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CREATING AUTHENTIC TOURS IN PERU
Huchuy Qosqo Trek is an archaeological site of the Incas located at an altitude of 3,600 meters above sea level, Calca province, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. During this walk, we will be able to appreciate the signs of the Inca constructions; some Inca stairs and small doors with Inca decorations until reaching the Wonder of Huchuy Qosqo. Which is located on the mountains of the Sacred Valley of the Incas; Also, from this point you can appreciate the impressive panoramic view of the entire Cordillera del Vilcanota with its imposing snow-capped peaks.
If you are a person who doesn’t like crowds and enjoys to be surrounded by pure nature instead of a group, this is the hike for you. The groups tend to be very small or it may even just be you. You also rarely see others along the way. It’s perfect for some peace and quiet while walking.
Along the route, you will also pass through small villages where you’ll often see locals who will say hello to you. They are very friendly people and it’s an experience that a lot of visitors don’t get. It’s perfect for witnessing the day to day lives of those who live up in the hills.
The archeological center of Huchuy Qosqo, is located in the upper part of the Sacred Valley from here you can enjoy a splendid view of the Vilcanota river and its surroundings. Explore and discover its ascending trails that reach a height of 3,900 meters / 12,7953 feet until you descend to 2400 meters / 7874,016 feet. It includes a challenging 22-kilometer walk where physical condition demands a lot due to the constant variations and unevenness that the route has, it is recommended prior to your arrival to be accustomed to long walks, practice demanding sports so that the body is adapted to the constants changes, its acclimatization is also important to avoid the altitude sickness of the areas with greater height, at the end of the tour you will have the satisfaction of reaching the lost city of the Machu Picchu Incas that receives it with its impressive buildings, aqueducts, squares Incas and a culture that transcends time.
Your Andean adventure begins at 6 am when we pick you up at your hotel and then we drive in our private transport to the village of Patabamba (3,800m/12,467ft), only 1 hour from Cusco. Once we arrive, we put our backpacks on and get ready to start a gentle hike uphill for the next 3 hours to get to the highest point of the trek (4,200m/13,779ft). From there, we have fantastic views of the surrounding snow capped mountains and valleys. We descend towards the village of Pucamarca, upon arrival, lunch prepared by our chef will be waiting for you, and spend time at the Inca ruins there.
From there, we follow a section of the original Inca trail into the Inca city of Huchuy Qosqo. There, we have time to explore the city and then we head to our homestay. Here, your guide will introduce you to the local family who will show you to your room for the night and the bathroom with a proper toilet. You will see all the amazing views of the surrounding areas and the Inca city. By late afternoon, you will enjoy your tea, and later have dinner with your local family! In the evening, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the sky full of brilliant stars, far from the light pollution of any city and see the Inca constellations which your guide will show you.
Accommodation: Local Home Stay (1 night)
Included Activities:
Meals Included:
Today we get up early to enjoy the most beautiful sunrise in the mountains of the Sacred Valley. Then we will have a very nutritious breakfast prepared by our local family. Then we will make an offering to mother earth, and the Apus or sacred mountains that surround the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you will actively participate in the organization of this sacred ritual of the Incas, in the company of an Andean priest or Paqo. At 10 am we will begin to descend the hill, to the Lamay valley. Where our transport awaits us, with which we will visit the most sacred sanctuary of the Incas, it is the archaeological complex of Urco, a site of worship to water and origin of the Inca empire, we will also visit the Inkarry site museum, well known for exhibiting in its rooms the different cultures that occupied Peru. At noon we will have lunch in Urubamba, continuing with the tour we will arrive at the town of Ollantaytambo, where you can walk through its streets and houses of the Incas as they left it. At 4:36 pm, we take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we are going to spend the night today, in a comfortable hotel.
Accommodation: Local Home Stay (1 night)
Included Activities:
Meals Included:
This day the tour in Machu Picchu will take place early in the morning, after getting ready at the hotel, we will take the bus at 5:30 am. After a trip along the road surrounded by vegetation and impressive views of the Putukusi mountain, we will arrive at the access point for the sacred sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
First, before passing the control, those who wish to use the toilets will be able to do so. Since there are no bathrooms inside Machu Picchu, if you are going to go outside once inside, unfortunately you will not be able to re-enter.
