Huchuy Qosqo plus Short Inca Trail – 4 Days

Huchuy Qosqo plus Short Inca Trail and Machupicchu is designed for travelers who want that remains off the beaten path. This is an excellent 4-day alternative to the Inca Trail and offers the chance to see a lovely Inca complex and little traveled parts of the Andes and the Sacred Valley. Finally, the way leads us to Ollantaytambo, from where we take the train to km104 to start hiking the Inca trail to Machupicchu.

We will pick you up early from your hotel and transport you to Tambomachay (3,700 m/ 12,139 ft). Just a short 25-minute drive from Cusco in the Sacsayhuaman National Park, this is where we will meet the horsemen and horses that will accompany us for the first half of our trek.

Our trek begins with a gentle ascent through grassy highlands. Along the route, we will see the Inca site of Tambomachay (“Temple of the Water”). Built by the ancient Incas, it is one of the most spectacular Inca sites around Cusco. Its centerpiece is a beautiful water fountain where the Incas would take a spiritual bath before beginning their religious ceremonies.

A more demanding uphill stretch for 2 ½ hours brings us to the first pass of the day. At an altitude of 4,100 m/13,451 ft you will have an uninterrupted bird’s-eye view of several Inca sites in the area and the city of Cusco far below, so make sure you have your camera at the ready.

We will reach the crystal waters of Lake Qoricocha (Golden Water) by early afternoon, and this is where we will stop for a delicious lunch and even a short siesta if you’d like. After lunch, we continue upwards for just 30 minutes to the next pass on the north side of Qoriquocha at an elevation of 4,200 m/13,779 ft. From here, we begin our descent through spectacular valleys to a beautiful canyon where we will find the picturesque village of Pucamarca (3,980 m/ 13,054 ft).

At the end of the day’s trekking, we will be privileged to camp at one of the Inca ruins at Huchuy Qosqo (3,600 m/ 11,808 ft). As well as having a spectacular view of the Sacred Valley, you will also be able to lay back and star-gaze, as the night skies in the Andes are a wonder all their own!

And of course, our talented kitchen team will prepare a sumptuous dinner for us to share as we sit and reflect on the sights and sounds of the day.

After an early breakfast, our Guide will provide a tour of Huchuy Qosqo. Experts in the local area and the Inca culture, why not take this opportunity to try and catch our guides out with some tricky questions! After the tour, we take a path downhill for 2 to 3 hours until we reach Lamay (3,000 m/ 9,840 ft), where lunch will be waiting.

After lunch, we travel by local van to the bustling town of Ollantaytambo. After checking in to the comfortable hotel that we have booked for you, you may want to stroll around the town, soaking up the atmosphere of the Artesian markets and local street traders who ply their wares.

We will dine together at one of the best restaurants in town (drinks not included) before retiring for the night, ahead of our early start for the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

You will be picked up from your Ollantaytambo hotel at around 5:30 am and taken to the train station. Traveling by train for 2 hours along the most picturesque of routes, you will have the opportunity to see the valley and the mountains from a whole new perspective (and from the comfort of your seat!).

The train journey brings us to KM104 and the start of the Short Inca Trail. Our hike begins with a 3-hour climb to the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna (‘Forever Young’). Located at 2,680m (8,792ft) and overlooking the Urubamba River, the site has several well-preserved house complexes, fountain structures, and agricultural terraces.

Joining the main path to Machu Picchu, another gentle climb brings us to the spectacular ‘Inti Punku’ (or Sun gate).  Be prepared to be amazed, as it is from here, that you will get your first breathtaking views of Machu Picchu! (new profile picture anyone?)

We then take the final section of the trail to reach the ancient city itself. Once at Machu Picchu, there will be plenty of time to take photographs (there will be many more opportunities to come!) before we take a side path off the trail to catch the bus down to Aguas Calientes leaving the visit to Machu Picchu for the next day.

In Aguas Calientes, we once again dine together in a superb local restaurant before retiring for a well-deserved rest to feel rested and ready for our grand finale.

The hotel will provide either an early buffet or boxed breakfast to ensure we can take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. It is a journey of around an hour, and if the weather is in our favor, you may even see the spectacular sunrise over the Andes.

As we enter Machu Picchu, your first up-close views of this new world wonder are guaranteed to be unforgettable! Your guide will give a full 2-hour walking tour of the site, ensuring you get to all of the iconic photo spots. After the tour, you can climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains for more spectacular views (tickets not included) or spend more time exploring the site or finding a quiet spot to reflect on the spiritual nature of this ancient wonder.

Finally, taking the bus back to Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, you will board the expedition train to Poroy or Ollantaytambo. You will travel by private van to Cusco and back to your hotel. Your arrival time in Cusco will depend on traffic and connections but should be around 8 pm.

