Itinerary

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 at (4,050m/13,287ft), 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; Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon and San Juan snow peaks. Soon after the pass, you will start your descent toward the Huchuy Qosqo plains hiking along a path that leads to the Cauca Ravine, where you will be able to see archeological remains and wild crops, such as tarwi, and a large quantity of cactus.

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 (3,650m/11,975ft).  Huchuy Qosqo (Little Cuzco) 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 (2,900m/9,514ft) 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.

  • Meals: Lunch & Dinner
  • Hiking time: 7 hours
  • Distance: 16kms/10 miles
  • Accommodations: Wiracocha Inn Hotel or Andean Terra Hotel

Day 2: Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu Cusco

We leave our hotel after 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. Then, we return back to Aguas Calientes, take a leisurely lunch, and at 4:22pm, we take the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo with a private van connection to Cusco arriving at your hotel in the evening at about 8pm.

  • Meal: Breakfast
  • Entrance tickets: Machu Picchu

Price

  • Price per person  US$380.00

Packing List

  • Day pack
  • Copy of your passport
  • Good hiking gear: hiking boots, warm jackets, gloves, hat warm fleece and socks
  • Sleeping bag
  • Walking boots
  • Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
  • Hat and gloves
  • Warm clothes: layers for variable temperatures, especially at night
  • T-shirts
  • Comfortable trousers
  • Sun hat
  • Sun screen
  • Insect repellent
  • Re-usable plastic/metal water container, or camel bags
  • Water for the first four hours of the trek, then we will provide you with drinking, previously boiled water
  • Toiletries
  • Personal medication
  • Camera and films
  • Flashlight with spare batteries
  • Walking stick
  • Bathing suit for the hot springs
  • Extra money for souvenirs, drinks and tips