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Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 Days / 1 Night
The Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 days 1 night is one of the best two-day hikes in the Sacred Valley, offering a perfect mix of cultural immersion and natural beauty without the crowds. Ideal for travelers with limited time, this off-the-beaten-path experience takes you through remote Andean landscapes with stunning views of the Urubamba Mountain Range.
Along the way, you’ll explore the ancient Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo, known as the “Little Cusco,” where stone-built terraces and panoramic vistas reveal a hidden side of Peru’s Incan past.
Whether you’re looking for a short trek near Cusco, a unique alternative to the Inca Trail, or a peaceful escape into nature, the Huchuy Qosqo Trek delivers a memorable, high-altitude adventure that’s rich in history and authenticity.
Overview
The Huchuy Qosqo Trek offers a perfect blend of Andean landscapes, Inca ruins, and local culture—all in just two days. Ideal for travelers short on time or seeking a quieter alternative to the Inca Trail, this off-the-beaten-path hike is packed with breathtaking scenery and historical charm.
Remote Andean Trails – Hike through high-altitude plains, small villages, and stunning mountain passes.
Panoramic Views – Enjoy sweeping vistas of the Urubamba Mountain Range and the Sacred Valley.
Explore Huchuy Qosqo – Discover the impressive Inca ruins of the “Little Cusco,” perched above the valley.
Short & Accessible – A great option for acclimatizing or adding to a longer itinerary; no permit required.
The trek is relatively moderate in difficulty and provides an authentic experience with stunning views and historical exploration. It’s a perfect option for those seeking an adventure off the beaten path!
Itinerary
Itinerary
Pre-trek briefing:
You’ll have a briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before the Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 Days 1 Night. Your guide will meet you at your hotel to go over the details and give you a chance to ask any questions before the trek.
You will begin your journey with a drive from your hotel to the small village of Tauca (3750m), where the Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 Days 1 Night officially begins. The first part of the trek will be on level terrain, with the landscape showcasing typical Andean valleys rich in corn, potatoes, barley, quinoa, and other Andean tubers.
As you ascend towards the pass at 4050m, the landscape shifts to the high Andean savannah, or Puna, characterized by sparse vegetation, mostly the high-altitude grass known as ichu. The views of the Cordillera Vilcanota peaks—Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon, and San Juan—are simply spectacular.
After reaching the pass, you’ll begin your descent toward the Huchuy Qosqo plains. The path takes you along the Ccauca ravine, where you can spot archaeological remains, wild crops like tarwi, and an abundance of cacti. Continuing downhill towards the Leon Punku ravine, you’ll encounter remains of an Inca bridge and trail.
This canyon is known for its stunning geological formations, surrounded by majestic rocks and boulders, which channel the river toward Huchuy Qosqo (3650m). The site itself is an impressive Inca complex, featuring fine stonework, a large Kallanka (rectangular hall), residential and defensive quarters, and two-story buildings made of stone and adobe.
Perched on a plateau, Huchuy Qosqo offers commanding views of the Vilcabamba range, surrounded by Inca agricultural terraces. After exploring the site, you’ll descend to Lamay (2900m), where your transport will take you to Ollantaytambo. From there, you’ll continue by train to Aguas Calientes.
Meals: Lunch Box – Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Distance: 17 km / 10 ½ miles
Difficulty: Moderate.
Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
On the final day of your adventure, you’ll wake up early to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu. At 5:30 am, we will head directly to the line to catch the first buses to the site.
We will arrive at the entrance as the sky begins to brighten, then ascend to the top of Machu Picchu, soaking in the breathtaking views of the ancient city. On a clear morning, the sunrise over Machu Picchu is truly magnificent, making for an unforgettable moment.
Your guide will take you on a 2-3 hour tour, where you’ll explore highlights such as the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Palace, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Sun Dial. This will be an unforgettable experience.
If you’ve booked a hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you’ll need to coordinate with your guide based on your scheduled mountain entry time. For those not hiking the mountains, there are other optional activities you can enjoy (not included in the price).
In the afternoon, you’ll head to the Aguas Calientes train station for your return journey to Ollantaytambo. Once there, you’ll be transferred by car back to your hotel in Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast.
Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft.
Highest Elevation: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft.
Inclusions
What is included:
Professional tour guide who is fluent in English.
Private transport to Tauca on the first day of your trek.
Box Lunch for the first day.
Entrance fee to Huchuy Qosqo.
Private transport from Lamay to Ollantaytambo.
Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes round trip.
One night accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
Dinner at Ollantaytambo.
Breakfast on the second day in Aguas Calientes.
Round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu entrance fee.
Guided tour of Machu Picchu.
Bus transfer from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco.
Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 Days 1 Night is like any other high altitude trek, so it is essential to be well prepared. As it begins in the dead of night morning, consider to pack the following Items:
Original passport.
Travel insurance.
A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek.
Rain gear.
Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots are recommended specially for the wet season.
Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breathe once we arrive to the camp.
Warm clothes.
Headlamp or Flash light.
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold.
Sun block and Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET.
After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body.
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.
We recommend you getting your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require.
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.
Walking sticks or poles.
Prices
The Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 Days 1 Night is available to depart any day of the week, from March through January. Please note that we do not operate this itinerary in February due to the rainy season and necessary maintenance of the route.
Price: $389 per person
*** This tour requires a minimum of 2 participants to operate, with a maximum group size of 8 to ensure a more personalized and enjoyable experience.
