Huchuy Qosqo + Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Want a different way to get to Machu Picchu? On our four-day Huchuy Qosqo + Short Inca Trail trip, you’ll be away from the crowds and right in the middle of Inca history. You’ll begin high in the Andes near Cusco and follow ancient paths through the Sacred Valley. Then you’ll join the famous Short Inca Trail and arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Intipunku). If the Classic Inca Trail is sold out, this is a great option that gives you beautiful mountain views, fewer people, and an unforgettable trip to the lost city of the Incas.
Huchuy Qosqo + Short Inca Trail (The Alternative Inca Trail) is a four-day trek to Machu Picchu across the Mountains near Cusco city. It explores an ancient Inca Trail that connects with the Sacred Valley, follows the Urubamba River, and joins the Short Inca Trail, arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Intipunku) right before sunset.
Along the way, you will have a fantastic view of Cusco from the Mountains, visit local communities, hike along with Llamas and alpacas, and visit beautiful archaeological sites such as Huchuy Qosqo, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Wiñaywayna, and Machu Picchu. The Last Inca King, Manco II, used this trail to move his rebel army in 1536 from Cusco to the Last Capital of the Incas (Vilcabamba) during the XVI century.
Day 1: Cusco – Tambomachay – Kenko Village (13 Km, 8 Hrs)
Depart your hotel at 7:00 am, drive to Tambomachay, and start the 8-hour hike to Kenko Village at 3800m (12467ft). You will see mountains, grasslands, birds, and beautiful lakes along the way. We will spend the night camping with comfortable equipment.
Day 2: Kenko Village – Huchuy Qosco – Lamay – Ollantaytambo (8 km, 7 hrs)
Wake up in your tent with a hot cup of coffee or tea and prepare for the second hike day to the Huchuy Qosqo Inca Site, a spectacular ancient city on top of the Sacred Valley. Along the way, you pass lakes and beautiful canyons. Spend the night in a hotel in Ollantaytambo.
Day 3: Ollantaytambo – Km104 – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (16km 7hrs)
After breakfast in the hotel, you will take the first train to km 104 to start the Short Inca Trails, passing Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, and Sun Gate (Intipunku). You will arrive at Machu Picchu late in the afternoon and have the unique opportunity to see it almost empty. After exploring the upper part and enjoying the sunset, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and check into your hotel to spend the night.
Day 4: Machu Picchu (Lost city of the Incas)
On the last day, you’ll have breakfast, take the first bus up to Machu Picchu, and explore its highlights—terraces, urban areas, temples, and palaces. You will also have time to hike either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain before taking the expedition train to return. You’ll arrive at your hotel around 7:30 pm.
We will depart from your hotel in Cusco at 7:00 am and drive to Tambomachay, just 20 minutes outside of the city. Once at the trailhead, we will start hiking slowly up to the highest mountain passes of Cusco, with vast grasslands, birds, and beautiful lakes along the way. The hike is about 4 hours to lunch in Koriccocha Lake at 3700m (12139ft). Our trekking chef will prepare delicious meals using fresh local products.
Once lunch is over, we will start the second part of the day with 2 hours hike to Kenko Village at 3800m (12467ft); along the way is possible to sport herds of Llamas and alpacas that belong to villagers; Kenko is a small village with few hundred inhabitants who survive from the agriculture.
Enjoy the beautiful views from the Local Village early in the morning with a cup of coffee while you enjoy the first rays of the sun. After breakfast, we will start a gradual 1-hour uphill to the highest mountains with spectacular views of the Sacred Valley; then, we will go 2 hours downhill to Huchuy Qosqo, 3600m (11811ft), a stunning ancient city on top of the Sacred Valley.
On the way, you pass refreshing streams, beautiful canyons, and breathtaking views of the Andes mountains. After exploring the Inca Site, we will continue for 1.5 hours into the Sacred Valley for our last picnic lunch. The final part will be traveling by van along the Sacred Valley until we arrive in Ollantaytambo, where we will explore the town and check in at a hotel.
Wake up early at your hotel and take the first train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104 to begin the Inca Trail. Once you pass the checkpoint, you’ll enjoy a delicious, freshly prepared breakfast before starting the Short Inca Trail. The first place you visit is Chachabamba, a beautiful Inca site located next to the Urubamba River. Next, you’ll begin a gentle four-hour hike until you arrive at the Wiñaywayna Inca Site, one of the most impressive Inca sites on the Inca Trail. Box Lunch will be served at a nearby campsite.
