Trek To Machu Picchu – Huchuy Qosqo and Inca Trail 3 days

The day before your tour departure, your guide will give you a briefing about to trek to Machu Picchu, he will also distribute the duffel bags where you will load your personal items.

Day 1: Tauca – Huchuy Qosqo

Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu starts at 8 AM. After a short meeting with your guide and driver, we will load your gear onto the van or bus and go for a 45-minute drive up to Tauca near Piuray Lake. There, we will meet with the horseman and meet the mules and horses.

The trail will begin at the end of the Tauca Village, and we will start up the first challenging section: the Urubamba Mountain Range. Throughout the hike, be sure to take in the amazing vistas of the mountains and Andean villages as we pass archaeological remains and colorfully dressed children and women looking after llamas and alpaca herds.  Far atop the highest mountain pass of Pumamarka (4,419 m – 14,500 ft), views of grassy mountains, hills and lagoons culminate the hardest section of the hiking trip.

After we leave the pass, we will follow a trail down from the Upper High Sierra. This is one of the steepest descents of the Machu Picchu hiking trip, so be prepared. This descent also has some of the most beautiful views include a forest of Queuña trees and into the gorge of the vertical walls of the Leon Punku ravine. The trail will become steeper as we descend below the ravine, but the views of a perfectly preserved Inca bridge and stairs will distract you.

After hiking for one more hour, the trail rapidly opens up, offering views of the Vilcanota mountain range at (3,600 m – 11,811 ft). After a short hike down, we will arrive to a grassy clearing surrounded by mountains with vistas of Huchuy Qosqo complex.

The best time to visit Huchuy Qosqo is as after luncha at your own pace or with a guide. Huchuy Qosqo is located about 400 meters above the Sacred Valley. Historians say that the great Inca King Pachacutec built this fortress, possibly as a holiday or royal retreat. A royal estate was most commonly marked by agricultural terraces and palaces meant as home for the Inca ruler and the nobles. Be sure to take a moment to enjoy the astonishing surroundings of Huchuy Qosqo: the mountains and the Sacred Valley with the Vilcanota River running through. As soon as we have fully enjoyed this place, we will have breakfast before we pack everything and continue on with our Machu Picchu hiking.

The trek from Huchuy Qosqo begins with a descent towards La May, a small village located in the middle of the Sacred Valley where our private transportation will be waiting for a 40-minute drive to Ollantaytambo.

• Meals included: (1 breakfast – 1 lunch – 1 dinner).
• Hiking distance: 9.46 km –  5.87 miles / 6 to 7 hours
• Highest pass: Pumamarka 4419 m – 14,500 ft.
• Camping facilities: Tents, sleeping pads and portable camping toilet. No showers and no shopping facilities.

Day 2: Inca trail to Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

Early morning we will catch a train for an spectacular ride from the Sacred valley into the walls of the Urubamba gorge to the km 104 the beginning of the hike.

Just some time away from the gate of the Inca trail, the Chachabamba is the first site to visit on our route to the highest point of the trek. it takes about 4 hours ascending until arriving to Wiñaywayna c0mplex(“Forever Young”), located at 2,700 m. or 8,858 ft. above sea level. This complex is located on a mountain hill site and its built with granitic stones. The complex includes agricultural centers; it has numerous terraces, a religious precinct and an urban settlement. At the top, we will have magnificent views of the Urubamba River Valley and the Chokes archaeological complex located on the opposite side of the river. The name Wiñay Wayna means “Eternal Youth.”.  This place overlooks the Urubamba River and contains compact structures of unique architecture that includes staircase with water fountains systems and agricultural terraces that were built to take advantage of the mountain’s topography. The ruins consist of upper and lower house clusters, interconnected by a long, precipitous staircase including fountain structures, often referred to as “baths.” A large area of presumably agricultural terraces lies north of the house-staircase complex. The site is typical of those in this region. After a guide explains the history and nature of this place, we will then start climbing for one more than one hour along a trail of flat stones and cliffs to Intipunku “The Sun Gate”. From this fabulous spot, great views of Machu Picchu are visible and it is ideal for taking pictures and relaxing before continuing descending to Machu Picchu to enjoy and relax in this magical place. After, we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and rest for the night.

Overnight: Hotel at Aguas Calientes.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner.

• Hiking distance: 10 km – 67.2 miles / 5 to 6 hours
• Highest pass: 2,700 m. or 8,858 ft. above sea level.
• Departure time: 5:30 am.
• Arrival to Aguas Calientes: between 4 to 6 pm.

*This  Inca trail t0 Machu Picchu is rapidly booked, we advise to book this treks with at list a year before.

Day 3: Machu Picchu – Cusco

Our final Machu Picchu hiking tour offer a spectacular end to our days together. Beginning at Aguas Calientes bus station, we start our day with an early 25 minutes shuttle ascending across the jungle before arriving to the end of the road. At 2430 meters – 7942 feet, Machu Picchu is one of the 7 new wonders of the world, the forgotten city of the Incas.

Your guide will lead you around and give you a thorough introduction to the history of this impressive complex.

The Inca complex of Machu Picchu is commonly described as a royal estate of the Inca ruler Topa Inca Yupanqui – Pachacutec. The ancient builders of Machu Picchu didn’t have the advantage of the wheel, iron, or any written language. The construction of this incredibly well-planned complex with its extraordinary structures in this remote and isolated mountainous setting, without the regular tools of modern day life, is a true wonder, almost a mystery.

The Machu Picchu hiking trip gives the opportunity to hike Huayna Picchu (the highest peak behind Machu Picchu – please note that booking in advance is necessary), the other option is hiking Montaña or Inti Punku.

After the guided tour around Machu Picchu, there will be time to walk around, take pictures and to simply enjoy the amazing surroundings.

Depending on the time of departure, we meet with the rest of the group at Aguas Calientes train station and begin the journey back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco.

• Meals Included: 1 breakfast.
• Hiking distance: 3 km –  1.86 miles / 3 to 4 hours.
• Highest altitude: Machu Picchu 2430 meters 7972 feet.

What’s included?

Hotel rooms

A 3 stars hotel is included in our price rated with 4 to 5 points of five in TripAdvisor and Bookingcom. The trip prices are based on double hotel rooms and lodges.

If you like to have your own private room, you need to pay extra to cover the price of the room.

Rupa Wasi hotel is our first choice, if there is not available spaces, Terrazzas del Inca or Casita de Luz will be our next options.

Hotel 4 and 5 stars are available, please contact us to upgrade your hotel category.

Departure dates.

Flexible. Our group departures are guarantee with a minimum of 2 people.

Season: All year round.