• Pre trek Briefing (briefing at the hotel).
• Pick up from your hotel on the morning of departure.
• Transportation from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the hike by private car.
• Entrance fee to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu (Huayna Picchu US$ 80 extra) and Inca Quarry.
• English / Quechua / Spanish professional guide speak.
• Second Tour Guide over 12 people.
• Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent, which allows for greater comfort and storage of backpacks.
• Thermarest air-inflate Comfortable sleeping Mattress.
• Professional Cook.
• Cooking equipment.
• Dining equipment, including portable chairs and tables.
• Local food service in the campsites (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, 3 snacks).
• Vegetarian and free gluten food for no extra cost.
• Daily tea service (weak up Coca tea and afternoon tea time or happy hour with full of popcorn, chocolate, coffee, and special snacks made by our cooks).
• Water for Drinking: we will supply filtered, and boiled water and your bottles will be filled at each mealtime. Please bring enough water for the first day only.
• Single tents upon request with no extra cost.
• Horseman and horses. (they will carry our duffel bag of 7 kilos including your sleeping bag, matt, and clothes.).
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu round trip (4th day).
• Expedition train ticket to the head of trail (104 Km.).
• Expedition train ticket Aguas Calientes / Ollantaytambo.
• Private transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• 1-night accommodation in Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes (twin bedroom with private bathroom and hot shower).
• Insurance policy of life for cooks and horsemen.
• Visit Machupicchu on the last day (2 hours guided tour to explore the whole incan sites).

• Extra expenses.
• Breakfast – Day 1.
• Lunch and dinner – Day 4.
• Pillows.
• Not detailed meals.
• Porter to carry your personal stuff along the short Inca trail Extra Porter (Full Porter 12kg) US$150 – Extra Porter (Half Porter 6kg) US$75
• Travel and health insurance (bring copies with you).
• Huayna Picchu entrance US$ 80 extra.
• Sleeping bags (it can be rented from us for US$ 30 for the entire trip).
• Walking sticks (it can be rented from us for US$ 20 for the entire trip).
• Tips (optional).

• Original Passport.
• Original Student Card (if you book as a student).
• A travel insurance card is essential.
• Sleeping bag.
• Walking sticks.
• Rain gear (jacket and pants) or poncho. Plastic ponchos can be purchased for about $ 2 in Cusco.
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots are recommended. Extra socks are a must.
• Sandals or plastic slip thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breathe at night if you want to take them.
• Warm clothes include jackets, fleeces, gloves, scarf, and knit / tour beanies. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• Camera, films, and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions).
• Hat or cap to protect you from sun, rain, and cold.
• Sunblock.
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body.
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported.
• Toilet paper.
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
• Your own first aid kit with special medicines you may need, paracetamol, second skin blisters, etc.
• Small towel.
• Bathers/swimsuit (if you think swimming in the hot springs)
• Cash – sufficient for snacks, tips, and souvenirs.
• Eager and adventurous spirit to enjoy your hike.

We also offer a special service only for you or your group, you have the power to choose the size of your group and the date of departure, we will never add other people since it will be organized only for you.

Our Huchuy Qosqo plus Short Inca Trail – 4 Days private service, includes additional items such as:

Additional Inclusions:

• Extra Emergency Horse to ride (1-2 day – only for any emergency).
• Extra Porter (to carry your personal stuff 7kg/person) for the Short Inca Trail
• Hotel 3 Stars (At Aguas Calientes Town).
• North Face 4 season tents.
• Entrance to climb Huaynapicchu Mountain.
• Vistadome Train (First Class train back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo).
• Private Van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Bus Round Trip (Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes).
• Lunch in Machupicchu or Aguas Calientes.
• Sleeping Bag.
• 02 Waking Poles per Person.
• 1 Duffel Bag to carry all your sleeping bags, self-inflating pad as well as your clothes.
• Tour Guide to explore Machupicchu and Huaynapicchu all day. And of course, we pay a little more to our Staff and Guide.

Our prices for the Huchuy Qosqo plus Short Inca Trail – 4 Days are reasonable and are in different packages with the prices that are handled in the city of Cusco, and discounts will apply automatically for groups of over 5 people when booking this tour together at the same time.
We are a local tour operator that never shares service with any other company in Cusco, most agencies in Cusco share their service to save operating costs with poor quality. We guarantee to make the trip even if there are only 02 people in your group.
Our booking process is simple and you can secure your trip with only a 40% deposit and pay the rest at the destination.

We want your vacation to Peru to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. This section contains answers to any inquiries regarding going with Huaynas Expeditions. Please read the following information; it will assist you if you have any queries regarding our services.