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Full itinerary & inclusions Old Peak & Small Cusco tour (Huchuy Qosqo trek and Machu Picchu extension)
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 Puma Marca - Huchuy Qosoqo - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
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. g we explore the ruins of Huchuy Cusco and ponder its role as "Small Cusco". From here it is three and a half hours stunning descent into the Sacred Valley. We will have a late lunch in the typical and untouristed village of Lamay.
total distance walked 4km, mostly downhill.
From here, we will take local transport to to Ollantaytambo, where you should have time to visit the ruins and explore this village which has a similar layout as in Inca times. We will take a late afternoon train, so we can arrive in Aguas Calientes in time to check into our basic hostal and then enjoy a celebratory dinner. Accomodation: Hostal, Aguas Calientes.
The story of this adventure is recounted at
On the Trail to Small Cusco
Day 3 Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Early in the morning (before dawn) we will take a bus up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. (Bus included in price) so that you can appreciate sunrise from the Watchman's Hut (or Inti Punku if you get up very early). You will then have a three hour guided tour of Machu Picchu with your guide. After your tour you can further explore the ruins by yourself or climb Huayna Picchu for that classic photo of Machu Picchu. (you need to purchase the entry separately). Also try to fit in a visit to the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. We highly recommend walking down from Machu Picchu to get a feeling for the vegetation and also the audacity of its builders. We return to Cusco in the afternoon by Backpacker train, arriving approximately 4 hours after we depart Aguas Calientes.
Itinerary Notes - Old Peak and Small Cusco (Huchuy Qosqo & Machu Picchu) 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.
- Considering an extra night in Aguas Calientes? (Please check out linked page) We can change the date of your train ticket to the following day. Hotels costs and costs associated with returning to Machu Picchu the following day are additional to trek costs. Please also note that your entry ticket to Machu Picchu is valid for one day only, if you wish to visit the ruins on a second consecutive day you will need to purchase the ticket again.
Aguas Calientes upgrade package (optional)
$$115 per person for treks that include visit to Machu Picchu.. This price doesn’t change depending on the number of people in the group. This package includes.
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 Machu Picchu (Huayna Picchu $10 extra)
- 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) for $4 per day.
- 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 (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
- Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
- Train ticket (Expedition service) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Train ticket (Vistadome service) from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- Celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes
- Lunch on the last day is included in this itinerary.
- 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes in a basic hotel. This will be a nice, clean and safe hostel with breakfast included and private bathroom. If you wish to upgrade from this hotel, please check out the options listed on our Aguas Calientes accommodation page.
What is not included?
- Breakfast on the first morning.
- Dinner on the last night.
- Entrance to the thermal springs
-
Huayna Picchu Entry $10 Extra. Please advise at time of booking as spaces are limited.
-
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.
- 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 your final lunch in Aguas Calientes, tips and souvenirs.
- 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 $45.00 per trip day
- Single tent supplement (ie you don’t want to share a tent) $25.00 per person
- Aguas Calientes Upgrade –comfortable 3star hotel, nicer restaurants and Vistadome train upgrade $115 per person
HIRE POLICY:
- When calculating costs for hire of walking stick, sleeping bag, calculate using the length of the tour. Even though you won’t use the equipment on the final day it will still be ‘on the road’ and ‘occupied.’
- If you hire equipment and break it – you are responsible for price of replacement /or repair. (please do the right thing!)
AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS (these discounts are not cumulative)
- 5% discount on treks only for members of South American Explorers Club (SAE)
- Students: US$ 20.00 (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.
