Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu 3D/2N

Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu 3 Days / 2 Nights – A Short Inca Trail Alternative

The Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu is a short and unforgettable 3-day, 2-night experience that combines scenic landscapes, ancient history, and rich Andean culture. It is an excellent option for travelers who want to explore more than just Machu Picchu and enjoy a peaceful trek away from crowded trails. In addition, it offers a more intimate connection with nature and local communities. The adventure begins near Cusco and follows old Inca paths through the Andes. As a result, hikers are treated to incredible views, open skies, and unique cultural encounters. Along the route, you pass beautiful lagoons, high mountain passes, and quiet valleys. Furthermore, the trek includes interactions with local villagers who still maintain traditional ways of life. One of the main highlights is the visit to Huchuy Qosqo, which means “Little Cusco.” This ancient Inca site sits high above the Sacred Valley and features terraces, ceremonial structures, and stunning views. It remains largely untouched by mass tourism, which makes the visit feel more special. Indeed, it provides a rare opportunity to experience Inca architecture without the crowds. After exploring Huchuy Qosqo, the journey continues to Lamay. Then, travelers are transferred to Ollantaytambo before boarding a scenic train to Aguas Calientes. The final day is dedicated to exploring the majestic Machu Picchu. With a professional guide, you’ll discover the secrets of this ancient citadel and its importance in Inca civilization. For example, you’ll learn how the Incas used agriculture, astronomy, and religious ceremonies in harmony with nature. This trek is suitable for all experience levels. Therefore, even beginners can enjoy it without difficulty. Also, no camping experience is required. In conclusion, the Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu is the perfect alternative for those seeking a cultural, scenic, and meaningful route to one of the world’s most iconic destinations.

Price

Now: USD 450 / per Person

Trip Details

Hiking
3 Days - 2Night
1 - 12 person
Easy

Hotel

English, Spanish

25 km

  • Huchuy Qosqo is an impressive archaeological and cultural site situated near the city of Cusco, in the Andes region.
  • Huchuy Qosqo is an ancient Inca settlement that includes a series of structures, plazas and agricultural terraces.
  • The road is less traveled and offers a quieter experience, as well as being an excellent option for travelers who enjoy hiking through natural landscapes and ancient Inca trails.

Advantages of the Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu

  • Short duration: 3 days and 2 nights, ideal for travelers with limited time.
  • Less crowded: offers a peaceful and intimate trekking experience compared to the classic Inca Trail.
  • Stunning scenery: includes lagoons, mountain passes, and panoramic views of the Sacred Valley.
  • Cultural richness: visit to the lesser-known Inca archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo.
  • Accessible for beginners: does not require prior trekking or camping experience.
  • Suitable for families, solo travelers, and groups.
  • Ends with a guided tour of Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most famous sites.

Considerations Before Taking the Huchuy Qosqo Trek

  • High altitude: trekking reaches up to 3,700 meters (12,100 feet); proper acclimatization in Cusco is necessary.
  • Moderate fitness level required: terrain can be uneven and challenging at times.
  • Accommodation: stays in local lodges or guesthouses; no camping involved.
  • Weather variability: rain and temperature changes are possible year-round; appropriate clothing is essential.
  • Advance booking: permits and reservations must be secured in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.

We will pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 a.m. then we will go 30 minutes from the city of Cusco to pucapucara where you will start trekking uphill for one hour until you reach the top we will pass through Inca areas, agriculture and Andean potato cultivation Your tour guide will provide you with information about how and where the Incas came to this area and about the Spanish conquest. Arriving at the top, we find a spectacular landscape that makes your trekking more marvelous. We continue walking for one more hour until lunch, at Lake Queullococha. The landscape at the lake is quite beautiful, the whole area is a high puna between the mountains and is covered with Andean grass, Andean grass. It is possible to see a great variety of birds, such as Andean geese, lapwings, partridges, among others. After lunch, the trekking continues for three more hours to our camp. We will walk through the paths of the mountains and we will have the opportunity to visit another Qoriqocha lake. Arriving at our Quencco camp, you will have the opportunity to visit the local family to learn about their lifestyle. After visiting family, we will have time to relax with a coca tea followed by dinner prepared by the Ali Peru treks

  •  Meals: breakfast Lunch/Dinner
  •  Lodging: Camping
  •  Distance covered: 12 km (7 miles)
  •  Elevation of camp: 3,600 m/ 11,808 ft.
  •  Approximate hiking time: 7 to 8 hours
  •  Difficulty level: Moderate

In the morning, you will wake up with a hot tea you will have time to pack your personal things the chef of Ali Peru treks will wait for you with an incredible breakfast after enjoying breakfast we continue with the trek to the Inca site on the way we meet local people working farming children grazing sheep, llamas. After 2 hours of trekking, you will arrive at a section of the original Inca trail. The landscape changes from high mountains to a valley. This valley is a beautiful microclimate, full of lush vegetation. Many small birds can be seen, including a variety of hummingbirds that feed on the flowers. As we move forward, we can see snow-capped mountains and the river of the sacred valley. Arriving at the Huchuy Cosco Inca site you will have time to explore such as sacred temples, warehouses, Inca terraces for agriculture and an Inca reservoir used to store water in the dry season. Your guide will take you through all this, after exploring everything we head downhill for 2 hours until we reach the town of Lamay 2920 m.s.n.m. where our transport awaits us to transfer us to the town of ollantaytambo where we will have our dinner before taking the 7 pm train to aguas calientes. Once in Aguas Calientes, your guide will drop you off at your hotel.

