Tambopata and Sandoval Lake
3 Days and 2 Nights
+5
ProgramWe will pick-up you early morning from your hotel or Airbnb, at 07:00 am and drive to Tambomachay (3800 m.), an archaeological complex situated in the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park.
Tambomachay is comprised of a series of ceremonial water fountains, which are thought to have been used in the rituals of a water cult.
The day’s hike will start at this point, and will continue through puna landscapes and over the Sicllaccasa pass at 4020m/13186ft.
Down the other side, we hike along a path that leads to the Ccauca ravine, where we encounter archaeological remains and wild crops, such as tarwi, and a large quantity of cacti.
We continue on to the Queullococha pass at 4185m/13727ft, where we may enjoy views of the lake with the same name.
Surrounding the area in spectacular views stand the Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon and San Juan snow peaks.
Continuing the path, we walk past the Queullococha Lake, where we may see huallatas, ducks and small fish, to then climb towards the Challu Challu pass at 4220m/13842ft.
From this point, we observe the Chinchero plains and the Piuray and Qoricocha lagoons.
We then ascend towards the fourth pass at Rumicruz at 4230m/13874ft and enjoy a panoramic view of the Qoricocha and the Vilcanota snow-capped range.
Here we rest and eat lunch.
We then make our way to the Inca rock quarry at 4220m/13842ft, which was the place from where the rocks were extracted to build Huchuy Qosqo.
Finally, we descend towards the Pukamarca community at 4010m/13153ft, where we arrive in the late afternoon.
Here we dine and camp for the night.
Meals: L, D
Total distance: 10km (6,37miles) Estimated hiking time: 5–6 hours Maximum altitude point: 4,230m (13,874 ft) Campsite altitude: 4,010m (13,153ft)
We leave camp at around 08:00 am, and 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 mid-morning.
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 until lunchtime, after which we continue our way to Lamay at 3000m/9840ft.
Lamay is a town dedicated to agriculture and cattle raising.
Later in the afternoon, our private transport drives us back to Cusco.
Estimated arrival time in the late evening.
Meals: B, L
Total distance: 6km (3,13 miles) Estimated hiking time: 4 hours Maximum altitude point: 3,600 m (11,808 ft)
TREK DETAILS
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
Price Information:
Price per person
Prices per person depend on the group size, the larger the group the lower the price per person.
Please contact us (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 Tambomachay (starting point of the trail)
Huchuy Qosqo entrance fee
Personal tents
2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks. Our tents are 3-season, highly maintained to ensure an excellent performance in the field.
One inflatable sleeping pad per person
One sleeping bag per person
Our sleeping bags are -18ºC-comfort (0ºF), mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 30 trips.
One pillow per person
Dining tent with tables and chairs
Kitchen tent
Toilet tent with biodegradable toilet facilities
English-speaking, professional, and official tourist guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people)
Chef and cooking equipment
Porters (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)
Porters to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 9kg per person (including sleeping bag and sleeping pad)
Accommodation for all our staff
Meals (01B, 02L, 01D + daily morning snack + tea service on day 1). Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost
One textile snack bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment
Filtered boiled water from lunch time on first day onwards
Biodegradable personal hand soaps
Biodegradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff
Other things
Hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough advance notice
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 on the first day and dinner on the last day
Tips
Please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish.
What to bringThis private service already includes a porter to carry up to 9kg of personal items, a personal sleeping bag and a personal sleeping pad.
Please contact us (info@vacationsinperu.com) should you require additional services.
PRE-TREK INFORMATION
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 10-20ºC during the day if it’s sunny, to 05-10ºC during the day if not sunny or below 05ºC at night at the campsite. In Lamay / Sacred Valley, at lower altitude, temperatures are already milder.
Appropriate clothing along this trek
Hiking pants and T-shirts are the most suitable, complemented by a sweater and a fleece and jacket for cloudy or rainy weather, the evenings and night. 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.
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 800m 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:
Our two-day route with Inca Trail Explorer, departs from the city of Cusco, slowly climbs to the Andean plateau between Cusco and the Sacred Valley, to then reach Huchuy Qosqo.
It crosses smaller archaeological sites and picturesque canyons along the way, dotted with wildlife and spectacular views over the surrounding landscape and mountain ranges, and also 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.
Mobile camping is provided as accommodation.
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.
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