Huchuy Qosqo Trek To Machu Picchu

This trek is ideal for those passengers who really want to be far in the middle of nowhere with only nature surrounding them as they camp in an area that is scarcely seen by tourists. Huchuy Qosqo (small Cusco) is situated above the Valley of Urubamba and offers very spectacular views over the mountain range Cordillera de Vilcanota.

You will start your trek in Tauca, located on the main road Cuzco-Chinchero-Urubamba. And also Tauca is the place where you will meet your kit and crew thereafter you will head northeast and walk for a total of 6 hours (12 km).

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco - Tauca - Huchuy Qosqo Pass – Huchuy Qosqo - Lamay – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes (Trekking and train)

You will start driving from your hotel to the small Village of Tauca,(3750m) the beginning of your trek will be on level terrain, and the landscape will be that of typical Andean valleys rich in corn, potatoes, barley, quinoa and other Andean tubers. As you ascend towards your pass at 4050m, the landscape begins to change dramatically to that classic of high Andean savannah or Puna, with scant vegetation, mainly “Ichu” or high altitude grass. The views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba peaks are spectacular: Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon and San Juan snow peaks. Soon after the pass you will start your descent toward the Huchuy Qosqo plains hiking along a path that leads to the Ccauca ravine, where you will be able to see archaeological remains and wild crops, such as tarwi, and a large quantity of cacti. You will walk downhill towards the Leon Punku ravine, where you will find remains of an Inca bridge and trail. This canyon boasts geological formations surrounded by majestic rocks and boulders that direct the river to Huchuy Qosqo at 3650 m. Huchuy Qosqo (“Little Cuzco”) is a Noteworthy Inca complex. It boasts very fine stonework in a large Kallanka (rectangular Hall), some residential and defensive quarters and interesting two-story buildings in stone and adobe. Huchuy Qosqo is located on a plateau, surrounded by Inca agricultural terracing and commanding superb views of the Vilcabamba range. Afterwards we’ll go downhill to Lamay at 2900m where we’ll catch our transport driving to Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is the place where we’ll continue by train to Aguas Calientes town. Overnight in hotel.

Box lunch and dinner are included.

Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Early in the morning we’ll go up in the first bus to visit Machu Picchu 2450m at your own pace with your guide. After your free time descent to the village of Aguas Calientes at 2050m, we’ll catch the train coming back to Ollantaytambo, where your vehicle will be expecting you to take you to your hotel in Cusco 3350m.

Breakfast is included.

TIME OF PERMANENCE INSIDE MACHU PICCHU:

The time inside Machu Picchu will be a maximum of four (4) hours from the time of the entry until the departure, between 6:00 and 4:00 p.m., according to the respective registration (it closes at 5:30 p.m.). Except for the tickets that combine with alternate routes 1: Waynapicchu Mountain and 2: Machupicchu Mountain, they can spend 6 hours.
The number of tickets to be sold by schedules will be established according to the capacity of Machu Picchu and the use of alternate roads that allow entry.
Re-entry to Machupicchu is not allowed, except for reasons of force majeure.
The breach of the time of permanence (4 hours) generates the additional charge of another extra ticket, otherwise the immediate withdrawal of the tourists and guides, this with the support of the authorities.

INCLUDED

Private transportation, to and from your hotel transport
All meals marked as B,L,D
Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
Entrance fee to Huchuy Qosqo
Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
Buses goes up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Hostel in Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu, Continental or similar)
First-aid including emergency oxygen bottle

Note: Tips for guides are not included nor are they obligatory.

Not include

Any meals not specified after each itinerary day.
Optional tips to staff.
Expenses such as medical immunizations (if any) and travel insurance.

Notes

Visit to Huayna Picchu: For Huayna Picchu mountain requires to be booked long time in advance however we charge additional $ 25.00 USD and then we’ll guarantee your entrance for Huayna Picchu as well (This new State law began since the 18th of July, 2011).
Tips for porters, cooks and guides are always welcome. The porters are also very grateful for a small donation, for example clothes or school equipment for their children.
We reserve the trains from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy at certain times based on availability, and then plan the transfers for those times. If the passenger changes their train ticket at last minute, transfers from Ollantaytambo or Poroy to Cusco can no longer be provided as it is a collective service and transfers are scheduled for the hours initially booked.

We recommended to bring

Small backpack with rain shelter (30 or 40 litters is well enough).
Clothing for warm and cold climate like a waterproof jacket.
Trekking shoes.
Slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs).
Woolen or synthetic socksand a sweater.
Long- and short-sleeved polo’s/T-Shirts.
Rain poncho and a hat.
Bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes).
Sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel and toilet paper.
Camera (wrapped in plastic bag), a flash light and batteries.
Some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit.
Original passport, original ISIC student card (In case you are student) and extra money in soles.

NOTES:

In our shared services, we will pick-up our clients from your hotel as long as it is located in the downtown.
In our shared services, at the end of the tour, we leave our clients in a place close to the Main Square, because is easier go walking instead the car for the traffic jam. If your hotel is far from the downtown, take some cash with you in order to take a taxi.
Pick-up and drop off times are referential, this will depend on the traffic that can be found in the streets or delay of the other clients, our assistant will be on time but sometimes the transport could delay a few minutes.

PRICES

Prices in American Dollars per person

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