Our visit to the wonder of Machu Picchu will be through circuit number 2, since it is one of the most complete. On this tour you will be able to go up to the famous guardian’s house from where the postcard photo of Machu Picchu will be taken, then you will pass through the main gate, the ceremonial plaza, the Inca’s house, the ceremonial fountains, you will see the temple of the sun, but not up close; You can also access the pyramid where the sundial is located.
Continuing with the circuit you will arrive at the sector of the sacred rock, and finally you will visit the urban area where the royal houses of the Inca nobles were, and also the room of mirrors. After 3 hours of travel we will retire with our guide, and once outside you can have a drink or food. Because inside the complex is prohibited.
Then you can take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have enough time to have your lunch. At 2:30 p.m. it will be the time of the return train to the Ollantaytambo station, where your return transportation to Cusco awaits you, arriving at approximately 7:00 p.m.
Included Activities:
Meals Included:
The best known of all the trekking routes to Machu Picchu, the 3 day Huchuy Qosqo trek is the original pilgrimage route to this most sacred temple and is by far the most popular route. This shorter hike condenses the best of Huchuy Qosqo trail, into just one day of hiking followed by a day at Machu Picchu. We walk for around 6-7 hours, before reaching Huhcuy Qosqo through Sun Gate in the late afternoon. At this time of day, there are fewer people around and the weather is generally better than early in the morning. Then we go to a hotel in Ollantaytambo to spend the night, taking the early train to Machu Picchu.
For this reason Andean Great Treks recommends that you will carry only a backpack that contains the most necessary trekking equipment for use on the 3 day Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu. The luggage that you will not use you should take in your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
3 day Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu is as incredible as any other hike since it has everything to amaze you. For example, the andean mountains, the unique flora, and fauna will leave you breathless. Majestic monuments that hide Inca mysteries, stunning landscapes surrounded by mountain ranges from where you can observe the Snow peaks of Pitusiray, Sawairay, Veronica. There are plenty of things that you will appreciate in a 10 km or 6,3 miles hike.
The icing on the cake comes at the end of the tour when you visit Machu Picchu, the Mysterious “Lost city of the Incas” and Wonder of the world. There is no doubt that the 2 day Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu is a wonderful hike, not complex but full of unique adventures you will treasure forever.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that you may have about the tour from Huchuy Qosqo to Machu Picchu. If you have any other additional questions, do not forget to send them to us by mail, so that we can help you on your next adventure in Peru.
It begins with a meandering uphill walk-through sloping hill, where you can see the remains of Incan terraces and aqueducts. As you climb, you’ll start to see beautiful cliffs and even some lakes. Finally, a steep but short push will take you over the mountain pass and on top of the world.
You’ll be rewarded for your hard work two hours into the Huchuy Qosqo trek with sweeping views of mountaintops and icy glaciers for miles. Continue on the path and you’ll soon begin your descent.
This is very difficult to answer definitively, but if you are reasonably fit, the trek is moderate but not challenging. Most walks are designed so that you walk a comfortable distance every day and still have enough power for the next. It is very important to acclimatize to the altitude.
Yes, you must be moderately fit and exercise regularly to do this hike! In preparation, try to walk three miles a day or hit a gym in the months leading up to the walk. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude.
We offer standard meals as well as a vegetarian meal option. Just let us know if you’d like vegetarian meals when you book your trek.
Vegetarian meals do not have red meat, chicken or fish. We’ll assume eggs and dairy are okay. We cannot cater specifically for vegans as it is too much of a hassle for our cooks (remember they are cooking in a tent). Most of our main evening meals are served as a buffet service, so you can always leave out what you don’t like. We can also cater for lactose intolerant and gluten free diets.
It is very important to be well acclimatized before striving for a hike. This is why we require everyone to be in Cusco for a minimum of 1 day before regular treks such as the Inca Trail and the, Huchuy Qosqo. However, if you are doing the Ausangate trek, you will need at least 3 days to acclimatize because this trek occurs at much higher altitudes than Cusco. You can use this time spent acclimatizing to visit the city of Cusco, the nearby Inca ruins, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
The duffle bags, which are given to you on the day of your briefing in our office, will be transported from one camp to another by our porters. The maximum weight you have is 7 kg. You will still need to bring a daypack (30lts) to carry all the essentials you want or need, such as water, snacks, camera, sweater, raincoat.
The best time to hike the Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machupicchu is during the dry season (April to September). During these months the views are splendid, the campsites are dry and pleasant, the trail is particularly quiet, and the weather is often very pleasant.
