Overnight Tour: Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu

Day 1: Cusco - Tauca -Huchuyqosqo Pass - Huchu Yqosqo - Lamay Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

You will start driving from your hotel to the small Village of Tauca, (3750m) the beginning of your trek will be on level terrain, and the landscape will be that of typical Andean valleys rich in corn, potatoes, barley, quinoa and other Andean tubers. As you ascend towards your pass at 4050m, the landscape begins to change dramatically to that classic of high Andean savannah or Puna, with scant vegetation, mainly “ichu” or high altitude grass. The views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba peaks are spectacular: Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon and San Juan snow peaks.

Soon after the pass you will start your descent toward the Huchuy Qosqo plains hiking along a path that leads to the Ccauca ravine, where you will be able to see archaeological remains and wild crops, such as tarwi, and a large quantity of cacti. You will walk downhill towards the Leon Punku ravine, where you will 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 3650 m. Huchuy Qosqo (“Little Cuzco”) is a Noteworthy Inca complex. It boasts very fine stonework in a large Kallanka (rectangular Hall), some residential and defensive quarters and interesting two-story buildings in stone and adobe. Huchuy Qosqo is located on a plateau, surrounded by Inca agricultural terracing and commanding superb views of the Vilcabamba range.

Afterwards we’ll go down hill to Lamay at 2900m where we’ll catch our transport driving to Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is the place where we’ll continue by train to Aguas Calientes town. Overnight in hotel.

Day 2: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Early breakfast and then take the first bus at 5:30am to be at Machu Picchu at 6am (only 25 minutes ride by bus) where you will get a guided tour (2 hours) then free time to explore the lost city of Machu Picchu. Go down to the Aguas Calientes town to return to Ollantaytambo by train and then we will take a bus back to Cusco's main square.