Huchuy Qosqo trekking to Machu Picchu 3 Day Trek. This trek is fantastic if you have only a few days or you are looking for a suitable trek for your family, but who would still like to do a bit of trekking before they see Machu Picchu with fantastic views of mountains and the Andes.
It is the lowest in altitude (4150 meters) of the 3 alternative treks and also the shortest in distance (17 kilometers) but still sees some great examples of Inca Stairs and other Inca ruins along the way. As there are only 2 days of trekking, you will only camp for one night and then sleep in a hotel on the next night.
This trek is ideal for those passengers who really want to be far in the middle of nowhere with only nature surrounding them as they camp in an area that is scarcely seen by tourists. Huchuy Qosqo (small Cusco) is situated above the Valley of Urubamba and offers very spectacular views over the mountain range Cordillera de Vilcanota.
This trek is also a great way for you to enjoy a shorter trek that still includes Machu Picchu and Inca trails (with Inca stairs that are better than the Inca Trail). You will have one night of camping in the wilderness and then the very next night will be spent in our hotel at Aguas Calientes.
“GET UP. GO. EXPLORE.”
ALL DEPARTURES 100% GUARANTEED - IF YOU'RE BOOKED, YOU'RE GOING
BRIEFING: The day before the trek you will meet with your trekking guide at our EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU office and meet all the members of your group. Your guide will explain to you about the trek, route and all the necessary recommendations will provided. This will take approximately 40 minutes, where you will receive your duffel bags to be carried by the porters along the trail.
OVERVIEW
Day 1: Cusco – Patabamba – Pumamarca- Huchuy Qosqo
![]()
6:00am pickup from the hotel and transfer to patabamba, the starting point of the trek- Day hike to Pumamarca including climbing 2 mountain passes and a lunch stop along the way
- Overnight camping in Pumamarca
- Meals: Lunch Dinner
Accommodation :Camping 4010 masl
Maximum Altitude: 4150masl
Minimum Altitude: 3700masl
Distance Travelled: 14 km
Approximate Walking Time: 6-7 hours
6:00am pickup from the hotel and transfer to patabamba, the starting point of the trekDay 2: Huchuy Qosqo – Taucca – Chincheros – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
![]()
We leave the campsite at 7:00am and continue to Huchuy Qosqo- After a guided tour of Huchuy Qosqo, we continue to Taucca Pass, then stop for lunch
- After lunch, we will be transferred to Chincheros then to Ollantaytambo to catch an afternoon train to Aguas Calientes
- Meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Aguas Calientes or choose an upgrade option from recommendations below
Maximum Altitude: 4450masl
Minimum Altitude: 3900masl
Distance Travelled: 12 kms
Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours
We leave the campsite at 7:00am and continue to Huchuy QosqoDay 3: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
- Early breakfast at hotel
- Bus up to Machu Picchu (30 minutes)
- Tour in Machu Picchu
- Climb to Huayna Picchu (advanced booking required)
- Afternoon train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy
- Transfer from train station to Cusco hotel
- End of the service
ITINERARY
Day 1: Cusco – Patabamba – Pumamarca- Huchuy Qosqo
We pick you up at your hotel at 6:00am and take a private vehicle for 1 hour to patabamba located at 3800 masl. (for our mid-day we have an 8 km moderate walk with a gradual climb of 450 meters, 4-5 hrs until the lunch place) We start our hike walking at the ancient Inca Trail used by Quechua people to connect the Sacred Valley, Pisac and probably to Machupicchu at the XV century. From this point you can observe panoramic views of Cusco traditional neighborhoods as Santa Ana, Santiago, Puquin ,the Valley of Qorao, at this high Andean level we observe llamas and alpacas eating the Andean grass named Ichu, small cactus and some bromelias bushes locally known as Puyas. At the left side on the path we can see ancient Incas terraces usedby farmers. Then we descend along the trail, you will see a beautifully green valleys stretching out as far as the eye can see, the trail takes us up over the second pass (4300 meters) and into high open country. where we descend for 20 minutes to find our lunch spot, free time to rest. After lunch we continue another 300 meter to climb in 3 Hrs walk in a normal pace to reach to huchuy qosqo. Here, our staff set up camp and enjoy our supper underneath the great starry sky.
