This trekking is a perfect option for those who do not have enough time in Cusco. Huchuy Qosqo is the best choice to complement traditional sightseeing tours, because it permits you to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery that surrounds Cusco as well as amazing views of the Sacred Valley.
Difficulty: Medium to challenging.
Duration: 6 – 7 hours.
An excellent option for trekkers with too little time to go for a longer trek, yet avid to hike on an Inca path first hand. The varied landscape and incredible views make this challenging trek an exciting experience.
Huchuy Qosqo (“Little Cusco”) at 3600 meters (11,800 feet), north of Cusco, facing the imposing Vilcanota Mountain range in the Sacred Valley. Originally called Kakya Qawani, built during the reign of Viracocha. It comprises a ceremonial open center, the Kallanka (Great Wall) 40m long, grain storage structures, and a long lasting Inca-built irrigation channel, lined with stones for about 800m, that provides water to the site. An important agricultural and administrative center along with Pisac during the Inca period.
Huchuy Qosqo can only be reached by foot or horse riding. The access from Tauca is 3 hours long, more or less, up to a mountain pass of 4500m, and then you hike your way down through a rocky and dusty path to Huchuy Qosqo. Horseback ride or two day hike to Huchuy Qosqo are available at request.
FULL DAY
A representative from Easygoing Peru will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel to transfer you to Chinchero and then to Tauca, where we start the trek. Along the way you will see llamas, alpacas and nice views of the Piuray Lagoon.
You will descend on an Inca Trail for around 1 hour towards the community of Pukamarca. Then you will pass towards the Leon Punku ravine, where you can find remains of an Inca bridge and trail. This canyon is surrounded by incredible rocks that accompany the river to Huchuy Qosqo at 3600m, where you will arrive in the afternoon.
The architecture of Huchuy Qosqo is very complex, because it includes a large open ceremonial center. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley and the snowcapped mountain range at the same time. You will have a guided tour in the complex and then you will continue to Lamay. Lamay is a small town dedicated to agriculture. Then in the afternoon you will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.
Note: The itinerary includes the box lunch, adventure tour guide, transportation, entrance ticket and an emergency horse.
