Overview
Experience Highlights
- Hike the scenic Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu, a short alternative route through the Sacred Valley region.
- Explore the remarkable Huchuy Qosqo Archaeological Site overlooking the Sacred Valley.
- Trek through beautiful Andean landscapes, mountain lakes, remote trails, and traditional communities.
- Experience local highland scenery surrounded by llamas, alpacas, and spectacular mountains.
- Spend one night camping in the Andes and another night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Travel by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu.
- Explore Machu Picchu with a guided tour led by an experienced local guide.
- Travel with professional guides and carefully organized trekking logistics.
Journey Overview
01
Cusco – Tambomachay – Koricocha Lake – PukamarcaTravel from Cusco to Tambomachay and begin your trek through peaceful Andean landscapes and local communities. Hike past mountain lakes to Koricocha Lake before continuing to the traditional village of Pukamarca for your first night of camping.
02
Pukamarca – Huchuy Qosqo – Lamay – Ollantaytambo – Aguas CalientesHike to the impressive Huchuy Qosqo Archaeological Site and explore its terraces, temples, storehouses, water channels, and plazas. Descend to Lamay, continue by private transportation to Ollantaytambo, and board the evening train to Aguas Calientes.
03
Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo – CuscoVisit Machu Picchu with your guide and discover the remarkable Inca citadel before returning to Aguas Calientes and traveling by train to Ollantaytambo, followed by transportation back to your hotel in Cusco.
Itinerary
Cusco – Tambomachay – Pukamarca
Our team will pick you up from your hotel at approximately 7:00 a.m. and drive for around 20 minutes to Tambomachay, located just outside Cusco. From here, you will begin the Huchuy Qosqo Trek.
The first section consists of an approximately four-hour uphill hike toward our lunch spot at Koricocha Lake (3,700 m / 12,130 ft). Along the way, you will pass beautiful mountain lakes and local communities while observing llamas, alpacas, and different species of birds.
Lunch will be served on the shores of the lake. Afterward, continue for approximately three more hours along a trail with gradual uphill and downhill sections until reaching Pukamarca Village (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), beautifully located in the Peruvian Andes.
Pukamarca is a small traditional community whose inhabitants primarily depend on agriculture and livestock, including potatoes, beans, llamas, alpacas, and sheep. Here, you will have warm water to wash, enjoy tea and dinner, and spend the night in comfortable tents.
- Hiking Distance13 km / 8.1 miles
- DurationAround 7 hours
- Campsite Altitude3,800 m / 12,467 ft
- MealsLunch, dinner
- AccommodationCamping
- DifficultyModerate
Pukamarca – Huchuy Qosqo – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
After breakfast, you will have an opportunity to experience the surroundings of Pukamarca before beginning the day’s hike. From the village, we will trek for approximately two hours toward the Huchuy Qosqo Archaeological Site (3,650 m / 11,975 ft).
Located high above the Sacred Valley, Huchuy Qosqo is an impressive archaeological complex built during the Inca period. The site features agricultural terraces, temples, storehouses, water channels, large plazas, and spectacular views overlooking the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, and the surrounding Peruvian Andes.
You will have time to explore the archaeological site with your guide before beginning an approximately one-hour downhill hike toward Lamay.
After lunch, our private transportation will take you to Ollantaytambo, where you can explore the historic streets of this remarkable Inca town. After dinner at a local restaurant, you will board the approximately 7:00 p.m. train to Aguas Calientes and spend the night in a hotel.
- Hiking Distance8 km / 5 miles
- DurationAround 6 hours including hiking and visits
- Huchuy Qosqo Altitude3,650 m / 11,975 ft
- Aguas Calientes Altitude2,000 m / 6,560 ft
- MealsBreakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
- AccommodationHotel in Aguas Calientes
- DifficultyEasy to Moderate
Machu Picchu – Cusco
On the final day, wake up early and enjoy breakfast at the hotel before taking the approximately 30-minute bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
Once at the archaeological site, your guide will accompany you through the areas included in your assigned Machu Picchu circuit while explaining the history and significance of this extraordinary Inca citadel. The guided visit lasts approximately two to three hours.
If you have separately booked an additional mountain entrance, such as Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will complete the hike according to the conditions and schedule of your corresponding ticket.
After completing your visit, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where lunch will be on your own. In the afternoon, board the train to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, our team will be waiting to transfer you back to Cusco, with drop-off at your hotel at approximately 7:30 p.m.
- Guided Tour Duration2 to 3 hours
- MealsBreakfast at the hotel
- DifficultyEasy
Inclusions
We carefully organize every aspect of your experience from transportation and professional local guides to the services and activities included in your itinerary allowing you to relax and fully enjoy your adventure.
Because every tour is unique, included services may vary depending on the itinerary you choose. We encourage you to review each program carefully before booking to ensure you have all the information you need and can prepare for an unforgettable experience in Cusco and Peru.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Permits & Entrance Tickets
- Entrance ticket to the Huchuy Qosqo Archaeological Site.
- Entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Site.
Machu Picchu Circuit 2 offers one of the most complete routes through the citadel and is highly requested. Although included in this experience, availability is limited, so we strongly recommend booking at least three months in advance.
If Circuit 2 is unavailable, we will arrange Circuit 3-B, which explores the lower area of the citadel, including the urban sector and key ceremonial sites. If this circuit is also sold out, Circuit 1-B will be arranged, covering mainly the upper panoramic area and its iconic viewpoint.
