One of the lesser known yet an imposing trek, Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 Days takes you to the lesser known Inca site, Huchuy Qosqo Peru. The name Huchuy Qosqo means “ Little Cusco”.
Huchuy Qosqo was once the military and administrative centre. The archeological site nestles at 3600 metres above sea level (1181 feet). It was built as a Royal Estate by Inca emperor Viracocha.
The Incas did not practise the tax system, instead, they took control of the land and the labour. This allowed them to acquire more properties where they built their Royal Estates.
However, during Viracocha’s rule, he faced revolt from the Chancas. He was afraid of his life, he handed over the throne to his son Pachacuti and took asylum in Huchuy Qosqo. Pachacuti in turn, deposed his father and assumed the role of the head of the Inca empire.
Eventually Viracocha died in Huchuy Qosqo. His corpse was mummified and stored. When the Spanish conquistadors conquered Cusco, they found Viracocha’s mummified corpse and burnt it.
Huchuy Qosqo saw rapid development during the rule of Pachacuti. He built many aqueducts, most of them are in use even today.
Unlike Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Huchuy Qosqo Peru Trek is less popular. Hence you won’t find many trekkers and mostly have the complex to yourself.
Heidi Travel Peru, is a fully locally owned tour operator in the city of Cusco. We are certified local guides with an excellent knowledge of Incas history and culture. As natives, our guides will be sharing some of the astonishing facts on this Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu.
We offer the Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu, both as a small group tour and as a private tour. Please take a moment to check out our reviews on Tripadvisor.
We highly recommend that you spend at least three days in Cusco before the trek to acclimate and avoid altitude sickness.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
0600 AM
We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco at 0600 AM. Then in our private transport, we will be driving you to Patabamba. It is a small village at 3800 metres above sea level and serves as the starting point of the Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu.
We will begin the trek with a climb to a pass 4200 metres (13770 feet) above sea level. Once at the summit, we will have a short break. You will be able to get a captivating view of the snow capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range.
From here, we will be descending to Pucamarca village. The village is also home to ancient Inca ruins. You will have some time to meet and interact with the Andean communities here. They have preserved their age-old traditions and costumes and are untouched by modernity.
We will then be hiking on the original Inca Trail (Qhapaq Nan). For the night, we will be camping at the camping area near the archaeological site.
After breakfast, at 0700 AM, we will begin the hike to Huchuy Qosqo archaeological site. The hike offers beautiful views of the canyons. You will see some native flora and fauna.
Once at the Inca site, you will be given a guided tour of the complex. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the complex.
After the tour, we will continue the hike to the highest point of Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu, Tauca Pass at 4400 metres above sea level. From here, we will hike down the hill to our campsite for lunch.
After lunch, we will be meeting our driver in Chinchero and embark on a three hours drive to Ollantaytambo. Here we will be boarding the tourist train at 0430 PM to Aguas Calientes town.
At Aguas Calientes, we will be accommodating you in an ensuite basic hotel room. Later in the evening, we will be meeting for dinner.
Early in the morning, the hotel crew will be handing you over a snack box. You will then be boarding a bus from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu citadel. It takes 25 minutes to reach. Here our tour guide will assist you in clearing the security and entering the citadel.
Once inside, you will be rewarded with a sight of the golden rays of sun shimmering on the walls of the Incan citadel. Our guide will be giving you a detailed tour of the citadel for two hours. On this tour, you will be visiting some of the prime sites which will give you an in-depth information of the citadel.
After the tour of Machu Picchu citadel, you will have some free time to explore the citadel on your own. If you have booked to climb Machu Picchu mountain or Huayna Picchu mountain our guide will be directing you to the entrance. If you intend to hike one of these mountains do advise us at the time of booking.
Alternatively, you can hike to the sun gate. It offers a spectacular view of the citadel. Sun Gate is the point of entrance to the citadel for those on Inca Trail.
Once you have had your fill of the Inca citadel, you will be taking the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Here you will be boarding the train to Ollantaytambo.
Our representative will be meeting you and will be transferring you back to your hotel in the city of Cusco. You will be reaching Cusco at approximately 09:00 PM.
