Huchuy Qosqo is a wonderful archaeological site in the Sacred Valley, northeast of Cusco City, not too far from it. Once getting there on transportation, you can enjoy the amazing natural beauty and energy of the place; after, the hike begins, because this site was built on the top of a mountain 600 meters/2,000 feet high. There is an unpaved path to get to the summit, where hikers walk upwards always in the middle of lush vegetation and magnificent views of the Sacred Valley. The quietude is absolute.
Huchuy Qosqo is a place full of history! Before becoming an empire, the Incas were a powerful regional kingdom that also ruled over the surrounding villages, for example, Calca, to which Huchuy Qosqo belongs. The king’s name was Huiracocha and he was getting old, preparing his son Urco to take his place; thus, the old king commended the construction of a retirement place for him, on top of the mountain. A little afterwards, the rival powerful kingdom of the Chancas started an expansion and invaded Cusco City; defeated, both Huiracocha and Urco fled to Huchuy Qosqo, and never came back. It is said that the king vanished from Cusco City taking a lot of gold and silver with him.
So, the adventure with the Huchuy Qosqo hike is the bus trip from Cusco City, crossing spectacular landscapes, enjoying the beauty of the village below and finally the great hike to the top, where there is a fantastic view of the valley and you’ll be literally in the middle of the clouds. Now let’s check all you need to know for this magic 1-day trip!
- Acclimatization: everyone will have to be in Cusco City first, so it is good to know about the altitude (3,500 meters above sea level / 11,490 ft approx.). At such a height, some symptoms may appear, like shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, nausea; this is because of the low level of oxygen in the air. So if you have these symptoms, slow down, rest, drink plenty of water, coca leaves tea is also very good. In Huchuy Qosqo itself you’ll be ok, because it is practically the same altitude as Cusco City.
- Physical Shape: you must be in regular physical condition; the hike is not very demanding, it’s a soft walk upwards along a mountainside path. The hike up to the top takes some 3 hours; myself, the last 30 minutes I walked a little then sat down to rest, then walked a little again. Arriving at the summit, it’s flat terrain, with the very interesting ruins and a magnificent view of the valley.
- Clothing: climate in the Sacred Valley is always warmer than Cusco City, so you must bring lighter clothes. Here is the list of all gear needed for the hike: sun hat or cap, sunglasses, polyester t-shirt, a light jacket just in case, hiking pants, sneakers or hiking boots, backpack. If doing the Huchuy Qosqo during the rainy season (November to March), add a rainproof coat and backpack cover, just in case. The advantage of the rainy season is that all prices are lower. A walking pole can be very useful for balance and saving energy.
- Inside the Backpack: the hike uphill can feel a little long, so don’t forget to bring some snacks like fruits or energy bars, also a reusable water bottle (TOUR IN PERU is an eco-friendly travel agency). Instead of water, you may consider drinking coca leaves tea; Incas used it for the long walks they had to do across the range. Don’t forget the smartphone and the photographic camera! Views at the Huchuy Qosqo site are unique, priceless!
- Health: always bring sunblock and a bug repellent; warmer climate means more sunlight and also some mosquitoes in the air.
The Huchuy Qosqo hike can be a perfect addition to your vacation in Cusco! Whether you go to Machu Picchu in a classic tour or doing some of the Inca Trails, it is at hand if you still want more hiking across our challenging Andean heights.
Contact our specialists and start booking the Huchuy Qosqo hike and more, for the dream vacation in Cusco, the land of the Incas!
