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 from Cusco (Full Day)
Sacred ValleyCusco
- Duration
- 1 day
- Physical level
- Challenging
- Max. altitude
- 4,500 m
- Group size
- Private
- Accommodation
- No overnight
- From
- Price on request
A private hike over the Andes to "Little Cusco", above the Sacred Valley
A full-day private hike from near Chinchero: over a 4,500 m pass and down a restored Inca trail and a picturesque canyon to Huchuy Qosqo, an Inca royal estate with stunning views over the Sacred Valley. Transport, entrance, guide and boxed lunch included.
Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological site 50 km north of Cusco, at 3,600 m. 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
A full-day hike in the surroundings of Cusco: from near Chinchero, uphill to a mountain pass, past smaller archaeological sites, then down through a picturesque canyon to Huchuy Qosqo. Local flora and fauna all the way, and great views of the mountains and the Sacred Valley.
Our guides enrich the hike with their knowledge of Inca history, archaeology, architecture, social structure, economy, politics, astronomy, traditions and beliefs.
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.
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 number of people and your date.
- Huchuy Qosqo, the royal estate of the Inca Viracocha
- A 4,500 m pass with views of Piuray Lake
- A restored Inca trail and the León Punku canyon
- Panoramic views of the Sacred Valley and the Vilcanota range, with hardly anyone around
Huchuy Qosqo trek route map
← Swipe →© OpenStreetMap
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Cusco – Chinchero – Tauca – Huchuy Qosqo – Lamay – Cusco
Over a 4,500 m pass and down an Inca trail and a canyon to Huchuy Qosqo, above the Sacred Valley.
Boxed lunch15 km · 7–8 h
Huchuy Qosqo trek itinerary
Sacred Valley
Boxed lunch15 km · 7–8 h4,500 mDay 1: Cusco – Chinchero – Tauca – Huchuy Qosqo – Lamay – Cusco
We leave Cusco at 07:00 in private transport to Chinchero and on to Tauca, a small Andean community where the trek begins. We hike uphill through beautiful mountain scenery, with llamas, alpacas and views of Piuray Lake, to the only mountain pass of the route, at 4,500 m (2 hours). Then about an hour down a restored Inca trail to the small community of Pukamarca (4,010 m). From there we walk down into the León Punku ravine, with remains of an Inca bridge and trail, and geological formations of majestic rocks and boulders that lead the river to Huchuy Qosqo (3,600 m), where we arrive in the early afternoon. Guided tour of the archaeological complex and its large ceremonial plaza, with a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley, the Vilcanota river and the snow-capped range of the same name. Then on to Lamay (3,000 m), a farming and cattle-raising town, where our private transport takes us back to Cusco, arriving in the late evening. Distance: 15 km · Hiking time: 7–8 hours · Highest point: 4,500 m.
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 the start of the trek
- Huchuy Qosqo entrance fee
- Professional, official tour guide in Spanish, English or Portuguese (2 guides for groups of more than 8 people)
- Boxed lunch: vegetarian or special menus at no extra cost
- 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 and dinner
- Tips (optional: our team is well paid, so tip or not as you wish)
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 during the day, a little colder at the pass in bad weather, and milder in Lamay.
Clothing
Hiking trousers and T-shirts, a sweater and a fleece or warm jacket for cloudy weather and the drive back, light rain gear (poncho or jacket and rain trousers), an extra T-shirt to change after the hike and a hat or cap for sun, rain and cold.
Footwear and poles
Strong footwear, ideally waterproof trekking boots. Walking sticks are optional but help on the steep descent to Lamay; they need rubber tips so they do not damage the archaeological sites.
Your daypack
Camera, sunblock, toilet paper and tissues, water for the day, snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, dried fruit, muesli), a copy of your passport and cash in soles and/or US dollars.
Snacks
If you are used to a particular snack, bring it: it may not be in our selection.
Huchuy Qosqo trek FAQs
G
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: 15 km in 7–8 hours, with a pass at 4,500 m. The descent to Lamay is steep and can be hard on the knees, so take your time and consider walking sticks.
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.
Yes, a boxed lunch, with vegetarian or special menus at no extra cost. Breakfast and dinner are not included.
We plan a gradual ascent, starting in the lower Sacred Valley. Our guides carry oxygen, monitor how you feel and adjust the pace whenever needed.
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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