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Huchuy Qosqo and Inca Trail
4 Days · Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu

Huchuy Qosqo highlands and the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu over four days. From $680 per person.

Full Day · 12 h
4,230 m
Moderate to hard
4.9 · 465 reviews
Max 14 travelers
Breakfast & Buffet Lunch
Meals
Up to 14 People
Group Size
4,230 m
Max Altitude
Moderate to hard
Difficulty
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About this tour

Combine the highland Huchuy Qosqo trek with the historic Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu on this 4-day journey with INKANET ADVENTURE.

Cross high Sacred Valley passes to the royal estate of Huchuy Qosqo, then walk original Inca paths past Wiñay Wayna and through the Sun Gate for a sunrise-style first view of Machu Picchu.

4 Days
Duration
4,230 m
Max altitude
Moderate to hard
Difficulty
Max 14
Group size

Tour Highlights

Read our complete guide: Huchuy Qosqo and Inca Trail 4 DaysRoute, difficulty, best time and insider tips

Huchuy Qosqo ruins

Discover Huchuy Qosqo, Little Cusco, a royal Inca estate of fine stonework and irrigation high above the Sacred Valley.

Sacred Valley panoramas

Trek high Andean passes with views of Veronica, Pitusiray and Chicon and the Piuray and Qoricocha lagoons.

Original Inca trails

Follow authentic Inca paths through remote highland scenery rarely seen by other travelers.

Machu Picchu finale

Most routes finish with a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the New Seven Wonder.

Living Andean culture

Meet Sacred Valley communities and learn about traditional farming and customs.

Comfortable support

Horses, a chef, camping gear and a hotel in Aguas Calientes keep the trek comfortable and well-supported.

Day-by-day itinerary

Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Huchuy Qosqo and Inca Trail 4 Days, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.

DAY 1

Cusco to Tambomachay and Pumamarca

A private ride to Tambomachay (3,600 m) begins a high-Andes day over the Sicllaccasa, Queullococha, Challu Challu and Rumicruz passes (up to 4,230 m), with views of Veronica, Pitusiray and Chicon and the Piuray and Qoricocha lagoons.

You descend to camp at Pucamarca (4,010 m) for dinner under the Andean sky.

Distance
16 km / 10 mi
Duration
7–8 hours
Max altitude
4,230 m
Campsite
4,010 m
Meals
Lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Moderate to hard
DAY 2

Huchuy Qosqo, Km 104 and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

A scenic ride to the train takes you to Km 104 (2,200 m), the start of the Short Inca Trail. After Chachabamba and Choquesuysuy you climb stone steps past waterfalls and orchids to Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m).

Two more hours bring you to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) and your first view of Machu Picchu, then a descent and bus to Aguas Calientes for a hotel night.

Distance
14 km / 8.7 mi
Duration
7–8 hours
Altitude
Aguas Calientes 2,160 m
Meals
Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Accommodation
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty
Moderate
Good to know: Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveler's passport details when you book.
DAY 3

Machu Picchu guided tour

A 30-minute bus ride takes you up for a two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, with free time to hike the Sun Gate or Inca Bridge, or climb Huayna Picchu (optional, $70), before lunch in Aguas Calientes.

Visit
2-hour guided tour
Optional
Huayna Picchu
Meals
Breakfast
Difficulty
Moderate
DAY 4

Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu and return to Cusco

A final morning at Machu Picchu lets you explore further before the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo and a 1.5-hour transfer to your Cusco hotel.

Visit
Machu Picchu
Meals
Breakfast
Return
Train and private car to Cusco
Difficulty
Moderate

Inclusions & exclusions

Exactly what is covered in your Huchuy Qosqo and Inca Trail 4 Days tour — and what to budget separately.

What's Included

  • Hotel pickup in Cusco
  • Private transport to Tambomachay
  • Bilingual professional guide (English and Spanish)
  • Huchuy Qosqo entrance
  • Chef, camping gear and horses
  • Meals as detailed in the itinerary
  • Oxygen and first aid kit
  • Return transport to Cusco
  • Machu Picchu entrance and guided tour
  • Train tickets to Km 104 / Aguas Calientes
  • Hotel night in Aguas Calientes
  • Bus tickets Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

Not Included

  • Sleeping bag (rent in Cusco)
  • Trekking poles (rent in Cusco)
  • Huayna Picchu climb (optional)
  • Tips and gratuities

Before you go

A few essentials we recommend to make your Huchuy Qosqo and Inca Trail 4 Days 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

The hike is rated moderate: 3 hours uphill + 1.5 hours back down. If you can walk steadily for 4–5 hours at home, you'll be fine. Horses are available at the trailhead (~ US $20) if needed.

Best time to go

Dry season: April to October. Skies are clearer, trails firm, colors most vibrant. Avoid the rainy season (Dec–Mar), when colors mute under cloud cover. We run tours year-round but recommend the dry months.

Sun & weather

The Andean sun is intense at 5,000 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, lip balm with SPF, and dress in layers. Pre-dawn is below freezing; midday can hit 18°C in the sun.

Cancellations & weather

Free cancellation up to 30 days before the tour. In case of dangerous weather (snowstorms, road closures), we'll offer a free reschedule or full refund. Safety always comes first.

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.
  • Warm layers — fleece + thermal base. Pre-dawn below 0°C.
  • Wind & rain jacket — weather changes fast.
  • Beanie & gloves — your extremities will thank you.
  • Sun hat + sunglasses — UV at altitude is brutal.
  • Sunscreen SPF 50+ + lip balm with SPF.
  • Reusable water bottle 1–1.5 L.
  • Daypack 20–25 L — light, comfortable.
  • Peruvian soles in cash — for entrance tickets, snacks & tips.

Nice to Have

  • Camera + extra battery — cold drains batteries fast.
  • Snacks — energy bars, dried fruit, nuts.
  • Coca leaves or candy — helps with altitude.
  • Personal medication + altitude pills (if prescribed).
  • Microfiber towel — handy for sweat or rain.
  • Trekking poles — useful for descent (we provide if needed).
  • Travel insurance card — emergency contacts.
  • First-aid items — band-aids, blister patches, ibuprofen.

Pricing & group rates

Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.

Group TypeGroup SizePrice / PersonWhat's Different
Shared Group
Most popular
2 – 14 travelersUS $680 / ppMixed international group · set departure
Family Package4+ adults & kidsUS $646 / pp5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+8 or more travelersFrom US $612 / ppAutomatic 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.

Free cancellation

Full refund for cancellations 30+ days before. 50% refund 15–29 days before. Weather-related cancellations from our side = full refund or free reschedule.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.

It is a moderate to hard trek with high-altitude passes and some steep sections. Acclimatize in Cusco for a few days beforehand.
Yes. Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match your ticket, so we collect each traveler's details at booking.
The dry season from May to September offers the clearest weather and the best trail conditions.
Comfortable trekking boots, warm layers, a rain jacket, a hat, sunscreen, a daypack, a water bottle and your passport.
From
$680 / pp
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