OVERVIEW
MACHUPICCHU TRAIL – HUCHUY QOSQO
DAY 1: CUSCO – TAMBOMACHAY – PUCAMARCA
Machupicchu Trail – Huchuy Qosqo, you wake up very early as you are supposed to be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Inca place of Tambomachay (3,700 m/12,139 ft) where you start the trek. Firstly, you have a look around this former favourite resting place of Incan rulers.
Afterwards, you begin hiking. On the way, you visit two famous lagoons: Qoriqocha (known as the Golden Lagoon) and Yanaqocha (known as the Black Lagoon). There, you can see some Andean gulls and ducks. At Qoricocha (4,046 m/13,274 ft), your Cook prepares you a nutritive lunch. Then, you keep hiking (7 hours in total, the visits of the lagoons and the lunch including) until you arrive at the indigenous village of Puma Marca (3,980 m/13,058 ft), which typical features are thatched roofs and stone houses.
You are accommodated in local houses, especially, adapted for travellers. Later on, you have a look at other houses to find the way of life the local families live. Also, you visit the surroundings of the village and experience a nursery of some Andean camelids there. In the evening, we are served dinner and go to sleep.
Maximum altitude: 4,046 metres / 13,274 feet
Minimum altitude: 3,700 metres/12,139 feet
Duration of the trek: 7 hours
Trekking distance: 13 km / 8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Weather: Warm by day/Cold at night
DAY 2: PUCAMARCA – HUCHUY QOSQO – LAMAY – AGUAS CALIENTES
In the morning, you are given a typical breakfast and then, you say goodbye to the Pucamarca´s families. You start out your trek following an authentic Inca path (a complex of all Inca paths is called Qhapaq Ñan). After 1 and half an hour, you reach the archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo (3,600 m/11,811 ft). The Tour Guide explains to you the majestic complex meaning “Little Cusco” in English and shows you around. So, you can observe its ceremonial centres, squares, water channels, agricultural platforms, enclosures, etc.
You surely enjoy having lunch at this awesome place. Afterwards, you continue hiking for 2 hours while having astonishing views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You descend to the village of Lamay (2,900 m/9,514 ft) where our transport awaits you to head for the railway station at Ollantaytambo. There, you board a train taking you to the final destination – Aguas Calientes (2,040 m/6,693 ft). After 2 hours, you arrive at this small town located just below Machupicchu and you are accommodated in a hotel. Before you go to rest, you are served a delicious dinner.
Maximum altitude: 3,600 metres/11,811 feet
Minimum altitude: 2,040 metres / 6,693 feet
Duration of the trek: 3.5-4 hours
Trekking distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Weather: Warm
DAY 3 MACHUPICCHU TRAIL – HUCHUY QOSQO: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
To start we will get up very early and go to the Inca Citadel of Machupicchu 2,400 meters above sea level, (one of the seven wonders of the world), then the most important energy centres in the world, get to know the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, the Inca Palace and the area agricultural and urban of the citadel, another we will explore the ancient Inca city during the morning with our guide. After the guided tour, where one can get spectacular views of all Machupicchu, the valleys, rivers and mountains that surround it, or you can visit the Temple of the Moon and the fabulous Inca Bridge, then you will have free time to explore the place and take pictures. In the afternoon, we will meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where we will finally take the return train to Ollantaytambo – Cusco.
Maximum altitude: 2,430 metres / 7,972 feet
Minimum altitude: 2,040 metres / 6,693 feet
Duration of the trek: N/A
Trekking distance: N/A
Difficulty: Easy
Weather: Humid-warm
ITINERARY
MACHUPICCHU TRAIL – HUCHUY QOSQO
DAY 1: CUSCO – TAMBOMACHAY – PUCAMARCA
- Early morning pick-up from your hotel.
- Transportation (30 minutes) to Tambomachay.
- A 20-minute walk around this Inca site.
- Start of trekking towards the indigenous community of Pucamarca.
- Visiting of two famous lagoons: Qoriqocha (Golden Lagoon) and Yanacocha (Black Lagoon).
- Lunch at the Qoriqocha lagoon.
- Arrival at Pucamarca.
- Accommodation at specially adapted local houses.
- Pucamarca excursion.
- Dinner and overnight.
DAY 2: PUCAMARCA – HUCHUY QOSQO – LAMAY – AGUAS CALIENTES
- Breakfast in the village.
- Hiking (1 and half an hour) towards the archaeological complex of Huchuy Qosqo.
- Guided visit of the complex.
- Lunch served at Huchuy Qosqo.
- Descend walk (2 hours) to the village of Lamay.
- Transport to Ollantaytambo.
