The Cusco area has no shortage of wonderful hikes and accessible day trips, but the Huchuy Qosqo trek holds a special place as one of our favorite hikes in all of Peru. The incredible path to Huchuy Qosqo takes you along a well-preserved section of the original Inca road system through extraordinary mountain scenery in the remote Andes, finally arriving at the impressive ruins of an Inca royal palace. The Huchuy Qosqo trek is perfect for an overnight camping excursion, but it also makes a great day trip from Cusco where you return to the city on the same day. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the Huchuy Qosqo trek.
About Huchuy Qosqo
The name of Huchuy Qosqo comes from the Quechua language and translates as “Little Cusco.” This name is a recent invention–throughout the majority of its history the site was known as Caquia Xaquixaguana. Though the area had been settled by the Incas earlier, the site was declared a royal estate for the ruler Viracocha sometime in the early 1400’s. It was to Huchuy Qosqo that Viracocha supposedly fled when Cusco faced an invasion from the hostile neighboring Chanca tribe. This flight from the face of battle is what led to Viracocha’s son Pachacuti assuming power and subsequently defeating the Chancas, an event which is considered the birth of the Inca Empire. The site was later looted by the Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Pizarro and Viracocha’s mummy was burned.
The ruins of Huchuy Qosqo are located at an elevation of 3,650 meters above sea level above the nearby town of Lamay in Cusco’s Sacred Valley of the Incas. The site consists of a number of different types of buildings and utilize a combination of stone and adobe construction. The archaeological remains are in good condition and restoration work is still ongoing. Huchuy Qosqo’s remote location means that very few tourists get to visit the site, creating a rare opportunity to visit some well-preserved Inca ruins without large crowds of people.
Starting the Trek
There are two common places to begin the Huchuy Qosqo trek, one in the village of Taucca near Chinchero’s Lake Piuray, and the other in the town of Lamay. The walk from Lamay is generally considered to be more difficult, as it involves walking up a series of steep switchbacks. Our recommended route to visit Huchuy Qosqo is the one leaving from Taucca and then from the ruins you can descend to Lamay on a completely downhill path and from there head back to Cusco.
Hiking to Huchuy Qosqo
If you depart from the village of Taucca as we recommend, the hike to Huchuy Qosqo will taks you through incredible, soaring views of the Andes mountains before joining an old and well-maintained section of the Qhapaq Ñan, the Inca road system. This road then descends into the warm mountain valley where the ruins lie. You’ll be able to notice the different climates on your hike as you move between various altitude zones.
Visiting the Ruins
The entrance to the Huchuy Qosqo ruins costs 22 soles, a little more than $6 USD. If you choose to stay overnight at the ruins, you are free to do so without any extra cost. Just make sure you bring your tent! If you are not planning to camp, spend as much time as you can exploring this amazing historical site but make sure to leave enough time to continue your hike and make it back to civilization before dark.
What to Bring
Make sure to be prepared and bring the following items for your Huchuy Qosqo trek:
- Good hiking shoes
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Warm clothing
- Water
- Lunch
- Snacks or trail mix
- Tent and sleeping bag (if camping)
Best Time to Go
The best time to visit Huchuy Qosqo is during the dry season months between May and December. The rainy season in the Cusco area brings intense rainfall and can make hiking trails muddy and difficult. If you do decide to complete this hike during the rainy season months, make sure to bring along appropriate gear for the rain such as ponchos and/or umbrellas. For more information on the best time to visit, check out our page about the best time to visit Peru.
Visiting Huchuy Qosqo
While not as well-known as some of the more famous Inca sites in Peru such as Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo, Huchuy Qosqo is a true hidden gem that every visitor to Cusco should consider checking out! The scenery heading through the Andes mountains is truly breathtaking, and the ruins themselves offer a unique opportunity to explore an Inca archaeological site without large crowds of people. Don’t miss out on this off-the-beaten-track place on your trip to Cusco! Find out more by consulting one of our travel experts below.
