The attractiveness of the Huchuy Qosqo Trek is the combination of stunning Inca archeological ruins, rural villages, magnificent snow-capped mountains, and the magnificent exotic vegetation.
It is believed that the archeological site of Huchuy Qosqo was built during the reign of the eighth Inca Ruler, Viracocha. Inca rulers acquired large royal estates to increase their power and wealth and for future generations who inherited their estates. Royal estates also served as elegant country palaces and, at times, used as fortresses to fend off rivals. Thus, the name Huchuy Qosqo, “Little Cusco”, was for a royal estate or government center modeled on the Inca capital.
The trek is a uniquely designed adventure package, “off the beaten track” in which you will hike along the Andes Mountains, passing through Andean communities, interacting with locals, and exploring amazing isolated Inca villages. On day 2 you get to visit and take a 2 hour guided tour of the magnificent Citadel of Machu Picchu.
3750 m.s.n.m
Up to 8
Group or private
Adventure, self-guided
Moderate
2 days / 1 nights
At 6am start driving from your hotel to the small Village of Tauca (3750m/12303ft), the beginning of your trek. When you arrive, see a typical landscape of Andean valleys rich in corn, potatoes, barley, quinoa and other Andean tubers. As you begin the climb toward the pass at (4,050m/13287ft), the landscape begins to change dramatically. Note a new landscape of high Andean savannah or Puna, with scant vegetation, mainly “ichu” or high altitude grass. The views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba peaks are spectacular: Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon and San Juan snow peaks. Soon after summiting the pass, start your downhill trek to the Huchuy Qosqo plains, hiking along a path that leads to the Cauca ravine, be able to see Huchuy Qosqo archeological ruins and wild crops, such as tarwi, and a large quantity of cactus.
Walk down to the Leon Punku ravine, where you will see the remains of an old Inca bridge and trail. This canyon boasts geological formations surrounded by majestic rocks and boulders that direct the river to Huchuy Qosqo at (3650m/11975ft). Huchuy Qosqo which means “Little Cuzco” is a noteworthy Inca complex. It boasts very fine stonework in a large Kallanka (rectangular Hall), some residential and defensive quarters and interesting two-story buildings in stone and adobe. Huchuy Qosqo is located on a plateau, surrounded by Inca agricultural terraces and allows incredible views of the Vilcabamba mountain range. After time to investigate the ruins walk to Lamay at (2900m/9514ft) Here we take transport and drive to Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is the quaint Inca Village, catch the train to Aguas Calientes and our hotel where we will stay overnight.
We leave our hotel after a very early breakfast at around 5:30am to take the bus for the journey up to Machu Picchu ruins just in time for the sunrise. Once inside the citadel of Machu Picchu, we are provided with a 2 hours guided tour and plenty of free time to explore further, take photos and take the option to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (has to be booked in advance, at an extra fee). Then we return to Aguas Calientes for a late lunch (not included) and at 14:44h, we take our return train to Ollantaytambo with a private van connection to Cusco arriving at your hotel in the evening around 8pm.
This Trek can be done any day that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 trekkers!
PRICE – US$397 per person
“Please read the following information carefully; it will help with your questions about our services and the trek to Machu Picchu”
It will take place the night before the trekking departure at 6pm in our office which is located at 210 Garcilaso Street, Office Nº:213 (2nd Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO.
Of course! During the Huchuy Qosqo to Machu Picchu your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both are free.
FIRST, to book your Huchuy Qosqo Trek Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase a Huchuy Qosqo Trek Machu Picchu entrances and train without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of US$200.00 per person in order to purchase a permit for the Lares trek 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.
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in 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 charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of info@incatrailhikeperu.com.
Unfortunately the answer is generally “No”. Once the tickets have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure dates. Tickets are not transferable nor refundable. With alternative treks we may be able to change dates for a fee depending on what has already been purchased. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.
If you cancel your Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu, the deposit is not refundable at all!
Yes for sure! 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 Huchuy Qosqo Trek, other entrances and reservations. The rangers will check your passport when you enter Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board the train. 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. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new 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 the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or get on the train. They are very strict about this here!
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. BUT you will have many different temperatures and weather conditions as you pass through the numerous microclimates and will depend on the location. We highly recommend that you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack.
In general if you exercise regularly and spend 2 to 3 days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be just fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness.
We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours that you can book while you are acclimatizing. Check out our day tours on our Main Page.
The maximum group size is 8 people. Usually our groups are between 2-6 people. INCA TRAIL HIKE specialises in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provide a personalised service.
Huchuy Qosqo to Trek Machu Picchu is a 16 km/10m hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is 4,200m/13,779ft. The Trail´s difficulty is easy to moderate. You have to be moderately fit and exercise regularly.
In preparation: try walking 15kms a day or go to a fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the 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, we can also pick you up from there !
It will depend on 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 enjoy the amazing views from the train on the way back to Cusco. Therefore you we usually book the train at 4:22pm.
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, 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 a feature of the tourism industry across many INCA TRAIL HIKE destinations. Of course you are free to tip what you feel is sufficient, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the 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, understand and respect the places and the local people.
Cusco
Cusco
