Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu 3 Days - 2 Nights

Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu 3 Days - 2 Nights

from $540 USD / 620 USD standard service

Machulas Journey offers several treks to Machu Picchu. Huchuy Qosqo, meaning “Little Cusco,” is one of the alternative treks. This is a nice option that is not too challenging but combines spectacular views and scenery. Along the way, you will enjoy the original Inca trail to the Huchuy Qosqo archaeological site and have the chance to visit with the local communities of Qenqo and Pukamarka. Huchuy Qosqo is located next to Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you can enjoy the beautiful valley of Urubamba. This trek is perfect for those hoping to squeeze a trek within a short time frame or for those looking for an easier trekking route. This trek is just 3 days and 2 nights, which is a perfect journey to Machu Picchu.

Huchuy Cusco is a fascinating Inca site, spread over several hectares of a small plateau, offering a view of the Urubamba valley, about 5 km upstream of Calca and 800m above the valley floor. It is believed to have been the royal estate formerly known as Jaquijahuana. According to myth, the Incan Viracocha built this settlement after conquering the previous inhabitants by setting fire to their town with a stone thrown from his golden sling. He later fled to Jaquihuana from Cusco when the invading Chancas threatened to overrun the Inca capital in around 1438. After the conquest, the Spaniards found the mummy said to be that of Inca Viracocha here.

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Tour Price

Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu

3 Days - 2 Nights


Price from

$540

Per Person

Private service from

$620

USD Per Person

Group Size Max 12 People
Activity Level Challenging

Tour Overview

  • 2 organic buffet lunches/ 2 organic buffet dinners/ 3 healthy breakfasts.
  • 2 snacks / water every day.
  • Starting Altitude 3,800m / 12,467ft.
  • Highest Altitude 4,300m / 14,107ft.
  • Total, Walking Distance - 18km / 11 miles.
  • Longest Day - Day 1, approximately 10km / 6.2 miles.
  • Coldest Night - Day 1, approximately -2º Celsius.
  • Overall Difficulty Easy.
DAY 1

Cusco - Tambomachay - Qenqo

We will pick you up from your hotel around 6:00 am and take you in our van to the trail head (30 minutes). Once we have arrived at the trail head, we will stop for a delicious first breakfast before starting our hike. After just a few minutes of walking, we will see Tambomachay Inca site (3800 M/12467 FT). From there, we will continue our hike for 3 hours until we reach the first pass, where we will see spectacular views and small valleys. We will then continue on in the gentle highland grass until we reach our lunch spot, where we will stop to enjoy delicious organic food. After lunch, we will continue for another few hours until we arrive at our camping site. Along the way, we will stop to enjoy Qoricocha Lagoon, where we can observe a wide variety of birds, including Andean geese, partridge and lapwings, all of which are regularly spotted throughout the day. The site is about 1:30 hours to our campsite (Qenqo).

Qenqo is a traditional Andean community located high above Cusco and Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here, the people still maintain their traditional customs of the ancient culture, like farming llamas, alpacas, and guinea pigs. It is our obligation to share this tradition with you. At the campsite, we will have the chance to spend some time with Andean kids, and, if you want, you can leave some gifts

DAY 2

Qenqo - Huchuy Qosqo - Lamay - Aguas Calientes

After starting your day with a delicious breakfast, your tour guide will teach you about the customs and culture of the Qenqo community. Then we will continue on to the Huchuy Qosqo archaeological site. Just a few minutes away, there are houses where we’ll get to meet local families who will teach us about their traditions and culture. They don’t get many visitors in this area, so we encourage you to bring some money to buy locally-made items, which can help support education for the locals’ children. After our visit, we will go straight to Huchuy Qosqo, where your guide will explain Inca history, and then you’ll have a rest to take advantage of the beautiful views of Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Vilcanota range mountain. You’ll then be ready for another delicious buffet lunch. Then, we will start our descent into the Sacred Valley for another 2 hours until we reach Lamay Village. From there, we’ll take a van for 1 hour to Ollantaytambo. If we arrived before the designated time, you’ll have a chance to walk around of the town if you would like. Your guide will organize a time for dinner, after which your tour guide will take you to the train station to catch your train to Aguas calientes, where you will spend the night in a hotel.

DAY 3

Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco

Today we will reach our final destination. We will have to wake up very early because it is tradition to arrive at Machu Picchu early enough to see the sunrise. You will start with breakfast at the hotel and head to the bus station. The bus rides up to Machu Picchu Inca citadel will take about 25 minutes. Entry to Machu Picchu begins at 6:00 am. You will need to show your original passport and the entrance to the citadel. Once we enter the citadel, we will go straight to the view point, where you can take the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu. After that, your guide will give you a 3-hour tour and show you the most important parts of the citadel (temples, palaces, plazas, etc.). You will then have free time to explore other parts of the citadel.

