The Huchu Qosqo trek is a uniquely designed adventure package, taking you “off the beaten track” in which you will hike along the Andes Mountains. Pass through Andean communities, interacting with locals, and exploring amazing isolated Inca villages, visit the Green House of the Incas, MORAY and the Salt Mines. After all that you tour the magnificent Citadel of Machu Picchu.
The attractiveness of the Huchuy Qosqo Trek is the combination of stunning Inca archeological ruins, rural villages, magnificent snow-capped mountains, and the variety of exotic vegetation. It is believed that the archeological site of Huchuy Qosqo was built during the reign of the eighth Inca Ruler, Viracocha. Inca rulers acquired large royal estates to increase their power and wealth and that of their descendants who inherited the estates. Royal estates served also as elegant country palaces and, at times, fortresses to fend off rivals for power. Thus, the name Huchuy Qosqo, “Little Cusco”, was for a royal estate or government center modeled on the Inca capital.
3750 m.s.n.m
Up to 8
Group or private
Adventure, self-guided
Moderate
3 days / 2 nights
Hotel pickup at 6am, drive for about an hour to the village of Patabamba. From here we get ready to start our hike for 3 hours to the highest point of the trek. Unbelievable scenic views await of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Spend some time resting and enjoying the scenery before heading down to the village of Pucamarca and the Huchuy Qosqo ruins. We will follow part of the original Inca Trail to get to the site. Have time to explore the ruin before continuing on the house where you will stay the night. You will be introduced to the family by your guide and have a chance to rest in your room before having dinner with the family. Later in the evening discover the stars and your guide will give you an explanation of the constellations.
Enjoy breakfast with your family, there will be a guided tour of the ancient Huchuy Inca City, see Inca buildings, Sacred temples, terraces, storehouse, water channels and a reservoir. Head down to Lamay for 2 hours. The car will take you to Urubamba to have lunch.
Afterwards we head to the archaeological site of MORAY also known as “The Greenhouses of the Incas,” which is a unique and fascinating site, built prior to the Incas. Different levels of terraces are carved into a huge bowl, part of which was further excavated by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates, depending on how deep into the bowl they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops. Have time to enjoy and explore the site, before continue driving to the colonial town of Maras and to the Pre-Inca Salt Mine (Salineras). Thousands of salt pans have been used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into salt pans and evaporated to produce a salt.
Then we continue our journey to Ollantaytambo where we will explore the stunning Inca City of Ollantaytambo. By late afternoon, take the train to Aguas Calientes where we spend the night in a hotel.
After an early breakfast we leave our hotel to take the bus for the journey up to Machu Picchu ruins. Once there we visit one of the most important mystic centers of the world: Machu Picchu. A 2 hour guided tour will take us into the history of this mysterious and charming site. Then you have plenty of time for further exploring, taking photos and the option to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. After that we head back to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy a late lunch. In the afternoon we take the return train to Ollantaytambo at 14:55h and connect with a private car to take you back to Cusco arriving around by 19h.
This Trek can be done any day that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 trekkers!
PRICE – US$497 per person (Personal porter included)
All inclusive package, hiking, cultural tour, homestay in the community with locals, Machu Picchu. We include the entrance tickets to the Salt mines, Moray and Ollantaytambo Inca Ruins
“Please read carefully the following information; it will help with your questions about our services and the trek to Machu Picchu”
You will be greeted at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to trek´s start. Look out for our representative holding an orange board of INCA TRAIL HIKE at the arrival terminal.
It will take place the night before the trekking departure at 6pm at our office which is located at Garcilaso Street 210 , Office Nº:213 (2and Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
Of course! During the Lares trek to Machu Picchu your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel for free.
FIRST, to book your Huchuy Qosqo Trek Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase an Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu entraces and train without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of US$200.00 per person in order to purchase a permit for the trek. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page or click here on the payment of your choice, either VISA or PAYPAL.
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many cash machines in the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of info@incatrailhikeperu.com.
Unfortunately the answer is generally “No”. Once the tickets have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure dates. Tickets are not transferable nor refundable. With alternative treks we may be able to change dates for a fee depending on what has been already purchased. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.
If you cancel your Huchy Qosqo Trek Machu Picchu, the deposit is not refundable at all!
Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your Huchuy Qosqo Trek, other entrances and reservations. The rangers will check your passport when you enter Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board the train. In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.
If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or get on the train. They are very strict about this here!
The comforts of home are a rarity in a home stay. English isn’t common and the food will be quite different. It’s important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the local standards of living may be confronting.
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to forecast. BUT you will have many different seasons as you pass through the numerous microclimates and will depend on the location. We highly recommend you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack.
In general if you exercise regularly and spend 2 to 3 days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you should be just fine.
The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness.
We offer many tours in and around Cusco to enjoy while you are acclimatizing. Please ask our sales staff for more information.
The maximum group size is 8 persons. Usually our groups are between 2-6 persons. INCA TRAIL HIKE specialises in SMALL, PRIVATE groups and provide a personalised service.
You will have 1 cook per group. The number of porters depends of the size of the group. For a group of 2 trekkers, they will have 4 porters, 4 trekkers will have 6 porters, 6 trekkers will have 9 porters, 8 trekkers will have 12 porters.
The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFLE BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/14p. Your team of porters will carry your duffle bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware, that you will not have access to your items in the duffle bag until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. During the trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. Usually a 30 to 50 litre backpack is sufficient.
The Huchuy Qosqo Trek Machu Picchu is a 20 km/12 hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. Maximum altitude reached is 4,200m/13,779ft. The Trail is easy to moderate difficulty trek. You have to be moderately fit and take regular exercise.
In preparation: try walking 15kms a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
In the scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, INCA TRAIL HIKE will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally those who have to be assisted off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly, they then continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to original plan.
Absolutely! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you at your hotel! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too! If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, for sure we wil pick you up there !
It will depend on the train availability (high season it could book out) but the idea is to give you as much time as possible in Machu Picchu and enjoy the amazing views on the way back to Cusco from the train. Therefore you we usually book the train at 4:22pm.
You may upgrade to Vistadome train which has slightly nicer seats, panoramic windows and ceiling. You will be offered some snacks and a dance show will take place on board. The price is US$57 per person which includes the transfer from Poroy train station to your hotel in Cusco. It is 2 hours by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then another 2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Cusco by bus. If you upgrade to Vistadome, all the way back to Poroy (Cusco), the trip lasts 3.5 hours, then 25mins by taxi to your hotel. Usually our clients are back at the hotel by 8pm.
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many INCA TRAIL HIKE destinations. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you feel it, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.
Cusco
Cusco
