HIKE TO HUCHUY QOSQO
TOUR THREE DAYS
CHaracteristics of the Huchuy Qosqo Trek
Discover the majesty of the Palcoyo Mountain Range, an extraordinary journey that will immerse you in the natural beauty of the Peruvian Andes. In this full-day tour, you’ll experience a unique adventure amidst imposing landscapes and colors that defy imagination.
The Palcoyo Mountain Range is distinguished by its characteristic hills of vibrant hues, creating a color palette that seems straight out of a dream. As you venture into this remote corner of nature, you’ll witness mountains that dazzle with their earthy tones, from intense ochres to deep greens.
The journey will take you along winding trails and high altitudes, providing panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. Upon reaching the summit, you’ll be rewarded with an astonishing view of the multicolored mountains stretching before you, creating a landscape that appears hand-painted by Mother Nature herself.
In addition to the impressive geology, you’ll have the opportunity to encounter local wildlife and immerse yourself in Andean culture. You’ll learn about the customs of the local communities, enriching your experience with the knowledge of the region’s rich history.
Get ready for a day full of natural wonders as you explore the Palcoyo Mountain Range on a journey that will awaken all your senses and leave you with unforgettable memories. This is your chance to experience the authentic magic of the Andes at its finest!
Huchuy Qosqo is one of our most beautiful treks, and it’s also shorter and a bit easier for those with limited time. Ideal for families and those who want to go trekking. However, the last hour and a half involves a lot of downhill walking.
This place is located 50 km north of Cusco and at an altitude of about 3600 meters. Its name means “Little Cusco.” This site, with its various palaces and temples, was built by the Incas, with Inca Wiracocha leading at the time.
At the archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo, you can see remnants of what was a peculiar Inca architecture. According to chroniclers, Wiracocha probably sought a resting place and ordered the construction of these buildings to have the comforts that his advanced age required.
So, in this place, you can see another of the great works of the Inca empire, enjoying a treasure with historical value for Peru. Similarly, like everything you’ll see on each of our tours, each of the archaeological relics is surrounded by the beautiful natural landscapes that surround the entire city of Cusco.
To learn about the route or how you can get to this area with Alpaca, just check our itinerary. Remember that this is one of the ideal routes to include the whole family, taking into account that the minimum recommended age is ten years old and above.
Highlights:
Location: Located in the district of Lamay, province of Calca, Little Cusco on the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Type of tour: Trekking, camping, adventure, history, culture.
Good for: Anyone who is fit and in good condition
Difficulty: Moderate
Day 1: Cusco – Golden Lake – Quencco
To begin your Huchuy Qosqo trek, we’ll pick you up from your hotel at 6 a.m. and drive you to the Inca site called Puca Pucara (3,700 meters). It’s just a 20-minute drive from the city of Cusco. We’ll start walking slowly, uphill for about an hour and a half until we reach the first pass (4,100 meters), where we’ll have spectacular views of two valleys.
To your right, you’ll see the Inca capital, Cusco, surrounded by stunning mountains. Your tour guide will provide information about how and where the Incas arrived in this area and about the Spanish conquest. There are two Inca sites at the bottom of the valley, and to your left, there will be a beautiful landscape of mountains and farmland.
From the pass, we’ll continue along the valley’s side, making our way to the top to cross over to the other end. That’s about a 45-minute walk to the upper end of the valley. Once we get there, we’ll cross a small stream that divides the valley and reach our lunch spot, at Lake Queullacocha. The landscape at the lake is quite arid because the whole area is high puna among the mountains and is covered in tough Andean grass, called Ichu. It’s possible to see a variety of birds, such as Andean geese, lapwings, partridges, among others.
After our lunch, we’ll continue to our campsite in the village of Quencco. We’ll continue our way along the top of one of the ridges, as we descend, and loop around Lake Qoricocha (Golden Lake). It’s a two-and-a-half-hour walk to the village, where groups of locals who are always proud to welcome us to their community will greet us.
After settling in and having a hot cup of coca tea, we’ll visit one of the local families to learn about their lifestyle. If you’ve brought any gifts, you can share them with the family at this time. After visiting the family, we’ll have time to relax, and your tour guide will teach you more about Andean lifestyle.