Trekking the Huchuy Qosqo Trail is a very popular trek to Machu Picchu, after the Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek, so during high season the trail can be busy. That said, there are so many variations on the Huchuy Qosqo trail that the routes generally never feel crowded.
However, in recent years the weather is unpredictable, instead of the dry season we are raining, and it is difficult to predict the weather spatially in the Andes, so we strongly recommend being prepared all the time for sun and rain, ” We will always provide the best quality equipment for your comfort and our staff will always decide the best places to set up the camps.
Yes, the entrance to Machu Picchu is included in the tour package. However, if you want to add additional activities such as climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, it will cost you an additional $25 per person, but please note that the $25 is valid only before you book your entrance fees. If for any reason you want to add this additional climb once we have booked the ticket, it will cost you $70 per person.
The visiting time in the citadel of Machu Picchu is an average of 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. This time is the maximum that is used to be able to make the main circuit that contains the most outstanding sites of the Historic Sanctuary.
You should know that there is no free time to visit on your own after the guide. Unless you buy one of the extra hiking tickets (Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu Montaña) so you can re-enter the attraction.
Huayna Picchu: The average time is 1 hour up and 45 minutes down. The path is steep and has small steps, so traveling with minors is not a good idea.
Machu Picchu Mountain: The average time is 1 hour and 30 minutes up, and about 1 hour down. It is more recommended for people traveling with minors. This option is not so recommended, since on the first day of hiking you will walk along part of the path that leads to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain.
Also, once arrived at the town of Aguas Calientes on the first day. You will have the opportunity to leave your belongings at the hotel reception or storage before going to Machu Picchu on the second day. And on your return to Aguas Calientes, before taking the train back to Ollantaytambo, you must pick it up.
You should not forget the restrictions that exist for entering Machu Picchu. Among them is the prohibition of luggage or backpacks that exceed 8 kilos or measures 40 x 35 x 20 cm.
The state provides a place where you can store your belongings at no cost. There is also another place, but it has a cost of S / 5.00 per person. Most visitors prefer to store in this second option, since they think that if they pay, it is because there will be much more security than the one that is free. However, both places are suitable for storing your things.
NOTE: Both Storages are located at the entrance to Machu Picchu.
Both the ascent and descent through the Huayna Picchu mountain take an average of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The ascent time depends on the physical condition of the tourist.
In Huayna Picchu you can visit the Temple of the Moon and have an incredible experience at the top.
This is the ideal place to get the best photographs of the Inca City. A suitable visit takes 3 hours.
The tour of Machu Picchu delays the time of the tourist guide. This takes 2 hours on average. Today it is mandatory to enter the Inca City with a guide.
The visit includes a tour of the main tourist attractions of the place, such as: the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Intihuatana and more.
The visit will also leave time for the tourist to appreciate the Wonder of the World on their own.
There are 3 entry times where the 400 daily tourists who enter Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu are distributed:
Group 1:
Group 2:
Group number 3:
TIPS FOR VISITING HUAYNA PICCHU IN GROUP 1
TIPS FOR VISITING HUAYNA PICCHU IN GROUP 2
TIPS FOR VISITING HUAYNA PICCHU IN GROUP 3
IMPORTANT TIPS ABOUT MACHU PICCHU AND HUAYNA PICCHU
As of July 1, 2018, you must have your original passport to enter Machu Picchu. You must also have your entrance ticket, which your guide will give you at the appropriate time. The passport you bring to Machu Picchu must be the same one you used to book your tour and entrance; If you change or renew your passport between booking and your trip, make sure you bring the originals of both.
Many people ask about Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain and few people know the difference about these 2 climbing mountains in Machu Picchu.
Huayna Picchu:
Machu Picchu Mountain:
The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season, between May and November, when the weather is dry and bright, with more frequent rainfall occurring between November and April.
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To book this tour, a minimum of $ 200 USD per person is required, the remaining balance will be paid upon arrival in Peru, at the Cusco office.
Any other additional information, please coordinate with your travel agent.
Nothing gets you closer to a country than walking through it, and we’ve got trips to suit walkers of all levels and interests.
All our Walking trips are graded from ‘Easy’ through to ‘Challenging to Tough’. On our online trip itineraries you’ll find a chart showing the daily walk distances, timings and information on the route including the terrain, altitude. Generally, no specific training is needed but you might feel more comfortable if you’ve got out walking a few times in the lead-up to your trip.
