Huchuy Qosqo and Machu Picchu 2 Days

DAY 1: CUSCO – PATABAMBA – HUCHUY QOSQO – AGUAS CALIENTES

We will pick you up from your hotel at 06:00 in the morning.

We will leave the city of Cusco, heading towards the village of Patabamba which is at 3,870 m.a.s.l. and it is here where we will start the trek.

Along the way we will pass by the Llaulliqocha lagoon (3,800 m.a.s.l.), the village of Pumamarka, from this place there is a view of great snowdrifts such as Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon and San Juan.

Arriving at Huchuy Qosqo, we will have a box lunch and a guided visit to the archaeological complex of Huchuy Qosqo. The main attraction on this trek is the archaeological complex of Huchuy Qosqo, which means (Little Cusco), it is located near the sacred valley above Lamay (Calca).

From here our hike is downhill to the sacred valley to the village of Lamay, where we will meet our transport to go to Ollantaytambo and have dinner.

From Ollantaytambo, we continue by train to the village of Aguas Calientes (2.050 m.a.s.l.).

Walking time 7 hours.
Box lunch
Dinner in Ollantaytambo.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

DAY 2: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (2450 – 3350 M.S.N.M.)

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the coordinated time, we will meet with the guide to take the 25 minutes bus ride to the citadel of Machu Picchu (2450 m.a.s.l.).

At the site we will visit the agricultural terraces, palaces, the temple of the 3 windows, Inti Huatana and etc., then you will have free time to take pictures, or climb the mountain of Huayna Picchu (optional), where there is the best view of Machu Picchu and its surroundings.

After enjoying the tranquility of Machu Picchu, we return by bus to the town of Aguas Calientes to enjoy our lunch and finally take the train back to Aguas Calientes and our transport to the city of Cusco.

Breakfast included

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?

*Small backpack,

*Warm and cold weather clothing such as wool,

*Trekking pants and shoes,

*Shirts, rain poncho,

*Hat,

*Scarf,

*Sunscreen,

*Insect repellent and alcohol gel disinfectant.

*Water bottle and disinfectant tablet.

*Camera (wrapped in plastic bag),

*Flashlight and batteries.

*Chocolate bar Original passport,

*Student meat and extra money on soles.

TOUR INCLUDES

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE

CONTACTS

GENERAL CONDITIONS

What does Huchuy Qosqo mean?

Huchuy Qosqo means “Little Cusco”, but it also has other names; one would be Qaqyaxaqixawana and another Qaqyaqhawana, this means “from where the rays are observed”; And it is certainly a good name since being 800 meters above the Sacred Valley of the Incas, gives you the opportunity to see the dramatic show of lights and sound, at the moment when lightning and thunder descend from the sky to crash against the ground. Others say that the site was probably known in Inca times as “Caquia Jaquijahuana”.

What to see in Huchuy Qosqo (Qaqyaqawana)?

Here is a list of what you can see at Huchuy Qosqo. At the moment you do not need any ticket, or pay to enter Huchuy Qosqo.

A structure with three levels (floors), the first two in the form of regular polyhedra, and the last floor made of adobe. The enclosure is rectangular in shape and enormously architectural.

A long rectangular building made of adobones on an eminent platform, this building has a large number of doors facing the valley.

You will find many other smaller enclosures scattered, most of them are in poor condition. Very close to these ruins, you will find an Inca trail oriented to Cusco Inca trail oriented to Cusco. Also some small loose enclosures such as outposts and surveillance located on the edge of the precipice, in order to have the greatest possible visual field of the valley.

Huchuy Qosqo History

Pedro de Cieza de León, in his second chronicle “Señorío de los Inkas”, stated that the palaces in Huchuy Qosqo were built by Wiracocha, the eighth Inca ruler. Who chose to leave Cusco to take refuge in this place before the attack of the Chankas, leaving his son Tupac Inca Yupanqui (Pachacútec) in command of the Inca resistance.

The Spanish chronicler Juan de Betanzos affirms that after ten years of leaving power to Pachacútec or Inca Yupanqui, Wiracocha spent his last days in the Xaquixaguana valley and died at the age of eighty.