Discounts:
18 to 25 years old: $25 USD Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card is required at booking for government approval for discount.
Under 18 years old: $25 USD Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Under 11 years old: $30 USD Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Optional Extras (Need to Book in Advance):
Machu Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance).
Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance).
Upgrades:
Hotel Upgrades:
Inka terra (5 star hotel) – US $480 per person per night (double occupancy).
Hotel el Mapi (4 star hotel) – US $145 per person per night (double occupancy).
Santuario Hotel (3+ star hotel) – US $65 per person per night (double occupancy).
Train Upgrades:
Vistadome train -US $65 for trip from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Hiram Bingham train (deluxe) -US $585 for trip from Aguas Calientes to Poroy
Rentals:
Hiking poles – US$15.00
Terms & Conditions
By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with Cusco Journeys, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Booking:
Your booking is confirmed and a contract exists when the Tour Operator or your travel agent issues a written confirmation after receipt of the applicable deposit amount. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to the Tour Operator or authorized agent immediately. Please ensure that names are exactly as stated in the relevant passport.
You will pay a deposit which is completely non-refundable in any situation. There are no exceptions.
You will be required to show the original passport (not a copy) that you booked with, at the checkpoint to enter the Inca Trail. If you originally booked with an old passport and then renewed your passport, you must also bring your expired passport along with your new, valid passport to permit entry or they will refuse your entrance to the trail.
The only acceptable ID to receive a Student Discount is your University Card with a clear expiration date that must be the same year as trek. IDs with expiry dates the following year, even though clearly valid, will not be accepted by the Peruvian government. You must submit a copy of this card at time of booking.
Cancellations:
Cancellations: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 40% is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing (we do not accept medical notes of any kind) as our out of pocket expenses are non-refundable to us.. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
ONCE BOOKED, DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. CHART BELOW OUTLINES WHAT FURTHER FEES WILL BE DUE.
Cancellation By
Terms
91 days or more before departure
we will retain 50% of your deposit.
90 – 30 days before departure
we will retain 75% of the total tour cost.
29 – 0 days before departure
we will retain 100% of the total tour cost.
Inca Trail Tours:
Permits: Permits for the Inca Trail are in your name and can not be transferred to anyone else under any circumstances. Change of dates is also not possible once a permit has been purchased. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit will be forfeited. Please note that this is a regulation of the Peruvian government and not Cusco Journeys (or any agency).
In extreme cases when the “Inca Trail to Machu Picchu” is declared closed for safety reasons, Cusco Journeys will replace your trek with an alternative trek.
Those who booked PERMITS with a Student ID must bring that ID with them on the trek. If they fail to show this card to the Park Rangers, they will not be allowed entry onto the trail.
Medical Information:
You must advise Cusco Journeys of any medical problems or allergies you may have. You need to be in good physical health, and if your health is questionable, then you should consult a doctor. If you are over the age of 70 years old, then you will need to present us with a current good health medical certificate.
You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. The Tour Operator does not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements.
Cusco Journeys reserves the right to deny you permission to travel or participate in any aspect of a Tour at any time and at your own risk and expense where the Tour Operator determines that your physical or mental condition renders you unfit for travel or you represent a danger to yourself or others.
Pregnancy is considered a medical condition and must be disclosed to the Tour Operator at the time of booking. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry pregnant women over 24 weeks. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry anyone with certain medical conditions if reasonable accommodation or alternatives cannot be arranged.
It is strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect you in case of medical emergency or any tour cancellations.
Tours and Treks:
All balances need to be paid in either cash, Western Union, Transfer Bank or PayPal (in full) prior to the briefing which will be held the night before your tour. Visa incurs a 5% service fee and if you need to use another card, it must be through PayPal which incurs a 5.5% service fee. You must advise your guide if you wish to leave the group or the camping area for independent walks or sightseeing. If you are experiencing any problems with the services of the guide or tour, please advise the guide in that moment, so that he can resolve any problems.
All Adventure Treks include transportation to Cusco. The return train route depends on train availability.
If you become ill or injured on the trail and are unable to continue, a porter will be provided to accompany you back to an area with emergency assistance capabilities. Helicopter air lifts and medical assistance are at the expense of the trekker. If you are unable to complete the tour due to illness, we will assist you in meeting your group at Machu Picchu to recommence your tour at that point. There will be no refund of the original payment. However, we will prepare a document to certify illness which can be presented for your travel insurance.
Cusco Journeys will take all reasonable care in providing to our clients avoidance of accident, illness, and loss of personal property, and will only employ suitably qualified staff. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Cusco Journeys cannot, however, be responsible for any action of third parties. You are totally responsible for your own personal property and rented equipment.
Cusco Journeys does not take responsibility for unfavorable weather conditions, natural catastrophe, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal ítems, etc. It is the client’s responsibility to carry insurance to cover these types of events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the unforeseen conditions listed above.
Cusco Journeys may modify your itinerary where reasonably required in its sole discretion.
Group tours might be as large as 16 participants. Groups are open to everyone no matter skill or age. By accepting a Group Tour you acknowledge that others might change the speed and timing of the tour.
All tours are done in English.
Delays:
Any costs, whether direct or incidental, incurred by the Customer as the result of delays caused by bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, sickness, government intervention or other contingencies which are beyond the control of southern explorations will not be reimbursed.
Thank you so much for choosing Cusco Journeys!!!
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