As with all our trips, every group is different but the ‘average’ group consists of roughly half couples and half solo travellers – all sharing a passion for exploring the world on foot. You’ll always have someone to keep you company along the route, but you don’t always have to walk together. Wherever possible your Andean Great Treks leader will allow everyone to walk at their own pace, regrouping regularly along the route.
Mostly of our hikes in the mountains in Peru and Cusco like the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Ausangate Trek, Lares Trek, Ancascocha Trek, Salkantay Trek , involves an average of walking hours of 7-8 hours per day, this timing includes stops for taking photos, lunch, breaks for recovery the energy, and the most important we adapt to your walking pace. This relaxed style of trip involves to know all the attractions in greater depth.
On nearly all our Walking trips, porters or mules will carry all the camping equimpent, so your main luggage will be transported for you. We recommend walk with a light rucksack, you will carry water, snacks, a camera, a small first aid kit and any extra clothing or sun protection. On more remote or challenging treks, additional guides are there to assist the leader tour guide and provide support to the group.
The acclimatization period is very important for our travelers to enjoy the experience. We suggest a minimum of 3 or 4 days of the previous stay in Cusco city, the Sacred Valley of the Incas or Machu Picchu. We recommend you check the acclimation programs we have prepared for you on our website.
The average height of our camps in the trekking circuits is 3,500 masl. In fact, one of the circuits where you sleep at the highest altitude is the Ausangate Trek, where you will have days to set up the tents at a height of 4,300 meters. Remember that Peru has snowy peaks that reach up to 6,700 masl.
From 3,000 meters above sea level, the symptoms of “altitude sickness” vary according to each person, and may even not occur. However, among the most common are a headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite and insomnia. Therefore, upon arriving in the city of Cusco, located at 3,400 meters above sea level, we recommend our travelers to take a good rest, drink plenty of water, eat light meals and take slower walking. Also, it is necessary to avoid alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. The symptoms can be alleviated with high mountain medicines such as DIAMOX or similar products, but we suggest you consult with your doctor before the trip.
While on the trail, hikers will need to carry a daypack (camera equipment, water bottle, extra layers, rain gear, and other accessories you might need on the trail.) Horses and llamas will carry your duffle bag to the next camping site.
The company makes the greatest efforts to provide a safe and unforgettable experience, for this reason, the trekking guides are constantly communicated with the central office through satellite phones, ensuring the welfare of each passenger. Our guides are trained in rescue techniques and first aid in emergency outdoor, these courses are developed annually and have the standards of the wilderness first respond. At all times we have oxygen and first aid equipment. In case of any eventuality a medical director will answer our questions 24 hours a day. In addition to the animals who carry the luggage we have horses to help walkers tired or eager to ride. We recommend getting a travel insurance.
Every Andean Great Treks holiday has been thoughtfully planned and crafted by our specialists. They draw on their own extensive travel experience and the guidance and expertise of our local partners to create superb holidays. Our specialists are committed to making every aspect smooth and enjoyable; they genuinely want to ensure that the holidays they create leave you with wonderful lasting memories.
Every Andean Great Treks traveller is accompanied by an experienced tour guide, you will be immersed in Historic cities, ancient ruins and unfamiliar landscapes are all brought to life by our carefully selected local guides. They want to share their expertise and help you make your own discoveries too; their sole mission is to ensure you enjoy every moment.
Giving you the freedom to make your holiday even more memorable. We know how much our customers look forward to their holiday and we pride ourselves on the choice and flexibility that we offer to enhance every aspect of your experience. Whether it’s getting to the airport, upgrading your room or booking an additional excursion, we can help.
Our guides are the stars of the show; it is their unrivalled knowledge, passion and expertise that will transform your tour experience from good to truly extraordinary!
Because the have grown up in the area and know it like the back of their hand, so they can help you experience whichever aspects most interest you. They’re passionate about sharing their corner of the world with you, and as you explore together, they’ll open your eyes to the intricate details, provide background to enhance your understanding of what you’re seeing, and share stories that will bring everything to life.
“Your inspiration for a trip can be a single word or a highly evolved outline, but it’s the conversations we have that help us understand the experience you’re looking for. Meanwhile, I’m looking back on the time I spent at the destination.
‘The great thing about working with a specialist at Andean Great Treks is how they take your complete jumble of ideas and turn them into something absolutely spectacular.’
As you begin to share your ideas with your specialist, it will connect them immediately back to a time in their own travels. Conjuring a picture of the rest time they made that same discovery, reminding them how it felt.
