Trekking & Adventure Travel Specialists
Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu 
This trek is like no other in the Cusco region. It is a perfect option for persons who were wanting a little bit shorter of a trek, with a lower altitude (the highest pass is 3,800 meters). While this trek is the shortest of the alternatives, it also has the most ruins to see along the way as well. One of the better parts about the way that we do the trek though is that we stay at the home of a typical host family on the side of the mountain, overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas below you. Also, out the window of the room where you will stay, you can see the sunrise over the beautiful Huchuy Qosqo ruins (home of the only 3 story Inca complex). The house does not have electricity, and there are guinea pigs running around, so you will have a very authentic experience. Also, the mother of the house will cook you a delicious dinner and then breakfast in the morning. | Package Name: | Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu |
| Duration: | 3 Days / 2 Nights |
| Type of Trek : | Alternative Trek to Machu Picchu |
| Group Size : | To suit group requirements - (no more than 8 Persons) |
| Difficulty degree of this hike: | Moderate / Challenge |
Departures Day: |
- Daily Departures - Small Groups - All private service departure dates are adapted to your request. - A minimum of 2 persons is needed for this trek |
| Activities: | Adventure, Camping and Trekking |
| High Season: | March - November |
| Route: | Closed in February |
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Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu
Itinerary:
Day 1: Cusco - Tambomachay - Huchuy Qosqo
Day 2: Huchuy Qosqo- Lamay - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Day 3: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
After the guided portion of the tour, you will have some free time to explore the ruins on your own. If you want to climb Huayna Pichu, then it is recommended that you go to the trail head immediately after the tour, because they only allow 400 persons in per day. The round trip walking to the peak of Huayna Picchu is about an hour and a half and it is worth it for the stunning views from the top, but it should be noted that the portion at the top with the stairs (the “stairs part” as it’s lovingly referred to) is moderately hazardous.
You will need to return back to Aguas Calientes to catch the return train to Cusco or Ollanta. There is also the option of staying an extra night in Aguas Calientes, which would allow you more time in Machu Pichu as well.
Day 2: Huchuy Qosqo- Lamay - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Day 3: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Day 1: Cusco - Tambomachay - Huchuy Qosqo
We will begin the tour with an early morning pick up from your hotel, at 6:30 am, to drive right over to Tambomachay, where we’ll begin the trekking almost 15 km. ascending until the mountain top where we can see cusco city, then will past nearest to QORICOCHA AND YANACOCHA lake, where we have lunch, and will continue through Andean landscapes and over the Pukamarca Pass at 3,800m, we will hike along a path that leads to the Tauca town, where we encounter archaeological remains and wild crops, such as tarwi, and a large quantity of cactus. We continue on to the Pukamarca pass at 4200 m. where we may enjoy views of the Surrounding area, immense mountains, Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon and San Juan snow peaks. Continuing the path, we will descend towards the beautiful, remote Andean pueblo, Pukamarca at 4010m, where we stop and have a short break. As get back on the move, we will walk downhill into a mystical ancient path which will lead us to the Leon Punku Ravine. We will be led into a very narrow corridor, between some immense rock walls, where we will discover some Incan remains and various Inca bridges and sets of stairs (some of the best Inca Stairs anywhere). This canyon is absolutely magical and boasts geological formations surrounded by majestic rocks and boulders that direct the river to Huchuy Qosqo at 3600m, where we will soon be arriving. Upon our arrival to the ruins in the evening, we will actually continue on past the ruins and to our accommodations for the night. We will have dinner and sleep in the typical home of a native of the area, just to the side of the Huchuy Qosqo ruins.
Day 2: Huchuy Qosqo- Lamay - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological complex which is perched precariously on the side of a mountain with imposing architecture that includes a large open ceremonial center, from which we enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the Sacred Valley, the Vilcanota River, and the snow capped mountain range of the same name. While in the complex, we will receive a guided tour as we make our way around the ruins after which we continue our way down the mountain, to Lamay at 3000m/ 9840 ft. Lamay is a town dedicated to agriculture and cattle raising. Later in the afternoon, our private transport drives us to Ollantaytambo, where we will board an afternoon train to Aguas Calientes. The train ride to get there is an absolutely gorgeous route, renowned the world round for its’ beauty. Upon our arrival to Aguas Calientes all passengers will be shown their respective hostels.
Day 3: Aguas Calientes - Machu Pichu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
We will wake up extremely early, at 4:00 am, in order to start trekking up the mountain to Machu Pichu in time to catch the sunrise at top. It will be approximately an hour and 45 minutes to reach the top. When we first arrive, our guide will give us a 2 hour guided tour, enlightening us about all of the rich history of the ancient ruins around us. There is so much that our guide can teach us about all that we know about the site so far.After the guided portion of the tour, you will have some free time to explore the ruins on your own. If you want to climb Huayna Pichu, then it is recommended that you go to the trail head immediately after the tour, because they only allow 400 persons in per day. The round trip walking to the peak of Huayna Picchu is about an hour and a half and it is worth it for the stunning views from the top, but it should be noted that the portion at the top with the stairs (the “stairs part” as it’s lovingly referred to) is moderately hazardous.
You will need to return back to Aguas Calientes to catch the return train to Cusco or Ollanta. There is also the option of staying an extra night in Aguas Calientes, which would allow you more time in Machu Pichu as well.
What is Included:
- Transportation to and from: Cusco - Tambomachay
- Transportation Lamay - Ollantaytambo train station
- Ollantaytambo Train Station - Cusco Hotel
- Train tourist Service: Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo train station.
- Entrance fee: Machu Picchu.
- Bus ticket: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes.
- Hostel: Double accommodation in Aguas Calientes (3th day).
- Guide: Professional English and Spanish speaking guide.
- Cook: In charge of meal preparation
- Horsemen and horses: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses (Max. 8 kilos / 17 lbs per person)
- Emergency Horse: Just in case someone needs help.
- Meals: Breakfasts/ Lunches/ Dinners/ Snacks and afternoon tea
- Equipment: tents (2 people in each, 3-person-capacity), sleeping pad, dinner tent, biodegradable toilet tent, kitchen tent, tables and chairs, table settings, first aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
- International air fares to Peru,
- Breakfast the 1st day, and lunch last day.
- Sleeping bag.
- Sleeping bag (you can rent at Cusco Expeditions office).
- Bottle of mineral water.
- Rain gear and/or plastic poncho (can be purchase in Cusco).
- Hiking boots.
- Warm jacket or fleece, t-shirts, shorts, long pants, sun hat and wool hat.
- Flashlight.
- Sun block.
- Insect repellent.
- Toilet paper and garbage bag.
- Small towel and bathing suit (hot springs optional).
- Camera, extra film and extra batteries.
- Snacks, chocolates, energy bars.
- Emergency money.
- Walking stick (optional).












