This trek is perfect for those, who prefer trails without many other tourists. The charm of this tour lies in the combination of impressive inca-forts, old andean villages, magical snow-covered mountain-peaks and an exotic vegetation with an extraordinary ecological diversity. This old inca-trail is far away from beaten tracks, passing over mountain-passes, through the Sacred Inca Valley with unforgettable views of a spectular scenary.
Huchuy Qosqo was probably established as a royal estate by the Inca Emperor Viracocha. Amongst a large number of buildings, some stone, some adobe, is a kallanka (great hall), 40m long. Providing water to the site is an Inca built irrigation channel, lined with stones for about 800m.
1st day: Cusco to Pukamarca
We pick you up at your hotel around 7.30 am and drive to Tambomachay, where we will start our trek. Tambomachay is comprised of a series of ceremonial water fountains, which are thought to have been dedicated to a water cult. Our hike from there will go over the Sicllaccasa pass at 4,020m from where you will enjoy spectacular views of the Ccauca Ravine and the surrounding high altitude landscape. We continue on to the Queullococha pass at 4,185m, going down to the Queullococha Lake, where we may see huallatas, ducks and small fish, before we climb towards the Challu Challu pass and the Rumicruz pass at 4,230m, with a spectacular panoramic view of the Qoricocha and the Vilcanota snow capped range. Here we rest and eat lunch. We then make our way to the Inca rock quarry, from where the rocks were extracted to build Huchuy Qosqo. Finally, we descend towards the Pucamarca community, to have diner and stay overnight.
2nd day: Pukamarca to Huchuy Qosqo and back to Cusco
We leave camp at around 8.00 am, and walk downhill towards the Leon Punku ravine, where we 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, where we arrive by mid morning. From Huchuy Qosqo, recently restored by archaeologists, located at 3,450 m, you clearly see many beautiful mountains as Chicon, Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Waccaywilca or Veronica, all sacred mountains “Apus”, respected and venerated by the Inca descendents living in this valleys for centuries. This Inca site is amazing and when we arrive, we have enough time to rest, relax and recover with a delicious pack lunch, then we will be ready for our guided tour to visit and explore this interesting Inca complex. In the afternoon, we continue our trek down to Lamay, located in the Sacred Valley, between Pisac and Calca. Here you have the possibility to eat some delicious guinea-pig, before we get picked up by our van for our transport back to Cusco.
