A Gentle Andean Walk Above the Sacred Valley

Day 1: Chinchero (Valley of Cuper) – Pucamarca – Huchuy Qosqo

- Pick up from your hotel and drive in the direction of the Inca Site Chinchero (3760 meters). 
-Begin trekking up the road as it curves sharply up-hill to reach a pass of nearly 4200 meters
-Continue to follow the trail down into the valley and towards the small community at the bottom
- Pass through the village, and ascend over the second pass (4300 meters) and into high open country. 
- Admire Lake Qoricocha (Golden Lake in Quechua)
- Descend towards the Huchuy Qoso (3650 meters), where we’ll arrive in the late afternoon.
- Set up camp or meet your homestay family
- Enjoy dinner under the starry sky

Hiking time: 6 hours
Lunch and dinner: included

Day 2: Huchuy Qosqo - Lamay – Maras Moray – Salt Mine

-Wake up with an enegerizing breakfast and coca tea
- Explore Huchuy Qosqo archaeological site
- Hike the magnificent path, with Pitusiray looming above us, we will passing an Inca stone and adobe gateway. 
- Arrive to Lamay where private transport will be waiting to drive us to the next sites
- Explore Moras Moray, Salt mine and Chinchero
- Return to Cusco around 6 pm

 
Breakfast and lunch: included.

Itinerary – Two Days of Scenic Trails and Living Culture

Day 1: Chinchero (Valley of Cuper) – Pucamarca – Huchuy Qosqo

We begin our journey by departing Cusco, by car, in the direction of the Inca Site known as Chinchero (3760 meters). From here, we will begin trekking up the road as it curves sharply up-hill to reach a pass of near 4200 meters. We will continue to follow the trail down into the valley and towards the small community at the bottom. As we descend along the trail, you will see a beautifully green valley stretching out as far as the eye can see.

Passing through the village, the trail takes us up over the second pass (4300 meters) and into high open country. On the way, we will pass by the beautiful Lake Qoricocha (Golden Lake in Quechua). We’ll continue along this rustic trail, with its stellar views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Finally, we’ll descend towards the Huchuy Qoso (3650 meters), where we’ll arrive in the late afternoon. Here, we’ll set up camp or meet our homestay family and enjoy our supper underneath the great starry sky.

Hiking time: 6 hours
Lunch and dinner: included

Day 2: Huchuy Qosqo - Lamay – Maras Moray – Salt Mine

Huchuy Qosqo is perched above the Urubamba Valley, overlooking the little town of Lamay, which is dedicated to agriculture and raising cattle. Huchuy Qosqo was originally an administrative center, where the Incas built buildings made of stone and adobe which is a great example of Inca style perfectly fitting stones.

Continuing along this magnificent path, with Pitusiray looming above us, we will eventually pass an Inca stone and adobe gateway. This was the entrance to the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo for people who climbed up from the Urubamba Valley.

Our private transport will pick us up from Lamay and drive us to Maras Moray, Salt mine and Chinchero where we will visit the Inca’s sites and the colonial town. We will be back in Cusco at around 6pm. 
 

Breakfast and lunch included.

Inclusions – Everything Arranged for a Smooth Short Escape

Includes:

• Transfer in private transport from your hotel to Chinchero (starting point of the trek)
• Private transport from Lamay to Maras Moray, Salt Mine and Cusco
• Home stay or personal tents for 2 persons
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
• Meals
• Cook and cooking equipment and kitchen tent
• Porters or horses (Carrying the tents, food and cooking equipment)
• Entrance fee to Huchuy Qosqo
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Entrance to Maras Moray and Salt Mine and Chinchero

Not included:

• Breakfast at the first and dinner at the last day
• Sleeping bag

Notes:

1. From Chinchero to Lamay we are accompanied by porters or horsemen and mules that will carry all camping equipment.
2. Tips for porters, cooks and guides are always welcome. The porters are also very grateful for a small donation, for example clothes or school equipment for their children.

Conditions & Terms

• Please note that the program deposit is non-refundable. The deposit is used to purchase the  ticket entrance to  Machupicchu and also for booking the train ticket and hostels. And once a space is purchased it cannot be resold.
• XTreme Tourbulencia will not give any refunds if a participant decides to cancel the trip prior to departure or during the trip (except from the entrances to the archaeological sites and the bus/train tickets)
  If XTreme Tourbulencia doesn’t confirm the reservation, your payment will be refunded totally.
• All participants have to carry their own back packs, including sleeping bag and mattresses unless they booked an extra porter or the service includes porters, horsemen or mules.
• A participant must declare if they have any sickness or medical conditions and must bring their own medicines.
• All participants must bring their original passport and, if available, their original student card ´ISIC´.
• It is compulsory that all clients have personal travel insurance. This insurance must cover personal accident, medical expenses, loss of effects and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage or injury occurring to the client. XTreme Tourbulencia cannot be accounted for any accident or loss of personal belongings the customer caused by his/her own.
• In case force majeure occurs, like impossibility to operate the program or trek due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside XTreme Tourbulencia’s control like: extreme weather conditions, landslides, strikes not allowing operation or putting it at risk, sudden inaccessibility of route, etc.
• XTreme Tourbulencia will propose viable solutions to operate the program within the available dates, or if impossible, will then propose an alternative program. If the alternative program chosen by the client is of lower value than that originally booked then the client is entitled to a refund of the price difference.
• All costs derived will be at the expense of the client. In case none of these would be feasible, XTreme Tourbulencia would refund all the money paid except all the incurred expenses so far.

