OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
The private Huchuy Qosqo Trek is perfect for those who are short on time and prefer a less challenging trek.
This 3-day itinerary combines a visit to the World Wonder of Machu Picchu with a beautiful trekking experience through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will first discover the ancient archaeological complex of Huchuy Qosqo, hiking along original Inca trails between Cusco and various local villages. Huchuy Qosqo, which means “small Cusco” in Quechua, is a little-known but very fascinating place used by the Incas for sacred rituals and offerings to their Gods.
Why not book the 3 Days Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu only for you? We offer this trekking experience as a private session (from 2 participants), which means that you decide how many people will be in your group, and no other travelers join your group.
EXTRAS & UPGRADES
- Aguas Calientes Hotel Upgrade: Please let us know in advance, so we can arrange everything for you.
- Optional visit of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: $60.00 per person. Let us know at the time of booking as it requires a separate permit.
- Trekking poles (additional $20.00 per person).
HIGHLIGHTS
Starting Altitude:
3800m / 12,467ft
Highest Altitude:
4300m / 14,107ft
Walking Distance:
18km / 11mi
ITINERARY
At 6:00am we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take private transport towards Tambomachay. From the starting point of our hike, we enjoy a wonderful view of the Tambomachay ruins from a distance. Climbing steeply upwards and enjoying beautiful views of Cusco city, we will reach the first pass (4,100m/ 13,451ft). Along the way, we will pass small lakes and pastoral landscapes with alpacas. After another hour, we will arive at Qoricocha lake, which is the perfect spot to enjoy our delicious box lunch. We will then continue our ascent for 45 minutes to the second pass, which marks the highest point of our trek (4,200m/ 13,780ft). From here, the rest of the day is only a 4-hours downhill walk, passing by beautiful valleys. Towards the end of the day, we will hike along the original Inca Trail until we reach our camp. Once we get there, you will have a spectacular dinner and some well-deserved rest.
After breakfast, we will head towards the Pukamarca Pass (4150m/ 13,615ft) and enjoy a magnificent view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will descend for about 30 minutes until we reach the local community of Pumamarka for our lunch break. We will then continue our walk towards Puma Punku Canyon, which is also known as the Puma Gate, and from there we will enter the original Inca Trail that was restored by the Qhapac Ñan project. We will follow this trail to the archaeological center of Huchuy Qosqo, located right above the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our local guide will show us the sacred temples, and teach us about the Inca culture and history. After exploring Huchuy Qosqo, we will descend for 2 more hours towards the small village of Lamay (2800m/ 9186ft). Our private transport will be waiting for us and bring us to Ollantaytambo, where we will take the train to Aguas Calientes. Once we arrive in Aguas Calientes, the village at the bottom of Machu Picchu, we will have dinner and relax in our hotel.
The grand finale! We will wake up very early this morning for our visit to famous Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. This complex is considered a jewel of the Inca architecture. It is a complete town with different quarters, squares, alleys, buildings, astronomical observatories and terraces. The city was rediscovered on July 24, 1911 by the US researcher Hiram Bingham. We will have a guided tour to see and learn about the Machu Picchu site, a Wonder of the World. After the guided tour, you will have free time to take photos and discover this magical place by yourself.
For those who have previously selected to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will do so at your designated time (1st group: 6am to 8am, 2nd group: 9am to 11am).
In the afternoon, we will return to Aguas Calientes and take the train to Ollantaytambo, leaving at 14:55 pm. On the way back, we can enjoy the incredible landscape of the Sacred Valley. Upon arrival at the train station, we will take our final return bus back to Cusco.
📋 Included
🏕️ Accommodation
- Comfortable tents with foam mattress.
🍽️ Meals
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (3x Breakfast, 3x Lunch, 3x Snack, 3x Dinner).
- Professional cook and cooking equipment. Dining tent and kitchen tent for the cook to freshly prepare your meals.
- Meals can be accommodated for dietary requirements such as vegetarian or vegan. Please let us know in advance if you have specific preferences.
- A hot cup of coca tea every morning.
- Boiled water provided for coffee and tea to accompany your meals at the campsites.
🚗 Transportation
- Transport from your hotel in Cusco to the starting point at KM82.
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo on day 4.
- Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (Plaza Recojigo).
🧭 Local Guides & Team
- English/Spanish speaking professional guide, plus an assistant guide for groups over 12.
- Porters who carry camping equipment, food, and kitchen utensils.
- All our trekking guides have a minimum of 3 years of guiding experience and are certified. They carry a first aid kit and an extra oxygen bottle in case of emergencies.
📝 Additional
- Briefing: You will have a meeting with your guide in our office to go over all the details regarding your tour. The orientation will be between 17:00, 18:00 or 19:00 at our office in Cusco the day before departure.
- Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu and Inca Trail included.
❌ What Is Not Included?
🍽️ Meals
- Breakfast on the first day (you can either bring your own sandwich, or have breakfast for 15.00 Soles in Ollantaytambo). Lunch and dinner on the last day. No water for treks included. Please carry enough water with you. Along the trekking road, you can buy more water bottles.
Equipment
- Sleeping bags. Available for rent if you don’t have one with you ($15.00 per person). Trekking poles. Available for rent for $20.00 per person.
🧗 Optional Activities
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. You can choose to add one of them to your trekking itinerary for $60.00 per person. Please let us know in advance so we can check availability. Shuttle bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (optional available for $12.00 per person).
🔧 Other
- Other: Tips for your guide, cook, and porters. National or international flights. Travel Insurance. Other activities not mentioned in this itinerary.
FAQ
The best way to prepare yourself for this trekking experience is easy: spend at least 2 to 3 days at a high-altitude place like Cusco, so your body gets used to the high altitude. If you have already been to a high altitude destination before arriving to Cusco, we still recommend you spend at least one full day in Cusco to rest, recuperate from your trip, and enjoy the beautiful views of the city before your trek.
Additionally, taking good care of your body helps deal with the extra pressures that altitude creates. We recommend you to eat healthy food, drink lots of water, and stay away from alcohol. Chewing coca leaves and drinking coca tea helps to alleviate any discomfort associated with the altitude.
The entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain are additional add-ons that you can choose to purchase besides the Machu Picchu visit that is already included in this trek. You can visit one of these mountains after your Machu Picchu visit to see the Inca Citadel from the top.
Please send us an email asking about availability. Then, if available, you can select which mountain you would like to climb when you make your reservation online. Both Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are an additional 60 USD.
WHAT IS HUAYNA PICCHU MOUNTAIN?
Huayna Picchu Mountain is home to the Temple of the Moon and is the famous mountain peak seen behind the ruins in all the classic photos of Machu Picchu. Huayna Picchu is an approximately 45-minute climb with more ruins at the top and offers an incredible view of the Machu Picchu ruins. The visit to Huayna Picchu takes approximately 2 hours. The entrance fee for Huayna Picchu Mountain is an additional 60 USD.
WHAT IS MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN?
Machu Picchu Mountain is an additional hike within Machu Picchu that offers a much higher view of the ruins and overlooks the entire valley. The entrance fee for Machu Picchu Mountain is also an additional 60 USD.
Adventure awaits you! We sent you a confirmation e-mail with more details about your trekking adventure.
The day before your departure at 17:00, 18:00 or 19:00, please stop by our office located at Portal Espinar Nro 163 to receive the informative briefing.
Our professional guide will tell you everything about your trek and clarify any last questions you may have.
During the trek, we serve a variety of local superfoods and traditional Peruvian dishes, including:
- Rice
- Chicken
- Beef
- Salad
- Potatoes
- Vegetables
- Delicious soups
- Fruits
Everything will be freshly prepared by our local chef.
We accommodate many vegetarian travelers, and our cooks have some great options for them to enjoy their meals. We can cater to all other types of dietary requests with adequate preparation and clear communication.
We will have our last dinner at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes, and the last breakfast will be provided by the hotel.
Prior hiking experience is recommended but not required. Our guides are trained to assist hikers of all fitness levels and all trekking experience levels, so you will never be left behind.
The most important factor is to acclimate yourself to the altitude before your trek.
The minimum group size for private tours is 2 people and the maximum group size is 15 people. There will be an assistant guide for groups over 12 people.
Please feel free to review our Terms & Conditions and let us know if you have any questions or requests regarding our cancellation policy, which is available on our website.
