- Full Day
- Moderate
- 14km
- 4,600m
Aracari offers private luxury treks on a private basis only, not as a group tour. We offer guided hikes only as part of a tailormade trip, including all guided excursions and hotels, not as a standalone service.
The Patabamba to Huchuy Qosqo Trek is a rigorous full day hike. On this trek, the only other people you will encounter will be locals as you pass by small Andean agricultural villages through impressive scenery to the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo, reachable only on foot. The total trek is about 12-14 kilometres (7.5-8.7 miles), which is approximately seven to nine hours of hiking. Aracari arranges the Patabamba to Huchuy Qosqo trek on a private basis only, not as a group tour. The trek can only be booked as part of a tailormade trip to Peru, not on a standalone basis.
The Patabamba to Huchuy Qosqo Trek with Aracari
Drawing on over 20 year’s experience offering discerning travelers authentic, private luxury Peru treks, we arrange expert guiding and a picnic lunch at the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo, meaning ‘Little Cusco’ in Quechua, enjoying spectacular views of the Urubamba mountain range.
Patabamba to Huchuy Qosqo Trek Itinerary
This crowd-avoidance day trek begins near Patabamba, a small Andean village of agricultural farmers, shepherds and weavers who preserve age-old traditions. When you start out, you’ll spot herds of llamas and alpacas as you head towards Qoricocha (3,800m/12,467ft), a high altitude lake, during your ascent to a scenic mountain pass (4,600m/15,092ft). Then, you’ll begin to descend, passing a small village with thatched-roof homes before reaching the Leon Punku ravine, following the stream to Huchuy Qosqo (3,200m/10,500ft). You’ll have the chance to explore this unique Inca archaeological site and enjoy lunch at the ruins with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valley.
Afterwards, begin your final descent to the Sacred Valley along one of two routes. The first route, though shorter, is steep and narrow and ends in the town of Lamay (2,941m/9,650ft) while the second route is more gradual and follows a dirt road to the town of Calca (2,928m/9,606ft). Upon arrival to Lamay or Calca you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Alternative Day Hikes in the Sacred Valley
You might like to consider the one-day inca trail to Machu Picchu.
Please keep in mind that distances, altitudes and chosen campsites are subject to minor variations as the route undertaken may vary slightly. In addition, trekking time can vary for each hiker and any times detailed in the description below are averages.