Packing List – Essentials for a Short Valley Trek

What do I need to bring?

• Small backpack with rain shelter (30 or 40 litters is well enough)
• Clothing for warm and cold climate like a waterproof jacket
• Trekking shoes
• Slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs)
• Woolen or synthetic socksand a sweater
• Long- and short-sleeved polo’s/T-Shirts
• Rainponcho and a hat
• Bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol and gel and toilet paper
• Camera (wrapped in plastic bag), a flash light and batteries
• Some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruit
• Original passport, original ISIC student card (In case you are student) and extra money in soles

Travel Info – Key Details for a Two-Day Valley Experience

1. Briefings

   All briefings are done at our office at 5:00 PM one or two nights before your trek. If you are unable to make this time, you need to coordinate another time with a member of the Xtreme Tourbulencia office team. Briefings are approximately 40 minutes long.

2. Pickups

   Xtreme Tourbulencia is one of the only companies to pick you up directly from your hotel. As long as your hotel is in the center of Cusco city, we will coordinate this pickup based on a time that your guide will discuss at the briefing. Pick up times may vary 30 – 45 minutes based on traffic conditions and previous pickups.

   Cusco is an old city with cobblestoned streets and very narrow passageways. Smaller hotels and Airbnbs are often located on streets that cars can´t pass through.

   They also are frequently on hillsides with long steep climbs, making it difficult to carry luggage. We highly recommend that you book accommodations with better access. We have a list of hotels that are all comfortable with easy access to pick up and drop off.

3. Health Concerns

   You must be honest with your guide about any health conditions or concerns you might have. While our guides are not medical professionals, they do have first aid training. We also work with a clinic in Cusco that can help assist our team.

   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.

   Xtreme TourBulencia will not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the tour based on your unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level, and medical requirements.

   If you develop extreme altitude sickness or any other illness that prevents you from hiking, and you still wish to visit Machu Picchu by train, we will work with you to coordinate this trip. Since this will be a new trip, it may require additional fees. We will use as much of the original itinerary to keep costs low.

   If you experience issues while hiking and can not continue, a porter will accompany you to the closest road and wait while a car comes to pick you up and bring you to the nearest health clinic.

4. Group Tours

   Group tours are made up of all different types of people, with various hiking skills and ages. By agreeing to a group tour, you agree that some people might be slower or faster than you are.

   Everyone can go at their own pace for the trek, and the guide will work with the group to spend time with everyone. Groups might request some modifications to the tour, and the guide will work with everyone to make the best decision for the group.

5. Strikes

   Unfortunately, strikes are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our tours. Roads are often blocked, and trains stopped. We will make sure your trek continues as planned, even if that means leaving the night before your start date.

   Under these circumstances, tours might need to be canceled. But our operations department will coordinate with you in this situation. Your safety is always our top concern and will dictate how we decide.

6. Lost Items

   You are responsible for your items throughout the tour. Please be diligent about where you leave your things and remember to remove all items from our vans, your tents, restaurant, etc.

   Do not leave anything unintended during your hike. Other trekkers or teams might pick it up not knowing whose it is.

7. Tips

   Tipping is part of the tradition of any trek to Machu Picchu. While we pay good wages to our entire team, anything extra is always appreciated. Please know that this is not obligatory and that you should never feel pressured into this.

   Typically the participants in a group pool their tipping money together for the porters and chef. The amount recommended is $20 USD per person per trek.

   For the guide, this is more personal and needs to be decided based on your relationship with them and done separately from the group. Porters and Chefs prefer soles if possible. Guides are happy with U.S. dollars, Peruvian Soles, or even your credit card.

8. Travel Insurance

   Travel insurance is inexpensive and strongly recommended. With trips being planned months ahead of time, you never can predict what could happen. Adventure travel includes more risk than the average trip.

   Insurance is a way to protect the investment you have made on this journey. We can help recommend an agent to walk you through this type of insurance if needed.

9. Weather

   Of course, the weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December so just be prepared.

   No matter what month you are doing the trek, make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Many people forget about gloves, but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.

   Also, prepare for four seasons. Several of the treks through the Andes involve various microclimates and you will need to be prepared. Layers are always key since they are easy to adjust to different temperature changes. Be prepared with a warm packable down jacket since the evening will be cold.

