Book your next adventure at the best price.
This two-day trek offers a route through the mountains near Cusco to the archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo. The trail goes through high-altitude landscapes and local communities, providing a different perspective of the region away from more crowded paths. The trip combines hiking, nature, and history, ending with a visit to a lesser-known Inca site.
The first day begins near the ruins of Sacsayhuaman. From there, the path ascends into high Puna grasslands, reaching an altitude of over . During the walk, you will pass two mountain lakes, Suyllo Cocha and Qori Cocha, where local wildlife can be seen. The day’s hike concludes with a descent to the small village of Pukamarka, where you will camp for the night.
On the second day, the trek continues from Pukamarka to Huchuy Qosqo, passing through a canyon. After reaching the main site, your guide will provide information about its historical context. From Huchuy Qosqo, there are clear views of the Sacred Valley. The journey finishes with a walk downhill to the town of Lamay, where a vehicle will be waiting for the return trip to Cusco.
This ancient and little-known route takes the hikers into the mountains surrounding the Sacred Valley of the Incas, above the Urubamba river capable for people who want to have an easy hike in the andes, like the smooth ascending trail to reach the summit and visit then an Incan site nominated by our mother language as “Huchuy Qosqo“, (means LITTLE CUSCO), that ends Machu Picchu and Cusco
This trip gives you an less crowded and different alternative instead of the classic Inca trail, that includes an dramatic sceneries, Machu picchu, archaeologist and more…
7:00 am we pick you up from your hotel and bring you to Sacsayhuaman, where the horses are waiting for us. Today we walk for around 7 hours, first climbing over and then descending to Pukamarka village. On the way the view is spectacular, we will walk through high andean Puna grassland with some potatoe plantations. We pass by two lakes: Suyllo Cocha and Qori Cocha, where it is possible to see Andean Gull, Neotropic Cormorants, Speckled Teal, Puna Teal and Mountain Caracaras. During the trek we will also see Llama and sheep herds grazing in the mountains. In the afternoon we follow the river to get to Pukamarka village (), where we put up our camp. We can visit the Inka walls in the village.
After breakfast we continue walking for 1.20 hours aprox. towards Huchuy Qosqo. Just behind Pukamarka we walk through an impressive canyon with wooden bridges. Continuing we can already see the terraces of Huchuy Qosqo. Arriving in Huchuy Qosqo we have an explanation about the arqueological site and the Inka culture. We enjoy the view of the Sacred Valley below. Afterwards we continue walking downhill to Lamay for aprox. 2 hours. Our bus is waiting for us in the village to take us back to Cusco.
This tour is priced per person and varies based on your group size:
About the Huchuy Qosqo Trek This trek is a short but rewarding alternative to more famous routes. It takes you through diverse mountain environments to the Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo, which means “Little Cusco” in Quechua. The site features stone and adobe buildings, agricultural terraces, and a large ceremonial center.
Preparing for Your Trek
On the Trail
What is the difficulty of the Huchuy Qosqo trek?
The trek is considered moderate. The main challenges are the altitude on the first day, which goes above , and the 7-hour walk. The second day is less demanding. A reasonable level of fitness is required.
How should I prepare for the high altitude?
It is highly recommended to spend at least two days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before the trek to acclimatize. During this time, drink plenty of water, eat light meals, and avoid heavy physical exertion.
What kind of food is provided on the trek?
A cook accompanies the group and prepares fresh meals. The menu typically includes a mix of Peruvian and international food, such as soups, pasta, rice dishes, chicken, and vegetables. Vegetarian or other dietary needs can be accommodated if requested in advance.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
You will sleep in tents for one night at the Pukamarka campsite. Tents and sleeping mats are provided, but you must bring your own sleeping bag or rent one.
Do I need to carry all my own gear?
No. Horses and horsemen carry the main equipment, including tents, food, and your personal duffel bag (up to a specified weight limit). You only need to carry a small daypack with essentials like water, snacks, sunscreen, and a jacket.
Is clean drinking water available during the trek?
The cook will provide boiled, cooled water at mealtimes to refill your bottle. It is also a good idea to bring your own water for the first part of Day 1 and carry water-purifying tablets as a backup.
What happens in case of a medical emergency?
The guide is trained in first aid. An emergency horse is available to carry a trekker who is unable to continue walking. For serious issues, the guide will coordinate an evacuation to the nearest medical facility.
Are there toilets on the trail?
Basic toilet facilities may be available at the Pukamarka campsite. On the trail itself, there are no facilities, so you will have to use “nature’s toilet”. The staff may set up a portable toilet tent at the campsite.
How much extra money should I bring?
You should bring some cash in Peruvian Soles for items not included, such as extra drinks, snacks, souvenirs, and tips for the guide, cook, and horsemen. Tipping is voluntary but customary.
What is the weather like on the trek?
The weather in the Andes can change quickly. Expect sunny and warm conditions during the day, but cold temperatures at night, especially at the high-altitude campsite. Rain is possible at any time of year, so rain gear is essential.
Andes Path Peru is a locally-owned and operated family travel agency and tour operator based in Cusco, built on many years of first-hand trekking experience. As a 100% Cusqueñian company with no external shareholders, we are deeply rooted in our community.
Our vision as a local company is to craft small, customized tours and treks that are exclusively operated by our team of local professionals. We are dedicated to providing a PERSONALIZED and HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE.
We take great pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. We consider our staff to be our extended family and ensure they receive fair wages for their hard work. We are incredibly proud of our team! Without their dedication, we couldn’t offer the exceptional service and create the lifetime experiences our clients cherish.
Andes Path Peru understands the importance of trusting a reliable and honest operator to plan your adventure of a lifetime in Peru. We invite you to read our outstanding reviews and view our certificates of excellence on TRIPADVISOR! We also come highly recommended by publications such as Conde Nast Travelers and Lonely Planet.
To provide a more customized experience for our guests, Andes Path Peru has a strict policy of limiting our groups to a maximum of 8 people. This commitment to small group sizes is a key factor that distinguishes us from other companies that operate with much larger tour groups.
We are incredibly proud of our guides! They are consummate professionals who are fluent in English. They possess a deep knowledge of and a true passion for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are committed to continuous professional and personal growth, constantly researching to ensure you receive accurate and recognized information about Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun-loving, engaging, and highly educated. Each guide holds a university degree in a relevant field such as Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Trekking with Andes Path Peru is a life-changing journey. We offer a fully portered experience where your comfort and enjoyment are our highest priorities. We are dedicated to making sure you have the best possible holiday in Peru, allowing you to interact with local people, explore breathtaking sites, and rediscover remote ancient Inca towns. Our porters will carry your gear, prepare delicious meals, set up your tents in quiet locations away from crowded campsites, and take care of you, allowing you to simply sit back and relax.
We provide the following equipment to our porters at no cost: a jacket, sun hat, warm hat, t-shirt, pants, hiking boots, comfortable duffel bags, a canteen, a supportive girdle to protect their backs, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. All of our porters are hired from isolated communities, giving them the opportunity to improve their economic situation and help support their children’s education. We ensure that every one of our porters is treated like family!
The quality of our team (guides, cooks, porters, horsemen) and our top-of-the-line equipment truly makes Andes Path Peru stand out from the competition. For all of our adventure hikes, we include the following:
At Andes Path Peru, we have always believed in the importance of giving back to the local, isolated communities. Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we consistently run social projects and prioritize local hiring.
Andes Path Peru is proud to be able to support our local people. We do more than just employ them; we go back to our grassroots as they share with their families. We are delighted to have this holistic and supportive relationship with our highland employees and their families!