Hike to the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Tambomachay to Huchuy Qosqo, 2 days / 1 night camping)
Criss-crossed by an infinity of trails, the mountains around the city of Cusco offer unlimited opportunities for both long and short treks. This is a two-day hike taking us through beautiful scenery in the mountains north of Cusco, through seldom-visited communities to the little-known ruins of Huchuy Qosqo (“Little Cusco” in Quechua), high above the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Day 1
:
We drive from the city of Cusco to the Inca ruins at Tambomachay (3,700m). From there we will follow a trail which ascends to a pass at 4200m. We will then descend into a valley to the village at the bottom. As we descend into this narrow valley we will see another trail to our right, which leads to Pisac, in the Sacred Valley. Passing through the village we will cross a new bridge before beginning the ascent to the second pass at around 4300m, where we will be met by wide, open countryside. Continuing north we come to Lake Qoricocha ("Golden Lake" in Quechua). Beyond the lake we reach the highest point of the trek at 4350m, before beginning a gradual descent to the village of Pumamarca, which we will camp close to.
Day 2
:
Just beyond the village the valley narrows dramatically, and a series of Inca steps will lead us to the ridge overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Continuing along our magnificent route, with the dark peak of Pitusiray ahead of us, we eventually pass through an Inca gateway made from stone and adobe, before entering Huchuy Qosqo, situated above the Urubamba Valley, with the village of Lamay far below. Built by the Inca Viracocha as a summer residence, Huchuy Qosqo was an administrative centre like Pisac, and boasts the remains of finely constructed stone buildings in the classic Inca imperial style. The site also possesses granaries, indicating that it was an important agricultural centre. To descend into the valley we must take a steep path to the village of Lamay, from where we will return by road to Cusco or continue to the village of Urubamba.
Included:
Transfers.
Meals as described in the program.
Guide.
Trekking services, including: camp cook, wranglers and camping assistant(s).
All group camping equipment, double tents and Thermarest, kitchen and/or dining tent, and toilet tent.
All the trash produced during the trek returns to Cusco.
First-aid kit.
Not included
Personal expenses: clothing and sleeping bag (we have sleeping bags for hire at an additional cost).