  •  Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  •  Lodging: Hotel
  •  Elevation: 2,040/ 16690 feet
  •  Distance covered: 6 km (3 miles)
  •  Difficulty: Moderate

Today will be a wonderful day, it is finally time to visit Machu Picchu: After an early breakfast at your hotel you will only have to carry your backpack with everything you need. The hotel will store your luggage for you while you are in Machu Picchu. The bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu takes approximately 25 minutes, once in Machu Picchu the guide will give you a two hour tour.during this guided tour, you will learn more about the history and culture of the Inca Empire.you will also have enough time to explore on your own.we recommend you return to Aguas Calientes no later than 2 hours before the departure of your train. The return train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo will take approximately 2 hours. In Ollantaytambo our staff will be waiting for you to take you back to Cuzco and drop you off at your hotel.

  • Meals: Breakfast

INCLUDES

Briefing:
The pre-route briefing or meeting takes place at your hotel the day before the route at 17:00 pm and lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour. During this session, you will meet the guide who will accompany you on the route, who will answer all your questions and resolve your doubts.
Professional guides:
specialized in hiking and selected from accredited universities. Our guides are fluent in English and have between five and twelve years of experience in different excursions in the region. They are skilled in handling groups under pressure and are experts in first aid and rescue techniques. Most of them come from different Andean communities and bring with them their cultural heritage. Together with the rest of the field team, our guides will make your trip a unique experience.
Chefs:
Trained in local gastronomy schools, they are experts in modern Andean cuisine, traditional Peruvian foods, international food styles and vegetarian cuisine. They have a deep knowledge of the nutritional properties of their meals and are experts in cooking as fast as possible. And all this, of course, with special emphasis on hygiene and food safety during preparation.
Porters:
Responsible for carrying all the group gear and your 7kg of personal items. They come from various rural communities from the Cusco region, where they still maintain their local customs and traditions. We provide them with accident insurance during the trek and with suitable clothing that allows them to work in comfort. Our porters are also hosts responsible for making your journey an unforgettable experience.
Horse:
we include in this tour horses  to carry your luggage during the tour, so you can enjoy your trip at ease.
Emergency horse
in this lares trek tour is included an additional horse for our clients in case they need support in the trek due to fatigue or other circumstances.
Hotel
The trek will include two nights camping and one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu). We include a 3 star hotel. Your reserved hotel is factored into the cost of your final bill and upgrades are always possible.
Tents:
These are high mountain tents. They can withstand harsh winter weather, including heavy rain and snow.
Sponge sleeping pads:
Our sponge mattresses guarantee a warm and comfortable night’s sleep on the trail.
Dining tent:
Our spacious dining tent, complete with chairs and a table, gives us all the space we need to enjoy our meals regardless of the weather outside.
Cooking tent:
Comes with all the necessary equipment for our chef to prepare your meals (gas stove and all food preparation utensils).
Bathroom Tents:
These tents have toilets with water pumps, and we will install them at all our lunch spots and campsites.
Transportation:
Bus from Cusco to the trailhead in the town
EXPEDITION Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (day 4).
Bus down from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes (day 4)
Round trip train ticket (Expedition class) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo after your visit to Machu Picchu.
Bus from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco.
Emergency equipment:
Satellite phones: Each of our groups carries a satellite phone with them at all times to communicate with our office in case of emergency or for clients to use in case they have a personal emergency anywhere in the world.
Radios: They have a range of 10 km and 8 frequencies for our guides, cooks and porters to communicate with each other.
First aid kit: We carry a full complement of over-the-counter medications, including alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, tincture of iodine, germicidal soap, cotton, gauze, bandages, adhesive medical tape, surgical gloves, analgesics for muscle and stomach pains, antipyretics, anti-allergics, anti-inflammatories, oral rehydration salts, laxatives, burn cream, splints, blood pressure devices, and thermometers. If you take prescription medication, you may bring your own medications.
Entrance ticket:
Huchuy Qosqo: .We include this entrance ticket
Machu Picchu: after 2 days of trekking it is finally time to visit the wonder of Machu Picchu.
Water:
From the first lunch to the last breakfast, we will provide you with all the water you need. The water will be provided boiled and purified, then cooled before distributing it. You must bring your water bottle and/or camelback. We recommend bringing about 3 liters. You will be able to refill water at each meal.
Small details:
We believe it is the attention to the small details that makes the difference. Each hiker receives a small pillow to sleep on, a foam mattress for insulation, a backpack cover to protect your gear while hiking and a rain poncho. We try to improve so you have a better experience.

