The Huchuy Qosqo tour 2 days is a unique trip that immerses us in the history, culture and natural beauty of the Cusco region in Peru. During this exciting trip, travelers have the opportunity to explore Huchuy Qosqo, a lesser-known but equally impressive archaeological site as the famous city of Machu Picchu. This tour offers a different perspective of the ancient Inca civilization, allowing adventurers to walk ancient trails, interact with local communities and enjoy spectacular mountain landscapes.
On this walk we will discover the highlights of this 2-day tour, which combines the historical richness of Huchuy Qosqo with the natural beauty of the Peruvian Andes, giving travelers a unique and unforgettable experience in one of the most fascinating destinations in the south America.
Early morning pickup from your hotel in Cusco will be at 6:30 a.m. We will go to Tambomachay (3800 meters above sea level – 12467 FASL). Tambomachay is made up of a series of ceremonial water fountains, believed to have been dedicated to a water cult. The day’s hike will begin at this point and continue through puna landscapes and over the Sicllaccasa pass at 4100 MASL/13186 FASL where we will have spectacular views of two valleys. To your right you will see the capital of the Incas, Cusco, surrounded by impressive mountains.
Your tour guide will tell you how and where the Incas arrived in this area and about their conquest by the Spanish. 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 hill we will follow the slope of the valley, heading towards the top to cross to the other side. It is about a 45 minute walk to the upper end of the valley. Once there, we will cross a small stream that divides the valley and begin our way to our lunch spot at Lake Qoricocha.
The landscape at the lake is quite arid because the entire area is a high puna between mountains and is covered with a tough Andean grass called Ichu. It is possible to observe a wide variety of birds, such as Andean geese, lapwings and partridges, among others. After lunch, we will continue to our camp in the town of Patabamba. We will head to the top of one of the ridges and, as we descend, we will surround Lake Qoricocha (Golden Lake).
It is about a two and a half hour walk to the town, where we will be greeted by groups of locals who will always be happy to welcome us to their community. After settling in and having a steaming cup of coca mate, we will visit one of the local families to learn about their way of life. If you have brought a gift with you, you can share it with the family at this time. After visiting family, we will have time to relax and your tour guide will teach you more about the Andean lifestyle.
This trail will take you first to the small town of Sihua and then to the Pukamarca Pass (4150 meters above sea level – 13615 FASL) overlooking the town of the same name. Here you will have a splendid viewpoint of the Urubamba mountain range and the Sacred Valley. After reaching the top of the pass, it’s a 2km/0.6 mile (approximately 30 minutes) downhill hike to the community of Pumamarka for lunch.
After this, you will continue your hike to the Puma Puncu canyon. From here, you will walk along an original Inca trail, which has been restored as part of the Qapacñan project. This trail will take you to the isolated and mysterious Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo (“little Cusco”) located above the Sacred Valley of the Incas at 3600 MASL/11811 FASL.
Once at the site, your guide will guide you and show you all the incredible Inca buildings on site, such as sacred temples, warehouses, Inca terraces for agriculture, and the Inca reservoir used to store water during the dry season.
After your guided tour of the site, we will begin our 1-hour walk downhill to the town of Lamay (2800 masl – 9186 FASL) along the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley, where a bus will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in cusco.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and easy as possible. In this section, you will find quick answers to all those questions you had about the Huchuy Qosqo Tour 2 days in one place. Please read the following information carefully; will help you with any questions about our services.
All briefings take place at your hotel at 6:30 p.m., one night before the tour begins. If you cannot attend, you must coordinate another schedule at the (Peru Travel Luxury) offices. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and there they will give you a small canvas bag, in which you will store all the belongings that you intend to take on the walk and that will not be in your backpack.
You will receive a canvas case or duffle bag during the briefing. The muleteers will carry them along the road and deliver them to you when you arrive at each camp. They measure 66 cm / 2 feet long x 36 cm / 1 foot wide.
A maximum of 8 kg is allowed per canvas bag, in which you can put your clothes or personal items that you need to do this hike.
The trek has to be paid for in full by at least 7.30 pm two days before departure. For example, if your tour departs on a Wednesday, then you must come to our office before 7.30 pm on Monday.
It would be much appreciated if you pay the trek balance in cash US dollars or local currency. You can withdraw some money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (either in US dollars or local Peruvian Soles). You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 8% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance by traveler’s checks.
Of course! During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at our office(you can organize briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you are not going to need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (In the unlikely case of theft many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing all the items). Best put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Peru Travel Luxury company can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historic Center of Cusco. The pickup time will be coordinated with your guide in the briefing. The pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic. Cusco is a very old city, therefore, it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if said modifications can be made.
Strikes and demonstrations are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your excursion as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
You’re responsible for your objects during the tour. Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our trucks, tents, or restaurants.
The Huchuy Qosqo trek is the shortest and easiest of the alternative treks to Machu Picchu.
The route is located just north of Cusco, making it easy to access and ideal for visitors who don’t have a lot of time in the region or who would like to do a bit of walking without doing a lot of exercise. Thanks to Peru Travel Luxury travel agency for making this incredible trip.