Salkantay Trek + Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 7 Days
From the glaciers of Salkantay to the Sun Gate, on the Inca Trail
fromUS$1,149
Demanding
Trekking & Hiking
Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 Days from Cusco
Sacred ValleyCusco
- Duration
- 2 days
- Physical level
- Challenging
- Max. altitude
- 4,230 m
- Group size
- Private
- Accommodation
- 1 night camping
- From
- Price on request
Four Andean passes, a night camping at Pukamarca and "Little Cusco" above the Sacred Valley
A private 2-day trek from Tambomachay, over four passes up to 4,230 m, past lakes and Inca remains, to Huchuy Qosqo, the royal estate of the Inca Viracocha above the Sacred Valley. Camping, meals, porters, guide, sleeping bag and transport included.
Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological site 50 km north of Cusco, at 3,600 m (11,808 ft). Its Quechua name means "Little Cusco". It is said to have been built and occupied between 1000 and 1400 and, according to Spanish chronicles, it belonged to the eighth Inca ruler, Viracocha (c. 1400): a royal country estate modelled on the Inca capital, hence its name.
The site has buildings in adobe and stone: walls, terraces, an 800 m stone irrigation canal, water reservoirs and several qolqas, storehouses where the Incas kept dried meat, maize, potatoes, quinoa and beans, with a cooling system you can still appreciate today.
Huchuy Qosqo stands on a terrace above the town of Lamay, with phenomenal views of the Sacred Valley and of snow-capped peaks such as the perfectly triangular Verónica, San Juan, Chicón and Pitusiray. It is a stunning site, and one of the least visited.
About the trek
Our two-day route leaves from Cusco and slowly climbs to the Andean plateau between Cusco and the Sacred Valley to reach Huchuy Qosqo. Along the way it crosses smaller archaeological sites and picturesque canyons, with wildlife and spectacular views of the mountains — and of the Sacred Valley from Huchuy Qosqo itself.
Our experienced trekking guides enrich the hike with their knowledge of Inca history, archaeology, architecture, social structure, economy, politics, astronomy, traditions and beliefs. You sleep in a mobile camp.
Our insight
A fabulous route to feel what it is like to walk in the Andean countryside close to Cusco and the Sacred Valley: history, archaeology, nature, stunning views and lots of peace — you will hardly meet anyone on the way. The descent to Lamay is quite steep and can be tricky if you suffer from knee pain, so take your time and consider bringing walking sticks. A genuine hike just around the corner from Cusco, for a real taste of Peru.
Trek details
Difficulty: moderate to challenging. Departures: daily all year round, although March to December is recommended to avoid the heart of the rainy season. As a private service, the date and group size are up to you. Price per person depends on group size — the larger the group, the lower the price. Ask us for a quote with the trek, the number of people and your date.
- Huchuy Qosqo, the royal estate of the Inca Viracocha, above the Sacred Valley
- Four Andean passes, up to Rumicruz at 4,230 m
- Queullococha, Piuray and Qoricocha lakes and the Inca quarry of Huchuy Qosqo
- The León Punku canyon, with an Inca bridge and trail — and hardly anyone around
Huchuy Qosqo trek 2 days route map
← Swipe →© OpenStreetMap
01
Cusco – Tambomachay – Queullococha – Pukamarca
From Tambomachay over four passes up to 4,230 m, past lakes and an Inca quarry, to camp at Pukamarca.
Overnight: Pukamarca (camping)Lunch, dinner10 km · 5–6 h
Huchuy Qosqo trek 2 days itinerary
Pukamarca (camping)
Lunch, dinner10 km · 5–6 h4,230 mDay 1: Cusco – Tambomachay – Queullococha – Pukamarca
We pick you up early at your hotel or Airbnb, at 07:00, and drive to Tambomachay (3,800 m), an archaeological complex in the Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Park made up of ceremonial water fountains, thought to have been used in the rituals of a water cult. The hike starts here. We walk through puna landscapes and over the Sicllaccasa pass (4,020 m / 13,186 ft). Down the other side, a path leads to the Ccauca ravine, with archaeological remains, wild crops such as tarwi and lots of cacti. We continue to the Queullococha pass (4,185 m / 13,727 ft), with views of the lake of the same name, surrounded by the snow-capped Verónica, Pitusiray, Chicón and San Juan. We walk past Queullococha Lake, where you may see huallatas (Andean geese), ducks and small fish, and climb to the Challu Challu pass (4,220 m / 13,842 ft), with views of the Chinchero plains and the Piuray and Qoricocha lakes. Then up to the fourth pass, Rumicruz (4,230 m / 13,874 ft), with a panoramic view of Qoricocha and the snow-capped Vilcanota range. Here we rest and have lunch. We go on to the Inca quarry (4,220 m / 13,842 ft), where the stones to build Huchuy Qosqo were cut, and finally walk down to the community of Pukamarca (4,010 m / 13,153 ft), arriving in the late afternoon. Dinner and night at camp. Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles) · Hiking time: 5–6 hours · Highest point: 4,230 m (13,874 ft) · Campsite: 4,010 m (13,153 ft).
Sacred Valley
Breakfast, lunch6 km · 4 h3,600 mDay 2: Pukamarca – Huchuy Qosqo – Lamay – Cusco
We leave camp around 08:00 and walk downhill to the León Punku ravine, with remains of an Inca bridge and trail. The canyon has geological formations of majestic rocks and boulders that lead the river to Huchuy Qosqo (3,600 m / 11,808 ft), where we arrive by mid-morning. Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca complex of imposing architecture with a large open ceremonial centre, with a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley, the Vilcanota River and the snow-capped range of the same name. Guided tour of the complex until lunchtime. After lunch we continue to Lamay (3,000 m / 9,840 ft), a town devoted to farming and cattle raising. Later in the afternoon our private transport drives us back to Cusco, arriving in the late evening. Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles) · Hiking time: 4 hours · Highest point: 3,600 m (11,808 ft).
