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The Incas constructed one of the most extensive and intricate road networks leading to Machu Picchu. This Huchuy Qosqo trek goes through fertile valleys, towering mountains and passes through the seldom visited Inca city of Huchuy Cusco (directly translates to Little Cusco).
If you are strapped for time and would also like a cultural experience along the way, then The Huchuy Q’osqo (Oo-chee Cusco) trek is the perfect choice for you. We recommend an overnight at a homestay in the beautiful rural countryside. Orange Nation offer a 3-day trek that includes a Homestay, Moray and Maras Salt Mines. Enjoy part of the journey on a train to Aguas Calientes, Before catching the bus, to spend the morning exploring the mysterious ruins of Machu Picchu.
This hike offers unparalleled beauty, peace and tranquility. The Andes treat you to stunning mountain landscapes with plenty of llamas and alpacas grazing along the way. The highest pass of the trek Pukamarca pass (4 200m/13 779ft) has magical panoramic views of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range and a serene crystal-clear lake below. Snowcapped mountain peaks like Mt Veronica, Mt Pitusiray, Mt Chicon and Mt San Juan are in full view to enjoy.
Descend through a canyon surrounded by big boulders. Adjecent is a river that steadily flows towards the valley. The trail itself is mostly carved with the same stone the Incas used in their architecture. Along the way, pass Inca remains, Inca bridges and sets of Inca stairs.
Here you rest for the night at the welcoming home of a local, an experience not to be missed and a perfect show of hospitality as well as an insight into their life. Inside your tiny adobe home, be surprised to find a humble flushing toilet. The family will also serve a warm and hearty homemade dinner.
The next day is spent exploring the ruins and the impressive terraces that seem to endlessly cling to the hillsides. From here it is on to Ollantaytambo to board the train to Aguas Calientes, and the next day Machu Picchu.
There are two main seasons in the Peruvian Andes:
The trek can technically be completed all year round. The peak trekking season to Machu Picchu occurs during the dry season and is busiest between May and September. So, the best time of year to do Huchuy Qosqo Trek is from the shoulder of wet months March/April all the way through to the shoulder of dry months October/November.
Pick up from your hotel at 6am drive in our private transport to the village of Patabamba (3,800m/12,467ft), only 1 hour from Cusco. Once we arrive, start the first hike uphill for the next 3 hours to get to the highest point of the trek (4,200m/13,779ft). From there, we have amazing views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and valleys. We head down to the village of Pucamarca and spend time at the Inca ruins there.
Then, we follow the original Inca trail into the Inca city of Huchuy Qosqo where we have time to explore before hiking to our guesthouse. Our guide will introduce you to your host family who will show us your room for the night, where you will have incredible views of the surrounding areas and the Inca city. In the afternoon, we will enjoy afternoon tea, and later have dinner with our host family! This evening, we will enjoy the endless stars, uninterrupted by city lights, and our guide will teach us about the Inca constellations.
We have a nice breakfast before our guided tour of the Huchuy Qosqo Inca City where you will explore incredible Inca buildings, sacred temples, farming terraces, storehouses and water system. After you have had time to see everything, we walk downhill for 2 hours to Lamay. Our private van will take us to Urubamba, where we will have lunch.
Next, we head to the ancient site of MORAY, which is a unique site, built prior to the Incas for experimental farming. It has different levels of terraces carved into a huge bowl, much like an amphitheater below ground. Each terrace has a different temperature, depending on how deep it is in the basin. Archeologists theorize that here the Inca researched the optimal growing conditions for their crops. After some time to explore the site, continue driving towards the colonial town of Maras and to the Pre-Inca Salt Mines (Salineras).
Thousands of saltpans 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 flows into over 3,000 ponds and evaporates to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt! It is a quite beautiful the array of salt ponds carved into the mountainside.
Continue to Ollantaytambo, explore the quaint and authentic Inca City of Ollantaytambo. In the afternoon, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes and spend the night in our hotel.
After an early breakfast at your hotel, we are ready to get an early bus at 5:30am up to Machu Picchu just in time to witness the sunrise. It is a truly mystical site out of history and not something you’ll want to miss! After enjoying the sunrise your guide will provide a tour of Machu Picchu, which takes around two hours. You will see many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel during your tour.
When they have had their fill of the incredible views of Machu Picchu, a bus will take you back down to Aguas Calientes. Upon arriving at Aguas Calientes lunch is waiting in numerous restaurants. (lunch not included). Depending on your train departure time, there may be some time for shopping, or sightseeing.
The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. Back at Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to the hotel in Cusco in our private van. You can expect to arrive at your hotel about 7:00pm.
Much like any other multi-day trek, pack as lightly as possible for the Huchuy Qosqo trek.
Usually, tour operators will let you pack a small duffel with some extra clothes and toiletries. These get transported by mule from campsite to campsite. In addition, you’ll want to carry your own day pack with essentials like water, sunscreen, and clothing layers. We do recommend to take 30L hiking backpack.
Some list of what you must packed.
