The Beautiful Andean Hike to Machu Picchu
Is your idea of the perfect vacation a trek to Machu Picchu but away from the crowds? If the answer is yes, look no further than the Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu. Enjoy this incredibly picturesque hike through stunning landscapes as you observe beautiful towns, find llamas and alpacas, and witness soaring mountain peaks and a surprising variety of local flora and fauna.
You’ll also make new friends in local communities where you can immerse yourself in their world and learn all about their customs and traditions as you walk in the footsteps of their ancestors on parts of the mythical Inca Trail. This is the perfect trip for those short on time who want a real, rural Andean experience. Join us on the trail for the adventure of a lifetime today!
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Recommendations
- Faqs
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
Join us on this incredibly Huchuy Qosqo adventurous hiking between outstanding views through the hills to the lesser-known Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo. This park is situated on a plateau with stunning views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Urubamba mountain range’s snow-capped peaks. The trail goes off the beaten path over high Andean passes.
Highlights: Huchuy Qosqo and Machu Picchu
Hiking distance: 19km/ 11.8miles
Considerations: Permit Required
Season: May to November
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day01
Cusco - Qory Qocha Lake - Quencco
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Day02
Quencco - Huchuy Qosqo - Lamay - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
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Day03
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Cusco - Qory Qocha Lake – Quencco
Hiking Distance: 12km/ 7.4miles
Minimum Altitude: 3500m / 11482ft
Maximum Altitude: 4100m / 13450ft
Accommodations: Camping
Highlight of the Day:1 Qoriccocha lake
Adventure: Absolutely
To begin our expeditions to Huchuy Qosqo, we pick you up from your hotel located in Cusco at 6:00 a.m. and take you to the beginning of the trail near Huallar Qocha, located only half an hour from Cusco city. Here is where we will meet our team of horses and our porters. We begin hiking gently uphill for an hour and a half until we get to the first pass over 4100m (13450 ft), where we will have stunning views of the two valleys, one looking at the capital of the Incas, Cusco Valley, and the other showing you a beautiful landscape of mountains and farmlands. From the pass, we will follow the trail, which is going along the side of the valley up and down towards the top. Then we keep hiking on a switchback trail until the next pass, then we will descend to our lunch spot at the border of the Qoriccocha Lake. The scenery here is quite barren because the whole area is a high Puna between the mountains, which are covered with straw or Andean grass. Around the area it will be possible to see a variety of bird life, such as Andean geese, lapwings, partridges, and others.
Quencco - Huchuy Qosqo - Lamay - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Hiking Distance: 6km/ 3.7miles
Minimum Altitude: 2050m / 6725ft (Aguas Calientes town)
Maximum Altitude: 3620m / 11876ft
Accommodations: Hotel
Highlight of the Day: Huchuy Qosqo
Adventure: Absolutely
This day our team will wake you up with a cup of hot coca tea while you enjoy the incredible Andean views surrounded by mountains and valleys. Once you have packed, we will enjoy our delicious breakfast. Then we begin our hike descending towards the archaeological side of Huchuy Qosqo; during our hike, we will pass by many viewpoints with stunning scenery and walk on part of the original Inca trail, which is still intact. Here is the beginning of the valley and a different microclimate full of lush vegetation. Here you see some birds, such as hummingbirds, falcons, and eagles. As we make our way down to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we will be able to see some llamas and donkeys, where you will take your time to capture great photos with a background of the snow-capped mountains.
Once we arrive at the Inca complex of Huchuy Qosqo (Little Cusco), located at 3600m (11811 ft), You will enjoy the incredible Inca buildings from the gateway to their storehouses, farming terraces, and sacred temples. Your tour guide will take you on a tour of each important site and explain the history of this Inca site. Then you will have your own time to take photos and enjoy the view of the Sacred Valley. Once you are done with it, we will have lunch or a picnic lunch in front of the Urumbamba Range mountains. From here we will begin our hike downhill to Lamay town (2800 m/9186 ft). It will take about 2 hours to descend towards the Urubamba River via switchbacks on the trail, where our bus will be waiting to take us to Ollantaytambo (an hour drive). Here we will have our dinner at the restaurant, then we will take our train to Aguas Calientes town, there you can set up and rest at your hotel.
