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Group Size:
2-10 People
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Destination:
HUCHUY QOSQO
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Departure :
Everyday
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Level :
Moderate
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Category :
TREK
Huchuy Qosqo Trek Full Day, offers you two equally attractive options with a lot of diversity of landscapes, flora and fauna of the Andes of the Sacred Valley. the first is by Chinchero, Tauca until arriving at Huchuy Qosqo, the second one is by Tambomachay, Pucamarca until arriving at the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo.
This complex is the most important archaeological center in the Urubamba Valley, after Ollantaytambo and Pisac. The ruins are impressive, although the conservation of the site is inferior to that of Ollantaytambo or Pisac, because they are older. But unlike the aforementioned places Huchuy Qosqo has a peculiar architecture: the buildings have been built on polished stone bases of fine finish, with clay plaster (they are the best preserved parts) and the highest floors are made of adobe.
Useful Information
Starting Altitude – 3800m / 12,467ft.
Highest Altitude – 4150 meters / 13615 feet.
Walking Distance – 12 km / 7.46 miles
Overall Difficulty - Moderate
STARTING POINT: – Cusco at your hotel
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
The Hispanic chronicles refer that Huchuy Qosqo (probably a place known in Inca times as Caquia Jaquijahuana) was the favorite work and place of the Inca Wiracocha.
A kallanka of at least 40 to 50 meters long is observed. Also a remarkable building with two stone floors and one upper one of adobe. There are also large terraces, a very large square and a large Inca gate through which passes a very well preserved road that leads from Tambomachay.
Brief Itinerary
- OPTION 1: CUSCO – TAUCA – HUCHUY QOSQO – CUSCO
- OPTION 2: CUSCO - TAMBO MACHAY - PUCAMARCA - HUCHUY QOSQO - CUSCO
OPTION 1: CUSCO – TAUCA – HUCHUY QOSQO – CUSCO
We will leave Cusco at 6:30am on a private bus that will take us to Chinchero and then Tauca (3750m), the starting point of our trek. We will hike uphill through a mountain landscape with presence of llamas and alpacas until we get to the mountain pass at 4500masl. the landscape begins to change dramatically to Puna, with scant vegetation, mainly “ichu” or high altitude grass. The views of the Cordillera Vilcanota peaks are spectacular. We will then descend for approximately 1.5 hours more to reach the Inca archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo, We will walk downhill towards the Leon Punku ravine, where you will find remains of an Inca bridge and trail, arriving we will visit these wonderful ruins, (Huchuy Qosqo (“Little Cuzco”) is a Noteworthy Inca complex. It boasts very fine stonework in a large Kallanka (rectangular Hall), some residential and defensive quarters and interesting two-story buildings in stone and adobe). After lunch, we will decende to Lamay, where our private transportation will be waiting for us to take us to your hotel in Cusco.
OPTION 2: CUSCO - TAMBO MACHAY - PUCAMARCA - HUCHUY QOSQO - CUSCO
We will leave early from Cusco and take private transportation to the interesting ruins of Tambo Machay. From where we will climb to achieve spectacular scenery over the city of Cusco. Then we cross the mountains, we will pass some beautiful Andean lakes and fields where the llamas graze. Here the villagers grow potatoes, and other crops depending on the season. Then we follow an Inca road descending to a village of stone cabins, with thatched roofs.
During the day we will cross four little high passes, the highest is 4000 m. After about 6 hours we will arrive at a small hamlet known as Pucamarca Community for lunch.
After lunch, we will continue our trek to the Puma Puncu canyon ( “the puma door” ). From here, you will hike along an original Incan trail, which has be restored as part of the Qapacñan project. This trail will lead you to the isolated and mysterious Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo (“the little Cusco’’) perched above the Sacred Valley of the Incas at 3600 MASL/11811 FT. Once in the site, your guide will walk you through and show you all the site’s amazing Inca buildings like sacred temples, storehouses, Inca terraces for agriculture and the Inca reservoir used to store water during the dry season.
After your guided tour of the site, we will begin our 2-hour walk downhill to the village of Lamay (2,800 meters) by the Urumbamba River in the Sacred Valley, where a bus will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
INCLUDED FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND OPTION
Trek briefing with your guide. one night before the trek at your hotelProfessional trek guide - in different languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, and more) - Second tour guide for groups of 9 passengers to more.
All private transport.
Pick up from your hotel and private transport from Cusco to starting point of the trek.
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
Huchuy Qosqo entrance fee.
Transport from Lamay to Cusco.
Meals (1 lunch)
NOT INCLUDED
Breakfast on the first dayDinner
Walking Sticks: you can hire from our company
Additional horses for extra personal luggage above that of the personal item allowance.
