The Huchuy Qosqo Trek is an incredible journey to the lesser known Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo, located on a plateau that offers breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley and the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba mountain range.

The day begins with a drive to the small town of Corao, located about 30 minutes from Cuzco, before turning off the road and into the high Andes to reach the small village of Patabamba, at an altitude of 3848 MASL/12624 FASL, which is the starting point of the Huchuy Qosqo trail.

The trail will take you first to the small village of Sihua, and then to the Pukamarca pass (4150 MASL – 13615 FASL), which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Urubamba mountain range and the Sacred Valley. After reaching the top of the pass, there is a 2 km downhill hike (approximately 30 minutes) to the Pumamarka Community where you will have lunch.

After lunch, the hike will continue to the Puma Puncu canyon (“the puma’s door”), from where you will walk along an original Inca trail, restored as part of the Qapacñan project. This trail will take you to the isolated and intriguing Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo (“little Cusco”), located above the Sacred Valley of the Incas at 3600 MASL/11811 FASL. Here, your guide will take you through the site and show you all of its impressive Inca structures, including sacred temples, storehouses, Inca terraces for agriculture and the Inca reservoir used to store water during the dry season.

After the guided tour of the site, the hike will continue with a 2-hour descent to the village of Lamay (2800 meters) along the Urumbamba River in the Sacred Valley, where a bus will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.

Walking distance – 12 km / 7.46 miles
Starting point of the hike – 3848 meters ASL / 12624 feet ASL
Maximum altitude: 4150 meters ASL / 13615 feet ASL
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch (Plus Snack)
Adventure: Absolutely
Hiking Hours: 7 Hours

Physical Level

1, Easy