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu – Cusco
Hiking Distance: 1km/ 0.6miles
Minimum Altitude: 2050m / 6725ft (Aguas Calientes town)
Maximum Altitude: 2410 / 7906ft
Accommodations:
Highlight of the Day: Machu Picchu
Adventure: Absolutely
This day is the most important day of our trip, because we will see the modern 7 wonders around the world Machu Picchu. We will wake up early, take our lunch box, and walk for a few minutes to the bus station to take one of the first buses leaving for Machu Picchu. The first bus leaves at 5:30am. Normally, it takes 25 minutes of driving, and Machu Picchu’s main gate will be open at 6:00 a.m. Your guide will take you head-on to the great spot to watch the sunrise over the mountains, then we will explore each of the important sites of Machu Picchu together with your tour guide while he will be explaining you the history of these. After your tour, you will have some time to explore on your own and capture the best photos. Also, if you have the ticket to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains (these need to be booked in advance at an extra cost), our guide will show you all the way to the summit.
Once you have explored all of Machu Picchu, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes on your own and enjoy your lunch in the town (with varied options) before taking your train to Ollantaytambo, followed by a bus drive to Cusco, arriving between 6 and 8 p.m.
At Machu Picchu by Locals we are transparent and provide the specific details of what is included and excluded in our Huchuy Qosqo Trek. We know this is very important so that you know what exactly to bring and you don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your trek.
WE INCLUDE
Machu Picchu by Locals Team Provide
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Pre-departure briefing
Once you book the tour with us, you will get a notification about the pre-departure briefing, where you will meet with your trekking guide and the tour group in our office the night before your Huchuy Qosqo hike. During this briefing, you will receive important details of the trek. After this time, you will receive your duffle bag for your extra luggage, which will stay with our porter while you are hiking.
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Professional Trekking Guide
All our tour guides have a great reputation in customer service. Our tour guides have graduated with tourism career from National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. They have also studied English in a private language institute. Through their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for trekking and proud to have been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our tour guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore the Magical Machu Picchu.
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Permits to Huchuy Qosqo and Machu Picchu
Once we receive your details and the deposit for the tour, we purchase all the necessary tickets for your trek. These permits will be for a specific date and will be in your name. Unfortunately, this information can’t be modified under any circumstance once confirmed. Only your passport number it can to be updated, however for this change you must to bring both you old and new passport
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Porters Team or horses
At Machu Picchu by Locals, we include a personal porter or horses who will be carrying your personal belongings in a duffle bag that we provide during this tour. This duffle bag cannot exceed 7 kg/14lb. This weight includes the sleeping bag and mattress. You will be responsible to pack your duffle bag with your personal items (including sleeping bag and mattress) that you will not be using during the day before breakfast. Items that are packed will not be accessible till we reach the final camp for the evening.
Transportations
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Private Transport
We include all the transportations during your trek. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco, and take you to trail head. At the end of the trek, the bus returning from Ollantaytambo to Cusco will drop you off at your hotel.
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Train Ticket
We include the round-trip train ticket to explore Machu Picchu and also the returned train ticket after you have explored Machu Picchu on the last day. The train ticket will be one of the available trains scheduled for 14:20hrs, 14:55hrs and 16:20hrs.
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Bus Ticket
The round-trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes once you are done exploring Machu Picchu is also included.
Equipment
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Camping equipment
Machu Picchu by Locals leads tours to Machu Picchu with a suitable camping equipment to make sure your trek is an experience of the life time. Our tents are Eureka or Doite pro Aconcagua for 4 people, which will be shared only for 2 people to ensure you comfort and enough place for your luggage. There will also be a spacious dining tent for you to enjoy each meal along this tour.
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Personal Duffle bag
We included a personal duffle bag for your Huchuy Qosqo 3 das tour. You will get this duffle bag at Machu Picchu by Locals office during your pre-departure briefing the night before of your trek. This bag will be carried by our porters or horses during the trek. You will find it in your tent every afternoon you arrive to the campsite. It can be filled with your personal items, sleeping bag and mattress but the maximum allowable weight is 7kg/17lb. The duffle bag must be returned to our office no later than one day after your trek.
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Medical First Aid Kit
All tour guides of Machu Picchu by Locals are very well trained in First aid. They received training courses every 6 months how to assist to someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained how to supply a balloon oxygen in the case if someone requires it.
