Our Huchuy Qosqo & Inca Trail trek is the perfect combination of Inca archaeological sites, quaint rural towns, views of majestic mountain ranges and their snow-capped mountains and exotic vegetation. This special trail is designed to go off the beaten paths, over high Andean Mountain passes, through the fertile plains of the Sacred Valley and finally merging into the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Like no other operator in the region, we have designed this hiking option for those interested in seeing a bit more than just the standard trails. In fact, along this combined hike you will have the opportunity to reach the site of Huchuy Qosqo, magnificently perched on one of the mountains overlooking the Sacred Valley. As it name portrays, this “little Cusco” was a royal hacienda or government center modeled after the Inca capital.
HIGHLIGHTS
Machu Picchu, Huchuy Qosqo, Yanacocha Lake, Piuray Lake, Huayna Picchu & Inca Trail
ITINERARY
ITINERARY
DAY 01: CUSCO – TAMBOMACHAY – PUMAMARCA
DAY 02: HUCHUY QOSQO “LITTLE CUSCO” – OLLANTAYTAMBO
DAY 03: OLLANTAYTAMBO – INCA TRAIL – AGUAS CALIENTES
DAY 04: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
DETAILED ITINERARY – HUCHUY QOSQO
DAY 1
CUSCO – TAMBOMACHAY – PUMAMARCA
Our day will begin with an early morning pick-up directly from your hotel in Cusco. From Cusco, we will head to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, the trailhead of the first section of our hike. From Tambomachay, we will hike through puna landscapes and over the Sicllaccasa mountain pass (4,020 m.a.s.l.). From here, we will continue to follow the trail towards the Ccauca ravine where we will see some archaeological remains and wild crops of tarwi. This landscape is also complemented by vast amounts of cacti.
Continuing, we will hike along gently ascending terrains towards the Queullococha mountain pass (4,185 m.a.s.l.) from where we can catch spectacular views of Veronica, Pituiray and Chicon snow-capped mountains. In this area, we will also see endemic fauna such as huallatas, ducks and some fish that reside in and around the Queullococha lake.
From the Queullococha lake, we will continue ascending towards our third mountain pass of the day. This pass is called Challu Challu ans sits at 4,220 m.a.s.l. and grants unmatched views of the Chinchero plains and the Piuray and Qoricocha lakes. In this area, we will be accompanied by the strong winds common to Andean puna and the vast mountain sides.
Our final ascent of the day will be to Rumicruz at 4,230 m.a.s.l. From here we will continue to the Inca quarry used for the construction of the Huchuy Qosqo archaeological site. We will make our descent to the small community of Pucamarca (4,010 m.a.s.l.) where we will camp for the night.
DAY 2
DAY 02: HUCHUY QOSQO “LITTLE CUSCO” – OLLANTAYTAMBO
After an early breakfast, we will begin our hike to Huchuy Qosqo archaeological site. This section of the trail will be along gradually descending terrain and towards the LeonPunku ravine. On our hike, we will see the remains of original Inca bridges and trails. Once at Huchuy Qosqo (3600 m.a.s.l.), we will finally see the site’s impressive architecture with its ceremonial center. We will also have some of the best panoramic views of the Sacred Valley and Vilcanota River.
Once our tour of Huchuy Qosqo is finished, we will begin hiking to our lunch spot in Taucca. Here, we will not only grab lunch and take a break, we will also board our private transportation set to take us to the town of Ollantaytambo. This night will be spent in a comfy accommodation in the town of Ollantaytambo in preparation for your Inca Trail hike.
DAY 3
DAY 03: OLLANTAYTAMBO – INCA TRAIL – AGUAS CALIENTES
After breakfast, our team will come to pick you up from your accommodation in Ollantaytambo. Your estimated time of pick-up from your hotel is 7:00 a.m. From Ollantaytambo, we will board the train that will take us to the trailhead at KM 104. This train ride will only last about an hour.
From KM 104, we will begin our hike along the famous Inca Trail. We will reach the first archaeological site of the trail just 15 minutes after having passed the first trail checkpoint. This site is known as Chachabamba and along with Choquesuysuy, it is hidden within the lush semi-tropical forest of the area.
Our next section of today’s hike will be mostly uphill, along Inca stone trails and steps. This section will take approximately 3 hours and will take us to the famous site of Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m.a.s.l.). This archaeological site is the perfect example of what agriculture was like in the time of the Incas, since along its slopes lie a large number of circular terraces, where the Incas cultivated different agricultural products. The name of Wiñay Wayna comes from a beautiful orchid that abounds in the area and that has the meaning in Spanish of “Eternally young.” Our visit in this site will take approximately 1 hour. Here, we will enjoy a delicious box lunch before continuing to Machu Picchu.