NOT INCLUDES

Rent:
On this tour every hiker needs a sleeping bag to sleep in the campsites. Inflatable air mattresses and walking poles (with rubber tips) are optional but recommended. If you do not wish to bring any of the above, all are available for rent:
Sleeping bag: $15
Inflatable air mattress: $10
Poles (pair): $10
Lunch:
Lunch after the tour in machupicchu is not included in the tour.
Huayna Picchu:
Huayna Picchu mountain. it is a 40 minute hike that it will take you to get to the top and another 40 minutes it will take you to go back down. The tour would be done after your tour of Machu Picchu. The additional cost is $70 per person. Upgrades should be made at least one month in advance, due to the popularity and crowdedness of the place. Now regarding the weather, we can not do anything because it does not depend on us.

  • Click on the button BOOK NOW
  • Select your departure date
  • Fill out the form with all requested passport information
  • Submit the down payment required to book the Inca Trail

We require an initial deposit of $200 per person to reserve the trek. The initial payment is non-refundable, as it is necessary to purchase Inca Trail Permits, train tickets and book hotels.

Our booking platform offers options for Huayna Picchu mountain. It is essential to book Huayna Picchu, in advance. Please note that permits can sell out quickly. Trekking poles can be rented in Cusco one day before your tour

The balance can be paid up to 2 days before the departure date. If you plan to pay in cash, you can do so during the security briefing 1 day before departure.

The best time to do the Lares Trek is during the dry season, which runs from May to September. During these months, rainfall is minimal and the weather is more predictable, making the treks more comfortable and safe. The rainy season (November to March) can make the terrain slippery and difficult to walk on.

The highest point of the trek is at , at 3,400 meters above sea level. During the trek, trekkers cross several high points, which can cause altitude sickness in some people if they are not properly acclimatized. The average altitude of the areas through which the trek passes is between 3,000 and 3,400 meters

It is important to be well prepared, acclimatized to the altitude and in good physical condition to enjoy the hike safely.

Altitude: The trek takes place at high altitudes, reaching up to 4,700 meters.

Terrain: Although the route is less steep than the Inca Trail, it still involves climbing up and down uneven trails in some sections.

No, the LARES TREK can only be hiked with an authorized agency and an official guide. The Peruvian government regulates access to the trail, and all treks must be accompanied by certified guides.

During the tour you can only take the necessary luggage. The rest of your luggage must remain in Cusco. You can store it at:

The hotel: If you return to the same hotel after the trek, we recommend that you store your luggage at the hotel. Most hotels in Cusco offer this service free of charge.
At aliperutreks office: You can leave your luggage in our office, we have a secure storage room to keep all your luggage. We will deliver it to you after the trek.

No, you must book a tour with an authorized operator such as Aliperutreks.

We recommend arriving in Cuzco at least 1 or 2 days before the trek. If arriving from higher altitudes, only one day is required for acclimatization.

Our porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal belongings. This includes the sleeping bag and inflatable mattress. One day before the trek, at 17:00 pm, you will have a briefing at your hotel with the tour guide, who will provide your Duffle Bag. The maximum weight you can pack is 7 kg.

  • 2–3 T-shirts
  • 2–3 mountain pants
  • 4 sets of underwear
  • 4 sets of mountain socks
  • 1 fleece
  • 1 warm down jacket (it gets very cold at night)
  • 1 raincoat and pants
  • 1 sun hat
  • 1 wool hat
  • Headlamp (essential)
  • Waterproof gloves (ski gloves are also fine)
  • Comfortable camping shoes
  • Hiking boots
  • Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
  • Quick drying towel (we provide small towels, but you may want something larger)
  • Small bottle of soap (we provide hot water daily for cleaning)
  • Battery charger (no place to plug in the battery during the trek)
  • Large plastic bags (to organize and separate clean from dirty items)
  • Sleeping bag (we recommend down sleeping bags for -10°C minimum)

Make sure to bring the following essential items for the trek:

  • Original passport (no copy)
  • Valid student card (if you have booked as a student)
  • A good backpack (max. 14 liters)
  • Water tank (a Camelbak-type water tank is recommended, with a capacity of at least 2–3 liters)
  • Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight and with good soles)
  • Sunscreen
  • Facial moisturizer
  • Mosquito repellents
  • Moist towelettes
  • Toilet paper
  • Personal medication

We recommend you to carry a small backpack, maximum 25 liters, but we always say that the smaller the better. Inside Machu Picchu, backpacks larger than 25L will not be allowed inside.

  • Water: it is not included at the beginning of the trek you will have to bring your own water but after lunch we will provide you with water every day.
  • Fleece
  • Camera
  • Hat
  • Rain Gear
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for garbage
  • Extra money for souvenirs, drinks and tips
  • Ear plugs
Price
Now: USD 450 / per Person
Trip Details
Hiking
3 Days - 2Night
1 - 12 person
Easy

Hotel

English, Spanish

25 km

Our Recommended Tours

From USD800

Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4D/3N Andean Experience and Connection.

From USD

Special 5-day tour in cusco with hotel

From USD730

4 Day Cusco Machu Picchu Tour

From USD480

Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 1 day

From USD650

Inca Quarry Trail Hike to Machu Picchu 4Days/3Night

From USD780

Conquer the Legendary Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu – 5D/4N