Meals
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Meals
At Machu Picchu by Locals, we know food is such an important part of any vacation and getting the right fuel on an active holiday is crucial. For your trek, we include 2 breakfast, 2 lunch and 2 dinner. We cater to all dietary restrictions Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free and others – just let us know your dietary restrictions at the time of your booking. Our team is well-trained to prepare the best food ever you’ve had with local and organic ingredients.
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Water
Machu Picchu by Locals will provide you water from the first lunch to the last breakfast. This water will be filtered, boiled and cooled by our Chef. You must bring your own water container, bottle or camelback that can hold water for hiking for a few hours. We recommend a capacity of 2 liters.
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Snacks
Our team will provide snack every morning before leaving each campsite so you can enjoy it during your hike along the day. There will be many breaks when you can enjoy the delicious local fruits, biscuits, caramels.
WE NOT INCLUDED
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Sleeping bag
Every trekker along the Huchuy Qosqo needs a proper sleeping bag which has to be for -15°C / 5° F. We recommend you bring your own, but if you don’t want to bring your own or you don’t have one you, can rent a sleeping bag from us.
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Walking Sticks/Trekking Poles
Hiking with trekking poles has its benefits – protect your knees while you are hiking downhill. Specially on ancient trails which are many stairs up and down, trekking poles help you during the ascent, increase stability. If you don’t have a pair of trekking poles, you can rent them from our office.
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Breakfast on the First day
We do not provide breakfast on the day of your departure. However, most hotel offers breakfast during your stay there. In case your hotel does not provide breakfast, we will stop at a restaurant at the beginning of our trail where you will be available to purchase a breakfast.
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Lunch in Aguas Calientes
Lunch on the last day at Aguas Calientes is not included in the trek. However, you and the group can enjoy the last lunch together in a restaurant recommended by your tour guide.
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Travel Insurance
We recommend to buy a travel insurance before to leave your country in case something happen along your visit to Peru.
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Tips for our team
Tips are not included. Tipping the team is usual on any excursion to Ausangate, although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team hard work.
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Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu is the mountain which stands next to Machu Picchu. It is really famous hike normally takes 45 minutes hike up to the top by narrow steps steep with a great view of Machu Picchu citadel. If you would like to hike Huayna Picchu after your tour to Machu Picchu there is an extra cost of USD 75.00. Also, this booking must be done at least 3 months in advance due the popularity
HUCHUY QOSQO TREK INFO
At Machu Picchu by Locals we focus to make your trip an unforgettable experience and we want to provide all details which you need to know before to leave your country and start your life experience in Peru.
What you need to pack? Important
- Passport
- Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
- Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelback is encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
- Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
FOR YOUR DUFFEL:
Porters or horses will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.
- 2-3 wicking t-shirts
- 2-3 hiking pants
- 4 sets of undergarments.
- 1 Fleece
- 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
- 1 Rain jacket and pants
- 1 sun hat
- 1 wool hat
- Headlamp: essential.
- Waterproof gloves
- Comfortable shoes for camp or flip flops .
- Walking boots.
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho.
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking! Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty. Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least
TOILETRIES:
- Sunscreen
- Face moisturizer
- Bug spray
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and paste
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:
Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, bags larger than 25L will not be allowed in. If it is larger, you will need to store it outside citadel gates. But don´t worry, they have a secure storage facility. Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
- Sunhat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Camera
- Music (iPhone)
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Earplugs
PREPARING FOR YOUR HUCHUY QOSQO TREK
BOOKING SYSTEM
At Machu Picchu by Locals, we try to make the best of us to booking system works as easy as possible for you, once you decided to do this trek, we will send to you a booking form where you need to complete all the required detail which are important to book your tickets, we need a previous deposit of 50% per person. Once as soon as you paid it, we immediately book a spot for this tour once we have done with it, we will send you your invoice and confirmation form that all the booking process has set up satisfactorily.
IS MACHU PICCHU by LOCALS TEAM CONTACTING US BEFORE FLYING TO PERU?
Yes, our work policy is to be in contact with our customers as long as necessary to inform them of all the details and changes that could occur after have confirmed the reservation, please you ask to check constantly your e-mail, also if you have some issue let us know to solve as soon as possible.