Day 2: Huchuy Qosqo – Taucca – Chincheros – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Early wake up at 6:00 am, after breakfast we leave our campsite at 07:00 am (1 hour to walk to the Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo). A soft walk to the end of the valley and we walk through a narrow canyon to see a recently restored trail with wooden bridges and some steps, a lot of of native trees and bushes, panoramic views of Lamay Valley and Calca, the sacred river of the Incas, Willcamayo. Recently restored by archaeologists, located at 3450 mals from this point it is clear to see many beautiful mountains as Chicon, Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Waccaywilca and Veronica ancient Apus so respected and venerated by the locals which most of them are Incas - Quechuas descendents. We have a guided tour for 1.5 hours to visit and explore this interesting Inca complex. Huchuy Qosqo was originally an administrative and military center as Pisaq, with many constructions around, Inca buildings with perfect fine stones work, graneries structures called Collcas to store and preserve food, because it was an important agricultural center to produce corn. By 10:00 am we continue our hike for nearly 3-hours of gradually climb to Taucca Pass 4400 masl. After reaching the top we start our last gentle descend for 1 hour until our lunch place from here it is possible also to see the Piuray Lake. After lunch our private vehicle will transport us to Chincheros then to Ollantaytambo. At 4:30 pm we board our train to Aguas Calientes. Two hours of spectacular train ride with amazing views at both sides of the valleys with impressive snow capped mountains, several Inca constructions and the Urubamba river near the tracks can be seen from your windows. After we arrive in Aguas Calientes our guide will take you to our hotel where you are set for the night. You are free to go to the hot springs to relax and heal your muscles. At dinner time your guide will inform you all details about our plans for next the morning to see Machupicchu and optimize your visit at this wonderful and marvel place found in 1911.
Day 3: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
After an early-morning breakfast at 5:00 am, we will take the first bus to Machu Picchu, go very early to the Citadel among the first visitors, before the other tourists arrive from classic Inca trail and tourists arriving by train, our visit will be without many people and enjoy the magic and the beauty of its buildings, its landscape surrounded by mountains, valleys, rivers, a magical landscape, etc. The guided tour will be around 2 hours covering the most important places, then you will have a free time to explore around the citadel or have the opportunity to climb the Huayna Picchu. Catch the bus back to Aguas calientes to board the afternoon train back to Cusco.
INCLUDED
With Huchuy Qosqo trek package you will receive:
Cultural Immersion Experience
- Visit to Patabamba village
- Home stay at the community
- Explore the community with your guide and share the day in the lives of QUECHUAS.
Transportation and tickets
- Private transportation from Cusco to trailahead
- Round trip bus tickets Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
- Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
- Transfer from Cusco train station back to your Cusco hotel
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Entrance tickets to HUAYNA PICCHU
- 2-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
Equipment
- Sleeping mat
- Dining & bathroom equipment
- Tents for two people (single tents available for extra cost)
- Saddled horse (1 saddled horse for every six passengers)
- First-aid kit
- Tables and seats
- Emergency oxygen bottle
Team
- Professional, knowledgeable bilingual guide
- A cook to prepare your meals
- Mule handlers and mules
Food
- High quality meals to provide the necessary energy for this challenging trek (including vegetarian options upon request)
- In addition to three meals daily, you will be given revitalizing snacks
- Hot drinks such as tea and coffee, as well as enough water for your canteens, water bottles, or hydration packs (collected from local streams and boiled while on the trek)
Not Included
- Sleeping bag
- Breakfast on the first day
- Lunch on the last day
- Tips
PRICE
Price per Person: US$530 (Minimum 2 persons; departures all year )
* We include duffle bags 8kls and a horse that will carry your personal belongings in all of our treks at no additional cost.
* We include First aid kit/Emergency Portable Oxygen Tank.