Customize this journey
Change the pace, upgrade hotels, add days — this itinerary is yours to shape.
What's included
Included
- Pre-departure briefing
- Morning pick-up from your hotel and private transport to Tambomachay (start of the trail)
- Huchuy Qosqo entrance fee
- Tents: 2 people in each 4-person, 3-season tent, for more comfort and to keep your backpacks safe; well maintained to perform excellently in the field
- One inflatable sleeping pad, one sleeping bag (comfort -18 °C / 0 °F, mummy-shaped, with liner, cleaned after every use and retired after 30 trips) and one pillow per person
- Dining tent with tables and chairs, kitchen tent, and toilet tent with biodegradable facilities
- Professional, official tour guide in Spanish, English or Portuguese (2 guides for groups of more than 8 people)
- Chef and cooking equipment
- Porters for the tents, food and cooking equipment, and for your personal gear up to 9 kg per person (including sleeping bag and pad)
- Accommodation for all our staff
- Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner, plus a daily morning snack and tea service on day 1 (vegetarian or special menus at no extra cost)
- A cloth snack bag per person, to avoid plastic bags
- Filtered boiled water from lunch on day 1
- Biodegradable hand soap and dishwashing detergent
- Hot water every morning and evening for washing, and boiled water to fill your bottle every morning and night (and at lunch if requested in advance)
- First-aid kit with emergency oxygen
- Private transport from Lamay to your hotel in Cusco
- 24-hour guest service (ask for the emergency number during your stay)
Not included
- Breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day
- Tips (our team is well paid, so tip or not as you wish)
- Optional extra services: ask us (the porter for up to 9 kg, sleeping bag and sleeping pad are already included)
Before you go
Weather
Rainy season from November to April (heaviest rain usually January to March) and dry season from May to October, colder, with nights below 0 °C. On the hike it is 10–20 °C on sunny days, 5–10 °C when it is cloudy and below 5 °C at night at camp; milder in Lamay and the Sacred Valley.
Clothing
Hiking trousers and T-shirts, a sweater, a fleece and a jacket for cloudy or rainy weather and the evenings, a change of clothes for the whole trek, thermal clothing (especially for sleeping) and light rain gear in your daypack, as the weather changes easily and it can rain suddenly (poncho or jacket and rain trousers; plastic ponchos are sold in Cusco), plus a hat or cap for sun, rain and cold.
Footwear and poles
Strong footwear, ideally waterproof trekking boots, and sandals or trainers for camp. Walking sticks are optional but help on the steep descent to Lamay; they need rubber tips so they do not damage the archaeological sites.
Useful items
Headlamp and batteries, camera with spare batteries (they run down faster in the cold), sunblock, after-sun or moisturising cream, toilet paper and tissues, a small towel, a water bottle with water for the first morning, a copy of your passport and cash in soles and/or US dollars. Optional: water-purifying tablets if you plan to take water from streams; otherwise, the filtered boiled water we provide is safe to drink and has never caused health problems.
Snacks
We provide a daily morning snack and plenty of food, but if you are used to a particular snack (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, dried fruit, muesli), bring it: it may not be in our selection.
Huchuy Qosqo trek 2 days FAQs
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An Inca archaeological site 50 km north of Cusco, at 3,600 m. Its name means "Little Cusco": it was a royal estate of the Inca Viracocha, modelled on the capital, with terraces, an 800 m stone canal and storehouses. It is one of the least visited sites near Cusco.
Moderate to challenging: 10 km on day 1 over four passes up to 4,230 m, and 6 km on day 2, downhill. The descent to Lamay is steep and can be hard on the knees, so take your time and consider walking sticks.
In a mobile camp at Pukamarca (4,010 m): 2 people per 4-person tent, with sleeping pad, sleeping bag (-18 °C comfort) and pillow included. Nights are cold, below 5 °C.
No: porters carry the camp and up to 9 kg of your personal gear (including sleeping bag and pad). You only carry your daypack.
There are departures every day of the year, but March to December is recommended to avoid the heart of the rainy season.
It is a private service, so the price per person depends on group size: the larger the group, the lower the price. Ask us with the number of people and your date.
What our travelers say
- ★★★★★
“Fast, honest answers on WhatsApp before we booked and real support during the trip. When a train was delayed, everything was rearranged before we even noticed.”
Laura & James P., United KingdomPeru Essentials in Style - ★★★★★
“Walking the Inca Trail had been on my list for twenty years. The team handled the permits, the porters were incredible and arriving through the Sun Gate was pure emotion.”
Michael K., AustraliaClassic Inca TrailGoogle - ★★★★★
“Travelling with three kids could have been stressful, but the pace was just right. The llama trek and the chocolate workshop were the highlights for our children.”
The Harrison family, United StatesFamily Adventure in the AndesTripadvisor - ★★★★★
“The perfect honeymoon. The Hiram Bingham train, a private sunrise at Machu Picchu and three nights in the Amazon — Giovanni designed something that felt completely ours.”
Emma T., United KingdomRomantic Peru HoneymoonGoogle - ★★★★★
“Our guide on the Salkantay trek knew every plant, every story and exactly when we needed a break. Crossing the pass at sunrise is a memory we will keep forever.”
David & Claire R., CanadaSalkantay Trek to Machu PicchuTripadvisor - ★★★★★
“Every single detail was taken care of, from the airport pick-up in Lima to a quiet table overlooking the Sacred Valley. We never once had to think about logistics — we just enjoyed Peru.”
Sarah M., United StatesPeru Essentials in Style
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