   It’s also important to note that the weather can change a listed itinerary. There are times that routes become impassable, and our guides will be forced for your safety to rework your tour.

   More Information About the Weather (BOTÓN)

10. Altitude Sickness

    As soon as people book their trip to Peru, specifically Cusco, they start wondering about altitude sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs.

    Over several days at high altitude, your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air. For this reason, we always recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before beginning any trek in the Andes. Cusco is a marvelous city with lots to do, so if you have more time to acclimate you won´t be bored.

    With altitude sickness, you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe, please contact our office, and we will help you get to a doctor.

    Most of the time, these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easing into activity slowly, allowing your body to adjust. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or coca tea.

    Coca tea has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness. Leaves from the Coca Plant contain alkaloids that help bring oxygen into your blood, helping your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee. They will cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated. Avoid smoking. Smoking makes it more difficult for your body to get oxygen. Avoid sleeping pills. They may cause shallow breathing at night, making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.

    Remember the trek to Machu Picchu is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness if they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Go slow, and it will give your body time to adjust to the elevation.

    Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications, such as acetazolamide and dexamethasone, to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to a high altitude. Continue to take it while you are at high altitude.

    You must remember that this is your holiday and you do not want to stress out about the possibility of getting sick from the mountains. Do everything slowly and drink lots of water, and enjoy the coca tea.

    If anything does happen and you, unfortunately, get sick, let your guide know right away. Xtreme Tourbulencia guides are trained to help you get through it.

11. Getting To Cusco

    The airport in Cusco currently is only for domestic flights, so all international travelers by plane must disembark in Lima and go through Customs. Even if your flight to Cusco is the same day by the same airline carrier, you must grab your bags in Lima and then check them back in.

    The best way to get to Cusco is by air, and there are several options in airlines. LATAM tends to be the most expensive but has the most options and flights. Expect delays or flight cancellations. Due to the high altitude of Cusco, it tends to be difficult to land, and any inclement weather will stop air traffic.

    Bus travel is always available, and while the trip can be long, especially from Lima, the buses in Peru are very well maintained and comfortable. This option is strongly encouraged if coming from a city closer to Cusco, like Puno. Lima buses will take about 20 hours to arrive.

Hotels – Comfortable Stays Before and After the Trek

To begin, we’d like to suggest some accommodation options throughout Cusco. Although it’s a small city, more and more streets are becoming traffic-free pedestrian zones.

Therefore, we’ve selected comfortable and well-located hotels that also allow us easy access to pick you up. These are just ideas; you’re free to choose your accommodation.

Check out our hotels (BOTÓN)

FAQs – Common Questions About the Huchuy Qosqo Route

1. What is Huchuy Qosqo?

Huchuy Qosqo (meaning "Little Cusco" in Quechua) is an Inca archaeological site located high in the Sacred Valley, above the town of Lamay. It was a royal palace and administrative center attributed to the Inca Huiracocha.

2. How do I get to Huchuy Qosqo?

There are no roads that lead directly to the site. The most common ways to access it are:

• Route from Tambomachay (Cusco): A full-day hike (or 2 days with camping) that crosses mountain passes.

• Route from Tauca (Chinchero): A moderate hike with spectacular views of lagoons.

• Route from Lamay (Sacred Valley): A steep but direct ascent of approximately 2 to 3 hours.

3. How difficult is the hike?

The difficulty is considered moderate. The biggest challenge is not the distance, but the altitude. The trail from Tambomachay involves crossing passes that exceed 4,200 meters above sea level.

4. What is the altitude of the archaeological site?

Huchuy Qosqo is located at an altitude of 3,650 meters (11,975 feet), approximately 800 meters above the Vilcanota River in the Sacred Valley.

5. Do I need to buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket?

No. Huchuy Qosqo is not included in the General Tourist Ticket. Entrance is paid separately at a control booth upon arrival at the archaeological site. The cost is usually 22 soles (subject to change).

6. What is the best time to visit?

The best time is during the dry season, from May to October, when there is less chance of rain and the skies are clear. However, the landscapes are greener and more beautiful between March and April.

7. What should I bring for the tour? Basic trekking equipment is recommended:

• Hiking boots with good grip.

• Layered clothing (windbreaker, fleece, and breathable t-shirt).

• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses).

• Plenty of water and energy snacks.

• Trekking poles (recommended for the descent to Lamay).

8. Can it be visited in a single day?

Yes, it is one of the best "Full Day" options from Cusco or the Sacred Valley. The most common one-day route begins in the Cusco area and ends with the descent to the town of Lamay, from where you return by transport.

9. Do I need a professional guide?

Although the trail is mostly marked, it is strongly recommended to go with a guide. The site has a lot of history that is not signposted, and the trails in the Puna can be confusing if there is fog.