Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 Days: Cusco’s Hidden Inca Citadel (2026 Guide)
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Availability Daily departures
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Transport Hotel pickup
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Languages Spanish, English
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Service type Not specified
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Cancellation policy Not specified
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Maximum altitude 4,393m (14,413 ft) m.s.n.m.
About this activity
Most people who visit Peru see Machu Picchu, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo. Very few ever reach Huchuy Qosqo (“Small Cusco” in Quechua) — a complete Inca royal estate perched on a natural terrace 700 meters above the Sacred Valley, with unobstructed views of the entire Urubamba basin. To get there on foot, you cross a 4,393m pass, walk the shores of a high-altitude Andean lake, and descend a mountain path that sees a fraction of the foot traffic of any other Cusco-region trek.
In two days and 15 km, the Huchuy Qosqo Trek covers more altitude change, more genuine Inca history, and more solitude than most half-day tours in the region. This is not a Machu Picchu shortcut — Huchuy Qosqo is a destination in its own right, and the people who’ve been there tend to call it one of their best days in Peru.
Price: $160 USD per person. Sleeping bag, camp cook, porter, and all meals included.
Why Choose This Tour?
- Chinchero (3,762m) — Inca market town, trek start
- Laguna Piuray (3,900m) — high-altitude Andean lake
- Paso Pucajasa (4,393m) — panoramic pass
- Huchuy Qosqo ‘Small Cusco’ (3,650m) — Inca citadel
- Sacred Valley viewpoint — 700m above the valley floor
- Lamay (2,938m) — Sacred Valley end point
Itinerary
Day 01
Itinerario
Itinerario
Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 Days: The Inca Citadel Almost Nobody Visits (2026)
- Daily departures (min. 2 people)
- Shared group service (max 14 people)
- MINCETUR-certified bilingual guide (Spanish/English)
- Sleeping bag included — rare for a 2-day trek
- Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure
- Hotel pickup in Cusco
Most people who visit Peru see Machu Picchu, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo. Very few ever reach Huchuy Qosqo ("Small Cusco" in Quechua) — a complete Inca royal estate perched on a natural terrace 700 meters above the Sacred Valley, with unobstructed views of the entire Urubamba basin. To get there on foot, you cross a 4,393m pass, walk the shores of a high-altitude Andean lake, and descend a mountain path that sees a fraction of the foot traffic of any other Cusco-region trek.
In two days and 15 km, the Huchuy Qosqo Trek covers more altitude change, more genuine Inca history, and more solitude than most half-day tours in the region. This is not a Machu Picchu shortcut — Huchuy Qosqo is a destination in its own right, and the people who've been there tend to call it one of their best days in Peru.
Price: $160 USD per person. Sleeping bag, camp cook, porter, and all meals included.
What's included
Inclusions
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Meals
- All meals: 2 breakfasts + 2 lunches + 1 dinner (camp dinner Night 1)
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Guide
- MINCETUR-certified bilingual guide (Spanish/English) — full 2 days
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Transportation
- Private transport Cusco → Chinchero and Lamay → Cusco
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Equipment
- Sleeping bag (suitable for temperatures below freezing at 3,800m)
- Complete camping equipment (double tent, sleeping mat, dining tent, chairs)
- Professional camp cook
- Porter for group gear
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Other
- Emergency oxygen + first aid kit
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior trekking experience?
No. At 15 km over 2 days, this is within reach of anyone who walks regularly and has acclimatized in Cusco for 1-2 days. Day 1 is a consistent climb but not technical. The descent on Day 2 requires steady footing (boots and poles help). If you've done day hikes before, you'll be comfortable here.
Is the sleeping bag really included?
Yes — unlike most 2-day treks in Peru (which list sleeping bags as extra), ours is included in the $160 price. The sleeping bag is rated for temperatures appropriate to camping at 3,800m (below-freezing nights). You don't need to rent or bring one.
Do I need the Cusco Tourist Ticket?
Yes. Entry to Huchuy Qosqo requires the Boleto Turístico del Cusco (BTC). The partial circuit ticket (~S/.70 / ~$18 USD) covers Huchuy Qosqo and several other sites. If you're spending more than 3 days in Cusco and visiting any other included sites (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, etc.), the full circuit ticket (~S/.130) offers better value. Purchase at the INC office on Garcilaso Street in Cusco before your departure — the guide can advise the morning of the trek.
Can I combine this with the Machu Picchu trip?
Yes, but not on the same trip — Huchuy Qosqo descends into the Sacred Valley (Lamay), and the return to Cusco takes you away from Machu Picchu. The most popular combination: Huchuy Qosqo Trek (Days 1-2), 1 rest day in Cusco (Day 3), then Salkantay Trek or Inca Trail beginning (Day 4). Many travelers use the Huchuy Qosqo Trek as acclimatization before a more demanding multi-day route.
How many people will be at Huchuy Qosqo?
Very few — typically 10-30 visitors per day total, compared to 4,000-5,000 at Machu Picchu. On weekdays outside peak season (June-August), you may have the entire main plaza to yourself. This is a significant part of the appeal: you can explore the ruins without queuing or crowding, photograph without other tourists in the frame, and hear the site in relative silence.
What time do we get back to Cusco?
Approximately 15:00 h on Day 2, depending on group pace. This gives you the full afternoon and evening in Cusco — time to eat, recover, and plan your next day's activity.
Is there mobile signal on the route?
Minimal on Day 1 above Chinchero and at camp. At Huchuy Qosqo (Day 2): occasional Claro/Movistar signal. In Lamay: full signal. If you need consistent connectivity, alert family that you'll be offline from approximately 07:30 h Day 1 to 10:00 h Day 2.
Can I do this as a private tour?
Yes — private departures are available for groups of 2-6 people. Contact us for pricing. A private departure means your own guide, flexible pacing, and a more personal experience at the ruins.
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