A fantastic two-day trek in the surroundings of Cusco, departing from Tauca, located just 45 minutes from Cusco, leading to Huchuy Qosqo, an ancient Inca archaeological site perched on a cliff with stunning views over the Sacred Valley of the Incas, crossing mountain passes, Andean communities and offering a large array of local flora and fauna. An excellent and less-beaten hike that can be complemented with a visit to Machupicchu as an alternative to the saturated Inca Trail.
Day 1: Chinchero (tauca) – Pucamarca – Huchuy Qosqo
We leave from Cusco at 7:00am in a private bus that takes us to Chinchero to then follow on to Tauca, a small Andean community that is the starting point of our trek. We start hiking uphill amidst a beautiful mountain scenery with presence of llamas, alpacas and lovely views of the Piuray Lagoon until we reach the only mountain pass of this program at 4500m/14760ft (2h). We then start descending along a restored Inca Trail for an approximated 1h towards the small Andean community of Pukamarca (4010m/13153ft) where we’ll have our box lunch. From there, we walk downhill towards the Leon Punku ravine, where we find remains of an Inca bridge and trail. This canyon boasts geological formations surrounded by majestic rocks and boulders that direct the river to Huchuy Qosqo at 3600m/11808ft, where we arrive by early afternoon. Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological complex with imposing architecture that includes a large open ceremonial center, from which we enjoy a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley, the Vilcanota River, and the snow capped mountain range of the same name. While in the complex, we receive a guided tour, after we spend one nigth in an small comunity (homestay) next to huchuy qosqo.
Day 2: Huchuy Qosqo – Lamay – Maras/Moray – Salt Mines
Next day we continue our way to Lamay at 3000m/9840ft. Lamay is a town dedicated to agriculture and cattle raising.in the morning. Our private transport will pick us up from Lamay, Afterwards we head to the archaeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouses of the Incas,” which is a unique and fascinating site, built prior to the Incas. Different levels of terraces are carved into a huge bowl, part of which was further excavated by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates, depending on how deep into the bowl they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops. After you have time to enjoy and explore the site, we continue towards the colonial town of Maras and to the Pre-Inca Salt Mine (Salineras). Thousands of saltpans have been used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into saltpans and evaporated to produce a salt that is used now for both human and animal consumption. It is quite beautiful the array of saltpans carved around the area.(optional hike from maras the Salt mines to moray). We’ll be back in Cusco at around 5 to 6 PM.
What is included:
Pre-departure briefing
Pick up from your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
Private bus to tauca
Private bus from lamay,sacred valley(maras,moray) to cuzco
Entrances fees to huchuy qosqo
Entrance fees to Maras Salt Mines.
Homestay with local family
Professional English/spanish speaking tour guide
Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
1 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 1 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Not Included
Breakfast on the frist day and last dinner
Walking Poles (Can be rented from us / each pair USD $ 8)
Tips
What to take
Day backpack, warm clothes (scarf, sweaters, rainjacket, gloves)
Walking boots.
Walking sticks (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)
Rain poncho
Sun hat + sunglasses.
Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
Toiletries and hand sanitiser
Personal medication
Camera and film
Snacks: energy bars, chocolate, dried fruits,etc.
Torch with spare batteries
Extra money
PRICES
per person USD $219.00 (minimum of 2 people)
Machu Picchu Extension:
1 Day trip From USD $ 280.00 per person (depending on group size, Train class, etc).
2 Day 1 night Trip From USD $ 335.00 per person (depending on group size, Train class, Hotel, etc).
A fantastic two-day trek in the surroundings of Cusco, departing from Tauca, located just 45 minutes from Cusco, leading to Huchuy Qosqo, an ancient Inca archaeological site perched on a cliff with stunning views over the Sacred Valley of the Incas, crossing mountain passes, Andean communities and offering a large array of local flora and fauna. An excellent and less-beaten hike that can be complemented with a visit to Machupicchu as an alternative to the saturated Inca Trail.
Day 1: Chinchero (tauca) – Pucamarca – Huchuy Qosqo
We leave from Cusco at 7:00am in a private bus that takes us to Chinchero to then follow on to Tauca, a small Andean community that is the starting point of our trek. We start hiking uphill amidst a beautiful mountain scenery with presence of llamas, alpacas and lovely views of the Piuray Lagoon until we reach the only mountain pass of this program at 4500m/14760ft (2h). We then start descending along a restored Inca Trail for an approximated 1h towards the small Andean community of Pukamarca (4010m/13153ft) where we’ll have our box lunch. From there, we walk downhill towards the Leon Punku ravine, where we find remains of an Inca bridge and trail. This canyon boasts geological formations surrounded by majestic rocks and boulders that direct the river to Huchuy Qosqo at 3600m/11808ft, where we arrive by early afternoon. Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological complex with imposing architecture that includes a large open ceremonial center, from which we enjoy a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley, the Vilcanota River, and the snow capped mountain range of the same name. While in the complex, we receive a guided tour, after we spend one nigth in an small comunity (homestay) next to huchuy qosqo.
Day 2: Huchuy Qosqo – Lamay – Maras/Moray – Salt Mines
Next day we continue our way to Lamay at 3000m/9840ft. Lamay is a town dedicated to agriculture and cattle raising.in the morning. Our private transport will pick us up from Lamay, Afterwards we head to the archaeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouses of the Incas,” which is a unique and fascinating site, built prior to the Incas. Different levels of terraces are carved into a huge bowl, part of which was further excavated by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates, depending on how deep into the bowl they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops. After you have time to enjoy and explore the site, we continue towards the colonial town of Maras and to the Pre-Inca Salt Mine (Salineras). Thousands of saltpans have been used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into saltpans and evaporated to produce a salt that is used now for both human and animal consumption. It is quite beautiful the array of saltpans carved around the area.(optional hike from maras the Salt mines to moray). We’ll be back in Cusco at around 5 to 6 PM.
What is included:
Pre-departure briefing
Pick up from your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
Private bus to tauca
Private bus from lamay,sacred valley(maras,moray) to cuzco
Entrances fees to huchuy qosqo
Entrance fees to Maras Salt Mines.
Homestay with local family
Professional English/spanish speaking tour guide
Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
1 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 1 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Not Included
Breakfast on the frist day and last dinner
Walking Poles (Can be rented from us / each pair USD $ 8)
Tips
What to take
Day backpack, warm clothes (scarf, sweaters, rainjacket, gloves)
Walking boots.
Walking sticks (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)
Rain poncho
Sun hat + sunglasses.
Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
Toiletries and hand sanitiser
Personal medication
Camera and film
Snacks: energy bars, chocolate, dried fruits,etc.
Torch with spare batteries
Extra money
PRICES
per person USD $219.00 (minimum of 2 people)
Machu Picchu Extension:
1 Day trip From USD $ 280.00 per person (depending on group size, Train class, etc).
2 Day 1 night Trip From USD $ 335.00 per person (depending on group size, Train class, Hotel, etc).