The second part of the day starts with an easy one-hour hike to the Sun Gate, from where you’ll have your first and most breathtaking view of the great Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. If we plan our timing correctly, we can arrive after 4:00 pm, when most visitors have already started leaving, so you’ll find the place almost empty.
After enjoying a full day on the Inca Trail and at Machu Picchu, you’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, check in at the hotel, have dinner in a local restaurant, and get an early night’s rest for the following day.
On the final day, you will wake up early in your hotel, have breakfast, and take the first buses up to Machu Picchu. If the weather is good, you will be able to witness the fantastic sunrise over Machu Picchu, which is truly an unforgettable experience.
The guided tour takes about 2 to 3 hours, and your tour guide will show you the best of Machu Picchu. Later, you will have time to hike either Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Montaña. These tickets need to be booked in advance. After you are done exploring Machu Picchu, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and then take the Expedition train and bus back to Ollantaytambo and a Private van to Cusco. Pacha Peru Explorers Team will return you safely to your hotel around 7.30 pm.
At Pacha Peru Explorers, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
All our travelers need a sleeping bag to camp. Inflatable mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but highly recommended. If you do not have them, don’t worry, you can rent them with Pacha Peru Explorers.
Huayna Picchu Mountain
You can climb the famous mountain you always see in the photos behind the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It’s 45 minutes uphill, and coming back down can be scary if you fear heights. You can take this excursion once your guided tour to Machu Picchu ends. The permit must be issued at least two to three months in advance due to high demand. Consider that there could be changes to protect your integrity, mainly due to weather conditions.
The ticket for Huayna Picchu Mountain has an extra cost of US$ 80.00 per person.
Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain is another of the mountains that surround the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It offers less steep, wider, and visually less frightening trails than Huayna Picchu, and it takes 1.5 hours to reach the top. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can secure for you if we have time in advance.
The ticket for Machu Picchu Mountain has an extra cost of US$ 80.00 per person.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes and Dinner in Cusco (Day 4)
Personal Hiking Clothes and Gear
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is the norm on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they do. Typically, group participants collect their tips to hand out to the horsemen and chefs together.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemia, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.
The Huchuy Qosqo Trek is a beautiful and challenging trek in the Cusco region of Peru, and it is important to be prepared with the right gear. Here is a recommended packing list:
Note: Please be aware that the weather in the Andes can change quickly, so it is important to bring appropriate layers and gear to stay comfortable and safe.
“The Huchuy Qosqo trek + Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days” can leave any day of the week, from March through December.
2025 Land Cost
Group Price: US$ 790.00 per person
Required Pre-payment: US$ 300.00 per person
Balance (Cusco): US$ 490.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco after the briefing).
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Notice that PayPal, credit cards charge a 6% fee for the use of their secure payment gateway. This tax is just for online and card payments. You can also pay the remaining balance in cash (the briefing day) without charges.
Extras & Upgrades
There are complementary services and upgrades you can include in this trip.
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the Price won’t increase, whatever the circunstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Student Discount
US$20.00
Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years old or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of the passport at the time of booking. It must be valid and not expire within the travel dates. Please send it to [email protected]
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as carefree as possible. In this section, you’ll find the answers to all the questions you have about traveling with Pacha Peru Explorers in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
It’s very important to be well acclimated to the altitude before exerting yourself on a trek. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the trek starts to help you adjust and avoid possible problems with altitude sickness while on the trek.
You might have already been in another area of Peru at a high altitude before arriving in Cusco. In that case, we still recommend you have a whole day in Cusco to rest, recover from your travel, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cusco before departing for the trek.
All information meetings and briefings are held in your hotel at 5:00 pm, one night before the tour begins. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If you’re unable to attend, you must coordinate another time by email, by phone or at the Pacha Peru Explorers office.
If you still have a pending balance, you must pay it 2 days before your hike/tour. Otherwise, your trip reservation will not be confirmed.
If possible, it would be greatly appreciated if you could settle the remaining balance for the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or the local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw funds from various ATMs located along Avenida Sol, offering both US dollars and Peruvian Soles. Alternatively, you have the option to pay using a credit/debit card or PAYPAL, either online or in person, but please note that a 6% service charge will be applied by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and PAYPAL. We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept bank checks or traveler’s checks as forms of payment for the balance.
