INCLUDES:
- Professional, bilingual Tour Guide.
- Assistant Guide (for groups of 9 or more people).
- Collection from hotel (for groups of less than 9 people).
- Entrance fee to Huchuy Qosqo and Machu Picchu.
- Transportation – bus to start of trail, bus Lamay-Ollantaytambo and train back (Backpacker service to Ollantaytambo) and bus to Cusco.
- 1 nights accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
- Return bus trip – Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu / Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
- (You need to bring water for the first morning then we will provide you with drinking – previously boiled – water).
- 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 afternoon snacks, 2 dinners and various snacks to be eaten throughout the day
- Dining tent with tables and chairs.
- Cook.
- 4-man tent for 2 people.
- Sleeping mattress.
- 1 horse in case of emergencies.
- Oxygen bottle.
- First Aid kit.
- Vegetarian food on request at no extra cost!
Equipment you need to take:
- Original passport (and *International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
- Travel Insurance is essential
- Sleeping bag (not included but can be hired from us)
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer.
- Personal medication
- Camera and films
- Torch with spare batteries (headlamps are useful)
Optional items to take:
- Shorts
- Walking stick (with rubber tip)
- Plasters and bandages
- Sandals
- Extra money
- Bathing suit (for hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
The Huchuy Qosco trek is like taking a step back in time, although never far from Cusco you wouldn’t believe it. From the outset this trek takes you off the tourist route, you’ll walk along ancient pathways and visit local communities where you’ll be immersed in the culture. On your 2nd day you’ll visit the little known site of Huchuy Qosco, a pre Inca site which was incorporated in to the Inca empire early on. This site offers an interesting mix of pre Inca and Inca architecture and is set in a beautiful location overlooking the Sacred Valley.
The Huchuy Qosco trek offers a view of Cusco that few will ever see, incorporating culture and beautiful scenery and packed in to just 3 days its ideal for those with not much time on their hands. This is a unique experience that you won’t regret undertaking.
IMPORTANT: The night before your trek there will be a pre-trek talk (briefing) in our office (exact time will be confirmed).
Expected Weather in Cusco.
In Cusco dry season starts in April to October, the days are usually sunny and hot but temperatures drop abruptly after 5-6 pm until 7-8 am. Weather is very changeable from November to March and heavy rains are expected being the wettest month December to March although is not as cold as it is in the dry season.
Itinerary:
DAY 1: The Adventure Begins.
We will pick you up from your hotel at around 6.30am and take you up to Tambomachay (3700 meters) in the Sacsayhuaman Park. This is where we’ll begin our trek; from here we’ll head up the mountainside for about 2 hours until we reach our first pass for the day (4100 meters). From here you’ll be able to enjoy the views of the several Inca sites and Cusco spread below you. After a well deserved rest we’ll descend in to the next valley where we’ll visit a small village called Quesser Grande before heading back up the opposite side of the valley again for 2 hours to reach our second pass (4300 meters). From here we’ll descend to Lake Qoricocha (Golden Water) and follow the edge of the lake round to reach the path which will take us to our first nights camp at Qenko village (3900 meters), this last leg will take us about an hour and a half. On our first day there is the possibility of seeing Andean geese and falcons and if we’ve lucky maybe some hummingbirds.
DAY 2: On to Huchuy Qosco and down and down
We’ll start the day early and have breakfast (6:30am) in the village, after breakfast your guide will take to visit a one of the local families to see and experience their lifestyle and culture. Here in the mountains Quechua is the predominant language so can try your hand at learning a few phrases. After you’ve visited the family you’ll have the opportunity to buy some handicrafts and then we’ll set off for our day. Today is an easy walk; we’ll walk for 1 hour and arrive to an Inca trail which will take us to Huchuy Qosco. We’ll walk for about 1 and half hours through the beautiful valleys before arriving to Huchuy Qosco itself. Your guide will give you a tour for about 1 and a half hours and then you’ll have lunch here and a chance to explore by yourself.
Once we are finished up in Huchuy Qosco we’ll head down to the Sacred Valley via an Inca stairway, we’ll go down the steps for an hour and a half and finally arrive to Lamay a village in the Sacred Valley where we’ll get a bus to take us to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo we take a train to Aguas Calientes (the village below Machu Picchu) where we’ll spend the night in a hostel.
DAY 3: Machu Picchu wonder of the world!!!!!!
We will have breakfast at 5:00 am then catch one of the first buses (05:30) to Machu Picchu (25-minute ride) in order to catch sunrise over this magnificent city.
A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your Guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you still have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft)!!! It takes 45 minutes to reach the top (this is an extra/optional walk; please talk to your guide for arrangements to climb this mountain- you might need to skip the guided tour of MP).
You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot) for lunch and to be given your train tickets back to Cusco. The train usually leaves at 18.30 and we will arrive back in Cusco at about 22:30.
If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes town can be arranged