Huchuy Qosqo Hike - Full Day

Our full-day Huchuy Qosqo trek begins when we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco. We’ll then drive to an area near the pretty Qoricocha Lake (the “Gold Lake”), about halfway between Cusco and Huchuy Qosqo. Setting off, we’ll pass through a wonderful Andean landscape where you’ll see many llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu (Andean grass), puyas (bromelia bushes) and small cactuses, often alongside their calves. 

Heading on, we’ll eventually reach the Qoriccasa pass, from where we’ll have spectacular views of the valley below and the Vilcanota River. This is the highest point on the trek, and from here we’ll start going downhill along an old Inca Trail. We’ll pass by the small village of Pucamarca before trekking onwards to Huchuy Qosqo. 

Huchuy Qosqo is located at 3,600 meters above sea level, overlooking the Sacred Valley. The views alone are worth the trek, as you’ll have panoramic vistas up and down the valley, and to the mountains beyond. We’ll have plenty of time to explore Huchuy Qosqo and its various sectors, where you’ll see large two-story buildings with intricate stonework that possibly housed Viracocha himself, as well as sectors for administration and the storage of corn and other crops. The Inca agricultural terraces at Huchuy Qosqo are also quite a sight, having been remarkably well-preserved over the centuries. We can also visit the Inca irrigation channel, which runs for an impressive 800 meters and would have kept Huchuy Qosqo and its terraces well supplied with water. 

Your guide will show you all the most interesting parts of Huchuy Qosqo, explaining the history as you explore the site. After a full tour of the ruins, we’ll begin our hike down to the town of Lamay, which sits in the Sacred Valley at about 3,000 m (9,840 ft). To get there, we’ll hike down a switchback trail, passing local farmers as they lead their horses and livestock to their farms. Our beautiful Huchuy Qosqo trek ends in Lamay, where we’ll board our transport and head back to Cusco.

Hiking Time: 7 - 8 hours approx.
Lowest Point: 2,938 m / 9,639 ft.
Highest Point: 4,393 m / 14,413 ft.