Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 Days is easily the shortest trek in Peru and the best suited for those with a limited time, but who would still like to do a bit of trekking before explore Machu Picchu. Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological site located to the north of the city of Cusco; its name is Quechua for “Little Cuzco.” It lies at an elevation of 3,600 meters (11,800 feet), above the 3,000-meter high town of Lamay and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This Huchuy Qosqo Trek is one of the most favorite short trekking destinations in Cusco region for its wide ranges of scenic views all along the ways. It’s a life time dream of passionate hikers as the quest provides an opportunity to witness a beautiful mountain range from a close. The trials to the enthralling place are comprised of climbs and descend that traverse lush low land, alpine forests, rivers, picturesque communities, Inca temple and palace. The route on the trek is loaded with the panoramic views of majestic mountains range adding glitters to the splendid beauty of the region. Huchuy Qosqo Trek takes you to explore the treasure of the Andes in a short time, it’s perfect for people who don´t want to spend much time in the mountains but still want to feel the charm of the Andes.
The Huchuy Qosqo Trek goes to the remote areas of Cusco and it’s a newly opened trekking routes located in the northern of Cusco city. The trek adorns various beautiful peaks like Sawasiray, Pitusiray, La veronica and Chicon; it’s also the pilgrimage route and believed that the father of the Inca Pachacutec (Inca wiracocha) Build here his palace an temple which were used to be as close as possible from the mother nature. On this trek, we will see splendid landscapes and learn about Incas history. You will visit Huchuy Qosqo a popular Incan built in the highest part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It has stunning mountain scenery and fertile places to farm various agricultural products; at the end we will explore Machu Picchu.
From the pass, we will follow the side of the valley, making our way toward the top to cross over to the other side. It’s about a 45 minute walk to the top end of the valley. Once we get there, we will cross a small stream that divides the valley and begin making our way to our lunch spot at Qoricocha Lake. The scenery at the lake is quite barren because the whole area is a high puna between the mountains, and is covered with tough, Andean grass called Ichu. It may be possible to see a variety of bird life, such as Andean geese, lapwings, and partridges, among others. After lunch, we will continue on to our campsite at the village of Patabamba. We will make our way to the top of one of the ridges and, as we descend, loop around Qoricocha Lake (Golden Lake). It is about a two and a half hour walk to the village where we will be greeted by groups of locals who are always happy to welcome us into their community! After we have settled in and had a steaming cup of coca tea, we will visit one of the local families to learn about their way of life. If you have brought any gifts with you, you can share them with the family at this time. After visiting the family, we will have time to relax, and your tour guide will teach you more about the Andean way of life.
Hiking distance: 14 Km. / 8.6 mile.
Hiking time: 6½ to 7 hour approximately.
Climate: hot in the day and cold in the night.
Acomodation: Camping.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
Maximum Altitude: 4350 masl. / 14271 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 3700 masl. / 12139 ft.
After this, you will continue your trek to the Puma Puncu canyon ( “the puma door” ). From here, you will hike along an original Incan trail, which has been restored as part of the Qapacñan project. This trail will lead you to the isolated and mysterious Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo (“the little Cusco’’) perched above the Sacred Valley of the Incas at 3600 MASL/11811 FASL. Once in the site, your guide will walk you through and show you all the site’s amazing Inca buildings like sacred temples, storehouses, Inca terraces for agriculture and the Inca reservoir used to store water during the dry season.
After your guided tour of the site, we will begin our 2-hour walk downhill to the village of Lamay (2800 MASL – 9186 FASL) by the Urumbamba River in the Sacred Valley where a bus will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Hiking distance: 12 Km. / 7.4 mile.
Hiking time: 6½ to 7 hour approximately.
Climate: hot in the day and warm in the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Maximum Altitude: 4150 masl / 13615 ft.
Minimum Altitude: 3848 masl / 12624 ft.