Hiking distance: 14Km
Day 2: Quencco – Huchuyqosqo – Lamay – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Today, our staff will wake you up bringing a cup of hot coca tea so you can start your day feeling refreshed and ready to pack your personal belongings and then, enjoy a delicious breakfast. We’ll start our hike from Quencco to the Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo. After about two hours of walking, we’ll arrive at a stretch of the original Inca Trail, just below the town of Pumamarca.
Along the way, we’ll see many local people grazing their llamas. Once we reach the Inca Trail, the landscape changes from high mountains to a secluded valley. This valley is a beautiful microclimate, full of lush vegetation. Many small birds can be seen, including a variety of hummingbirds feeding on the flowers. As we progress through the valley, we’ll be able to see snow-capped mountains and the famous Urubamba mountain range. There will be plenty of time to take advantage of many scenic views.
We’ll head towards the main site, passing through an Inca gate and finally arriving at the magnificent Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo (Little Cusco – 3,600 meters), which stands above the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here, you’ll see Inca structures, such as sacred temples, warehouses, Inca terraces for agriculture, and an Inca reservoir used to store water in the dry season.
Your guide will take you on a spectacular tour and sites where he will teach you about the Inca background. Before lunch, you’ll have time to explore the site on your own. From here, we’ll start our downhill hike towards the Sacred Valley, which takes about two hours to reach the town of Lamay (2,800 meters) on the Urubamba River, where our private transportation will be waiting to take you to Ollantaytambo. We’ll have dinner at a restaurant before taking the 7 p.m. train and then we’ll board the train to Aguas Calientes once there you can go to rest at the hotel.
Hot showers will be available.
Hiking distance: 7km
Day 3: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Machu Picchu is the most important part of our trip. We suggest waking up early to have your breakfast and then board one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. All these buses start their service from 5:30 a.m. Once we reach the Machupicchu citadel, your guide will lead you to a strategic point from where you can observe the Inca architecture of Machu Picchu, and they will go to a well-located place from where you will observe the sunrise (depending on the weather).
You’ll be able to take your postcard photo of Machu Picchu, then you’ll start the guided tour through
RECOMMENDATIONS
– Rain jacket or poncho
– Warm coat
– Sunscreen
– Hat
– Sunglasses
– Walking shoes
– Water bottle
– Camera
– Personal medications suggested by your doctor
– Important documents you should carry with you
– If you are a student, carry your original student ID card
INCLUDES
Pre-Trip Meeting
The night before your trip, you will come to our office for your pre-trip meeting. You will receive your duffel bag that will stay with your porters while you hike. This bag should not exceed 7 kg / 14 lbs and should include your sleeping bag and inflatable mat.
Professional Guides
All our guides have studied English and tourism at the National University and Institutes of Cusco. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion for teaching others about their heritage. They are fun and professional and will ensure your well-being and leave you amazed.
Porters
We include a personal support staff (porter) who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag containing your personal items. There is no additional fee for this. The night before we will hand over your duffel bag for you to fill with things you will need for the night and the following days. You will not have access to your duffel bag until you reach your overnight camp.
Hotel
This alternative trek ends in Aguas Calientes. You will spend the last night in a hotel in the town, instead of camping. This 2-star hotel is included in the cost of the trek and is based on a shared room. If you want to change your hotel, or prefer a single room, there will be an additional cost.
Transportation
all your transportation is included in this trek. You will be picked up directly from your hotel around 6 a.m. and taken to the start of the hike. Your guide will hand you your bus ticket to go up from Aguas Clientes to Machu Picchu and vice versa, you will be reserved on the expedition train that departs that afternoon. If you prefer, you can switch your train departing from Aguas Calientes to the Vistadome train for $ 75 per person. Once you arrive at the train station, we will take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Equipment
Alpaca Expeditions has the best equipment. We use Eureka Timberline tents that can accommodate up to four people, but only share two people. You will have a spacious dining tent to enjoy your meals.
Food
Alpaca Expeditions chefs prepare a variety of delicious foods that many previous hikers were delighted and satisfied with. We respect all dietary restrictions, so be sure to add any other options you have on your booking form and inform your guide at your pre-trip briefing the night before your trip. Food is typically served family-style. You will enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, we will also provide hot infusions (tea, coffee, chocolate, snacks). Likewise, you will be provided with a Snack every morning to enjoy during the hike, and your last meal with your chef will be after breakfast on day four. Lunch on the last day is not included.
