Looking for an epic mountain adventure that escapes the crowded trails? The Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour is a masterfully curated route designed by Inca Trail Hikes Peru for travelers seeking a deep connection with nature and ancient history. This unique, off the beaten track circuit effortlessly blends challenging high-altitude Andean scenery, authentic encounters in rural villages, and exclusive isolated ruins with a grand finale at the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu.
Your journey centers around the spectacular archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo, which translates to “Little Cusco” in the native Quechua language. Built during the 15th century under the reign of the eighth Incan emperor, Viracocha, this sweeping complex served as a luxurious royal estate, country palace, and high-mountain fortress. Perched dramatically on a cliffside plateau high above the Sacred Valley, it offers stunning panoramic views that few tourists ever get to witness. Walk original stone highways, pass through traditional farming hamlets, and let our professional crew take care of every operational detail while you dive into the heart of the Andes.
3750 m.s.n.m
Up to 8
Group or private
Guided / Private or Shared Group
Moderate
2 Days / 1 Night
Your day begins with a scenic 06:00 AM pickup directly from your hotel lobby in Cusco. We travel in our comfortable private transport past ancient mountain lakes to the traditional high-altitude village of Tauca, the official launching point of our trek. Take a moment to see the local lifestyle, where native families harvest ancient varieties of corn, potatoes, barley, and Andean tubers using traditional hand tools.
As we lace up our boots and begin hiking, the landscape quickly shifts into a dramatic high Andean savannah. We steady our pace as we ascend toward the pass, surrounded by golden highland grasses and the towering peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. The mountain summits of Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon, and San Juan frame our trail. After conquering the pass, we begin our descent toward the Huchuy Qosqo plains, navigating an ancient trail that winds through the beautiful Cauca ravine, where wild Andean crops like tarwi and high-altitude cacti thrive.
Soon, we enter the jaw-dropping Leon Punku ravine. Here, the canyon forms spectacular geological rock formations, directing a rushing river past the remains of an original Incan stone bridge. Follow this stone highway directly onto the isolated plateau of Huchuy Qosqo. Your expert guide will lead you through this remarkable royal complex, showcasing the fine double-story stonework, the grand imperial halls, and the extensive agricultural terraces that cling to the mountain edge.
After a delicious lunch prepared by our outdoor chef and a relaxing tea time, we begin our final afternoon descent to the Sacred Valley town of Lamay. Our private van will be waiting to transfer our group directly to the historic town of Ollantaytambo. In the evening, we board the Expedition train for a scenic rail journey along the canyon floor to Aguas Calientes, checking into your comfortable hotel for a restful night.
We wake up early today to enjoy a fresh breakfast at the hotel around 05:30 AM. Immediately following breakfast, we board the official sanctuary shuttle bus alongside your guide for a 30-minute climb up the winding mountain switchbacks, arriving at the main gates of Machu Picchu right as the morning light begins to break over the ruins.
Step into the sacred citadel for a comprehensive, 2-hour guided historic tour. Your professional guide will share the fascinating stories and architectural secrets of this magical complex, directing you through the grand plazas, royal sectors, and iconic panoramic viewpoints. Because of our small group structure, you will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and capture beautiful photographs without feeling rushed.
Optional Extension: If you are looking for an additional physical challenge, you can opt to purchase an extra government permit to climb the peaks of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. These permits are strictly limited and must be booked well in advance.
After soaking in the deep history of the sanctuary, we catch the shuttle bus back down to Aguas Calientes town. You will have a generous afternoon window to enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant or explore the bustling artisan craft markets. At 04:22 PM, you will board the return Expedition train back to the Ollantaytambo rail terminal, where our private transport team will be waiting on the platform to drive you directly back to your Cusco hotel doorstep, arriving by approximately 08:00 PM.
Trekking with Inca Trail Hikes Peru means enjoying the wilderness without compromising on comfort or safety. On day one of your trek, you will be accompanied by a dedicated team of professional outdoor cooks and local field porters. Our chefs are extensively trained in food safety and gourmet outdoor preparation, transforming fresh, locally sourced ingredients into multi-course hot lunches and dinners right along the trail. We happily accommodate all specialized diets, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requests, at absolutely no additional cost.
Furthermore, your safety is our absolute highest priority. Your guide carries a full emergency kit throughout the duration of the trek, including a professional medical first aid kit, short-wave radio communications, and a supplementary emergency oxygen tank to ensure a safe and smooth journey over the high alpine passes.
