Peru Tours Packages

Huchuy Qosqo Trek
2 days / 1 night Private Service

A fantastic two-day trek in the surroundings of Cusco, departing from Tambomachay, located just 10 minutes from Cusco, leading to Huchuy Qosqo, an ancient Inca archaeological site perched on a cliff over the Sacred valley of the Incas, crossing mountain passes, Andean communities and offering a large array of local flora and fauna. An excellent and less-beaten hike that can be complemented with a visit to Machu Picchu as an alternative to the saturated Inca Trail.


Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco to Pumacarca

Early morning pick up from hotel at 7.30 am and drive to Tambomachay (3800 m.), an archaeological complex situated in the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park. Tambomachay is comprised of a series of ceremonial water fountains, which are thought to have been dedicated to a water cult. The day’s hike will start at this point, and will continue through puna landscapes and over the Sicllaccasa pass at 4020m/13186ft. Down the other side, we hike along a path that leads to the Ccauca ravine, where we encounter archaeological remains and wild crops, such as tarwi, and a large quantity of cacti. We continue on to the Queullococha pass at 4185m/13727ft, where we may enjoy views of the lake with the same name. Surrounding the area in spectacular views stand the Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon and San Juan snow peaks. Continuing the path, we walk past the Queullococha Lake, where we may see huallatas, ducks and small fish, to then climb towards the Challu Challu pass at 4220m/13842ft. From this point, we observe the Chinchero planes and the Piuray and Qoricocha lagoons. We then ascend towards the fourth pass at Rumicruz at 4230m/13874ft and enjoy a panoramic view of the Qoricocha and the Vilcanota snow capped range. Here we rest and eat lunch. We then make our way to the Inca rock quarry at 4220m/13842ft, which was the place from where the rocks were extracted to build Huchuy Qosqo. Finally, we descend towards the Pucamarca community at 4010m/13153ft, where we arrive in the late afternoon. Here we dine and camp through the night.

Meals: Box-lunch

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Day 2: Pumamarca to Huchuy Qosqo and back to Cusco

We leave camp at around 8.00 am, and walk downhill towards the Leon Punku ravine, where we find remains of an Inca bridge and trail. This canyon boasts geological formations surrounded by majestic rocks and boulders that direct the river to Huchuy Qosqo at 3600m/11808ft, where we arrive by mid morning. Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological complex with imposing architecture that includes a large open ceremonial center, from which we enjoy a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley, the Vilcanota River, and the snow capped mountain range of the same name. While in the complex, we will receive a guided tour until lunchtime, after which we continue our way to Lamay at 3000m/9840ft. Lamay is a town dedicated to agriculture and cattle raising. Later in the afternoon, our private transport drives us back to Cusco. Estimated arrival time in the late evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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* All departure and arrival times are approximated.
** Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the group progress

Difficulty degree of this hike
Moderate to challenging


Price Information
Prices per person depend on the group size, the larger the group the lowest the price per person.
Please contact us specifying:

• Trekking program
• Number of people in the trek
• Departure date


Departure dates
Daily departures are available along the year. Please contact us to check our scheduled departures to alternatives routes.
All private service departure dates are adapted to your request.


Group Size
To suit group requirements


What is included

Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to Tambomachay (starting point of the trek)
Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in field
One inflatable sleeping pad per person
One sleeping bag per person: our sleeping bags are -18ºC-comfort (0ºF), mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips
One pillow per person
Dining tent with tables and chairs
Kitchen tent
Toilet tent
English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people)
Chef and cooking equipment
Porters (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
Porters to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 9kg per person (including sleeping bag and sleeping pad)
Accommodation for all our staff
Meals (01B, 02L, 01D + daily morning snack + daily tea service on day 1). Vegetarian menu is available at no extra cost
Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Private transport from Lamay to your hotel in Cusco


What is NOT included

- Breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day
- Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish


What we recommend that you bring

A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
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 – no malaria risk has been reported
Handkerchiefs
Toilet paper
Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection
Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water -sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
Small towel
Cash in soles and/or US$
Optional: walking sticks or poles

Optional services to be hired

• Massage sessions: our massage therapists have the highest recognition in Cusco and offer the following treatments: relaxing massage, stress-relieving massage, spinal column massage, energizing massage, Inca massage, altitude problems, aroma therapy, therapy with honey, therapy with glass, therapy with stones, foot reflexology, shiatzu, reiki and puddle of flowering. We recommend massage sessions before and after your trekking program. Services are at the hotel and are only available in Cusco.

Appropriate clothing along the Inca Trail

Hiking pants and T-shirts is the most suitable, complemented by a sweater and a fleece and jacket for the evenings and night. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.


Weather

Cusco’s climate is divided into two differentiated seasons: the rainy season, from November to April (the heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January – March); and the dry season, from May to October. The dry season is colder, so temperatures can drop to below 0 degrees at night.
Along this hike, temperatures range from 10-20ºC during the day if it’s sunny, to 05-10ºC during the day if not sunny or below 05ºC at night at the campsite. In Lamay / Sacred Valley, at lower altitude, temperatures are already milder.

How to make a Booking

If you would like to make a reservation for this program, please go directly to RESERVE NOW.

1. Please fill out and submit the Reservation Form. There you may also request special or additional services.
2. In a maximum of 24 working hours, you will receive an email from one of our travel advisors with your booking status and policies for your review and approval.

In case you have any doubt, query or require additional information, please go to Contact us. In addition you may get live assistance through our “chat online” or you may request a “call back”. Both icons are located in our homepage.

You may also write us to info@perurooms.travel, or call our Peru office phone number (+51-1) 422-3434 or USA & Canada Tollfree 1-888-835-1581, Worldwide 1-850-677-3070