Huchuy Cusco
Small group experience (max 8)
Challenging
3-day journey
Up to 4,830 m
Ethical porter support
Cultural highlights

“Machu Picchu is difficult to understand and enjoy, but only by hiking there…”
The 3-day, 2-night Huchuy Qosco trek is a truly enjoyable and not overly challenging option that combines spectacular mountain views, original Inca trails, a visit to the local community, and a guided tour of the little-known Inca site of Huchuy Qosco, located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. By venturing off the beaten path, you’ll escape the crowds of the more popular trails while still experiencing all the amazing things Peru has to offer. The Huchuy Qosco trek is perfect for those with limited time or looking for an easier walking route.
What others think of us:
“I can’t recommend Llama Path highly enough. They may be more expensive than other groups, but you can see that they reinvest money in the equipment used on the trek. They also house and outfit their ‘red army’ from head to toe, something we didn’t see with any other group on the trek. They really seem more conscious of improving the conditions of the porters, as well as being socially responsible through their community projects.”
Useful Information:
- Starting altitude – 3800m / 12,467ft.
- Highest altitude – 4300m / 14,107 feet.
- Walking distance – 18 km / 11 miles
- Longest day – Day 1, approximately 10 km / 6.2 miles
- Coldest night – Day 1 around -2 degrees Celsius
- General difficulty: easy to moderate.
- Season: All year round.
- Rainy season: November to March and April.
Map from Huchuy Qosqo to Machu Picchu:

Very Important: Campsites may vary depending on booking time, weather conditions, or restrictions imposed by the Peruvian government for security reasons.
Day 1: Cusco - Tambomachay - Qenko
(Departure time 5:00 am) Starting in Tambomachay just outside Cusco, our route takes us through high passes, across valleys, and past small communities. With large swathes of grasslands and small lakes (dry in some seasons), the area is home to a wide variety of birds, including Andean geese, partridges, and lapwings, as well as a variety of other birds or prey, all of which are regularly observed throughout the day.
Our destination today is the impoverished Andean villages of Patabamba and Siwas, located near a small lake (which dries up during the dry season). Patabamba is a traditional Andean community with a small school and a small plaza. Situated high in the Sacred Valley, the people here still maintain the customs and traditions of bygone eras, and most villagers earn their living from farming (potatoes) and herding llamas and alpacas. Since only a few tourists ever visit, the villagers are always intrigued to see who has come to visit their village and welcome them with open arms.
Day 2: Qenko - Huchuy Qosco - Lamay - Aguas Calientes
Today has two main focuses: learning about the customs and culture of the Andean people and a visit to the Inca site of Huchuy Qosco (for the second time!). Waking up early will take us to one of the homes (which can be visited on day 1) where we'll meet a local family. The people are incredibly welcoming and as eager to learn about you as you are to learn about them; they don't receive many visitors in this area and are always interested in getting to know you. After the visit, you'll have the opportunity to give any gifts you've brought to the local people and also purchase some local products.
After the visit, we'll head to Huchuy Qosco. The route follows an original Inca Trail, leading us to a beautiful and secluded valley filled with native plants, flowers, and birds. It truly feels like another world compared to the high plains we've left behind. The journey to Huchuy Qosco takes approximately two and a half hours. After a break to rest and enjoy the views of the Sacred Valley, you'll have a guided tour of the site to learn about the Incas and their culture. In the afternoon, we'll travel up the Sacred Valley to the town of Lamay, where we'll take a bus to Ollantaytambo and then a train to Aguas Calientes.
Day 3: Machu Picchu!
Upon waking early, we will take the first bus back to Machu Picchu to enter the site as soon as it opens. We will have a 2-hour guided tour of the site during which you will learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour, you will have free time to explore the site on your own and, if you have the necessary permits, to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, from where you will be taken by bus back to Cusco.
Includes:
- Professional guide who speaks Spanish
- Tour guide assistant for groups of 9+
- Chef
- Porters to carry cooking and camping equipment plus 7 kg of personal items.