- Train ride to Aguas Calientes – a town situated just below Machupicchu.
- Check-in at your hotel.
- Dinner and overnight.
DAY 3: AGUAS ALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
- 6 am – breakfast in the hotel.
- Pick-up by your Tour Guide.
- Getting on a shuttle bus taking you uphill to Machupicchu.
- 4-hour private guided tour of the Sanctuary of Machupicchu.
- Time off enabling you to enjoy Machupicchu on your own, visit the Inca Bridge and/or hike to Wayna Picchu/Machupicchu Mountain to take some panoramic photos of this New Wonder of the World (please see the section Optional).
- When you feel ready, use a shuttle bus ticket to bring you back down to Aguas Calientes.
- Lunch (not included in the tour).
- The train ride back to Ollantaytambo (2 hours).
- Transport back to the city of Cusco (approx. an hour).
- Transfer to your hotel.
- End of service of the Machupicchu Trail – Huchuy Qosqo.
OPTIONAL
OPTIONAL:
- Climb to the Machupicchu Mountain, a mountain situated above the Inca citadal accessible by a 1.5-hour climb. Here you are able to take those postcard-like photos of Machupicchu. It costs USD 15 extra. Please note that the booking needs to be done at least 1 month in advance due to a limited number of tickets!
- Waynapicchu – a mountain situated above the Inca citadal accessible by the 45-minute climb. It serves to take some panoramic photos of Machupicchu. It is an extra USD 25. Please note that the booking needs to be done at least 3 months in advance due to a limited number of entrances!
INCLUDED
WHAT DOES THE MACHUPICCHU TRAIL – HUCHUY QOSQO INCLUDE?
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
- Private transport to the trailhead.
- Entrance ticket to Huchuy Qosqo and Machupicchu.
- A professional English-speaking Tour Guide.
- Guide Assistant (for groups of over 10 participants).
- Professional Cook experienced in preparing healthy food.
- Horses and mules to carry food and camping equipment.
- Horseman.
- Meals: 2x breakfast, 2x lunch, 2x dinner, hot beverages during main meals – a vegetarian option available upon request.
- Camping and kitchen equipment (a dining tent, a kitchen tent, kitchen utensils, tables, seats, a toilet tent).
- Blanket.
- Mattress.
- Walking stick.
- Duffel bag.
- First aid kit and a bottle of oxygen.
- Two-way radio.
- Puma Marca excursion.
- Guided visit of Huchuy Qosqo.
- Private guided tour of Machupicchu.
- 2 tickets of a shuttle bus between Machupicchu and Aguas Calientes.
- 1 night at especially adapted houses in Pucamarca.
- 1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes (a town below Machupicchu).
- Return train to Ollantaytambo.
- Private transport between Ollantaytambo and Cusco.
- Drop off at your hotel in Cusco.
NOT INCLUDED
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MACHUPICCHU TRAIL – HUCHUY QOSQO TOUR?
- Breakfast on the day 1.
- Lunch on day 3 (in Aguas Calientes).
- Beverages (apart from the main meals).
- Extra horse (which can carry up to 20 kg of your belongings – extra USD 30/day).
- Climb up to Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (see the Optional section please).
- Entrance fee to the thermal baths at Aguas Calientes (10 Soles).
- Tips to local staff.
- Pocket money.
- Accommodation in Cusco.
- Any flight.
- Travel insurance.
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO THE MACHUPICCHU TRAIL – HUCHUY QOSQO:
- Original passport!!! (Please note: It will be checked at the gateway! If you fail to bring it, you will not be allowed to enter!)
- Necessary stuff for a 3-day trek (We recommend you to take of up to 7 kg of your belongings which might be carried by an extra horse.);
- Personal medicines (if applicable);
- Small backpack;
- Warm cloths such as a jacket, a sweater, long trousers (particularly for the cold nights);
- Light clothes such as shorts and a T-shirt (for sunny and warm days);
- Sufficient number of socks and underwear;
- Rainy coat or poncho (especially, from November to April);
- Trekking shoes;
- Camera;
- Extra batteries and/or power bank;
- A peak/hat;
- Sun glasses;
- Sun protection cream;
- Insect repellent;
- Toiletries;
- Towel;
- Toilet paper;
- Swimsuit (in case you like to visit the thermal baths at Aguas Calientes);
- Bottled water;
- Canteen;
- Water purification tablets (optional);
- Matches;
- Knife;
- Pocket money (to buy some souvenirs or refreshments).
PRICE
MACHUPICCHU TRAIL – HUCHUY QOSQO
The price depends on the number of participants, accommodation availability, travel dates and other preferences. Please inquire about a personalized price.