Quality Service & Safety
- Pre-departure briefing: You will have an orientation meeting with your guide the evening before the tour. Depending on the itinerary, the meeting will take place at your hotel or by phone.
- Experienced Tour Leader: Our official tour guides speak English and Spanish and are professionally trained and certified. We choose them for their experience, responsibility, passion for exploring, and pride in sharing our culture and history.
- Private camping equipment: Spacious dining tents, tables, chairs, cooking equipment, and sleeping pads (foam mattresses).
- One duffle bag for your personal belongings during the trekking portion of the tour.
- Medical kit or first aid kit.
- 24/7 customer service.
Accommodation
- 1 night of camping accommodation on Day 1.
- 1 night in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Meals
- 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners.
- Water on the trail.
- Wake-up tea.
- Daily snacks on the trail.
- One cloth snack bag per person.
- Hygiene products.
Transportation
- Day 1: Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco and private transportation to Tambomachay, the starting point of the trek.
- Private transportation from Lamay to Ollantaytambo on Day 2.
- Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes on Day 2.
- Day 3: One-way Consettur bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo on Day 3.
- Day 3: Private transportation from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco.
- Personal belongings transportation: During the trekking portion, pack mules will carry the camping equipment and your permitted luggage of up to 5 kg / 11 lb.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
Huayna Picchu Mountain
Huayna Picchu requires a separate entrance ticket and advance reservation. If you would like to add this experience to your Machu Picchu visit, please request it well in advance due to limited availability.
Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain also requires a separate entrance ticket. The route generally follows wider and less steep trails than Huayna Picchu and takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach the top. If you would like to add this hike, please request the ticket in advance.
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bags are not included. If you do not have your own, you can rent one from our company. Our sleeping bags are designed to protect against temperatures as low as -18°C / 0°F.
Trekking Poles
Trekking poles with rubber tips can be useful on uneven terrain, particularly during ascents and descents. If you do not have your own, you can rent a pair from our company.
Day 1 breakfast
Day 3 lunch and dinner
Travel insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is customary on trekking excursions in Peru. Although we pay our team members, additional gratuities are appreciated.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Including landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to safety concerns, illness, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, or similar circumstances.
Before you go
Please read the following details carefully, as they will help you have a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
Acclimatization Before Your Trek
To fully enjoy your adventure in the Andes, it is important to give your body enough time to adjust to the high altitude before beginning your trek.
We recommend arriving in Cusco at least 2 to 3 days before your departure. This allows your body to acclimatize, helping to reduce the risk of altitude sickness and ensuring a safer, more comfortable experience on the trail.
If you have already spent time at another high-altitude destination in Peru before arriving in Cusco, we still suggest spending at least one full day in the city. Use this time to rest after your journey, adapt to the elevation, and explore the rich culture, history, and atmosphere of Cusco at a relaxed pace.
Here are some recommended activities to enjoy before starting your adventure:
- Cusco City Tour
- Cusco Walking Tour
- Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Moray & Maras Tour
- Super Sacred Valley Tour
- Qeswachaka Bridge Tour
Hotel Pick-Up Information
Hotel pick-up is available within Cusco city. For better accessibility, we recommend staying in the historic center or areas with easy vehicle access.
Our team will confirm your exact pick-up time one day before your tour begins.
Due to traffic conditions and the location of your accommodation, pick-up times may vary slightly.
Cusco is a historic city with narrow streets, cobblestone roads, and some steep areas. Certain hotels or accommodations may not have direct vehicle access, which can make transportation with luggage more difficult. We recommend choosing accommodation with convenient access.
Group Tours
Our group tours bring together travelers from different countries, backgrounds, ages, and physical conditions. Each participant has their own hiking pace and level of experience.
During the tour, everyone is encouraged to enjoy the route at their own rhythm while following the recommendations of our guides.
Any changes to the planned itinerary must be evaluated by the guide, considering weather conditions, safety, and the agreement of the group members.
Strikes, Protests, and Unexpected Situations
In Peru, occasional strikes, demonstrations, or road closures may affect travel plans. These situations can sometimes impact transportation routes, access points, or scheduled activities.
Our operations team will always work to provide the best possible solution and maintain your itinerary whenever conditions allow. In some cases, schedules may need to be adjusted to guarantee your safety and the quality of your experience.
Your safety is our main priority, and all decisions will be made with your well-being in mind.
Lost or Forgotten Items
- Please take care of your personal belongings throughout your trip. Before leaving transportation, campsites, restaurants, or any visited location, make sure you have collected all your items.
Experience Colibri Peru is not responsible for lost, forgotten, or damaged personal belongings during the tour.
Packing list
Essential
Valid Passport
Extra money (recommended soles)
Personal medication
Water bottle or CamelBak
Sunblock: factor 70 or more
Insect repellent
Personal Care Products
Clothing
Hiking boots or shoes (preferably waterproof)
Light footwear or sandals
Trekking pants
Trekking socks
Pair of thermal pants
Long sleeve t-shirts
Warm jacket
Rain poncho
Sun hat
Gloves
Equipment
Trekking poles
Medium trekking backpack (15 – 25 liter)
Sleeping bag
Headlamp
Recommended
Camera and charger
Power bank
Snacks: Energy bars, chocolate, candies, dried fruits, etc.
Pricing
Huchuy Qosqo To Machu Picchu Trek 3 Days
Request a personalized quote for your group.
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