To this history of Huchuy Qosqo, Maria Rostworoski adds, in her work “Historia del Tahuantinsuyo”, that Wiracocha strengthened and chose as his successor his son Inca Urco who, dizzy by power and vices, proved to be totally incapable of governing. The Inca royalty was very dazed by this choice and tried to conspire to impose another son of Wiracocha, Prince Cusi Yupanqui. Social unrest and tension increased every day and to make matters worse, the darkest night fell on Cusco: the Chancas arrived at the gates of the capital and were ready to destroy it. It is the year 1438. Wiracocha leaves the city to his fate and, accompanied by his son Inca Urco, takes refuge in his palaces in the Urubamba valley, among which was Huchuy Qosqo.

After the Spanish conquest, Gonzalo Pizarro found here the mummy that supposedly belonged to the Inca Wiracocha and ordered to burn it. The descendants of the Inca kept the ashes in a jar that the chronicler Polo de Ondegardo would discover many years later.

How to get from Cusco to Huchuy Qosqo?

To get from Cusco to Huchuy Qosqo it is necessary to walk through three different routes:

1- Tambomachay – Huchuyqosqo

The first in a tour of 2 days and 1 night through the ancient Inca trails, crossing mountain passes and walking near beautiful lagoons with views of the snow-capped mountains of the Andes Mountains; This walk begins at 3800 meters above sea level in Tambomachay, the highest point is at 4300 meters above sea level and ends at 2800 meters above sea level; This implies that there is a considerable unevenness, in which it is required to camp under the stars and the tranquility of this place.

2- Chinchero – Huchuy Qosqo

The second way is by the route is through Chinchero, this begins in Taucca, a small town on the beautiful Piuray lagoon, in an average of 03 hours of walking and in the course of it there are lagoons that appear shining, on them Andean ducks, huallatas, and llamas grazing are a beautiful sight to behold.

3- Lamay – Huchuy Qosqo

The other hiking route is going up from the town of Lamay, approximately 2 hours of walking along a narrow and steep path.

It is impossible not to be absorbed by so much architectural beauty and contemplate the landscape of the Sacred Valley, it is amazing that to date we have not been able to explain how the Incas came to develop such precise architectural techniques.

Trek Packing List

• Original passport
• For students: Original Student card
• Insurance card / certificate
• Walking stick (highly recommended)
• Mountain boots
• Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• 2-4 t-shirts
• 2 pairs of pants (1 for hiking, 1 for camping)
• Long underwear for sleeping
• Hand sanitizer
• Comfortable pants
• Hat or cap for the sun
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Water
• Toiletries / Toilet paper
• Personal medication
• Camera
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Extra money for tips / snacks / beer.

When is the best time to hike Huchuy Qosqo?

The best time to hike Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu is during the dry season (April to September). During these months, the views are splendid, the campsites are dry and pleasant, the trail is particularly quiet, and the weather is often very pleasant.

Trekking the Huchuy Qosqo Trail is a very popular trek to Machu Picchu, after the Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek, so during high season the trail can be busy. That being said, there are so many variations to the Huchuy Qosqo trail that generally the routes never feel crowded.

However, in recent years the weather is unpredictable, instead of the dry season we are raining, and it is difficult to predict the weather spatially in the Andes, so we strongly recommend being prepared all the time for sun and rain, ” We will always provide the best quality equipment for your comfort and our staff will always decide the best places to set up camps.

How difficult is the Huchuy Qosqo Trek?

This is very difficult to answer definitively, but if you are reasonably fit the trekking is moderate but not challenging. Most hikes are designed so that you walk a comfortable distance each day and still have enough power for the next. It is very important to acclimatize to the altitude.

How many days will I need to acclimatize to the altitude before Huchuy Qosqo?

It is very important to be well acclimatized before the Huchuy Qosqo hike. That is why we require everyone to be in Cusco for a minimum of 1 day before regular treks such as the Inca Trail and the Inca Jungle, Huchuy Qosqo. However, if you are doing the Salkantay trek, you will need at least 3 days to acclimatize because this trek occurs at much higher altitudes than Cusco. You can use this time spent acclimatizing to visit the city of Cusco, the nearby Inca ruins, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I have vegetarian, vegan or special meals?

We offer standard meals as well as a vegetarian food option. Just let us know if you want vegetarian meals when you book your trek.

