This short trek follows an Inca road that once linked Cusco with the Sacred Valley. Day one starts at Tambomachay, just above the city, and crosses several passes with lagoons and snow-peak views up to Rumicruz (about 4,230 m), before an old Inca path leads down to camp at Pucamarca — about 18 km, the hardest day.
On day two you descend a narrow ravine to Huchuy Qosqo, the estate of the Inca Wiracocha, with its great hall, fine stonework and wide views of the valley. After a guided visit and lunch, you take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes for a hotel night, and on day three you tour Machu Picchu with your guide. A chef, camping gear, horses, train, hotel and the Machu Picchu entrance are included for US $510. Read our Huchuy Qosqo trek guide.
The royal estate of the Inca Wiracocha, with a great hall of about 40 m.
Inca roads and high passes
Original paths over passes up to about 4,230 m, with lagoons and glaciers in view.
Almost no crowds
One of the quietest routes to Machu Picchu.
No permit needed
Book at shorter notice than the Inca Trail.
Machu Picchu to finish
A guided visit of the citadel on day three.
Camp and hotel
One night camping at Pucamarca and one in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Huchuy Qosqo to Machu Picchu 3 Days, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.
DAY 1
Cusco to Tambomachay and Pucamarca
A 6:00 AM pickup and short drive to Tambomachay (3,700 m) begins the climb over Soccllaccasa, Queullococha and Challu Challu passes to the trek's high point at Rumicruz (4,230 m), with snow-peak panoramas and lagoon views.
You descend an old Inca trail to camp at Pucamarca (4,010 m).
Distance
18 km / 11 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, Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes
A walk down the Leon Punku ravine reaches Huchuy Qosqo (3,650 m), Little Cusco, with its ceremonial center and Sacred Valley views. After a guided visit and lunch in Tauca you take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes for a hotel night.
Distance
12 km / 7.5 mi
Duration
6–7 hours
Altitude
Huchuy Qosqo 3,650 m
Meals
Breakfast, 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 and return to Cusco
A 30-minute bus ride takes you up for a three-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu — the Temple of the Sun, the central plaza and the terraces — with free time and panoramic viewpoints, then the train to Ollantaytambo and a private car to Cusco, arriving around 6:30 PM.
Visit
3-hour guided tour
Altitude
Machu Picchu 2,430 m
Meals
Breakfast
Return
Train and private car
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Huchuy Qosqo to Machu Picchu 3 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 to Machu Picchu 3 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
Moderate. Day 1 is the hardest: about 18 km and 7–8 hours over passes up to 4,230 m. Day 2 is about 12 km, mostly downhill to Huchuy Qosqo, and day 3 is the guided visit of Machu Picchu.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October, with clear skies and firm trails; nights at camp are cold, especially from June to August. From December to March rain, mud and cloud are frequent, and snow is possible on the high passes.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is intense at 4,230 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF. Nights at camp can drop below freezing, so pack a warm jacket, hat and gloves.
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. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. 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 $510 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $484 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $459 / 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. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. 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.
Moderate: day one is long (about 18 km over passes up to 4,230 m); day two is about 12 km, mostly downhill. Acclimatize in Cusco first.
No. Only the Machu Picchu ticket, which is included.
This trek needs TWO bookings: the government Inca Trail permit (capped at 500 per day and sold out months ahead) and the Machu Picchu entrance ticket. Check both calendars before you book.
