1ST DAY: CUSCO – TAUCA – HUCHUY QOSQO – LAMAY – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES
You will be picked up from your hotel and take to the small town of Tauca (3750m). The start of this trek will be on level ground, and the landscape will be of the Andean valleys typically rich in corn, potatoes, barley, quinoa and other Andean tubers. As we ascend to Pucajasa pass at 4,393 meters above sea level, the landscape begins to change dramatically to the Andean high savanna or puna, with sparse vegetation, mainly “ichu” or high altitude herbs.
The views of the peaks of the Vilcanota mountains are spectaculary: Verónica, Pitusiray, Chicón and San Juan are covered in snow. A little past
Las vistas de los picos de la Cordillera de Vilcanota son espectaculares: Verónica, Pitusiray, Chicón y San Juan nevados. Shortly after the peak, we begin our descent to the plain of Huchuy Qosqo approximately 2 hours along a long road that leads to Ccauca, where we can appreciate the archeological remains and wild crops, with large amounts of cactus. This canyon is geological formation Huchuy Qosqo (“Small Cusco”), an Incan complex located at 3,650 meters above sea level.
It has very fine stonework in a great Kallanka (rectangular walls), some residential neighbourhoods, and defensive and other interesting two storey buildings in stone and adobe. Huchuy Qosqo is located on a plateau surrounded by agricultural terraces and commands magnificent views of the Vilcanota mountain range. Then we descend to the town of Lamay at 2,900 meters above sea level, where our transportation will be waiting to transport us to Ollantaytambo, passing through the towns of Calca, Yucay, and Urubamba. We will continue by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. Accommodation in the hotel.
2ND DAY: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO
After taking an early breakfast, we will board a bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu located at 2,450 meter above sea level, where we will take in a guided tour. Afterwards, we will have free time to visit this enigmatic place. In the afternoon, we will go down by bus to Aguas Calientes where we will have lunch, then take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our transportation will take you back to the city of Cusco.
LOCATION:
Huchuy Qosqo.- This archeological complex can be located above the Sacred Valley of the Incas after Pisac and Ollantaytambo and is the largest Incan archeological site in the valley.
Its construction is prior to Pisac and Ollantaytambo, since it was built as a part of the Inca Trail. When the Chancas and the Incas were rival cultures that threatened Cusco in 1438, the Incas abandoned the capital and took refuge in this palace, Huchuy Qosqo (Small Cusco).
During the Spanish conquest, Gonzalo Pizarro found a mummy at the site of Huchuy Qosqo and ordered it burned. The Incan descendants recovered the ashes and retained them in an urn that was discovered many years later.
Walking this Inca site gives you the opportunity to discover this wonderful place via two options for short hikes without difficulty. One will take you to the discovery of various archeological sites and typical villages of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and the other will take you to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu as an ending point before returning to Cusco.
OPTIONAL
AVAILABLE FOR RENT:
- Walking sticks $20.00 USD (pair) for the whole trip.
- Sleeping bag $35.00 USD
- Private tent $40.00 USD
Huayna Picchu: If you are interested in ascending to this famous mountain of Huayna Picchu, where you can see a beautiful view of the entire citadel of Machupicchu, there is an additional cost of $75.00 per person to be able to buy your entry ticket. These spaces are limited and you must confirm and thus be able to reserve your ticket of entry depending on the availability of spaces that the Ministry of Culture grants.
VistaDomeTrain: Our price includes a return train ticket in the expedition service, but if you want to improve your service to the Vistadome train the price is $55.00 USD per person.
LOCATION:
Huchuy Qosqo.- This archaeological complex is located on the Sacred Valley of the Incas after Pisac and Ollantaytambo, it is the largest Inca archaeological center of this Valley.
Its construction is prior to Pisac and Ollantaytambo, since it was built as part of an Inca Trail. When the Chancas, and the Incas were rival cultures that threatened Cusco in 1438, the Inca left the capital and took refuge in this Palace, Huchuy Qosqo (small Cusco).
During the Spanish conquest, Gonzalo Pizarro found an Inca mummy at the site of Huchuy Qosqo and ordered it burned. The descendants of the Incas recovered the ashes, and retained in an urn that was discovered in later years.
This Inca site can be reached on foot, we can give you the opportunity to discover this wonderful place that shows you two options of small walks without any difficulty. One will take you to the discovery of several archaeological sites and typical villages of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the other takes you to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu as the final point before returning to Cusco.
| ADVENTURE TRIP |
| Recommended for: |
Those people who want to experience their way of living together with the local Andean people and an excellent place to take some unforgettable photos of their trip.
NOT RECOMMENDED.- For people suffering from obesity and with poor physical conditions, as well as people suffering from respiratory arrest problems.
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| Activity: |
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| Location: |
Vilcanota mountain range Cusco |
| Difficulty level: |
Easy – Moderate depending on your physical level. |
| Max height: |
2 Days / 1 Night |
| Altura Max. |
4.737 m. / 14.557 feet |
| Acclimatization: |
To be able to perform it is necessary that you are well acclimatized so we recommend you not to have this altitude sickness to spend at least 2 days in the city of Cusco or surroundings before starting this incredible adventure. |
| About the spaces: |
In order to carry out this activity, it does not require permits, which we always have spaces but nevertheless it will be better to make the reservation months before to be able to secure the entrance tickets to the citadel of Machupicchu and the train tickets. |
| Distance: |
14 km / 09 miles |
| Weather: |
cold / warm tropical |
| Departures: |
All Year. – Except January-February (for rainy season and bad weather) |
| Overnight: |
Camp / Hotel Depending on its category). |
Times depend a lot on the train schedule you are given. You have to arrive at least half an hour before your train’s departure at the station. Rates are subject to any increase or readjustment as determined by the Ministry of Culture and PERU RAIL S. A (railway company).
What you should take:
Passengers should carry the following personal items:
Travel insurance, personal items, first aid kit, fever/ upset stomach/altitude sickness pills, water purifier, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, rain ponchos, canes, hiking boots, camera, cap for the sun and the cold, thermal clothes for in the night and light clothing for the day, money (at personal discretion) and original documents: Passport, DNI, and for students, their original ISIC card.
info@cuscoandesadventure.com 
988 700 702 / 950 367 076
