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Huchuy Qosqo Adventure 2 days - Full itinerary and inclusions
Day 1 Cusco - Tambo Machay - Pucamarca
We leave Cusco early, and take private transport to the interesting ruins of Tambo Machay. From here we climb steeply upwards until we have spectacular views over Cusco City. We then cross the mountains, pass pretty alpine lakes, and pastures where llamas graze. Campesino farmers also grow potatoes here. We then follow an Inca trail downward to a village of stone huts, with thatched straw on their roofs.
During the day we cross four gentle passes, the highest of which is 4000m. As such, while this is considered an "easy" hike by Andean standards you should still be prepared to climb for quite a few hours upwards. After about 6 hours we arrive at a small hamlet known as Pucamarca, where we will camp for the night. Total distance walked 12 km.
Day 2 - Pucamarca - Huchuy Qosqo - Lamay - Cusco
After breakfast, we pass through a narrow but spectacular canyon and arrive with wonderful views over the Sacred Valley. After about 2 hours of walking we will arrive at Huchuy Cusco. Here we explore the ruins of Huchuy Cusco and ponder its role as "Small Cusco". From here it is three and a half hours stunning but steep and slippery descent into the Sacred Valley. We will have a late lunch in the typical and untouristed village of Lamay. From here, our private car will pick us up and return us to Cusco. If we have time spare, you might like to ask your driver to stop in the Pisaq village or Awanacancha, where you can pet camelids and learn about the region's weaving traditions.
total distance walked 4km, mostly downhill.
Itinerary Notes - Huchuy Qosqo 2 day Adventure trek
- The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group. Each guide has their own preferred route and it might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
- Remember that no trek in the Andes is easy - you still should be fit and prepared to hike in difficult conditions.
Practical Information
What's included?
For complete facts about many aspects of Apus Peru tours, check out our FAQs page!
- Pre trek briefing
- Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
- Transport from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek in private car
- Entry fee to Huchuy Qosqo
- English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 6 people).
- Tents - 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks.
- Basic foam mattress. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can hire you an inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest)
- Cook and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
- Toilet tent
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes). Salads, if served, are washed in boiled water.
- Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items and sleeping bag (up to 7 kg/15lbs per person).
- 1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower
- Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
- Tents for our staff to sleep in
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
- Private transport from Lamay to Cusco
- Lunch on the last day is included in this itinerary.
What is not included?
- Breakfast on the first morning.
- Dinner on the last night.
- Sleeping bags - If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.
- Tips for the guide, cook and porters
- Additional horses for passengers luggage.
You should bring:
- A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek - prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco .
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
- Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
- It gets hot in the Apurimac canyon, you should also be prepared for hot conditions on this trek.
- Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
- Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
- Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
- Sun block
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - although no malaria risk has been reported
- Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
- Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
- We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
- Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
- Small towel or sarong
- Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs )
- Cash - sufficient for tips and souvenirs, or any drinks or snacks you might want to buy along the way.
- Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.
- Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)
- Binoculars (if you have them)
optional extras
We can hire the following to you.
- Extra mule to carry YOUR things - $10.00 per trip day
- Extra riding mule and muleteer to lead it - $18 per trip day
- Sleeping Bag suitable for – 10deg $4.00 per trip day
- Deluxe Sleeping Bag suitable for -15deg. $5.00 per trip day)
- Walking stick lightweight aluminum ($2.00 per day, per stick) Two sticks are recommended for tough hikes.
- Thermarest inflatable mattress - $4 per trip day
- Inflatable pillow - $2 per trip day
- Comforting Camping trek upgrade $40.00 per trip day
- Single tent supplement (ie you don’t want to share a tent) $25.00 per person
HIRE POLICY:
- When calculating costs for hire of walking stick, sleeping bag, calculate using the length of the tour. Even though you won’t use the equipment on the final day it will still be ‘on the road’ and ‘occupied.’
- If you hire equipment and break it – you are responsible for price of replacement /or repair. (please do the right thing!)
AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS (these discounts are not cumulative)
- 5% discount on treks only for members of South American Explorers Club (SAE)
- Students: US$ 30.00 (students require a valid International Student Identity Card. Please beware that Youth Travel Cards are not valid)
- Teenagers: US$ 20.00 (up to 15 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
- Children: US$ 45.00 (up to 10 years of age, passport copy required for all bookings)
TO MAKE A BOOKING
Please visit our Make a Booking page.
You will need to email us to check availability, receive booking forms and then make your deposit. For our payment conditions and booking please refer to our Make a Booking page.
* For organisational reasons, we require one week to organise your booking, prior to departure.
