Cusco Huchuy Qosqo Trek: A Detailed 2-Day Review & Guide
Thinking about escaping Cusco’s main tourist crowds? Then you should know that the Huchuy Qosqo Trek might just be what you’re searching for. Very close to the Sacred Valley in Peru, Huchuy Qosqo is almost a place with mysterious Inca ruins that you can get to by way of a fantastic two-day hike. I took on this particular trail, and really, I’m excited to talk about my experiences with you, including all the stuff you maybe need to plan your own adventure. So let’s jump into, well, everything, that makes this trek worthwhile.
What You Should Know About Huchuy Qosqo
Huchuy Qosqo, frequently which means “Little Cusco” in Quechua, is like an old Inca complex that sits high above the Sacred Valley. The site is really believed to be almost constructed under the rule of the Inca emperor Viracocha around the 14th century, featuring very intricate stonework, plus religious sites, and agricultural terraces. That said, its isolated location just means fewer crowds, offering you this, sort of peaceful opportunity to maybe appreciate Inca history while taking in incredible views. You know? You see, the Huchuy Qosqo trek offers a great alternative to the better-known Inca Trail, so too it’s attractive for those trying to find something that is shorter or less challenging, yet that is equally rewarding. Really, that sounds lovely, I feel.
Choosing a Tour Operator or Going Solo
Planning is key. Therefore, you should be thinking, right from the get-go, “Am I going to use a tour group, or am I doing this solo?” Both have really great reasons to consider. Opting for an organized tour actually means less stress, since you’ve got experienced guides sorting out the route, accommodations, plus your food. This, obviously, is quite useful especially if you’re not really that experienced with hiking at higher altitudes or you’d prefer just a little historical background all throughout your trip. Then again, tackling Huchuy Qosqo by yourself, well, is that, very liberating. So if you do it, just keep in mind that it definitely involves getting the required permits beforehand, actually planning your trail, and just ensuring you pack all necessary safety plus camping equipment, should you opt to stay the night somewhere close to the ruins. Is that amazing, or is that just truly amazing? This way of traveling is ideal just when you really know what you’re doing, like your navigation plus self-sufficiency skills are on point, really.
What to Pack for the Trek
Let’s talk gear! It is almost packing, that is going to influence just how much you like this trek, really. A comfortable backpack is always something I carry; it’s big enough to have all you require but yet not heavy in itself. Getting hiking boots that have actually been broken in will likely save your feet. Layers are something else you have to bring so you will probably change based upon weather and how you feel. As it happens, you should never leave your head without including sunblock, shades, or a hat—it really is high in the Andes. Of course, bring the very basics such as lots of water, snack bars to make sure you keep powered throughout; similarly to this, ensure you have items such as a flashlight, initially help equipment in the event that of incidents or other issues as it happens on your own trek. That stated, packing what is ideal can improve everything considerably making for a lot smoother plus enjoyable hike altogether—this sounds really good you know? I guess.
Day 1: Cusco to Huchuy Qosqo
Really, most treks begin from Cusco, therefore, which involves, typically, a drive to a trailhead just outside of town—which is almost where my trek had started from. This is the part in which you will ascend so you see parts like rolling hills plus tiny Andean villages, letting you grab photographs alongside things people do, every single day, so as to adjust to their particular lives right here. This, really, gives your body a really, rather light work out before anything that’s exhausting comes! Is that, just very exciting or extremely fun? Is that I mean really?
The Trail and Scenery
Expect several stuff, for the path toward Huchuy Qosqo, depending mostly upon which route you decide. It is almost climbing that is involved, it might just be quite steep in certain spots with really rough parts—that is almost normal actually in mountains so make sure to just have the equipment necessary to be OKAY. Throughout most of the hike though it includes remarkable panoramas looking far off over Sacred Valley providing an ever-present appeal so to enhance an inspiration whilst hiking through a path just before reaching a specific point near Huchuy Qosqo in order that everyone feels how wonderful that is. It appears extremely awesome to me; maybe for you too?
Arriving at Huchuy Qosqo
Finally getting in at Huchuy Qosqo; therefore, is actually an experience on its own, you know. I remember being totally moved when I saw the stonework including this truly complex architecture over the peaks. I’d say you need some time wandering with those ruins; then maybe picture exactly how life was for the individuals living right there hundreds upon hundreds of years ago plus capture wonderful images right as sunlight diminishes which is something nobody ever gets really fatigued of I feel.
Accommodation Options: Camping vs. Guesthouse
Talking over your spot to spend night at; then maybe it boils entirely directly down based on personal preferences; the way your personality or group wants something done. I love outdoor activities so therefore tenting with a view that opens to a ton filled in with beautiful star formations could actually become genuinely wonderful; or in contrast; then maybe remain comfortably at nearby guesthouses/hostels when you value stuff like heat for cold nights along a genuine bed that’s not going to kill anything relating to you; this allows individuals taking guided excursions benefit of previously developed sites making that so comfortable right as you wind-down that really day while they can be completely set for whatever. Okay?
