3 DAYS TREK HUCHUYQOSCO - C03TKHU-AL

Tour Highlights

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Tour Sumary: Day 1: Cusco – Tambomachay - Pumamarca. Day 2: Pumamarca - Huchuy Qosqo . - Day 3: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco.

Day 1: Cusco – Tambomachay - Pumamarca.

Early morning pick up from hotel at 7:30am and drive to Tambomachay (3800 m.), an archaeological complex situated in the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park. Tambomachay is comprised of a series of ceremonial water fountains, which are thought to have been dedicated to a water cult. The day’s hike will start at this point, and will continue through puna landscapes and over the Sicllaccasa pass at 4020m/13186ft. Down the other side, we hike along a path that leads to the Ccauca ravine, where we encounter archaeological remains and wild crops, such as tarwi, and a large quantity of cacti. We continue on to the Queullococha pass at 4185m/13727ft, where we may enjoy views of the lake with the same name. Surrounding the area in spectacular views stand the Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon and San Juan snow peaks. Continuing the path, we walk past the Queullococha Lake, where we may see huallatas, ducks and small fish, to then climb towards the Challu Challu pass at 4220m/13842ft. From this point, we observe the Chinchero planes and the Piuray and Qoricocha lagoons. We then ascend towards the fourth pass at Rumicruz at 4230m/13874ft and enjoy a panoramic view of the Qoricocha and the Vilcanota snow capped range. Here we rest and eat lunch. We then make our way to the Inca rock quarry at 4220m/13842ft, which was the place from where the rocks were extracted to build Huchuy Qosqo. Finally, we descend towards the Pucamarca community at 4010m/13153ft, where we arrive in the late afternoon. Here we dine and camp through the night.

Day 2: Pumamarca - Huchuy Qosqo -

We leave camp at around 8am and walk downhill towards the Leon Punku ravine, where we find remains of an Inca bridge and trail. This canyon boasts geological formations surrounded by majestic rocks and boulders that direct the river to Huchuy Qosqo at 3600m/11808ft, where we arrive by mid morning. Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological complex with imposing architecture that includes a large open ceremonial center, from which we enjoy a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley, the Vilcanota River, and the snow capped mountain range of the same name.

Descend to Lamay at 3000m/9840ft. Lamay is a town dedicated to agriculture and cattle raising. At 2pm transfer to Ollantaytambo to have lunch and visit the famous fortress located on the slope of the mountain. Late afternoon (5:15pm) we catch our train to Aguas Calientes and stay in comfortable hotel with private bath and hot shower.

Day 3: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco.

At 5:30am breakfast in the hotel and then transfer the bus station we will board the first bus to sanctuary of Machu Picchu (2400m). The guided visit will last three hours or more according your request. Then you'll have plenty of time to take photos of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, if you like to climb to Wayna Picchu requires minimum 2 hours up and down. At mentioned time we will go back to Aguas Calientes to have lunch and then train back to Cusco (4 hours).

DAY 01-Total distance: 12 km (7,47 miles)

Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours

Maximum altitude point: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)

Campsite altitude: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)

DAY 02.-Total distance: 11 km (6,84 miles)

Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours

Maximum altitude point: 4,200 m (13,776 ft)

Campsite altitude: 3,500 m (11,480 ft)

DAY 03.-Total distance: 16 km (9,94 miles)

Estimated walking time: 8 hours

Maximum altitude point: 3,900 m (12,792 ft)

Campsite altitude: 2,650 m (8,692 ft)

Huchuy Qosqo is an archeological site north of Cuzco, Peru. Its name is Quechua for "Little Cuzco." It lies at an elevation of 3600 meters (11,800 feet), above the 3000-meter high town of Lamay and the Sacred Valley. The site received its name in the Twentieth Century; previously it had been known as Kakya Qawani. Pedro de Cieza de León, in his Second Chronicle of Peru, claimed that the palaces were built by Viracocha, the Eighth Inca. Amongst a large number of buildings, some stone, some adobe, is a kallanka (great hall), 40m long. Providing water to the site is an Inca built irrigation channel, lined with stones for about 800m.

The site is inaccessible by public road. The two main access points by foot are from Lamay — 3 hours up a steep set of switchbacks — or from Tauca, Peru — about 3 hours, with a pass at 4400m, then mostly downhill, and visiting some other ruins. The 2 day route from Tauca to Lamay is described in Peter Frost's "Exploring the Cusco". A number of tour groups also lead two-day hikes or horseback trips to Huchuy Qosqo.