Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 Days Overnight Mountain Camping
We pick you up bright and early from your hotel in Cusco and drive just thirty minutes outside the city to the ancient water temple of Tambomachay. From here we hit the trail and start a steady uphill hike toward the massive Cauca ravine pass.
Once we hit the top you will be rewarded with a mind blowing panoramic view of the Urubamba mountain range. We hike down to the stunning Qoricocha Lake grab a massive outdoor lunch prepared by our chef and then walk a bit further to set up our awesome campsite near the quiet local village of Quencco.
- Highest Elevation 4100 meters or 13451 feet at the first mountain pass
- Walking Time Roughly five hours of highly scenic hiking
- Afternoon Activity Hanging out near the gorgeous highland lake
- Lodging Premium mountain camping right next to the local community
Wake up to a hot cup of local coca tea and a huge breakfast. We start the morning hiking up to the Apacheta Pass the absolute highest point of our trip. After snapping some incredible photos we start walking down an original ancient Inca trail that leads straight into a beautiful canyon.
This path drops us right at the doorstep of the massive Huchuy Qosqo ruins. Your guide will take you on a deep walk through the temples and terraces. Finally we hike down a steep zigzag trail into the valley town of Lamay where we grab our final lunch and drive safely back to Cusco.
- Highest Elevation 4200 meters or 13779 feet at the Apacheta Pass
- Walking Time Roughly seven hours of hiking mostly downhill
- Cultural Stop Full guided walkthrough of the royal Inca estate
- Arrival Time Safe drop off at your Cusco hotel around late afternoon
What is the Huchuy Qosqo 2-day Trek?
It is a two-day hike along lesser-known Inca paths to the archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo, ending on day two back in Cusco.
What is the highest altitude reached during this 2-day trek?
Many routes ascend to around 4,100 meters at mountain passes like Sicllaccasa. Some versions cite maximum altitudes near 4,200 m.
How difficult is the Huchuy Qosqo Trek 2 days?
The trek is classified as moderate difficulty, appropriate for travelers with trekking experience and good fitness, considering steep sections and altitude.
Is acclimatization necessary before the trek?
Yes. It is recommended to spend 3 to 4 days in Cusco before the trek to adjust to the altitude.
What gear should I bring for the trek?
Essentials include:
Original passport
Layered clothing (thermal base, warm mid-layers)
Waterproof jacket / poncho
Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots
Hat, gloves, buff
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Headlamp and extra batteries
Sleeping bag (if not provided)
Reusable water bottle and snacks
Chargers, power bank
What is the difference between the huchuy qosqo trek 1 day 2 days and 3 days?
It completely depends on your schedule. The huchuy qosqo 1 day trek is a super fast express hike where you drive up high see the ruins and head straight back to Cusco on the same afternoon. Our huchuy qosqo trek 2 day option is the most popular because you get to camp under the stars and actually enjoy the mountain lakes. If you want to extend the trip you can book a huchuy qosqo trek 3 days which takes a longer route and slows the pace down even more.
Can I connect this hike to see the famous Inca citadel?
Yes absolutely. A lot of travelers want to do the huchuy qosqo trek to machu picchu instead of going back to Cusco. If you book the huchuy qosqo peru trek to machu picchu itinerary we finish the hike in the Sacred Valley and immediately jump on a train to Aguas Calientes. You spend the night in a hotel and wake up the next morning to explore the world wonder before heading back to the city.
How hard is this trek in peru compared to others?
If you are looking for a great huchuy qosqo trek in peru this is rated as a solid moderate hike. You are not dealing with the brutal five day exhaustion of longer trails but the uphill sections on day one and the high passes will definitely make you breathe hard. As long as you have decent fitness and acclimatize properly in Cusco you will do great.
Ditch the massive tourist groups and step right into one of the best kept secrets in the Sacred Valley. The huchuy qosqo trek 2 days takes you entirely off the beaten path where you will find total peace and quiet high up in the Vilcabamba mountain range. Sitting at a staggering 3650 meters above sea level this incredible royal estate looks straight down over the beautiful town of Lamay. Known affectionately as the huchuy qosqo small little cusco trek this is your chance to walk ancient trails that most visitors to Peru never even get to see.