- Pick-up from Plaza Regocijo
- Bus transportation to Tambomachay and from Lamay to Ollantaytambo
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Return transport by train and bus to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the hike when you need to bring your own)
- 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 snacks, and 2 dinners. If you have a dietary request, such as vegetarian food, please let us know.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Tent for 4 men for every 2 hikers
- 3-star hotel on day 2
- Sleeping mattress
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
- Entrance to Huchuy Qosco and Machu Picchu
- Return bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
Does not include
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Breakfast on day 1 and lunch and dinner on day 3
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain
- Tips
- Travel insurance: It is strongly recommended that you purchase travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
What you need to bring:
- Original passport
- ISIC card (if you are a student and wish to qualify for the discount)
- Hiking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- A warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable pants
- sun hat
- Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
- Insect repellent
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer
- Personal medication
- Camera and camcorder
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- LLAMA PATH TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- DEFINITIONS The definitions below will apply throughout these terms and conditions:
- 1.1. Client: means a person who books a trip offered by Llama Path and includes all participants for whom the person may book a trip on behalf of:
- i. Day Tour: Means any trip offered by Llama Path that lasts only one day.
- ii. Deposit: means
- a. For trekking: USD 300 per participant, deposit required to proceed with the reservation and if the client wishes to do Machu Picchu Mountain or Waynapicchu the deposit will be $385 for all Inca Trail treks or $325 for any other alternative route such as Salkantay, Lares, Huchuy Qosqo etc.
PLEASE: Make sure to add the fees associated with your PayPal/VISA transaction (approx. 4.5%). Llama Path will send you a receipt indicating the exact amount we received from you and the balance due upon your arrival in Cusco.
- b. For Peru itineraries, 50% of the total itinerary price must be sent to proceed with the booking.
- c. For day trips, 50% of the total trip price.
- In the event of cancellation by one or more participants in a private tour , the final price will be adjusted based on the final number of participants . The price originally quoted is based on the group size confirmed at the time of booking; therefore, any reduction in the number of participants will result in a recalculation of the total cost per person.
- 2. Llama Path means a licensed professional tour operator based in Cusco, Peru and includes the employees and people associated with the company.
- 3. Peru Itinerary means a multi-day trip offered by Llama Path where hiking is not the main activity.
- 4. Terms means these terms and conditions that may be updated by Llama Path from time to time.
- 5. Trek means a journey where trekking is the main activity.
- 6. Trip means any trip taken or trip offered by Llama Path and booked by a customer.
- 7. Acceptance The client accepts that the client will be subject to these terms and conditions at the time of payment of the deposit.
- 8 Application and Terms These terms will apply to all trips from the date the deposit is paid until the date the trip is completed, unless the trip is changed, cancelled or terminated earlier, in accordance with clauses 7, 8 or 9 of these terms.
- 9. Price: Prices for all trips offered by Llama Path are displayed at Llama Path offices and on the Llama Path website and may be updated by Llama Path from time to time. All prices are based on double occupancy; an additional charge will apply for single occupancy.
- 10. Payment
- i. Deposit The customer can pay the deposit using one of the following methods
- Paypal. www.paypal.com The option to "send money" to the address deposits@llamapath.com must be selected as a purchase of services, not a personal payment.
- Visa customers, please follow the instructions to pay the deposit using https://www.multimerchantvisanet.com/formularioweb/formulariopago.aspx, which is located in the payments section of the Llama Path website. The customer will receive an order number that must be emailed to Llama Path confirming that the deposit has been paid.
- Balance : After the deposit payment, the balance due for a trip is due as followsFor day hikes and excursions: no more than 48 hours before the first day of the hike, at the Llama Path offices. Payments can be made in cash in US dollars or Peruvian soles (using the exchange rate of the day). If a client cannot comply with this clause, Llama Path must be notified at least 48 hours before the trip and will have sole discretion as to whether late payment is permitted.For Peru itineraries: no less than two weeks before the start date of the trip, using the PayPal method described in clause 5ai. If a Client is unable to comply with this clause, Llama Path must be notified at least two weeks before the Trip, and will have sole discretion as to whether late payment will be permitted.AVAILABLE DATES : When a Customer submits a booking request to Llama Path, they must provide a range of dates they are available to travel. Llama Path will prioritize the Customer's preferred dates; however, the Customer authorizes Llama Path to use any of the dates within the range provided by the Customer to book a trip.GROUP DISCOUNT : A group discount will be applied when four or more people book a trip together, and this discount will be USD $20 per person and will only apply to the following trips: Inca Trail 4 days / 3 nights group service; Lares Trek 4 days / 3 nights group service; and Salkantay Trek 5 days / 4 nights group service.Please note that the group discount will not apply if a cancellation results in fewer than four people in the original group.
