Huchuy Qosqo Trek

Day 1: Cusco – Golden Lake – Quencco.

We pick you up from your hotel at 6.00am by car and take you to the Inca site called Puca Pucara (3700msnm) which is only 20 minutes from the city of Cusco. We begin hiking gently uphill for 1.5 hours to get to the first pass (4100 msnm) from where we have a spectacular views of two valleys. To your right you will see the capital of the incas, Cusco, with stunning mountains surrounding it.
Your guide will tell you about how and where the Incas arrived to this area and also about the conquest of the Spaniards. There are two Inca sites at the bottom of the valley and on your left, there is a beautiful landscape of grass-covered mountains and farmlands. From the pass we follow the side of the valley along making our way towards the top of the valley so as to cross to the other side.
It´s about a 45 minute walk to the top end of the valley, once we get there we´ll cross a small stream that divides the valley and then begin making our way up to our lunchspot at Queullacocha Lake. The scenery at the lake is quite barren, this whole area is a high plain between the mountains and is covered with a tough Andean grass called Ichu. In this area it is possible to see a wide variety of birdlife such as Andean Geese, Lapwings, Partridges and a variety of birds of prey.
After our lunch we´ll carry on to our campsite for the night at the village of Quencco. Making our way over the top of one of the ridges we´ll descend towards Qoricocha Lake (Golden Lake) and loop around it. It´s about a 2 and a half hour walk to the village where we´ll be greeted by groups of children and adults, happy to meet and welcome us to their community.
After we´ve settled in and had a steaming cup of coca tea we´ll visit one of the local families to learn about their way of life, if you have brought any gifts with you then you hand them over to the family now. After visiting the family we’ll have some free time to relax and your guide will talk you more about the Andean way of life. If you are interested in taking home gifts or souvenirs of the Andes, there is a good opportunity to find them here.
Distance walked: 14 km

Day 2: Quencco – Huchuyqosqo – Lamay – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.

You will be awoken with a hot coca tea and when you are ready we will enjoy a tasty breakfast. From Quencco we begin our walk to the Inca site of Huchuy Qosco. It´s about 2 hours walking before we reach a stretch of original Inca trail, just below the village of Pumamarca. Along the way we´ll pass by many local people caring for their llamas, this is one of the main industries of the people at this altitude as the terrain is perfect for it. Once we reach the Inca Trail the scenery really changes going from the high mountain top to a secluded valley. This valley is beautiful and is full of lush vegetation, there are many small birds that can be seen including a variety of hummingbirds that feed off the many flowers that grow here. As we make our way down the valley we will be able to see snow capped mountains above us and the famous Urubamba mountain range. There will be ample time to take advantage of the many picturesque photos on offer.
Little by little we will be making our way towards the main site, as we approach we´ll pass through an adobe Inca gate way and finally arrive to the magnificent Inca site of HUCHUYQOSQO (Little Cusco 3,600msnm) which is perched above one of the sacred valley of the incas. Here, you will see amazing Inca buildings like religious houses, store houses, Inca terraces for agriculture and an Inca reservoir used to deposit water in the dry season. Your guide will take you on a tour of the site and is an expert in the history of the Incas, so he will explain and talk you about everything. Afterwards you will have time to explore the site by yourself before we have lunch. From here we will begin our walk downhill to the Sacred Valley, it takes about 2 hours to get to the village of Lamay (2,800msnm) on the Urubamba River where the bus will be waiting to take us to Ollantaytambo. We will have dinner in a restauraunt here before taking the 7:00pm train with your guide to Aguas Calientes. We will get set up in our hotel and be able to rest, hot showers are available.
Walking distance: 7 km.

Day 3: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Cusco.

Reaching Machu Picchu is the most important part of our trip and we will give you the option of how you want to arrive to this sacred site. You can either walk up the stairs for 1hr 20 minutes at 4.00am or you can take the first bus at 5.30 am, which takes 25 minutes. We need to wake up early in order to arrive early to Machu Picchu to see the sunrise over this beautiful place (weather allowing) and once we enter you will have a guided tour around the area for 2 hours. Then you will be free with the options of climbing huaynapicchu if you choose (this is a separate entrance ticket and costs $25 per person) or the Sun Gate. Both have breathtaking views but make sure there is plenty of time to explore machupicchu. After you have taken in all of Macchupicchu, you will return to Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch with your guide. Then board the afternoon train (usually at 3.pm) to Ollantaytambo where you will board a bus and return to Cusco at approximately 6.30pm.

What is included:

• Hotel pick up. Private transportation to the beginning of the trail (The Inca site Puca Pucara)
• Professional Bilingual tour guide
• 4 man tent per 2 people (very comfortable)
• Foam mattress for sleeping
• Pillows
• Buffet meals and snacks
• Boiled drinking water
• Extra water for washing purposes and hot water in your bottle to sleep
• A chef and porters to look after you
• Entrance fee to Macchu Picchu
• Entrance fee to HUCHUY QOSQO Inca site
• Bus transportation from Lamay to Ollantaytambo
• Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
• Tourist train from Aguas calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Round trip bus ticket Machu Picchu)
• Transfer back to Cusco
• Hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes

What is not included:

• Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us)
• Walking stick (Can be hired from us)
• Lunch and dinner on Day 4
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain
• Entrance to Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes 10 soles
• Tips
• Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

What you need to bring:

• Original Passport
• ISIC card (if applies)
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
• Warm jacket
• Hat and gloves
• T-shirts
• Comfortable Trousers
• Sun hat
• Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
• Insect repellant
• Toiletries and hand sanitiser
• Personal medication
• Camera and film cam
• Torch with spare batteries
• Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

Why choose Peru Wonder Travel?

