Overview
Huchuy Qosqo Trek Machu Picchu – Overview
If you can not hike for four days and want to taste a trek to Machu Picchu, we really recommend the Huchuy Qosqo trek, scenic trek with the superb views of local mountain villages, lazy llamas and alpacas, golden grasslands, snowcapped mountains and the rolling hills and valleys. You will walk along the footpaths of the ancient Incas towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas and arrive at the Huchuy Qosqo Complex.
The place was built as the Palace of the eight Inca king Wiraqocha. It was also used as fortress when Chancas, the rivals of the Incas, threatened Cusco in 1438, so the Incas abandoned Cusco and took refuge in the palace of Huchuy Qosqo.
Itinerary
Day 1: Up to Qoriqocha or the Golden lake
After breakfast in your hotel, you will be picked up from your hotel and transported to Tambomachay (3,700 m / 12,139 ft), which is only twenty minutes drive from Cusco. Here we will meet the horses that will accompany us during the trek, and also here is where your Huchuy Qosqo Trek begins. We will gradually ascend through grassy highlands for 2 hours of uphill trekking, then you will reach the first pass of the day at 4,100 m / 13,451 ft and have the fantastically uninterrupted bird’s-eye view of Cusco below. You should reach the lake Qoricocha (Golden lake) by 1pm, where you will stop for a delicious lunch and of course the siesta.
After lunch, you will ascend for 30 minutes to the next pass at 4,200 m / 13,779 ft. From here we begin our descent through scenic valley down to a beautiful canyon where the picturesque village of Pukamarca nestles among llamas and Inca ruins. You will also have the experience to trek part of the Inca trail that once connected Cusco to Sacred Valley and the day ends at Huchuy Qosqo where you will have the privilege to camp at one of the Inca ruins at Huchuy Qosqo with a view of the Sacred Valley below.
Keep your cameras ready and be sure to bring along spare batteries, as today you may be lucky enough to see Andean CONDOR, falcons and giant hummingbirds.
| QUICK FACTS: | |
| Distance covered: | 13km (8 miles) |
| Time: | 7 to 8 hours |
| Lowest elevation: | 3,550m (11,646 feet) |
| Highest elevation: | 4,200m (13,77 feet) |
| Level of difficulty: | Moderate |
Day 2: Huchuy Qosqo to Chinchero
After getting a cup of coca tea in tent as a wakeup call and early breakfast, we will have a guided tour at Huchuy Qosqo for about forty five minutes and then you will start ascending to the second pass for about three to four hours. After reaching the mountain pass, you will hike downhill for about two to three hours to our last lunch stop near lake Huacarpay. Your hike ends around 1pm. After lunch a car from PERU by LOCALS Travel will pick you up to transport you towards Ollantaytambo to catch your train to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night in a hotel.
| QUICK FACTS: | |
| Distance covered: | 12km (7,4 miles) |
| Time: | 5 to 7 hours |
| Lowest elevation: | 3,550m (11,646 feet) |
| Highest elevation: | 4,200m (13,77 feet) |
| Level of difficulty: | Moderate to demanding |
Day 3: Machu Picchu Tour
The morning begins with an early 30-minute bus ride to Machu Picchu. Getting up so early will be worth it because you will be able to get to Machu Picchu for the sun rise. Here in Machu Picchu you will have three hour guided tour. After the tour you will be free to explore the ancient city and take pictures at your leisure or climb Huayna Picchu mountain if you have reserved your ticket. When you are ready to leave Machu Picchu, you can take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes to collect your luggage from your hotel and return to Cusco by train in the afternoon. PERU by LOCALS Travel representative will meet you at the Cusco train station and transport you to your hotel.
Inclusions & exclusions
Included in Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu:
- Transport to and from your hotel
- Organic meals on Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu
- Entrance tickets to Huchuy Qosqo Inca Archeological Complex
- Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu (excluding Huayna Picchu)
- Horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc.)
- Emergency horse in case we need it
- Chef
- Boiled drinking water on day 2
- Trekking guide (knowledgeable in history, tradition and wildlife)
- First Aid Kit, which will be carried by your guide
- Equipment (sleeping tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, table, chairs, air mattresses)
- Duffle bag if needed
- Round-trip bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (expedition)
- One night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes (Terrazas del Inca hotel)
Excluded in Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu:
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Lunch on the last day at Aguas Calientes
- Tips for muleteers and guides
- Huayna Picchu tickets
Additional options
Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu – Additional options
| Huayna Picchu | In order to climb Huayna Picchu, you have to book in advance, since permits are limited to 400 per day. | USD 10 |
Prices with Hotels
| Terrazas del Inca 2* | Casa andina 3* | Sumaq hotel 4 * | Pueblo hotel 5 * |
| $490 | $590 | $1240 | $2140 |
Note:
Students: discount of $20, but you have to supply us with a copy of your ISIC card when booking the Huchuy Qosqo trek with us.
Children up to 15 years of age will be considered as students, under the condition that you supply us with a copy of the passport at the booking time.
Book Now
In order for us to reserve your spot on this Huchuy Qosqo Trek, you are required to send us the following information: full names, passport number, age, gender, nationality and make the relevant deposit of US$200 per person using PAY PAL as indicated below:
When you have sent us the information of each person, made your deposit using PAYPAL and once we have both, we will confirm your tour. Thank you so much for choosing PERU by LOCALS.
If you have any questions, send us an e-mail to: info@perubylocals.com
What to bring
WHAT TO BRING ON THE HUCHUY QOSQO TREK:
- Original passport (if you have adquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
- Down sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket tops, few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, warm underwear, light long pants, gloves, rain jacket)
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
- Sun block, factor 35+ recommended
- Head lamp
- Sunglasses
- Camera with spare batteries-batteries run down faster at high altitudes
- Binoculars if you have one
- Book to read (you will have some time at every camp to read your favorite book)
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
- Bug repellent