If you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, you will go after the guided tour, after which you will return to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, everyone will take the train back to Ollantaytambo before taking our van back to Cusco.

Our Tour Maps

Our Tour Video

Included

  • Tour Guides : All of our tour guides are professionals who studied tourism at University and come from around the Cusco region. They also all speak Quechua the language of Cuzco region. All of them are extremely knowledgeable and fun to be around.
  • Master Chef : Your master chef is an important person, preparing you delicious, buffet-style organic meals throughout the trek. If you have any dietary requests, such as vegetarian foods, please let us know.
  • Porters : The porters will carry our cooking and camping equipment and up to 7 Kg of your personal belongings. Note: We will give you your duffel bags (for the porters to carry) at your briefing the night before we start the trek. This should be filled with the things you need for the night and the next day. You will not have access to your duffel until you reach the campsite on the first night.
  • Transportation : We will go by bus to Qenqo, where we will start our hike. After we end our hike in Lamay, and then we will be taken by private van to ollantaytambo and from there by train to aguas calientes finally back by train to Ollantaytambo and then continue by bus to Cusco.
  • Tents : Made especially for trekking, our tents are professional and very comfortable. We use 4-person, Eureka Timberline tents that only need to be shared by 2 people.
  • Machu Picchu Permits : A permit is required for entry to HUCHUY QOSQO TREK and Machu Picchu. As soon as we receive your details and deposit, as long as permits are still available with the government office (please check our HUCHUY QOSQO TREK Availability link), we will purchase your permits for you. These permits are in your name for a specific date and can't be changed once confirmed. Only your passport number may be updated.
  • Oxygen and First Aid : On this trek, the highest point is at the first pass (3800m/12,467ft). The guide will have oxygen and first aid them at all times. However, if you have any prescriptions from your doctor, please bring them with you. All our guides have received training from a medical doctor.
  • Pre - Briefing : Prior to your trek you will have a briefing in your hotel. Please let us know where you are staying and what time is good for you. We typically suggest around 6:00 pm, but you may choose another time if you prefer. At briefing time, we will give you the details of the trek and provide the Machulas Journey duffel bags that will be with the porters while you hike. And finally, you will have the opportunity to ask your guide any questions you might have.
  • Water : We will supply water every morning, at lunchtime, during our afternoon hike, and at night. The water will be boiled, filtered, and then cooled down before distributing. You just need to bring a container for water on the trek and let our master chef know how many liters you will drink so that he knows how much water to prepare. Our recommendation is to drink a lot of water while you hike, especially when we are at higher elevations.

Not Included

  • Sleeping Bags : Your sleeping bag is not included in your trek, so hikers will need to bring their own or rent one from Machulas Journey. Machulas Journey will provide you with a regular mattress. If you want to sleep well, you may want to bring an inflatable air mattress as well. They are also available for rent: (sleeping bag 20 USD, and inflatable air mattress 20 USD).
  • Walking Stick : Walking sticks are very helpful on this trek. If don’t have your own, you can rent them from our office for 15 USD.
  • The Last Lunch : After our amazing experience on the HUCHUY QOSQO TREK, many of our clients want to go to one of the restaurants in Aguas Calientes to have a local meal. This last lunch is not included in your journey.
  • Huaynapicchu and Machupicchu : Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu the mountains that stand next to Machu Picchu citadel offer spectacular views. Huayna Picchu takes 45 minutes to get to the top and then 45 minutes back down. Machu Picchu takes 1 hour to summit and another hour back down. This is done after your tour of Machu Picchu Inca city. If you want to climb either of these mountains, please let us know so we can better organize your tour. The cost for Huayna Picchu is 60 USD per person and 55 USD per person for Machu Picchu Mountain.
  • Note : Don’t confuse Machu Picchu Inca citadel with the Machu Picchu mountain.

Recomendations

  • A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the Journey - prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature.
  • Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco.
  • Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended.
  • Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
  • Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
  • Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
  • Sun block
  • After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
  • Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - although no malaria risk has been reported
  • Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
  • Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
  • We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
  • Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
  • Small towel or sarong
  • Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs )
  • Cash - sufficient for snacks, tips and souvenirs.
  • Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.
  • Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)
  • Binoculars (if you have them)

Tour Price

standard service price

$650 per person.
Groups of 3-4 $630 per person.
Groups of 5-6 or more $600 per person.

private service price

$750 per person.
Groups of 3-4 $730 per person.
Groups of 5-6 or more $700 per person.

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