Huchuy Qosqo Day Trek Over the Pucajasa Pass to “Little Cusco”
A real Andean day hike: the Pucajasa pass (4,393 m), original Inca trail and the royal estate of Huchuy Qosqo above the Sacred Valley — from $130 per person.
If you want a real mountain hike but only have one day, the Huchuy Qosqo trek is the one. After an early drive past Chinchero and Piuray Lake to Tauca (3,762 m), a gradual track climbs to the Pucajasa pass (4,393 m), with the glaciers of Chicón and Verónica across the valley.
The descent follows stretches of original Inca trail, with stone steps in a narrow ravine, down to Huchuy Qosqo (3,688 m), the country estate of the Inca Wiracocha, for a box lunch and a guided visit. A last steep descent leads to Lamay in the Sacred Valley, where private transport takes you back to Cusco — about 12 km and 8 hours in all. Transport, guide, entrance, box lunch and oxygen are included. More in our Huchuy Qosqo day trek guide.
The high point at 4,393 m, facing the snow peaks of the Urubamba range.
Original Inca trail
Stone steps in a narrow ravine on the way down to the ruins.
Huchuy Qosqo
The royal estate of the Inca Wiracocha, with a great hall and Inca terraces.
Almost no crowds
A quiet trail that few visitors know.
Box lunch at the ruins
Lunch with a view over the Sacred Valley, included.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Huchuy Qosqo Day Trek, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.
DAY 1
Cusco, Piuray Lagoon, Huchuy Qosqo and Lamay
An early drive past Chinchero and the shores of Piuray Lagoon reaches Tauca (3,762 m), where the trail climbs to the Pucajasa Pass (4,393 m) with grand views of the Urubamba range.
You descend along sections of Inca trail to Huchuy Qosqo (3,688 m) for lunch and a guided tour, then continue down to Lamay for a private transfer back to Cusco.
Distance
12 km / 7.5 mi
Duration
~8 hours
Max altitude
4,393 m
Meals
Box lunch
Return
Private car to Cusco
Difficulty
Moderate to hard
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Huchuy Qosqo Day Trek tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Hotel pickup in Cusco
Bilingual professional guide
Private transport Cusco to Tauca
Huchuy Qosqo entrance
Box lunch
Oxygen and first aid kit
Private transport Lamay to Cusco
Not Included
Extra meals
Tips and gratuities
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Huchuy Qosqo Day Trek day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Spend a day or two in Cusco (3,400 m) before this high-altitude trek. Hydrate well, eat light, drink coca tea and avoid alcohol. Our guides carry oxygen and a first aid kit throughout.
Physical fitness
Moderate to hard. About 12 km and 8 hours including breaks. The climb to the Pucajasa pass (4,393 m) is gradual; the long, steep descent of almost 1,500 m to Lamay is the hardest part. Walking poles help.
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 hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF, and dress in layers: it is cold and windy at the pass and warm in the valley.
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 $130 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $124 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $117 / 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.
About 12 km and 8 hours, including breaks, lunch and the guided visit.
The Pucajasa pass is at 4,393 m; the ruins at 3,688 m; the trek ends in Lamay at 2,938 m.
Moderate to hard: the climb is gradual, but the descent of almost 1,500 m to Lamay is long and steep. Walking poles help.
