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.
We leave Cusco around 7 a.m. and drive through Chinchero to Tauca, a small andean village and starting point of our trek. We start hiking uphill, always seeing the beautiful mountain scenery with the presence of lamas, alpacas and lovely views of the Piuray Lake, until we reach the only mountain pass at 4,500 m. We then start descending along a restored inca trail towards the small andean communityu of Pucamara at 4,010 m. From there we go more downhill to the Leon Punku ravine, where find remains of an Inca bridge and trail. This canyon is surrounded by majestic rocks and boulders, that direct the river to Huchuy Qosqo at 3,600 m. Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological complex with an imposing architecture, including a large open ceremonial center, from which we enjoy a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley, the Vilcanota river and the snow capped mountain range. In the complex we have lunch, receive a guided tour, before we continue our way down to Lamay, a village located on the road between Pisac and Calca, dedicated to agriculture and the raise of guinea-pigs. Late in the afternoon a private van takes us back to Cusco.