Travel Insurance
**Tips, for the crew (muleteers, chef and guide)
What you need to take:
A backpackA beanie hat or ear warmer
Sun hat
Scarf
Gloves
A mid weight sweater
A longsleeve t-shirt
1 – 2 t-shirts
A lightweight suater or vest
A pair of long pants
Hiking shoes
An extra pair of shoe
2 – 3 pairs wool socks
A jacket
A small towel
Rain gear
1 – 2 pair shorts
Sunglasses
A small headlamp
Waterbottle
A toothbrust and other personal toiletries
Toilet paiper
Sun cream
Insect repelent
Camera and film
Original passport (International Student Identity Card “ISIC” if applicable)
Extra money for drinks.
Emergency money at least 300-450 extra soles (USD$ 220)
List of objects to take to the trek.
List of objects to take to the trek.
OUR PRICES:
Remember that!!! This walk is available everyday - We can depart any day of the week, as long as permits are available. Please remember, permits are only needed for your start date. Huchuy Qosqo Trek Full Day prices are based on the number of people in a group.
Per person ( Eight, or more, trekkers)
“This trek to Machu Picchu is available everyday provided we have a minimum of 2 hikers”
Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological site in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In Quechua, Huchuy Qosqo means little Cusco, a name given to it by the local population of the area in the 20th century. It is believed that the citadel was originally built as a resting place for the Inca emperor Viracocha in 1420.
It is located 1 hour by car from Cusco, in the district of Lamay.
We will see beautiful Andean landscapes while we walk the Inca trail towards this place. A series of stone and adobe buildings, as well as many agricultural terraces that surround the site, used by the Incas to farm while they lived there. The citadel is also home to a Kallanka (great hall) and an impressive irrigation system, showcasing the hydraulic engineering skills of the Incas.
Located in the Andes mountain range, Huchuy Qosqo is about 3,650 meters above sea level. it dominates the Sacred Valley and is located directly above the town of Lamay (3,000 m). During the hike to Huchuy Qosqo, we will have the maximum altitude in Huchuy Qosqo of 4050 meters / 13,315 feet.
In the Cusco region there are 2 defined climatic seasons. The dry season tends to be from May to September, followed by a rainy season from October to April. It is possible to do the trek all year long, but we recommend avoiding January and February, as these are the wettest months.
Altitude sickness can be a problem for some passengers who make the trek because heights between 4,000 m are reached. We recommend spending a few nights in Cusco with minimal activity to allow your body to adjust before starting the trek. Altitude pills and coca leaves are an excellent way to alleviate the symptoms of altitude sickness.
We recommend to make your reservation in advance and we will guarantee your Spaces for this hike. Each reservation needs 50% of deposit as first payment. The final balance(50%) will be paid in Cusco(Briefing Day). About Payment you must choose where would you like to make the deposit: Payment system online:
- Paypal
- Western Union
- Peruvian Banking Account
We use the money from your deposit to make several important purchases, including the entrance fee to Huchuy Qosqo Route, the entrance fee to Machu Picchu, bus tickets, and train tickets. In addition, making a deposit assures us that you will be coming on the trek, and are unlikely to cancel at the last minute. This helps us with knowing how much food to buy, how many of our guides to use for the trek, etc. The deposit is non-refundable once we receive it, because we will immediately use it to purchase the tickets mentioned above.
First, we will send you an email to confirm your payment. Then we will contact you to offer you different hotel or hostel options in Cuzco, as well as inform you of other tours you might be interested in.
Two weeks before your tour date, we will contact you by email to request the final payment. We will also ask you where you will be staying in Cuzco, to be able to pick you up on the day of your hike.
After we receive the final payment, we will send you an email confirming your tour date and informing you of important contact information for our tour agency, as well as some final tips to prepare for the trek.
Once we have purchased your tickets, with your security deposit, you can only change your start date if you pay an additional amount. This amount is usually around $150 USD. The reason for this is the tickets we purchase are non-refundable and non-transferable, so we are not allowed to simply change your tour date.
The high altitude means that it can be so cold, especially during the Andean winter (May – September) when the temperature can drop below zero degrees (Celsius) at night. It can still be cool at other times of the year, so we recommend wearing thermal underwear and a warm sleeping bag. You can buy hats, gloves, hand knitted, warm, economical and locally manufactured in Cuzco.
We recommend 400 soles or 110 USD dollars. This is because sometimes you can need money for water, snacks, extra drinks, any kind of emergency.
Having a good guide is an essential part of having a good trek. Because of this, CUSCO DESTINATION hires and works with some of the best guides in the business. Our guides are knowledgable in the areas of history, archaeology, ecology, and are natives of the Cuzco area.
Sleeping bags are not included, so we recommend carrying a compact three-season sleeping bag. If you travel between May and October, a 4-station sleeping bag is recommended. These can be rented with us. For approximately $ 20 for the duration of the walk. Foam mats are provided, however, some travelers also bring their own self-inflating mat (ie, a Thermarest).
