Huchuy Qosqo 2D/1N

DAY 1: CUSCO – TAUCA – HUCHUY QOSQO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES:

At 6am, we will start driving from your hotel to the small Village of Tauca (3,750m/12,303ft), the beginning of your trek. We will be on level terrain and the landscape will be that of typical Andean Valleys, rich in corn, potatoes, barley, quinoa and other Andean tubers. As you ascend towards the pass, the landscape begins to change dramatically to the classic of High Andean Savannah or Puna, with scant vegetation, mainly “ichu” or high altitude grass. The views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba peaks are spectacular. Soon after the pass, you will start your descent toward the Huchuy Qosqo plains hiking along a path that leads to the Cauca Ravine.

You will walk downhill towards the Leon Punku ravine, where you will find remains of an Inca bridge and trail. This canyon boasts geological formations surrounded by majestic rocks and boulders that direct the river to Huchuy Qosqo at. Huchuy Qosqo (Little Cusco) is a noteworthy Inca complex. It boasts very fine stonework in a large Kallanka (rectangular Hall), some residential and defensive quarters and interesting two-story buildings in stone and adobe. Huchuy Qosqo is located on a plateau, surrounded by Inca agricultural terraces and allows superb views of the Vilcabamba range. Afterwards, we will go downhill to Lamay at where we will catch our transport to drive to Ollantaytambo, the place where we will continue by train to Aguas Calientes. Then, overnight in a hotel.

DAY 2: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO:

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! ter a very early breakfast to take the bus for the journey up to Machu Picchu ruins. Once inside the citadel, there is a private 2 hour tour provided with plenty of free time for further exploring, taking photos and the option to climb Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or go up to the Sun Gate. On your 2.5 hours private tour, your guide will expertly direct you through the enigmatic ruins and its most important sites. You will see the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor, Temple of Three Windows, Sun Dial, Quarry, the House of the Inka, the urban areas, agricultural terraces and many different types of architecture. Then, we return back to Aguas Calientes, take a leisurely lunch. We take the Expedition train which departs at 14:55pm to Ollantaytambo with a private van connection to Cusco arriving at your hotel in the evening at about 7pm.