Huchuy Qosqo Trek from Cusco Full Day Hike to “Little Cusco”
A real Andean day hike from Piuray Lake over the Pucajasa pass (4,393 m) and down an original Inca trail to the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo, high above the Sacred Valley.
Huchuy Qosqo — “Little Cusco” — was the country estate of the Inca Wiracocha, built on a natural balcony high above the Sacred Valley and still reachable only on foot. Our Huchuy Qosqo trek from Cusco starts at Tauca (3,762 m), near Chinchero and Piuray Lake, climbs gently to the Pucajasa pass at 4,393 m with views of the Chicón and Verónica glaciers, and follows sections of original Inca trail down to the ruins for a box lunch and guided visit. We finish by descending to the village of Lamay, where private transport takes you back to Cusco. Guide, transport, entrance, box lunch and oxygen are included.
The roughly 8-hour route (including breaks, lunch and a tour of the complex) crosses ecological zones from quechua to suni and puna, climbing to the Pucajasa pass (4,393 m) for spectacular views of the Urubamba range before descending along sections of original Inca trail to the ruins and on to the village of Lamay.
Begin near the serene turquoise lake of Piuray, framed by Andean fields and villages.
Pucajasa Pass
Climb to 4,393 m for a spectacular panorama of the Urubamba mountain range.
Huchuy Qosqo Ruins
Explore the hilltop Inca site once built as a royal resting place by the Inca Wiracocha.
Original Inca Trail
Walk genuine sections of Inca path through dramatic changes in ecological zones.
Snow-Peak Views
Enjoy views of the Chicón and Verónica glaciers across the Sacred Valley.
Andean Flora & Fauna
Spot native plants and wildlife across quechua, suni and puna zones.
Tour at a glance
Price
From US $125 per person
Hotel pickup
Early morning
Back in Cusco
Late afternoon
Max altitude
4,393 m
Walking
≈8 h incl. breaks
Difficulty
Moderate
Drive from Cusco
about 1 h
Meals
Box lunch
Entrance fees
Included
Group size
Small group, max 14 travelers
Last-minute booking
Until midnight the night before
Book today, travel tomorrow
Online booking stays open until 5 hours before hotel pickup (Cusco time) — for this early-morning departure you can book until midnight the night before. You receive your confirmation by email as soon as you pay; the exact pickup time comes with it. Need a seat even sooner? Message us on WhatsApp.
A rewarding highland day hike — Piuray Lake, the Pucajasa pass, the Inca ruins of Huchuy Qosqo and a descent to Lamay before returning to Cusco.
FULL DAY
Full Day · Huchuy Qosqo
Early AMCusco – Piuray Lake – Tauca. We leave Cusco early toward the Sacred Valley, passing Chinchero’s ancient fields and the shores of Piuray Lake to Tauca (3,762 m), where the walk begins.
Mid-MorningPucajasa Pass. We follow a gentle dirt track to the Pucajasa pass (4,393 m) for spectacular views of the Urubamba range, then begin our descent along sections of original Inca trail.
MiddayHuchuy Qosqo & lunch. We reach Huchuy Qosqo (3,688 m) for a box lunch and a guided tour of the archaeological complex.
AfternoonDescent to Lamay – Cusco. We descend to the village of Lamay (2,938 m) and board our transport back to Cusco.
Good to know: A moderate high-altitude day hike (about 8 hours) crossing the Pucajasa pass at 4,393 m. Acclimatize in Cusco beforehand, bring layers and water; oxygen and a first aid kit are carried throughout.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Huchuy Qosqo tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Hotel pickup in Cusco.
Professional guide (Spanish / English).
Private transport Cusco → Tauca and Lamay → Cusco.
Entrance ticket to Huchuy Qosqo.
Box lunch per trekker.
Oxygen & first aid kit on board.
Not Included
Extra food and drinks.
Walking poles (rentable at our office, $10 for the trip).
Tips for the support team (optional).
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Huchuy Qosqo day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize first
The trek crosses the Pucajasa pass at 4,393 m. Spend a day or two in Cusco first, hydrate, and bring warm, waterproof layers and good boots. Oxygen is carried throughout.
Physical fitness
This is a moderate full-day hike of about 8 hours including breaks, with a climb to 4,393 m and a long descent of more than 1,400 m to Lamay — good knees and trekking poles help. Suitable for active travelers who have spent two days in Cusco.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October, for firm paths and clear views of the snow peaks. In the rainy season (December to March) the trail is greener but muddy, and clouds often hide the mountains.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is intense at 4,393 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF, and dress in layers: early morning is close to freezing, midday can feel warm in the sun.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $125 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Private Group ★ Best experience
2 – 6 travelers
US $150 / pp
Your group only · personalized pace
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $119 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $112 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco; the walk starts at Tauca near Piuray Lake and finishes with transport back to your hotel from Lamay.
Acclimatize in Cusco for a day or two, avoid alcohol and heavy meals, stay hydrated and try coca-leaf tea. We carry oxygen throughout.
About 8 hours including breaks and lunch, crossing the Pucajasa pass at 4,393 m — a moderate hike for reasonably fit travelers.
Hiking boots, trekking poles, a headlamp, camera, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses, rain gear, water and your original passport.
The dry season, April to October, brings the most stable weather and the clearest mountain views.
About 8 hours including breaks, lunch and the visit to the ruins, from Tauca over the Pucajasa pass (4,393 m) to Huchuy Qosqo (3,688 m) and down to Lamay (2,938 m).
Yes. Online booking for the Huchuy Qosqo Trek stays open until 5 hours before hotel pickup (Cusco time). Pickup is early in the morning, so you can book until midnight the night before. Any date still shown as available in the calendar can be booked.
Yes — the trek ends in the Sacred Valley, close to the train station of Ollantaytambo. Ask us about combining it with our multi-day Huchuy Qosqo routes or with a Machu Picchu visit (book Machu Picchu at least 25 days ahead).
Yes, bring your original passport for the entrance ticket and checkpoints, plus hiking boots, rain gear, sun protection and water.