The hike from Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu will take approximately 2 hours. During this hike, we will pass several tambos (resting places), walk up some Inca steps and hike along gently rolling Andean flats. Our entry point to Machu Picchu will be the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) (2,720 m.a.s.l.), which during the Inca Empire, served as an entry checkpoint to Machu Picchu. From here you have an impressive panoramic view of Machu Picchu and the entire valley that surrounds it.
After breathing in some of the views from the Inti Punku, we will descend to the gates of Machu Picchu. We will board the buses down to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night. If you are not too tired, you can head to the town’s hot springs, a popular choice for travellers. Dinner will be served in one of the best restaurants in town.
DAY 4
DAY 04: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Today we will enter the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu! After breakfast, we will head to the bus station in town to take the bus to the main gates of Machu Picchu. Once inside, we will have a tour of approximately 2 hours. The guided tour will take you along the designated visiting circuits of Machu Picchu and will have you visiting some of the sites most iconic temples and paths. After the tour you will have some free time to explore on your own.
After your much deserved visit of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, we will make our way to the town of Aguas Calientes. To do so, we will take the buses available. Once in Aguas Calientes, we will have time to grab lunch (not included) before boarding your train back to Cusco in the afternoon.
Your return to Cusco will be by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and by car from Ollantaytambo to Cusco. Your estimated arrival time in Cusco will be between 20:00 hrs to 20:30 hrs and our team will make sure to drop you off at your hotel accommodation respectively.
INCLUDED
It includes
- Pick up from your hotel in Cusco.
- Private transportation from Cusco to Tambomachay (starting point of the trek).
- Private transportation from Taucca to Ollantaytambo train station.
- All camping equipment: 3-person capacity tents used by only two people with enough spaces for your belongings, dining and kitchen tents with tables and chairs.
- Equipment for cooking and cook.
- Horses and horman (to load stores, food and cooking equipment).
- Transfers from the hotel to the train station.
- 1 Night Hotel in Ollantaytambo town 3***
- Train tickets Ollantaytambo to Km. 104 (starting point of the inca trail.
- Professional bilingual guide (English-Spanish).
- Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machupicchu.
- Food (3 Breakfast, 3 Lunch, 3 Dinner).
- Bus Ticket Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes (round trip).
- 1 Night Hotel in Aguas Calientes town 3***
- First aid kit, oxygen balloon.
- Sleeping bag.
- Trekking poles.
- inflatable mats.
- Return train ticket Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo.
- Transportation Ollantaytambo – Cusco.
- Transfer to the hotel.
No incluido:
- First breakfast and last lunch.
- Entrance to Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain ($ 75 USD optional)
WHAT TO BRING
Huchuy Qosqo Trek Recommendations to bring
- Bring original passport “With expiration date not less than 7 months”
- ISIC card or student card, if applicable (must be sent at the time of booking).
- Mountain boots and sandals (very important)
- Headlamp (very important).
- Camera and spare batteries.
- Sunscreen / hat and sunglasses.
- Personal medical kit
- Insect repellent.
- Rainwear: a good raincoat and rain pants and a plastic rain poncho.
- Toilet paper.
- Small towel.
- Extra money for drinks and tips, souvenirs, etc. (soles or dollars).
- Water Bottle (Canteen)
ESSENTIALS:
- Passport
- Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
- Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
- Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
FOR YOUR DUFFEL:
Huchuy Qosqo Trek, Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and mattress (these two items weigh around 3.5 kg.)
- 2-3 long sleeve shirts
- 2-3 hiking pants
- 4 sets of underwear.
- 4 sets of hiking socks
- 1 Fleece
- 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
- 1 Rain jacket and pants
- 1 sun hat
- 1 wool hat
- Headlamp: essential
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Small Quick Dry towel.
- Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
- Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
- Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
- Sleeping bag (We will provide you on the briefing time).
TOILETRIES:
- Sunscreen
- Face moisturizer
- Bug spray
- Handsanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and paste
- Toiletpaper
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACK:
for Huchuy Qosqo Trek, Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.
- Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to boil water until your first lunch.
- Sunhat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Camera
- Music (Phone)
- Handsanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Earplugs
IMPORTANT
- Departure dates: We have groups for the Inca trail every day of the year. except February, when the Inca Trail is closed throughout the month. The month of February you can visit Machu Picchu by train. is not possible to do the Inca Trail on february.
- Availability: To the Inca road of 2D / 1N Only 250 people per day are allowed. This figure includes tourists, guides, porters and cooks. The quotas are for all the people who wish to carry out the Inca Trail. So to make the Inca Trail it is essential to book months in advance. The availability of seats for the Inca Trail is the same for all agencies. Therefore before making your reservation, please check availability by contacting our