3 Days
Daily Tour
16 people
English, Espanol, Portuguese
At 6:00 AM, the Huchuy Qosqo Trek will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco. You'll start your trip through the rough Andean grasslands after a 30-minute private drive to the trailhead at Tambomachay (3,700 m / 12,138 ft). Your morning hike up to Soccllaccasa Pass (4,020 m / 13,186 ft) goes up 300 meters over time. As you walk along the trail, look for archaeological remains hidden in the Cauca Ravine. This area is known for its wild crops, such as tarwi and cochineal, as well as many types of cacti.
As you go higher, you'll get to Queullococha Pass (4,185 m / 13,727 ft), where you'll be able to see the snow-covered peaks of Veronica, Pitusiray, and Chicon from all sides. You can eat lunch next to the peaceful Queullococha Lagoon, where you might see Huallata (Andean geese), native ducks, and small freshwater fish. After your break, head to Challu Challu Pass (4,220 m / 13,842 ft), where you can see the Chinchero plains and the Piuray and Qoricocha Lagoons from all sides.
The last climb will take you to the Rumicruz Pass, which is 4,230 m (13,874 ft) high and the highest point of the trek. From here, go down an old Inca Trail that leads to a quarry where stones were taken for Huchuy Qosqo. After this, the trail goes down 200 meters to Pucamarca (4,010 m / 13,153 ft), where you will arrive in the afternoon, set up camp, and enjoy a hearty dinner before resting under the Andean sky.
After a big breakfast, you'll leave camp at 7:00 AM to start your trip to Huchuy Qosqo. The day starts with a walk down an old Incan path into the Leon Punku Ravine, a canyon with a lot of historical importance. There are some amazing geological formations in this area, as well as the remains of an old Incan bridge and footpath. The river flows toward Huchuy Qosqo through the ravine, which is lined with beautiful rocks and boulders.
Huchuy Qosqo is on a fertile agricultural plateau with terraced fields all around it. It is 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) above sea level. The archaeological site is famous for its impressive buildings, such as a big ceremonial center. From this spot, you can see the Sacred Valley and the Vilcanota River below in all their glory. Your guide will tell you about the site's long and interesting history. You will then be able to see important parts of it, such as the King's Palace, the Temple of Water, and ceremonial altars, before continuing on your trek.
You will go down the mountain trail for the next two hours to the charming town of Tauca (3,762 m / 12,343 ft). You will stop here for a well-deserved lunch. After that, take a private car to the Ollantaytambo train station, where you will board a train for a 1 hour and 45 minute ride to Aguas Calientes, the entrance to Machu Picchu. Along the way, you'll see beautiful views of mountains with snow on them, old Incan terraces, and other ruins.
Your guide will meet you when you get there and take you to your hotel in Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. You'll rest there for the night before going back to the famous site.
Your personal guide will meet you at the hotel reception after you have a great breakfast and take you to the bus station. After that, you'll get on the tourist bus for a 30-minute ride through the mountains to the entrance of the Machu Picchu Inca citadel. When you get there, you'll go on a three-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu. Your knowledgeable guide will tell you about the city's long history and show you famous places like the Temple of the Sun, the central plaza, and the stepped terraces. You'll also have plenty of time to take stunning pictures of the ancient site from the panoramic viewpoints of Machu Picchu.
After the guided tour, you'll have some time to explore the sanctuary on your own and learn more about its secrets. After you've finished looking around, take the bus back down the mountain to Aguas Calientes. You can have lunch at one of the many restaurants in town if you want to (this is an extra).
After lunch, you'll get on the train back to Ollantaytambo, where your guide will meet you and take you to your private car for a two-hour ride back to Cusco. You should get to Cusco around 6:30 PM, which will end your amazing trip.
You should bring comfortable hiking clothes and sturdy boots, a sleeping bag (available for rent in Cusco if needed), a waterproof jacket, layers for varying weather conditions, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses for sun protection, personal toiletries, a small daypack for personal items, a camera, and trekking poles (available for rent in Cusco).
Additional costs include optional tips for the tour staff, meals in Aguas Calientes (optional extra), and the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike, which costs $35 USD per person and involves an extra 2 hours of hiking, resulting in a later train return to Cusco.
The trek involves challenging terrain with significant altitude changes and is recommended for individuals with a moderate level of fitness. Daily hikes include ascents and descents at high altitudes.
Yes, you can rent sleeping bags, trekking poles, and other necessary gear in Cusco. It is recommended to arrange these rentals in advance to ensure availability.
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