Huchuy Qosqo Trek - 1D
Expedition Overview
Discover 'Little Cusco' on a full-day hiking adventure. Huchuy Qosqo is an impressive and remote Incan palace and administrative center perched high on a plateau overlooking the Sacred Valley. Accessible only by foot, this archaeological site offers a peaceful and uncrowded alternative to the more popular ruins. The trek begins in the high Andean plains, crossing a scenic mountain pass before descending via an original, beautifully preserved Incan trail right to the gates of the palace. Enjoy panoramic views of the Vilcabamba mountain range throughout the day.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Tauca – Huchuy Qosqo – Lamay – Cusco
We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 6:00 AM and drive for about an hour to the high-altitude village of Tauca (3,800m). Here we begin our hike, ascending gradually through typical Andean landscapes filled with ichu grass and grazing alpacas. After about 2 hours, we reach the mountain pass at 4,100m, offering spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks of the Sacred Valley. From the pass, we begin our descent along a beautifully restored original Incan trail, leading us through a narrow canyon and directly into the archaeological complex of Huchuy Qosqo (3,600m). Your guide will provide a comprehensive tour of the site, exploring its impressive three-story stone and adobe structures, agricultural terraces, and water channels. After enjoying our box lunch with panoramic views of the valley, we begin a steep, 2-hour descent down a zigzagging trail to the town of Lamay in the Sacred Valley. Our private transport will be waiting here to take us back to Cusco, arriving around 5:00 PM. • Trekking Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles • Estimated Time: 6-7 hours • Highest Altitude: 4,100m / 13,451ft • Huchuy Qosqo Altitude: 3,600m / 11,811ft
Guaranteed departure dates, official DIRCETUR entrance permits, and zero intermediary commission fees when you reserve directly with our Cusco headquarters.
✅ What is Included
- ✓Briefing before departure
- ✓Private transportation from Cusco to the trailhead (Tauca)
- ✓Professional bilingual trekking guide
- ✓Nutritious Box Lunch
- ✓Official entrance fee to the Huchuy Qosqo Archaeological Site
- ✓Private transportation from Lamay back to Cusco
- ✓First aid kit and emergency oxygen
✕ Not Included
- —Breakfast and dinner
- —Trekking poles (Available for rent)
- —Tips for the guide and driver
Need Custom Itineraries or Private Dates?
Speak instantly with our experienced mountaineering coordinators in Cusco for immediate itinerary customization and permit verification.