– Since 2004 in the Tourism Industry, our goal is just to do our best to meet your expectations with an excellent service to every person and are constantly looking for ways we can improve to make your trip of a lifetime. PERU WONDER TRAVEL do a sustainable tourism in Cusco, we feel that it’s our responsibility to keep Perú pristine and beautiful for all the future generations to come. On all our treks we do everything we can to ensure we leave as little impact as possible. In PERU WONDER TRAVEL you will find reliable, friendly and professional people ready to organize Custom Perú Trip Packages, Honeymoon trips and Family tours with Kids. Just choose from one of the Treks and Tours that we have carefully put together for you or get creative and mix and match our tours and extensions to design an a la carte package to accommodate your personal needs.

Do I need to be fit to do one of your treks?

– All of our treks are moderately difficult, long and mountainous. We highly recommend that you are relatively fit and acclimatised (a minimum of 2 days at altitude) before undertaking them. During the months (or at the very least, one month) before your trip, you should take regular, moderate exercise. We want you to have an amazing experience and the fitter you are, the more enjoyable will be the trek. People of all ages (from kids, teenagers to pensioners) complete the trek and age itself is no barrier if you are positive minded and live an active lifestyle. Before departing for your tour, we recommend visiting your doctor who will be able to provide you with more information.

What is the train time on Day 2 from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes?

– On the third day we will take train to Aguas Calientes from Ollantayatambo. Most of the time we will take the evening train which is at 7.00pm but sometimes there is not availability so we will take the 3.36 pm train. If you are taking 7.00 pm train you will have dinner at Ollantaytambo but if you are taking 3.36 pm train you will have dinner at Aguas Calientes town.

What is the Train return to Cusco?

– The return train is the Expedition train which departs either at 2.55, 4.20, 4.42 or 6.40 pm. The train that is booked depends of the availabilty and is confirmed at your briefing. There is an option to upgrade the train to the Vistadome which is an extra $65 per person. Please let us know your preference at the time of booking. None of the trains go straight to Cusco, they only run either to Ollantaytambo or Poroy but in either case we will transfer you back by bus to your hotel.

How is the food on the Trek?

– Definitely one of the highlights of the tour is the food. It is always fresh and most of it is organic. There is always a lot to eat and lots of options including vegetables, meat, chicken, fish and other types of protein and carbohydrates. Everyone sits down to eat together and we go out of our way to accomodate all dietary requirements including vegetarian options and any food allergies. We do not provide any alcoholic drinks on the trek but if you would like you can bring your own.

How is the camping equipment?

– We provide 4 man tents for only 2 people and foam mattresses for everyone. Our dining equipment includes a spacious dining tent, tables and chairs, plates and utensils. We do not supply sleeping bags, air mattresses or walking sticks, but all can be rented at the office here in Cusco.
Please note that if you are over 1.95 meters / 6´4″ tall then you won´t be able to rent a sleeping bag in Cusco. In this case it is recommended to bring your own.

How will be our Guide, Cook?

– All of them are amazing, helpful, caring, and great people to be around with. Our guides speak good English and are patient and very professional. They speak spanish and quechua too, the Inca Language, they are all able to communicate with natives from around the area and of course they will have lots of history to share with you.
– Our cooks provide amazing family style food for you and everyone is impressed with what they can whip up in the middle of the mountains.

Will there be porters or horses on this trek?

– On this trek we provide horses to carry the camping equipment and food, but there will be one cook and his assistant, two horses men and one porter who is cleaning the trail from what other hikers throw away as they go.
– We make sure that all our team are well looked after and we provide all the equipment that they need so that they can do the trek in as much comfort as possible.

How can we book Huaynapicchu Mountain tickets?

-If you are thinking of climbing Huaynapicchu mountain you must book at the same time as your Lares trek. Only 400 people can hike Huaynapicchu per day so you will climb it on your own after the tour in Machu Picchu around 10:00am.

Where will we store our main luggage during the trek?

– You can either store your luggage at your hotel or you can leave it with us. You will receive a small duffle bag at your Inca Trail briefing (briefings are normally set for the evening before you start the trek) to pack clothes for 3-4 days. Your team of porters will carry these bags together with the food and equipment for the trail. Please note that you will not have access to these items until the end of each day as the porters will always be ahead of the group, you should therefore bring a day pack in which you can carry personal belongings such as your camera, water and sunscreen etc. By Peruvian law the duffle bag carried by the porters must not weigh more than 7kg (14pounds). You can either store your luggage at your hotel or you can leave it with us.