Guests are collected from their hotel in the morning to start this lovely trek to the little-known Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo, situated on a plateau with stunning views overlooking the Sacred Valley and snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba range.
Start your day by driving to the small town of Corao around 30 minutes from Cuzco and the epicentre of all Cusquenan earthquakes before branching off road into the high Andes and the tiny village of Patabamba at 3,400 m. Here is the start of the local trail to Huchuy Qosqo.
The trail takes you through small hamlets and affords stunning views of the Sacred Valley and Písac below. The trail climbs steadily to a pass at 4,200 m, beyond which you will descend to a beautiful canyon, where a picnic lunch is served. By now you are on the original Inca Trail from Cuzco to Machu Picchu until you reach the plateau housing Huchuy Qosqo.
After exploring the ruins it is a steep descent to the village of Lamay where your driver will be waiting. This trek is well away from the tourist trail and should last a total of eight to nine hours, although this can be reduced by around one and a half hours if your vehicle is able to make it to Huchuy Qosqo ruins to pick you up. (This road is commonly blocked by landslides so it is better to expect a descent to Lamay on foot.)
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Peru specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Chinchero Market & Ruins
During your day of exploration, you visit the colourful local market in the town of Chinchero. This is one of the most traditional markets in all of South America, and you will be surrounded by locals in their traditional dress all buying and selling their produce.
Cuzco City Tour
A half-day tour of the city and nearby Inca ruins begins at Koricancha, which was the Inca’s sumptuous Temple of Sun before becoming the Spaniard’s Santo Domingo church.
Moray, Maras & Ollantaytambo
Visit the Maras salt pans, the experimental agricultural terraces of Moray and the remnants of Ollantaytambo, once an important Inca administrative centre.
Písac Market and Ruins
In the small colonial village of Písac, spend the morning exploring the colourful Indian market, with its wide variety of textiles and ceramics.
White water rafting on the Urubamba
Today will take you above Cuzco to the Chuquicahuana section of the Urubamba River to raft on class III-IV rapids. Here the river is much cleaner and more fun than in the lower sections, and no previous experience is necessary.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