You’ll receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. Our horses will carry them, and the horsemen will hand them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 60 x 24 x 22 cm (23.6 x 9.45 x 8.66 in).
A maximum of 7 kg / 15.4 lb is allowed for each duffel bag, including the weight of your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, clothes, and other personal items.
Of course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can organize it with us on the briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you won’t need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags; put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Please note:
Returning from Machu Picchu requires quite a bit of logistics, but don’t worry. Everything is included in your tour!
Note: Your tour includes a One-Way Consettur Bus Ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu, so you can choose to use it from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu or from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes. If you want a round-trip bus ticket, you’ll need to pay an extra of US$ 12.00.
Group tours are made up of different types of people, then physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route.
It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru, and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority, and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our transport, tents or restaurants. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.
Thank you for your interest in having and adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Pacha Peru Explorers. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. the Pacha Peru Explorers Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
Remember | One of our Travel Experts will contact you soon to confirm the availability of the trip you chose, give you more information, and/or provide you alternative options. Once availlability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the trek. Please call us at (+51) 950 705034 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
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$ 795.00
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Inca Trail ( Classic ) 4D/3N Group tour
Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Inca Trail ( Classic ) 4D/3N Group tour
Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Inca Trail ( Classic ) 4D/3N Group tour
Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Inca Trail ( Classic ) 4D/3N Group tour
Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Pacha Peru Explorers is a 100% peruvian, separates ourselves by our dedication to both our customer and our team. We work very hard to make sure that all our clients needs are taken care of throughout the tour with us. At the same time, we never forget about our brothers and sisters working tirelessly for us to make all of this possible. Responsible and sustainable tourism that gives as much to our community as to our clients.
Here at our company, we take pride in our reviews. We believe they are a true reflection of our business and help us improve our services. We encourage all customers to leave a review, whether it is positive or negative. We believe this feedback will help us grow and improve as a business. We would like to thank all of our customers who have taken the time to leave a review.
Departure050741954722025-07-20Verificada Guías excelentes, muy buenos recorridos, y explicaciones de cada lugar visitado, al detalle. Con toda su rica historia y de una forma auténtica que te lleva a soñar en cada paisaje... Sebastian R2025-07-20Verificada Excelente servicio turístico de pacha Perú y de javier en especial... mucha y buena información... experiencia inolvidable Anna S2025-07-20Verificada Opplevelsestur på tre uker til Peru. Delvis arrangert. Fine opplevelser kombinert med “egne dager”. Vi ble hentet som avtalt på hotellene og kjørt til neste steder. Det var alltid hyggelige folk som møtte oss og hjalp med det vi trengte hjelp til. google g2024-10-28Verificada Beware of Poor Communications but experience Great Guides We had Pacha Explorers set up 10 days for us including Arequipa, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and the Amazon and a few other stops. Our guides were very very good! We were greeted on time at every stop and that is comforting when as we do not speak Spanish. A couple of the hotels were disappointing but OK. We were very disappointed that communication on payments (by credit card) would cost us extra and was not disclosed. Also, beware of your Machu Picchu itinerary. Ours was very confusing and disappointing. Barry M2024-08-24Verificada It was an amazing experience Cusco in Peru was a place to be myself but I could not achieve it until I went with the great company. It was an amazing experience from the beginning to the end... I recommend them for all George V2024-08-24Verificada My family enjoyed the trip Our journey with this great trip was impressive. They delivered more than my expeactation. My children and my wife appreciate tour guide for their best on them. Relax016310205272024-08-22Verificada Fun and charming tour I thought I would be lonely when I did the tour, but fortunately I was fun and lovely... I don't even feel lonely because the Tour Guide is always there to help me in all aspects. Abimbola O2024-08-21Verificada Everything on the tour was perfect They are perfect in terms of communication and entertainment. Everything on the tour was perfect and great. All thanks to our Guide. Maverick N2024-08-21Verificada They are one of Top-rated tours of all time. If you are planning a tour for yourself and your partner, look no further than Pacha Peru. They are one of Top-rated tours of all time. I can never forget the experience, go find them. Afolabi I2024-08-21Verificada An amazing encounter It was an amazing encounter. I never regret the encounter for once. It has a lot of information and fun. I recommend them.
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