Discounts
- Student Discount (with valid ISIC card) – $10
- Under 15 Discount – $10
- Under 7 Discount – $10
Rentals
- Black Diamond Hiking Poles – US$ 5 (pair)
- Sleeping bag – 4 season – US$ 5
- Private Tent – US$10
- Air mattress – US$ 5
Upgrades
Train upgrade to Vistadome: US$50 one way (departing from Aguas Calientes). Train will be according to availability and Peru Rail schedules, if train route ends at Ollantaytambo, we will be there waiting for you in order to go to Cusco City. (Our service ends once you are at your accommodation at Cusco City)
CANCELLATION:
1. Because of the strict regulations of the Machu Picchu Park, once you have made your reservation, you cannot cancel the space that you have reserved. You also may not alter the name or date of the reservation. If you are unable to come on the date you have reserved, we cannot reimburse you.
2. The $200 deposit is non-refundable. We cannot reimburse the entrance fee to the Inca Trail because the permits are non-refundable and EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU purchases the tickets from Machu Picchu Park when you reserve your spot.
3. If you cancel between 30 and 10 days before your trek, you must pay 50% of the total cost.
4. If you cancel between 10 and 3 days before your trek, you must pay 80% of the total cost.
5. If you cancel one or two days before your trek, you must pay 100% of the total cost.
6. In the exceptional case that you decide to head back once you have started the trail, you must pay extra expenses such as food and transportation. You may join the group in Machu Picchu for the walking tour and use all of the services onward.
whyEXPLORE
Cultural Immersion Experience
Travel is about meeting the local people and experiencing different ways of life. That is why EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU immerses you in the local communities. Visit the most interesting and off the beaten track locations to experience the real Peru! Have a unique cultural adventure at local communities, COMMUNITY STAY and CULTURAL IMMERSION before each trek and take part of our tours.
We are a 100% locally owned and operated company!
EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU offers an assortment of adventurous treks and exciting tour packages in Peru, specially designed to appeal to most visitors' budgets that doesn't have a negative impact on the environment or adversely affect local communities. EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU employees are local, Peruvian people. We work to invest in our own country and develop social work to offer our people a better lifestyle and provide opportunities to keep growing. This is the main difference between local companies and foreign companies and associated companies.
Our Group Services have a maximum group size of 8
Most tour operators work with a maximum of 16 on the Inca Trail, since this is authorized by law, or even higher on other trekking routes.
We treat our staff
Including chefs, porters and wranglers with the utmost respect and fairness. EXPLORE ADVENTURES not only complies with the Porter Law and Regulation, but our wages are over the minimum requested by law and above the average pay by most tour operators.
We have expert Top Tour Guides
For special requests (ornithology, history and archaeology, flora and fauna and also generalist guides). All our guides have been trained in advanced first aid by certified doctors in Peru. On all of our treks, not only on the Inca Trail, there will be a guide for every 8 guests. The head guide will ensure the utmost safety to our guests by providing them undivided attention.
We use innovative equipment
Such as an igloo, waterproof, spacious tents, camping equipment specialized for high mountain treks, such as Vaude, Eureka and Doite tents. Each tent has a capacity for 3 people, but are used only for 2 people.
We have one of the most outstanding meal services in the field
Our chefs have been highly trained by several institutes in Lima and Cusco. You should be prepared to not only have a superb trekking experience, but also a culinary one, including generous and delicious breakfasts, snacks, lunches, tea services and dinners. Our delectable menus include a variety of Peruvian and international food and also cater for vegetarian and other dietary needs at no extra cost. EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU is recognized for its buffet meals, the quantity and quality of food, and its freshness.
EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU performs responsibly.
Making sure to cause minimal impact on the environment of the natural protected areas where it operates.
We pay legal taxes (19% IGV or consumption tax)on all services contributing to the country’s growth and development. Further to this, we pay a 30% tax on all earnings.
Our superb treatment to our staff is not reduced in the low season: porter and chef wages are maintained, same as guide fees.
Finally, EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU strives to provide top quality service to its clientele and will continue to listen to their comments on how to improve our services and take it to a higher level. Our clients are extremely satisfied as our numerous testimonials prove. Please read their trip reports on the Testimonials section of our website and also on Tripadvisor.
