Huchuy Qosqo 2 Days / 1 Night
Huchuy Qosqo 2 Days / 1 Night
Overview
A fantastic two-day trip around the Cusco region, starting from Tambomachay, located just 10 minutes from Cusco. The excursion takes us to Huchuy Qosqo, an ancient Inca archaeological site perched on a cliff overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, passing through mountain passes, the Andes, and local communities, offering a wide variety of native flora and fauna.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Tambomachay – Huchuy Qosqo
The hotel pick-up in Cusco will be at 7:00 a.m., to head in our transport to Tambomachay, located about 11 km north of the city. This is the starting point of our adventure, with a gentle ascent. We will pass by Qoricocha (Laguna de Oro) and Yanacocha Lagoon (Laguna Negra), with a large concentration of wild birds. Upon reaching the highest point, we will see an archaeological group of three Pre-Inca Chullpas, funerary constructions used to house Inca funerary bundles. Afterwards, we will take a well-deserved rest to enjoy our lunch.
As we resume our hike, we will descend along the spectacular and whimsical geological formations, on the route to the Huchuy Qosqo archaeological complex, passing through what once was part of the Inca Trail Network that connected the entire empire, witnessing the ruggedness of the Andean geography.
We will arrive at Huchuy Qosqo at approximately 3:30 p.m. This archaeological site is located at 11,800 feet above sea level, on a large natural terrace elevated in the upper third of the peak, above the town of Lamay. It offers magnificent views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the snow-capped peaks across the valley. Here, we will prepare the camp to spend the night under the southern Andean stars.
Upon arrival, we will also have a guided visit. Huchuy Qosqo (“Little Cusco”) received its name in the 20th century, although it does not resemble Cusco in the slightest. Previously, it was known as Kajya Qhawana (“place where the lightning strikes”).
Tonight, we will enjoy dinner at the camp.
Day 2: Huchuy Qosqo – Lamay – Cusco
We will have our nutritious breakfast at 7:00 a.m. at our Huchuy Qosqo camp, pack all our equipment, and take the opportunity to capture photographs of the site in the sunlight. You will have free time to explore on your own the terraces, temples, and channels of Huchuy Qosqo.
The architecture of the site is remarkable, with buildings constructed on finely polished stone foundations, with clay plaster in the best-preserved areas, while the upper floors are made of adobe (mud bricks). We will also observe the stone channel that supplies water throughout the site.
At approximately 10:00 a.m., we will begin the descent toward the Sacred Valley, arriving at the small Andean town of Lamay (3,000 m). Our descent will take approximately 2 hours. In Lamay, our transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.
Included:
- Bilingual professional guide.
- breakfast.
- camping equipment.
- TOURIST TRANSPORTATION.
Not included:
- Entrance to Huchuy Qosqo.
- Snacks & extra food.
- extra drinks.
- sleeping bag.
Recommendations
- Carry a small backpack with your personal items.
- Warm clothes and light clothing.
- flashlight.
- Mosquito repellent.
- sun block.
- sunglasses.
- hat.
- Rain clothes (rain season).
- original passport.
- Current ISIC student card (if you are a student).
