HUCHUY QOSQO AND MACHU PICCHU: A SHORT WALK, AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE!
If you’re looking for an Andean adventure that combines nature, history and the magic of Machu Picchu, but you’re short on time, this trek is perfect for you. In just two days, you’ll explore the mystical Huchuy Qosqo, an archaeological site known as “Little Cusco,” located high above the Urubamba Valley, from where you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota Mountains. Despite being the shortest trek (17 km), it offers an experience rich in culture and unique landscapes, with amazing examples of Inca steps that rival the famous Inca Trail.
This tour combines the best of the Andes: the tranquility of a hike at a lower altitude (4350 meters above sea level) in Huychuy Qosqo and the reward of reaching the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu. Embark on this short but intense adventure, full of dreamlike landscapes and an unforgettable connection with Inca history!
At 06:00 am pick up from your hotel, vehicle for 25 minutes to Tambomachay located at 3,700 masl. We begin our walk along what was the Inca Trail used by the Quechuas to connect the Sacred Valley, Pisaq and probably to Machu Picchu. From this point you can see panoramic views of the Qorao Valley, at this Andean level we see llamas and alpacas, we can also see ancient Inca terraces used by farmers. Then we go down the trail and you will see the beautiful and endless green valley. The track takes us over the second mountain pass (4300 meters) and to a high open field. At the top we can see the beautiful Qoricocha lake and we go down for 20 minutes, have lunch and then free time. After lunch, we continue climbing 300 meters in height and walk at a normal pace for 3 hours until we reach the highest point at 4380 meters above sea level. From this peak we can see the Chincheros and Piuray lagoons, as well as some sacred snow-capped mountains such as Salcantay and Verónica, then a 1.5 hour walk down to Pucamamarca, our camping spot. Here we camp and enjoy our dinner under the great starry sky. This community is located at 3,980 meters above sea level, and there are a few houses nearby that belong to the farmers.
We wake up at 6.00 am and after breakfast we leave the camp at 07.00 am and walk for 1 hour to Huchuy Qosqo, the Inca site recently restored by archaeologists, starting from here at an altitude of 3450 meters. The local Quechua people respect and honor the ancient asps such as Chicón, Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Waccaywilca and Verónica. We have a 1.5 hour tour to explore this interesting Inca complex. At 10:00 we continue our walk for almost 3 hours, gradually climbing the taucca, which is 4400 meters above sea level. At the top we start our last slow descent, which takes 1 hour, to our lunch spot, from where we can also observe Lake Piuray. After lunch, our vehicle will take us to Chinchero and then to Ollantaytambo where we will board the train to Aguascalientes at 16.30, admiring the valley slopes and mountains during a spectacular 2-hour train ride. Incredible views of the impressive snow-capped mountains, several Inca constructions visible from the window and the Urubamba River on the train. Upon arrival in Aguascalientes, our guide will take you to the hotel where you will spend the night. If you have time, you can choose to go to the hot springs to relax, which is good for your muscles. During dinner, your guide will tell you all the details about your plans to visit Machu Picchu the next morning and optimize your visit to this wonder.
We leave at 04:00 in the morning. After breakfast, we wait at the bus station to take the bus to Machu Picchu. The bus will drop us off at the entrance of Machu Picchu, our guides are prepared for a 2 or 3 hour guided tour with our professional guide who will take you to the most famous areas, temples, residences, altars and provide you with relevant historical and archaeological information. Then there is the option to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain (2 hours), book it later and when the permits for this hike are exhausted, we will move on to Trekking Machu Picchu Mountain. At 16:12 we board the train back to Ollantaytambo train station. Private transportation to Cusco.
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