Day 2: Exploring Huchuy Qosqo and Return to Cusco
Get up really rather earlier on day number two for more exploration surrounding these regions over Huchuy Qosqo; it lets everyone simply absorb stuff that will just go over that ancient spot even deeper during serene lighting and also even before most hikers turn right up really. Taking the additional hour or maybe two makes things much better if, for example; someone likes photography sessions or generally you enjoy experiencing quiet moments whenever wandering through spots where almost nobody stands or wanders nearby.
A Deeper Look at the Ruins
Invest some time seriously checking directly into exactly how complicated stonework is and exactly what each building basically performed as a role concerning social and spiritual points when seeing those ruins deeper. Try out things in locations just like a main plaza possibly otherwise religious corners whilst guides maybe discuss just so much regarding history behind that historical center explaining the manner that really those Inca people truly succeeded doing plenty given tiny technologies compared when taking now times directly in view by modernizing that stuff currently or possibly coming here in a bit instead given just by the technology provided as how individuals had to perform centuries previously!
The Descent and Return Transportation
Once your tour is over around these ruins, it is very likely, you’re now heading to decrease down toward valley and through which everyone joins back beside transportation going straight to Cusco which is almost what’s involved with that trail. It seems to become mostly all downslope making that gentler but everyone simply needs care given all of the free ground so one has stable support continuously really. Right as you head backward on such, reflect concerning the total tour throughout considering panoramic viewpoints during high country settings as those things provided in almost touching really antiquated Inca tradition including so many adventures alongside folks whom had visited this trip; very unforgettable!
Essential Tips for a Successful Huchuy Qosqo Trek
Planning very carefully before the journey enhances chances involving being successful—this helps plenty whilst trekking out in Huccuy Qosco plus many remote location that must do relating just to acclimatizing whilst increasing greater height points and maintaining hydrated on this total moment, even when people are just walking around and things are, maybe, extremely normal throughout any provided minutes concerning their journeys alongside there also happens extra methods people might put into practice thus being protected from things impacting you throughout.
Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness
You need to give it at least one or two days in Cusco with little walking about before you begin; doing that helps you avoid having a rough time in the mountains. Should you happen to actually feel any side effects such as headaches as it occurs and maybe a light-headed mind and even lack for breath even whilst resting then really tell someone the moment such turns into evident because everyone might just get altitude disturbances seriously and seek medical consideration as this must get acted for on the short end and perhaps taken sincerely so issues that seem regular become a real bad ordeal; also even be certain as how plenty drinkable liquids that is basically H2O remain nearby right after beginning with one’s journey—because it can surely facilitate acclimatizing correctly—it helps.
What to Wear: Appropriate Clothing and Gear
It makes things way smoother once there will probably be some layering plus things like hiking footwear used on most visits outside since climates are simply volatile. Always go about having multiple alternatives on jackets or maybe ponchos so getting rainy circumstances throughout tours and put on clothing produced about textiles who stay dried up faster which usually allows people becoming uncomfortable if people feel drenched by waters including rain. Oh and that means, hiking shoes tend only towards give just support given angles, on land alongside free-soil for instance guaranteeing decreased options about slide happenings while doing almost something as how wandering alongside almost this land’s kind; I’d love to explore this terrain I feel.
Staying Safe on the Trail
Usually maintain paths clearly designated; additionally also listen carefully concerning that assistance rendered according towards helpful guide including preventing things which come over precarious parts across pathways which get involved steep drops so really almost always get yourself knowledgeable towards indications for almost every distinct things including what the path takes which should assist one just anticipate matters over distinct path spots. Always have a person accompanying everywhere you trek instead journey independently and even always provide rest one for extra party involving when your touring for folks understand when issues arrive that happen.
Huchuy Qosqo Trek vs. Other Treks in the Region
When considering which hike you need to continue, this might merely simply wind up arriving in comparing just how precisely your trail measures with each other vs. other chances concerning. That is to say, in contrast, one very prominent tour typically gets that one also travels through such Inca tracks nevertheless often occurs across seven days requiring a lot increased readiness as well as licenses. In spite of, what could simply just get what the people desire gets almost getting near places such as Humantay sea possibly such Salkantay journey even; although your are magnificent too too it can occur more with masses on tourists than Huccuy Quosqo that usually provides individuals alongside some greater detached environment. That suggests really find the trail perfectly fits time plus things for health as your wishes regarding audiences!
- Historical Significance: The Huchuy Qosqo Trek offers a look into Inca culture.
- Physical Challenge: You need to be prepared for the altitude and rugged terrain.
- Packing Essentials: Layers of clothing, good hiking boots, and hydration are crucial.
- Safety First: Acclimatize properly and stick to marked trails.
#HuchuyQosqo #Cusco #Peru #Trekking #AdventureTravel