jungles and rugged coastline. It was tough but the sense of accomplishment was unparalleled.

I think the thing I found the most difficult was the altitude, more so than the terrain or the long days trekking. I have been at altitude a couple of times before and always seem to acclimatise slower than others. What’s great about this trip is that the itinerary allows for plenty of time to acclimatise. Our first day was an acclimatisation day as we explored the vibrant city of Cusco (3,200m). What also helps is that within a guided-group the pace is steady, so in the end I was absolutely fine with the altitude!

Several - it’s hard to choose! The scenery and views on this trek are spectacular and unlike the popular Inca Trail, this route offers solitude and the sense of remoteness really enhances the spiritual and emotional impact of the journey. This route offers true solitude and a sense of remoteness that really enhances the spiritual and emotional impact of the journey. It also provides the rare opportunity to visit the amazing archaeological sites of Choquequirao and Machu Picchu – I felt so lucky to be able to visit them both, it was truly unforgettable. Famous highlights aside, I did also love our camp at Pincha Unuyoc – absolutely incredible! It was so remote there were only the stars and mountains for company!

The experiences I had were very different – Choquequirao is a much more remote site. It is harder to get to as it is only accessible by a multi-day trek, it sees fewer tourists and the atmosphere is more serene and peaceful. A much smaller area of the site has been uncovered here and so I felt my experience here was very raw and contemplative. Machu Picchu on the other hand is easily reached and as such welcomes millions of tourists each year. There is a lot more hustle and bustle due to the amount of people. However, so much more of the site has been uncovered here and it is very vast, so despite there being more people here, it is still an incredible place to visit and one that should not be missed.

Just do it! Seriously this is one of the best treks I have done. It is tough, there is no denying that, but it is well worth the effort. It is so much more than a trek, it is an adventure into a more remote part of Peru – the Vilcabamba Valley and it also offers a real insight into the historical past of the Incas. If you are craving an immersive trekking experience that goes beyond the typical tourist trail, this route is your golden ticket! In terms of my best tip for this trek, I would 100% recommend trekking poles – they massively helped with the steep ascents and descents.

For me this trek just offers a bit of everything. It is in a wonderful country and the trek itself passes through a variety of different landscapes. The views and scenery are amazing and there is such an abundance of wildlife, flora and fauna. There is a huge cultural and historical aspect to this trek too, which offers a real insight into the lives of the local people and tells a story of their Incan ancestors who have passed before them.