Our departures are structured to maximize your time at the ruins and on the trail, maintaining a relaxed, intimate experience for our maximum group size of 8 guests:
Included
Not Included
Our Huchuy Qosqo Trek departs daily on any calendar date throughout the year, requiring a minimum of just 2 hikers to guarantee a departure.
We pass direct age and student reductions straight to your family or group booking to keep your journey high-value:
Strict Student Discount Mandate: To qualify for the official student reduction, the Peruvian government strictly requires a clear photo copy of your physical, university-issued student card at the time of booking. The card must clearly display the name of the university, the student’s name, a clear student photo, and a valid expiration date. Standard ISIC cards or digital IDs are not accepted by the park authorities. For youth and child discounts, a clear copy of a valid passport is required at booking.
Your vital orientation session takes place at 06:00 PM on the evening immediately prior to your trek departure date. The meeting is held at our central office located at 210 Garcilaso Street, Office Nº 213 (2nd Floor) inside La Casa del Abuelo. This briefing is highly important, as you will meet your trek leader, review the trail maps, receive your physical train and entrance tickets, and coordinate your precise morning pickup time.
Yes, absolutely. We provide completely secure luggage storage facilities at our central Cusco office entirely free of charge while you are away trekking. Alternatively, because almost all hotels in Cusco offer complimentary baggage holding for returning guests, you can also leave your heavy suitcases directly at your hotel front desk. You will only want to pack your essential overnight clothing, toiletries, and layers into your lightweight daypack for the trail.
Booking your adventure is an easy two-step process:
We prefer that your remaining tour balance be paid in cash (either in clean US Dollars or Peruvian Soles) directly at our office in Cusco during your briefing or arrival. There are numerous secure ATMs throughout the historic center of the city for easy cash withdrawals. If you choose to settle your balance online using VISA or PAYPAL, please note that a standard 5.5% payment processor fee applies. For PAYPAL balances, simply submit the funds directly to our official corporate account email: info@incatrailhikeperu.com.
Unfortunately, departure dates cannot be changed under any circumstances once your booking is finalized. The Peruvian Ministry of Culture and the rail operators maintain a strict, non-refundable, and non-transferable policy for all entrance permits and train tickets. Once purchased, these reservations are locked into the government system under your specific name and passport number.
This trek is rated as moderate. The first day involves roughly 7 hours of hiking, including an initial high-altitude ascent followed by a long, steady downhill descent on stone trails into the Sacred Valley. You do not need to be an expert mountain climber, but being in good cardiovascular shape and having some experience with basic trail walking will significantly enhance your comfort and enjoyment of the experience.
The highest point of our trek reaches an elevation of 3,750 meters (12,303 feet) above sea level. To avoid symptoms of altitude sickness (soroche), we strongly recommend spending at least 2 days relaxing and acclimatizing in the city of Cusco or the Sacred Valley prior to your trek departure. Remember to drink plenty of water, enjoy local coca tea, eat light meals, and walk at a comfortable, steady pace on the trail.
Yes. We offer a completely seamless, door-to-door transit service. When your return train arrives at the Ollantaytambo station platform on evening two, our private transport van and professional driver will be waiting exclusively to greet our group. We will manage all the highway driving and drop you off safely right at your Cusco hotel lobby doorstep by approximately 08:00 PM.
Please pack these essential items inside a lightweight, waterproof 30-liter daypack for your mountain trek and overnight stay:
To get the absolute most out of your adventure, you need insider knowledge that goes beyond standard itineraries. This strategic planning guide provides unique, high-value insights tailored specifically to the geography, logistics, and regulations of this exclusive two-day route.
While your heavy suitcases remain safely locked away in Cusco, the gear you take with you for the trek and your overnight hotel stay must comply with strict railway regulations. PeruRail enforces a cabin baggage weight limit of 5 kg (11 lbs) per passenger.
The ridge walks and high savannahs on this trek offer incredible panoramic views, but the final leg of day one requires a technical descent. The trail drops rapidly from the Huchuy Qosqo plateau down to the valley floor at Lamay, descending roughly 850 vertical meters (2,788 feet) over historic stone steps and packed dirt switchbacks.
The high-altitude hamlets you pass on day one, such as Tauca, are beautiful examples of living Andean culture. These communities operate entirely on a cash-based micro-economy where digital payments do not exist.
To protect its historic foundations from overcrowding, the Peruvian Ministry of Culture utilizes a highly regulated system of strict, one-way walking circuits inside the Machu Picchu sanctuary.
Cusco
Cusco
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