Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu (2N/3D)

Huchuy Qosqo which in Quechua means “Small Cusco” or “Little Cusco” . It is an archeological site north of Cusco. Huchuy Qosqo was chiefly an administrative and military centre with many thought-provoking constructions in its vicinity. Here you will see the flawless stonework as well as grain storage structures known as Collcas. Huchuy Qosqo was also a renowned agricultural centre to produce corn. The site was named Huchuy Qosqo in the 20th century, it was before known as Kakya Qawani. Besides a large number of buildings and other impressive stone works, there is a kallanka (great hall), 40m long.

The Incas also built an impressive irrigation channel here that is lined with stones for about 800 meters. These irrigation channels were demolished and bigger channels were built during the Spanish rule. Below the site of Huchuy Qosqo are Qullqas or Qolqas – store houses which were used to store dried meats and crops such as beans, potatoes, corn and quinoa.

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION

Cusco Hotel Transfer

DEPARTURE TIME

06:00 AM

WEAR

Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking boots, hat, jacket and sunscreen.

INCLUDED

Transport

Meals

Entrance fees

Bi-lingual guide

Accommodation

First aid kit

Oxygen cans

NOT INCLUDED

Sleeping bags, you might get them rented from us US$ 5 per day

Extra expenditure during the trek, such as: soda, alcoholic drinks, extra snacks, tickets for the hot Springs in Aguas Calientes

Travel Insurance and things of a personal nature – laundry and telephone calls, personal taxis, souvenirs etc.

Please Note: We offer hotel pickups and drop offs only to our guests who are staying within the historic centre of Cusco. If you are staying out of our pick-up zone, we will co-ordinate a pick-up point and time with you and it is solely your responsibility to be there on time.

Day1

Cusco-Tambomachay-Pumamarca

We will pick you up from your hotel at 06:00 AM. We will then start our journey towards Tambomachay, a religious site during the Inca rule. After a quick briefing, we will start our gradual up-hill hike towards Sicllaqasa pass (4,035m / 13,194feet). From here, we will continue our hike through Ccauca highland valley where we will pass through many Incan ruins, to Queullaqocha pass (4,200m / 13,734feet). Queullaqocha pass is nicknamed as Kodak spot as you will have stunning views of some snowcapped peaks of Pitusiray, Veronica, Chicon and Sawasiray which form the Urubamba mountain range. After a short break, we will continue hiking. On this part of the hike, we will be passing through Queullaqocha lagoon, a picturesque lagoon named after the pass. This is also an excellent place to spot some highland birds. We will continue till we would reach our next pass called Challu Challu (4,230m / 13,832feet). From here we will have a pristine view of Chinchero Plateau, Piuray lagoon, Qoricocha lagoon. We will then ascend to our last pass known as Rumicruz (4,250m / 13,898feet). Passing through the Incan rock quarry, which was the main rock source for the construction of Huchuy Qosqo we will reach Pumamarca highland rural community(3,980m / 13,015feet). After sipping in a cup of tea, dinner will be served before you crawl into your personal tents.

Day2

Pumamarca- Huchuy Qosqo- Aguas Calientes

At morning we will relish the hearty breakfast cooked by our chef. We will then leave our campsite to continue with our trek to Huchuy Qosqo. We will start walking downhill towards Leon Punku ravine. On the way we will pass through the remains of an Incan bridge. As we continue our trek we will be rewarded with stunning views of mountains and valleys until we reach Huchuy Qosqo (3,600m / 11,772feet). Our local guide will walk you around the complex that comprises of temples, palaces, granaries and ceremonial centre. Our tour guide will recount the history. We will then head towards Taucca where we will stop for lunch. We will then bid good bye to our chef and porters and take our vehicle to Ollantaytambo train station. In the evening we will board the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). The train journey would approximately take an hour and 45 minutes. Once in Aguas Calientes, you will checkin at your hotel and then go to a local restaurant for dinner.

Day3

Guided tour in Machu Picchu-Cusco

After a delightful breakfast you will take a bus from the Aguas Calientes town up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. You will be issued an entrance ticket that would let you visit the citadel from 06:00 AM to 12:00 noon (first batch). Here, our guide will give you a two hours’ complete guided tour. After the tour you will have some free time to walk around and click photos. After the tour, you will board the bus back to Aguas Calientes town. Once here, you can have lunch (not included). At a designated time you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our driver will be waiting at the train station to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.

Original passport and Student card of University

Travel insurance (and some copies).

Sleeping bag (or you can rent one from us).

Backpack (rucksack) to carry your things.

Phone, power bank battery, camera charger and adapter.

Camera.

Torch or headlamps.

Deet or mosquito repellent ( recommendable 30% deet).

Hiking poles ( or you can rent one pair from us).

Rain gear (especially if traveling in the wet season, from October to March).

Comfortable hiking clothes, including warm clothes for the nighttime.

Good hiking boots with protector ankle or similar, and one pair of flip-flops or light sandals.

Sunblock and sunglasses.

Hiking long sleeve T-shirts.

Hiking trousers.

Ear Plugs.

Binoculars.

Thermal underwear.

Hiking socks.

Water bottle or canteen.

American dollars and Peruvian soles in cash.

Sun hat, cap, and warm hat and gloves for the nighttime.

Toilet paper, and face tissue paper.

Hands sanitiser.

Credit or debit card.

Luggage Tags and Locks.

Anti-inflammatory tablets (e.g. Ibuprofen).

Personal first-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Acetazolamide (Diamox), Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhoea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may take).