- STUDENT AND UNDER-18 DISCOUNT : A discount will be offered to students aged 25 and under, and to those under 18, on the date the trip begins. The discount amount will be communicated by Llama Path. Students must send a copy of a valid university ID to Llama Path at the time of booking. The ID must be valid for the duration of the trip, and the physical ID must be presented upon arrival in Cusco.TRANSFERS: The Client is not authorized in any way to transfer a Deposit, even to another Trip, date, to another person, or to the balance of another Trip or person.
- CANCELLATION:If a trip is canceled or the client wishes to leave a trip for any reason, the deposit and any remaining balance paid are non-refundable, as the deposit is used to purchase all the permits and services required to run the tour. If the trip has been paid for in full, there may be components that the client can still use, such as the entrance fee to Machu Picchu, the train ticket, and the bus ticket.Refunds will be provided for day trips as follows:100% refund of the deposit if Llama Path receives notification of cancellation at least 30 days before the date of the Day Tour;50% refund of the deposit if Llama Path receives notification of cancellation between 15 and 29 days before the date of the One Day Tour;No refund of the Deposit will be provided if Llama Path receives notice of cancellation less than 15 days before the date of the Day Tour.
LLAMA PATH CHANGES: The Client acknowledges that traveling to Peru requires flexibility, patience, and an understanding that changes may be necessary. Llama Path may alter a trip itinerary at any time due to any circumstances beyond its reasonable control and will not be liable for any such changes.
- FORCE MAJEURE: Llama Path is not responsible for any force majeure event or circumstance beyond its control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, civil or military unrest, extreme weather, technological disruptions, labor strikes, or acts of war or terrorism. The Client acknowledges that Llama Path may need to alter, or even cancel, a Trip in response to a force majeure event or circumstance, and will not be liable for any such alteration or cancellation.
- PROTEST OR STRIKE EARLY DEPARTURE: In the event of a protest or strike that may affect a Trip's itinerary, Llama Path, at its discretion, may decide to depart early to provide the best possible service. In such cases, Llama Path will charge an additional fee to cover the extra costs incurred, the amount of which will be determined by Llama Path based on the circumstances.
- HOLIDAY OR ELECTION SURCHARGE : When travel takes place on one or more of the following days due to holidays or elections in Peru, a surcharge per person, per trip will apply: December 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, January 1, and any election day. The surcharge will be determined by Llama Path and covers staff fines for missing elections or serves as a bonus for staff who do not have a holiday.
- EVACUATION: If a Client is unable to complete a Trip, the Client will be responsible for the costs of return transportation to Cusco or the final destination of the Trip in the event of a medical emergency. Any other losses, damages, or costs related to the Client's evacuation from a Trip and any additional emergency services will also be the Client's responsibility. The Client agrees to comply with all decisions made by Llama Path guides in all circumstances where a Client must be evacuated from a Trip for any reason.
- CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
- Insurance: Llama Path strongly recommends that the Client purchase adequate travel insurance to cover cancellations, delays, medical expenses, emergencies, disruptions due to unforeseen circumstances, and loss of or damage to personal belongings or equipment that may occur in connection with a trip. The Client acknowledges that they are responsible for all losses or damages suffered, except as expressly provided in these Terms.
- Risk: The client acknowledges that travel is adventurous and inherently involves a certain amount of personal risk, especially travel. The client accepts responsibility for all risks associated with a trip and agrees not to sue or hold Llama Path or any of its employees liable in any way for any loss, damage, or injury suffered by a client in connection with a trip.
- Authority Guidance: The Client agrees that the Llama Path guides have full and final authority over all matters and decisions related to the Journey, and the Client will act in good faith to follow such authority and advice from the Llama Path guides.
- Preparation: The Client acknowledges that although Llama Path will act in good faith to assist them during the Journey, it is the Client's sole responsibility to ensure that the Client is properly prepared for the Journey with the correct equipment and any special dietary or food requirements they may require.
- Passport validity: The client must ensure their passport is valid for at least six months from the date of their arrival in Peru. This is a requirement of the Peruvian government, and failure to comply may result in being denied entry to the country.
- Visa to visit Peru: it is the client's responsibility to ensure that they arrange and comply with any visa requirements, if any, necessary for their entry and stay in Peru;
- Acclimatization: The Client acknowledges Llama Path's strong recommendation that the Client remain in Cusco or another high-altitude city above 3,000 meters for at least three days before beginning a trek. This will help minimize any potential effects of altitude sickness.
- Equipment: Llama Path requires the Client to pay an additional fee to hire certain items of equipment that a Client borrows for a Trek. These prices are listed on the Llama Path website and may be updated by Llama Path from time to time at its sole discretion.