Standout Moments of Your Mountain Trip
- The Royal Inca Palace Walk freely through the massive stone walls of a private mountain estate built exclusively for an ancient emperor
- Original Inca Trails Hike along the exact same stone pathways used by the Incas hundreds of years ago crossing beautiful deep canyons
- Highland Lakes and Passes Challenge yourself by climbing up to the Apacheta Pass and soaking in the gorgeous views of Qoricocha Lake
- The Sacred Valley Overlook Stand on the absolute edge of the mountains and look straight down into the lush green farming town of Lamay
- Expert Local Guidance Learn the wild history of the ruins from our passionate local founders who know every single detail of the area
The Wild History of the Royal Palace
You are not just looking at old stones you are walking through a massive historical battleground. This beautiful complex was originally built as a private royal getaway for the famous Inca emperor Viracocha. When a fierce rival tribe called the Chancas attacked the capital Viracocha actually fled and hid right here behind these walls. His brave son Pachacutec stayed behind defeated the invaders and took over the entire empire. Pachacutec later expanded this site building massive farming terraces and huge stone storehouses called Qolqas where the locals kept dried meat and quinoa. The history up here is absolutely wild and walking through this trek de huchuy qosqo feels like traveling back in time.
Connecting Your Hike to the World Wonder
A lot of our hikers use this quiet route as the perfect warmup before heading to the famous Inca citadel. While this two day trip brings you safely back to the city you can easily upgrade to the huchuy qosqo trek to machu picchu option. On that three day trip instead of driving back to town we simply drop down to Ollantaytambo and catch a highly scenic train straight to Aguas Calientes turning your hike into an epic jungle adventure.
Why Hike With Our Local Founders
Because this is a serious high altitude trek going over high mountain passes we highly recommend spending three or four days hanging out in Cusco before you hit the trail. The Andean weather changes fast but hitting the trail during the dry season between March and November gives you the absolute best clear views.
We are not just a giant corporate agency. We are a fully locally owned team of professional guides and founders who actually grew up walking these exact mountains. We have a massive passion for sharing our real history speak fluent English and are fully trained in high altitude first aid. When you check out our reviews on Tripadvisor you will see exactly why travelers completely trust our local team to deliver a super safe and mind blowing mountain experience.
We handle all the heavy lifting and tricky logistics so you just get to enjoy the hike and the beautiful mountain air.
- Local Expert Guides who speak great English and know exactly how to handle high altitude safety and first aid
- Safe Tourist Transportation covering your pick up from your Cusco hotel the drive to the trailhead and your ride back from Lamay
- Premium Mountain Camping including a high quality four season tent and a thick comfortable foam sleeping pad
- Fresh Chef Prepared Meals covering your lunch and dinner on day one plus breakfast and lunch on day two
- Pack Horses and Handlers who will carry all the heavy camping gear and food supplies from spot to spot
- All Entrance Tickets fully paying for your official access to the archaeological sites and community lands
We keep our pricing totally transparent so there are no surprises when you book.
- Day One Breakfast which you should grab at your hotel or a local cafe before we pick you up in the morning
- Extreme Cold Sleeping Bags which you need to bring yourself or easily rent a high quality winter bag directly from our office
- Tips and Gratuities which are totally optional but a great way to say thank you to your hardworking guide and chef
The weather up in the Andes changes constantly. You will be sweating while hiking up the hills but the wind gets freezing the second you stop walking. Here is exactly what you need to bring.
- Original Passport carried in a waterproof bag since you need it for the official checkpoints
- Warm Winter Layers including a thick fleece jacket thermal underwear and cozy sleepwear to handle the cold night at camp
- Sun Protection like a wide brimmed hat polarized sunglasses and SPF 50 sunscreen to fight the aggressive high altitude solar radiation
- Comfortable Hiking Boots giving you solid grip to safely walk the steep rocky pathways without getting massive blisters
- Extra Soles in Cash allowing you to buy extra water or snacks from the small local houses we pass along the trail
We offer highly competitive rates while paying our local chefs and guides fairly providing excellent service all around. When checking your huchuy qosqo trek cost you will see we include premium camping gear and top tier food.
Small Group Tour Fun and Social
- 2 to 3 People 370 USD Per person
- 4 or more People 350 USD Per person
- Children and students 320 USD Per person
Our shared group service is perfect for travelers wanting to meet other people while keeping costs manageable. We strictly limit our group sizes so the guide can keep a close eye on everyone making sure nobody gets left behind.
Exclusive Private Tour
- 2 to 3 People 430 USD Per person
- 4 or more People 410 USD Per person
- Children and students 380 USD Per person
We specialize in highly personalized private trips. If you want to explore entirely at your own pace booking a private trip is the way to go. This option gives you a dedicated guide meaning you control the photo stops and the overall hiking speed.