Your specialist understands that, when the journey is right, it has the power to excite your emotions in the most profound ways after all, that was the effect on them.
They carry a treasure box of moments, captured over many journeys, into every suggestion they’ll share with you, as they ask you how you want to feel on your trip.
EXPERIENCES THAT CALL TO YOU
It’s what you do in a destination that helps bring it to life. It’s why we strive to choose experiences that help you connect to a place, absorbing a little of its complex character. Wherever your passions lie, we’ll recommend experiences that speak to you, and we’ll recommend the guide or local expert who’s most qualified to help you explore. Packing your holiday full of special experiences means some early starts and long days, but you can be sure that you’ll return home with many incredible memories! Read our Tours and check the Physical Ratings to see if the pace and activity levels are right for you.
STAYS WITH DIFFERENCE
We know that where you stay is a cherished part of your travels. So, we go to great lengths to find places to stay that exceed expectations, or go above and beyond the ordinary, whether in their character, hospitality, or location. Over the years, we’ve discovered the very best properties, trying and testing them, so we can choose the right one for you. We’ve nourished long-standing relationships with these establishments and the people who founded them, and we’ve stayed there many times often, we’ll even know which rooms have the best views (and reserve them for you).
Our style of travel — authentic, thoughtful, and focused on building meaningful connections to the people and places you visit — is inherently respectful and considerate of the destinations we love. We design each aspect of your trip exactly as you want it, which includes its sustainability. That might mean choosing a train journey instead of a flight, staying at eco-friendly wildlife lodges, or opting for experiences that give back to the communities you’re visiting. The choice is yours.
Responsible travel has always been at the heart of what we do. First and foremost, because it gives you the best experience, but, also because it helps to preserve the communities and landscapes you visit. This isn’t new for us we collaborated with local communities and outside experts so we can grow to be better ambassadors.
The most authentic and interesting experiences often directly benefit the local people. We prefer to buy local products that are produced in the organic farms of the Sacred Valley, we also have alliances with local artisan organizations who provide us with souvenir items for our clients, your money directly benefits the local economy.
Our style of travel — authentic, thoughtful, and focused on building meaningful connections to the people and places you visit — is inherently respectful and considerate of the destinations we love. We design each aspect of your trip exactly as you want it, which includes its sustainability. That might mean choosing a train journey instead of a flight, staying at eco-friendly wildlife lodges, or opting for experiences that give back to the communities you’re visiting. The choice is yours.
Responsible travel has always been at the heart of what we do. First and foremost, because it gives you the best experience, but, also because it helps to preserve the communities and landscapes you visit. This isn’t new for us we collaborated with local communities and outside experts so we can grow to be better ambassadors.
The most authentic and interesting experiences often directly benefit the local people. We prefer to buy local products that are produced in the organic farms of the Sacred Valley, we also have alliances with local artisan organizations who provide us with souvenir items for our clients, your money directly benefits the local economy.
‘There’s a saying: we don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. When we show you our country, this philosophy guides everything we do. It’s our responsibility to preserve the environment and wildlife, and support communities. That means using slower modes of transport, like cycling, employing local people, and working with communities who’ll benefit directly from your visit. This also gives you the best, most authentic impression of the places we want to share with you.
We prefer to buy local products in ecological bags, to avoid the use of plastic bags, likewise we teach the use of soaps and ecological products in each tour that we organize. We also work on reforestation projects with local communities who take care of landscape resources such as communal reserves, national parks.
‘There’s a saying: we don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. When we show you our country, this philosophy guides everything we do. It’s our responsibility to preserve the environment and wildlife, and support communities. That means using slower modes of transport, like cycling, employing local people, and working with communities who’ll benefit directly from your visit. This also gives you the best, most authentic impression of the places we want to share with you.
We prefer to buy local products in ecological bags, to avoid the use of plastic bags, likewise we teach the use of soaps and ecological products in each tour that we organize. We also work on reforestation projects with local communities who take care of landscape resources such as communal reserves, national parks.
Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu, you will enjoy the impressive landscape,with an incomparable variety of flora and fauna,snowy peaks,bird watching.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days, a great hike from Cusco to the Andean mountains. The salkantay trek is the best alternative trek to machu picchu.
The Quelccaya glacier is located in the southeast of Peru, in the Cusco region, it is the most extensive tropical glacier in the world, Quelccaya is a majestic glacier.