- LIMITATION OF LIABILITY : Llama Path's total liability to the Customer is limited, to the maximum extent permitted by law, to the amount of money paid to Llama Path by the Customer. Llama Path will not be liable for any further loss or damage suffered by the Customer, unless expressly stated in these Terms.
Prices
- 2 people US $750 per person
- 3 people US $695 per person
- 4 people US $ 655 per person
- 5 people US $ 625 per person
- 6 people + US $599 per person
Important: the price depends on the number of people in your group (the more you pay, the less you pay).
Important 2 : The price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need to hire an additional Porter!).
Discounts:
Student discount: US $20 (ISIC card required to qualify)
Discount for those under 18 years of age: US $20
Optional extras:
- Sleeping bag US $15
- Hiking pole US $5
- Inflatable mattress US $10
- Individual store US $25
Optional extras:
- Climbing Machu Picchu Mountain: USD 25.00 (advance booking required)
- Climbing Huayna Picchu Mountain: USD 25.00 (advance booking required)
- Vistadome/Panoramic 360° Train Aguas Calientes-Cusco: USD 50.00 (advance booking required)
- Extra night in Aguas Calientes: Depends on the type of hotel desired (advance booking required)
- Hiking pole USD 5.00
How to book:
- You can book by sending us an email or using the booking form provided on this site.
By email:
Please send us your primary and backup departure dates: By providing us with a primary and backup date for your trek (Classic Inca Trail, Lares, Salkantay, etc.), you automatically authorize Llama Path to use either of these dates for your booking. Within 48 hours (after you submit your booking form and we confirm that the deposit has been made), Llama Path will send you an electronic receipt confirming that your trip has been booked and also confirming the exact departure date of your trek.
Please send us your personal details for booking: your passport number and other information must be valid. Please notify us if your passport number changes after booking the tour (especially for the classic Inca Trail; if we don't update your official information, you may not be allowed to trek). Please note that changing passport numbers incurs an additional fee (we can easily update passport numbers on our receipt, but it's also very important that we update the Inca Trail authorities).
Student fee:
To receive this discount, you must have a valid ISIC card. It is important that you scan and email it to us at the time of booking, and that it is valid on the date you are booked for the Inca Trail/Alternative Route (you will need to show the actual ISIC card upon arrival in Cusco and at Machu Picchu).
Deposit payment:
for any of the Adventure trips that end in Machu Picchu.
We require a non-refundable deposit per person along with the personal details of each member participating in the trip:
- Full name
- Passport number,
- Gender,
- Nationality,
- Date of birth
The payment of the deposit amount is:
- US$300 per person only for the Huchuy Qosqo or,
- US$325 per person for climbing Huchuy Qosqo + Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
Please confirm whether you wish to climb Huayna Picchu (the climb is 45 minutes near the Machu Picchu site) or Machu Picchu, as these also need to be booked well in advance; there are 2 time slots:
- 7 to 8 am or
- 10 to 11 a.m., This should also be specified, although it should be flexible at any time.
Please note that if you obtain permits for the 7am start time, you will likely have to miss the guided tour of Machu Picchu.
The deposit payment can be made through either of the following 2 options:
1) Paypal: NO transaction fees starting January 2, 2017!
Go to www.paypal.com and, if you have an account, enter your account information (username and password).
Choose the "Send money" option to: deposits@llamapath.com (IMPORTANT: Please make sure to choose the 'buy' and 'services' option. Do not choose the 'personal' option).
Regarding the briefing : The evening before your trek, there will be a pre-trek briefing in our office at 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm (the exact time will be confirmed upon arrival or by email). Your duffel bag will be provided at this time if you have paid for an extra porter for your Inca Trail or if you are doing an alternative trek.
Local payment (final balance): We require you to pay your final balance in cash (Soles or US dollars) at our office at least 48 hours before the tour/tour departure (please inform us if you have any delays upon arrival).
Local payment can be made in cash and in US dollars or Peruvian soles.
Cancellations:
The deposit sent is non-refundable and non-transferable to any other date, person or tour (in accordance with the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Regulations).
Llama Path must be notified of any changes or cancellations to your trip as soon as you become aware of them, by email or fax, so that we do not incur expenses not covered by the deposit.
Once the final balance has been paid, we cannot refund your trip payment in the event of cancellations. However, certain parts of your trip may be valid (Machu Picchu entrance fee, 1 train ticket, 1 bus ticket).
We can also provide you with a claim letter for your insurance company upon request.
The contracted Porter service cannot be cancelled (a fee is paid to book this service).