WHERE TO STAY IN CUSCO?
Cusco is a big city enough to find different categories of hotels from 2 stars to 5 stars also there are Airbnb places where you can stay without any problem. Cusco streets are narrow especially near to the main square and some streets are pedestrian with some stairs, we will send you a notify for the pick up if is not possible the access with our car and arrange another place to pick you up and drop off also a night before your tour you will meet with your tour guide who will tell you all the details about the tour. In case you want some recommendations please ask to Machu Picchu by Locals sales team.
ALONG THE TREK
IS THERE ELECTRICITY ALONG THE TREK?
Not, because this trek is located in remote place where there is not electricity some local village located along the trek has solar panels your guide can talk with some of them in extreme cases to recharge your cellphone, we recommend to bring your extra power bank for the days you are on the mountains.
HOW CHALLENGING IS THE TREK?
This trek is particularly challenging specially for people who does not has experience hiking on the mountains, we recommend to training with some exercises a few times per week to don’t have problem, also is recommendable to spend some days in Cusco to acclimatize to the altitude because part of the segment along this trek are located over 4000m/13123ft
WHAT HAPPEN IF I GOT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
No worry, our guide and team are professional and they know how to solve any issue during your trek, your guide will have a first aid kit all the time with some medications for these, also will be there an extra emergency horse to take you to the best place where you can recovery. Our team always has radio and they are trained for any emergency happen during our tours.
DO YOU NEED HIKING BOOTS?
Definitely, it is always recommendable to wear a light hiking boots if possible. Ones with ankle support are extra helpful, especially for the inexperienced hiker. Because you will be climbing down so many steps created by the Incas, crossing some rivers especially the day 2 some of them are slippery, now uneven and at varying heights, the extra support helps from twisting your ankles.
SHOULD I USE WALKING STICKS?
Yes. Walking sticks are always helpful to trekkers, especially if is raining along the trek. Using walking sticks can help take the pressure off your knees while doing some portion of the trek. Plus, they will help you get up the mountain as well.
WHERE DO I STORE MY LUGGAGE?
In case you have extra luggage which you not need to bring to the trail all the hotels in Cusco have storage where you can leave your luggage completely free, if you will change your hotel after the trek, we have available our storage in Vidal Expeditions office, get more info with from our office team.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AS FAR AS WEATHER?
The weather in Cusco regions and part of the Andes is unpredictable even if the weather forecast says it’s sunny, we can’t trust in it. It is an impossible question for us to answer. Historically April through September is the dry season, November through February is the rainy season and March and October and bridge months – a mixture of both. But the clouds have not followed these rules in the last few years. Prepare for sun and rain no matter when you come. As far as temperatures go, that is consistent throughout the year. Mornings and evenings are always cold. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and a down jacket for the evenings. Once the sun is up you should be comfortable hiking in short sleeves. Long pants (yoga or hiking) are encouraged to help from the mosquitos which can be a nuisance in some part of the trail.
From: USD 480.00 per person
USD 00.00: from 4 people to more
* Additional single room in Aguas Calientes $60USD
*Upgrade the returning train to Vistadome service( with larger windows and more confortable seats $60US per person *Sleeping bag -15°C / 5°F for the entire trip $20USD
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3 Days / 2 Nights
Huchuy Qosqo Trek To Machu Picchu
What's it like!!
Map of Huchuy Qosqo Trek To Machu Picchu
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
At Machu Picchu by Locals we offer the best service for all our customers and here is what makes us different than others.
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Small groups: Along our excursion group size is a capped at 8 people. This guarantees that you will enjoy every step of our excursion
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Hotel: During our excursion to Machu Picchu, we offer a private hostel stay for the last night. This ensures you are well rested and ready to explore Machu Picchu.
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Local Tour guides: Our team consists of 100% local tour guides, who have expert knowledge in our ancient culture.
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Best Camping Equipment: We have the state-of-the-art camping equipment for our excursion. The equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before and after every excursion.
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Best Trekking team: At Machu Picchu by Locals we focus to create the best experience during our excursions. Our team that consists of tour guides, cooks, porters, horse drivers are handpicked. We train our team to offer you the best service. We take care of our team by providing them with good equipment and paying them fairly.
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