Water
From your first lunch to your last breakfast, Alpaca Expeditions will provide you with all the necessary water. The water will be provided boiled and purified then cooled before distributing it. You must supply your own water bottles or camelback. We recommend carrying around 3L in value. We will refill our waters at each meal point.
First Aid
Every Alpaca Expeditions guide has received first aid training from a doctor. We hold mandatory training sessions every February, which every Alpaca guide must attend. Your guide will always have a first aid kit for basic medical issues (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. We will get you off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible if necessary and make sure you get directly to a clinic for treatment.
Extras
We believe it’s the attention to small details that sets us apart from other tour companies. Each hiker receives a small sleeping pillow, a foam mat for insulation, a backpack cover to protect your things while you walk, and a rain poncho. We will work hard to create your best vacation.
Satellite Phones
Our main priority will always be the safety of our clients and our team. While all our guides are prepared and trained to deal with most issues clients have on the mountain. With just one phone call from any doctor, hospital, or friend it helps everyone feel secure that they are safe. Radios, which all our guides have, are limited in their range, so Alpaca Expeditions has added satellite phones to each hike. Each guide will have a fully charged phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to connect us anywhere in the world. And our clients can also use them for non-emergency cases. While they are not cheap to use, they are available in case you need to check on the puppy you left at home with grandma.
DOES NOT INCLUDE
Rentals: each hiker needs a camping sleeping bag. Inflatable air mattresses and poles (with rubber tips) are optional but recommended. If you do not wish to bring any of the above, they are all available for rent.
Sleeping Bag: $15.00
Inflatable Air Mattress: $15.00
Poles (pair): $15.00
Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu is the mountain next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45-minute walk to the top. Going back down is quite steep if you are afraid of heights. This is done after the Machu Picchu tour. The cost is $ 75 per person to walk. Arrang
ements must be made at least 2 or 3 months in advance, due to popularity. Please understand that the weather is beyond our control.
Day Packs: Great Empire Travel does not provide daypacks, so you must bring your own. Try not to pack large items, to keep your backpack light while hiking. Machu Picchu does not allow backpacks larger than 25L. You will need to leave your bag at the entrance if it does not meet size standards. Only essential items are needed during the trek: water, snack, camera, sun hat, warm layer, rain gear, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a first aid kit.
Headlamps: It is recommended to bring a headlamp for your overnight camp. There will be no lights at the camping sites and it is difficult to get to your dining tent or bathroom tent without one. Flashlights are acceptable if you don’t have a headlamp, some tasks will be difficult without one.
Flights: Flying to Cusco can be tricky. Delays often occur, and flight cancellations are not uncommon. Make sure to arrive in the city at least two days before the start date of your hike. LAN Peru is the most reliable of the airlines. Avianca and Peruvian Airlines are also acceptable companies. You will not return from your hike until 8 pm on the last day, so make sure your flight is not until the following day when you leave Cusco.
Tips: Tips are always appreciated and should be based entirely on your satisfaction. Although it may not be customary for you, it is of considerable importance to the people who will take care of you during your trip.
Travel Insurance: It is not mandatory but always recommended. For those of you who live at sea level, landing in Cusco will take an adjustment period. Most people need one or two days to acclimate. In case you have difficulty adjusting to the altitude, it is suggested to have protection for the tours.
Price: $120.00 per person
SIMILAR TOURS THAT MAY INTEREST YOU
huchuy qosqo
Embark on an unforgettable journey with the thrilling two-day hike to Huchuy Qosqo. This adventure will take you through ancient Inca trails, unveiling the majesty of stunning landscapes and the historical richness that only the Andes can offer.
Humantay Lake
Embark on a journey of discovery and wonder with our exceptional full-day tour to Laguna Humantay. Immerse yourself in the majesty of Peruvian nature as we lead you to this hidden gem in the Andes.
From the outset of your adventure, you'll witness the breathtaking landscapes of the Sacred Valley and the snow-capped peaks that guard the route to Laguna Humantay.
lima - paracas
The designation of "the city of the kings" for Lima is due to the celebration of the Three Kings, which had recently taken place. Following the defeat of the Incas, Lima became the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, from where the Spanish ruled over the Peruvian territory. The Spanish conquistadors also extended their dominion over most of South America.