Our Cook prepare excellent high-energy meals appropriate for a walk of this nature. The menu generally includes pasta, rice, chicken, fresh fruits and vegetables and a variety of oatmeal, eggs and other foods for breakfast. Vegetarian alternatives are available upon request at the time of booking.
Tipping is at your discretion, but is always appreciated. If you enjoyed the service you enjoyed from your guides and support staff
By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L., you agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Booking:
Your booking is confirmed and a contract exists when the Tour Operator or your travel agent issues a written confirmation after receipt of the applicable deposit amount. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to the Tour Operator or authorized agent immediately. Please ensure that names are exactly as stated in the relevant passport.
You will pay a deposit which is completely non-refundable in any situation. There are no exceptions.
You will be required to show the original passport (not a copy) that you booked with, at the checkpoint to enter the route. If you originally booked with an old passport and then renewed your passport, you must also bring your expired passport along with your new, valid passport to permit entry or they will refuse your entrance to the trail.
The only acceptable ID to receive a Student Discount is your University Card with a clear expiration date that must be the same year as trek. IDs with expiry dates the following year, even though clearly valid, will not be accepted by the Peruvian government. You must submit a copy of this card at time of booking.
Cancellations:
Cancellations: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 50% is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing (we do not accept medical notes of any kind) as our out of pocket expenses are non-refundable to us.. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
ONCE BOOKED, DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. CHART BELOW OUTLINES WHAT FURTHER FEES WILL BE DUE.
| 91 days or more before departure | we will retain 50% of your deposit. |
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| 90 – 30 days before departure | we will retain 75% of the total tour cost. |
| 29 – 0 days before departure | we will retain 100% of the total tour cost. |
HUCHUY QOSQO TREK:
Permits: Permits for the trek are in your name and can not be transferred to anyone else under any circumstances. Change of dates is also not possible once a permit has been purchased. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit will be forfeited. Please note that this is a regulation of the Peruvian government and not Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. (or any agency).
In extreme cases when the “Huchuy Qosqo trek” is declared closed for safety reasons, Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. will replace your trek with an alternative trek.
Those who booked PERMITS with a Student ID must bring that ID with them on the trek. If they fail to show this card to the Park Rangers, they will not be allowed entry onto the trail.
Medical Information:
You must advise Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. of any medical problems or allergies you may have. You need to be in good physical health, and if your health is questionable, then you should consult a doctor. If you are over the age of 70 years old, then you will need to present us with a current good health medical certificate.
You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. The Tour Operator does not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements.
Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. reserves the right to deny you permission to travel or participate in any aspect of a Tour at any time and at your own risk and expense where the Tour Operator determines that your physical or mental condition renders you unfit for travel or you represent a danger to yourself or others.
Pregnancy is considered a medical condition and must be disclosed to the Tour Operator at the time of booking. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry pregnant women over 24 weeks. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry anyone with certain medical conditions if reasonable accommodation or alternatives cannot be arranged.
It is strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect you in case of medical emergency or any tour cancellations.
Tours and Treks:
All balances need to be paid in either cash, Western Union, Transfer Bank or PayPal (in full) prior to the briefing which will be held the night before your tour. Visa incurs a 5% service fee and if you need to use another card, it must be through PayPal which incurs a 5.5% service fee.
You must advise your guide if you wish to leave the group or the camping area for independent walks or sightseeing. If you are experiencing any problems with the services of the guide or tour, please advise the guide in that moment, so that he can resolve any problems.
All Adventure Treks include transportation to Cusco. The return train route depends on train availability.
If you become ill or injured on the trail and are unable to continue, a porter will be provided to accompany you back to an area with emergency assistance capabilities. Helicopter air lifts and medical assistance are at the expense of the trekker. If you are unable to complete the tour due to illness, we will assist you in meeting your group at Machu Picchu to recommence your tour at that point. There will be no refund of the original payment. However, we will prepare a document to certify illness which can be presented for your travel insurance.
Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. will take all reasonable care in providing to our clients avoidance of accident, illness, and loss of personal property, and will only employ suitably qualified staff. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. cannot, however, be responsible for any action of third parties. You are totally responsible for your own personal property and rented equipment.
Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. does not take responsibility for unfavorable weather conditions, natural catastrophe, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal ítems, etc. It is the client’s responsibility to carry insurance to cover these types of events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the unforeseen conditions listed above.
Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. may modify your itinerary where reasonably required in its sole discretion.
Group tours might be as large as 16 participants. Groups are open to everyone no matter skill or age. By accepting a Group Tour you acknowledge that others might change the speed and timing of the tour.
All tours are done in English.
Delays:
Any costs, whether direct or incidental, incurred by the Customer as the result of delays caused by bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, sickness, government intervention or other contingencies which are beyond the control of southern explorations will not be reimbursed.
Thank you so much for choosing
Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L.!!!
Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L.!!!
