Rainbow Mountain
Full Day
+5
Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological settlement located 50 km north of the city of Cusco, at an elevation of 3600 masl (11,808 ft).
The Quechua name translates into “Little Cusco” and it is said to have been built and occupied around the years 1000–1400, having been the property of the eighth Inca or governing king, Viracocha ca. 1400, according to Spanish chronicles.
The place was a royal property in the countryside, modelled after the Inca capital of Cusco – hence its name.
The site is composed of buildings and remains in both adobe and stone.
It features walls, terraces, an 800 m water irrigation canal made of stone, water reservoirs, and also several scattered buildings including warehouses or “qolqas” in which the Inca dwellers kept food such as dry meat, maize, potatoes, quinoa and beans, having their own particular refrigeration system still appreciated today.
Huchuy Qosqo offers phenomenal views over the Sacred Valley: the site stands on a terrace, overlooking the town of Lamay below as well as the surrounding mountain range, with gorgeous snow-capped peaks such as the perfectly-triangled Verónica, San Juan, Chicón and Pitusiray.
Huchuy Qosqo is a stunning yet also lesser visited site.
About this Trek:
Inca Trail Explorer offers you a fantastic full-day hike in the surroundings of Cusco, departing from near Chinchero, following uphill towards a mild mountain pass, crossing smaller archaeological sites to then descend through a picturesque canyon to Huchuy Qosqo.
Great local flora and fauna along the way, and stunning views over the surrounding landscape and mountain ranges, as well as over the Sacred Valley of the Incas from Huchuy Qosqo itself.
Our experienced trekking guides of Inca Trail Explorer enrich the hikes with their knowledge and sharing, covering diverse topics such as Inca history, archaeology, architecture, social structure, economy, politics, astronomy, and fascinating traditions and beliefs.
Our Insight:
A fabulous route providing a real feeling of what it is to walk in the Andean countryside close to Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
A great blend of history, archaeology, nature, and of course stunning views and lots of peace, as we hardly find anyone en-route.
The way down to Lamay is pretty steep and can be tricky for hikers suffering from knee pain, so make sure to take your time and eventually bring along walking sticks to ease the descent.
A genuine hike around the corner from Cusco to get a real taste of Peru.
Price per person.
Prices per person depend on the group size, the larger the group the lower the price per person.
Please contact us (HYPERLINK "mailto:info@vacationsinperu.com" info@vacationsinperu.com) to check our prices, specifying:
trekking program.
number of people in the trek.
departure date.
INCLUDED
Pre-departure briefing.
Pick up from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to the starting point of the trek.
Huchuy Qosqo entrance fee.
English-speaking, professional, and official tourist guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people).
Boxed-lunch: Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost.
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
Private transport from Lamay to your hotel in Cusco.
24-hour guest service: please ask for the emergency number available during your time of visit.
NOT INCLUDED
Breakfast and dinner.
Tips: please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish.
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging.
Departure Dates: Daily departures are available along the year, although the period March to December is recommended to avoid the heart of the rainy season.
All private service departure dates are adapted to your request.
Group Size: Size requested by client.
Climate: Cusco’s climate is divided into two differentiated seasons: the rainy season, from November to April (the heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January – March); and the dry season, from May to October.
The dry season is colder, so temperatures can drop to below 0 ºC at night.
Along this hike, temperatures range from 10–20 ºC during the day, although they could be a little colder when crossing the pass in the dry season in case of bad weather.
In Lamay / Sacred Valley, at lower altitude, temperatures are already milder.
Appropriate clothing along the Inca Trail: Hiking pants and T-shirts are the most suitable, complemented by a sweater and eventually a fleece for cloudy or rainy weather and for the way back to Cusco.
It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur.
The rest of necessary implements are included in the Pack List.
Appropriate clothing along this trek:
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5 Days & 4 Nights
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2 Days and 1 Night
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