Vegetarian meals do not have red meat, chicken or fish. We will assume that the eggs and dairy are fine. We cannot cater specifically for vegans as it is too complicated for our cooks (remember they are cooking in a tent). Most of our main meals in the evening are served as a buffet service, so you can always leave out what you don’t like. We can also cater for lactose intolerant and gluten-free diets.

Do I need a permit for Huchuy Qosqo?

The Huchuy Qosqo Trail does not require permits like the Inca Trail, but it is important to book in advance, as the trip requires train tickets and entrance to Machu Picchu, which are once limited.

When did we get to Machu Picchu and how long did we spend there?

We will arrive at Machu Picchu early in the morning on day 4; We will try to take the first bus from the town of Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (25 minutes); Once in Machu Picchu, your trekking guide will take you on an informative 2-3 hour tour, where you will visit the most important places in Machu Picchu and have enough time to take pictures. After the tour, you will have free time to explore. When you finish All in Machu Picchu, you will take the bus to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch in one of the restaurants.

Who carries our luggage while we walk in Huchuy Qosqo?

No, pack mules and / or horses will be provided to carry your personal items in duffel bags which we will provide you one night before the tour (during the information period). The duffel bags will be transported from one camp to another. You will still need to bring a day pack (30lts) to carry all the essentials you want or need, such as water, snacks, camera, sweater, raincoat.

The duffel bags provided your personal belongings that will be transported by the Horses to the camp during the Huchuy Qosqo Trail.

Is the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu included in the price?

Yes, the entrance to Machu Picchu is included in the tourist package. However, if you want to add additional activities like climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, it will cost you an additional $ 25 per person, but keep in mind that the $ 25 is valid only before booking your entrance fees. If for some reason you want to add this additional escalation after we have booked the ticket, it will cost you $ 70 per person.

Can I store my luggage in your office?

Of course! During the Choquequirao Tour 4 Days and 3 Nights, your main luggage can be stored in our office or in your hotel, both are free.

Do I need walking sticks?

Although not required, walking poles are recommended for any hiker concerned with stress or joint balance. They are also quite useful for providing stability and leverage on especially steep ascents and descents. If you don’t have poles or are unsure how to use them, we can rent them and provide instructions.

Huayna Picchu VS Machu Picchu Mountain

Many people ask about Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain and few people know the difference about these 2 climbing mountains in Machu Picchu.

Huayna Picchu: it is located in the northeast area and is famous because from the summit you can enjoy a beautiful landscape and Machu Picchu.

Huaynapicchu has a steep path and people reach the summit in about 45 minutes of walking. At the summit you can enjoy and take photos for no more than 20 minutes. This is because the huayna Picchu selection does not have a large space and most people cannot log in there.

If you plan to hike to Huayna Picchu, you must book in advance. It costs 25 US dollars per person.

Huayna Picchu Altitude: 2789 masl.

Machu Picchu Mountain: it is the highest mountain. You need 3:30 hours on the list to enjoy the walk up to this Mountain. This mountain offers a view of different altitudes of Machu Picchu and also an incredible panoramic view of all the areas of Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, hydroelectric and others.

At the summit you can spend more time. This is because not many people are going to this mountain yet because the new access is.

If you plan to hike to Montaña, you must book in advance. It costs 25 US dollars per person.

Mountain altitude: 3240 masl.

What documents do I need to bring to Machu Picchu?

As of July 1, 2018, you must have your original passport to enter Machu Picchu. You must also have your entrance ticket, which your guide will give you at the appropriate time. The passport that you bring to Machu Picchu must be the same one that you used to reserve your tour and entrance; If you change or renew your passport between booking and your trip, be sure to bring the originals of both.

HOW MUCH?

We have price alternatives that accommodate all budgets, prices per person, expressed in US Dollars.

Make your quotes and reservations by email [email protected], you can also communicate with one of our sales executives at the telephones detailed below, we will be happy to assist you.

Phone – WhatsApp: +51 969 787 221
Phone – WhatsApp: +51 986 994 218

HOW TO BOOK THE SOUTH VALLEY CUSCO TOUR?

To start the reservation process, please send us the following information:

To confirm reservations it is required to pay 50% in advance and the other 50% can be paid upon arrival at your destination.

PAYMENT METHODS