Huchuy Qosqo & Sacred Valley Machu Picchu 3 Days

It is a comprehensive package that combines high-Andean trekking to the archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo with an overnight homestay on Day 1, a descent into the Sacred Valley (visiting Maras and Moray) and a train connection to Aguas Calientes on Day 2, concluding with a guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel on Day 3.

The difficulty is moderate. The main physical effort takes place on Day 1 with an approximately 6-hour hike and an ascent to the mountain pass at 4,050 meters (13,287 ft). Day 2 involves a 3-hour descent, and the remaining days focus on cultural sightseeing and light walking.

The maximum altitude is 4,050 meters (13,287 ft) above sea level, reached during the mountain pass crossing on Day 1 from Tauca. Subsequent nights are spent at lower altitudes (Huchuy Qosqo at 3,600 m / 11,811 ft, Lamay at 2,900 m / 9,514 ft, and Aguas Calientes at 2,050 m / 6,725 ft).

The first night is spent at a local family homestay in Huchuy Qosqo as part of a rural community tourism initiative. It offers an authentic and cozy opportunity to share experiences with local Andean villagers, featuring a home-cooked dinner and a warm atmosphere.

The second night is spent in a hotel or hostel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town), located at 2,050 meters (6,725 ft), allowing for a comfortable rest and an early start for the Machu Picchu visit the following day.

After hiking down from Huchuy Qosqo to the town of Lamay on the Sacred Valley floor, a private vehicle transfers the group to explore the Moray Inca agricultural laboratory and the impressive Maras salt pans.

Main luggage or large suitcases are typically left safely at your hotel in Cusco or stored securely by the agency. Each hiker only carries a light daypack (containing water, sunscreen, warm layers, and personal items) during the first day's hike.

The ideal time is during the dry season (April through October), when trails are firm, rain probability is low, and skies are clear over the snow-capped mountains and Machu Picchu citadel.

• Layered clothing: Breathable shirts for the daytime and warm thermal clothing or fleece/jacket for the cold night.
• Footwear: Broken-in trekking shoes or boots with good grip.
• Protection: Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent (essential for Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu).
• Others: Waterproof rain poncho, trekking poles, and a small daypack (20–30L).

Generally, an agency's base rate specifies which tickets are covered. For this circuit, you will need the Cusco Tourist Ticket (for Moray), the Maras Salt Mines admission ticket, and the official entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu Citadel (corresponding circuit). It is advisable to check with your operator to confirm if these are included in the total cost.

Yes, it is suitable for children aged 10–12 and above who are accustomed to hiking, as well as seniors in good physical condition with proper prior acclimatization in Cusco (at least 2 to 3 days). It is not recommended for individuals with severe heart or respiratory conditions.

The itinerary includes box lunch and dinner on Day 1; breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Day 2; and breakfast at the hotel on Day 3. Meals combine fresh, high-energy local ingredients. Vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free menus can be provided upon request prior to the trip.

On the late afternoon of Day 2, you board the tourist train from Ollantaytambo station to Aguas Calientes. Early on Day 3, you take the Consettur bus (a 25–30 minute ride) from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu entrance gate. After your guided visit, you take the bus back down, board the return train to Ollantaytambo, and transfer by bus back to Cusco.

The 2-day version concludes on the evening of Day 2 by returning from Huchuy Qosqo through the Sacred Valley back to Cusco (without visiting Machu Picchu). In contrast, the 3-day version integrates visits to Maras and Moray, adds the train trip to Aguas Calientes, and tops off the experience with a guided visit to Machu Picchu.

Absolutely! Because the trek exceeds 4,000 meters (13,123 ft) on the first day, it is highly recommended to spend at least 2 to 3 days beforehand in Cusco or the Sacred Valley to properly acclimatize your body and prevent altitude sickness (soroche).

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.

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.

Machu Picchu is most beautiful when seen from above, which is why hiking one of the mountains next to the ruins is very popular to do after your tour.

Huayna Picchu is the most popular and must be booked in advance since it sells out very quickly. This hike takes approximately 1 hour to the top, and another 45 minutes back down. Tickets are sold in time sessions stating when you can start this hike.

The first session is from 7-8 AM, and the 2nd session is from 10-11 AM. Again, this refers to the time-frame when you can start your hike. We usually book the second session so you can enjoy your tour with your guide first. You will do this hike on your own, but your guide will show you where to begin.

Machu Picchu Mountain is a bit longer and a bit less popular. It takes 2 hours to the top and another 1 hours to the bottom. Again there are two time windows – from 7-8 AM and 9-10 AM and we usually purchase the second time window. 4 Day treks, the Trekkers CAN NOT do this hike and enjoy a tour of the ruins. Time will not allow for this.

Hiking either mountain will allow you to have some extra time at the ruins once you complete, as listed above.

We request you 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 the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is suitable for you. We recommend you to 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.

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. 

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.

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.

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 different per trek and listed below.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Weather on the Inca Trail

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. 

NOTE: This is only a sample menu for your hike. Exact food selections are subject to change.