Llama Hike
to Huchuy Qosqo will discover the Andean villages and their traditions,
customs, beliefs and costumes. The villagers will allow us to experience
unforgettable moments as they do their daily work in each place in the region
of Cusco, and at the same time, make sure we get to know attractive cultural,
religious and natural places.
The Homestay families are of modest economic background, but thanks to the efforts of each family in Andean communities, we succeed in moving our way forward. This allows us to offer a better quality of life to our children and an example to our friends in the region. As we offer lodging services in our renovated and well-furnished homes, our hosts are determined to deliver a high quality service. And as your well-being is our principal concern, we consider the food to be the most important part of that service. We have trained ourselves to be able to prepare healthy meals with organic products from the region we produce ourselves.
To support our hike, we make use of lamas, which allows us to transport your luggage and some hiking materials, and of an emergency horse we may use in case of emergency, so that the journey may be comfortable and pleasant whatever destiny is chosen.
Today, the journey starts at your hotel where a private minibus will pick you up to bring you to the community of Taucca, situated in the surroundings of the village of Chinchero. There, we meet with our team of porters and lamas. To start our hike, with help of the porters, we first have to pack our personal belongings on the lamas. Everyone can bring approximately 5 kg. Then we start our climb through the typical Andean valleys rich in cabena, quinoa, tarwi and Andean tubers. In the middle of our climb as we reach the pass (4,250m / 13,943ft), the environment starts to change drastically into Andean highlands or ‘puna’, with indigenous vegetation such as Andean grass (ichu). The views of the peaks of the Vilcabamba mountain chain are spectacular. After the pass, you will begin your descent to the settlement of Huchuy Qosqo, walking along a path that leads to the ravine of Puca Marka (red village) which is called that way because of the red colors of the mountain. There, we’ll find the Inca Trail that comes from Tambomachay, and that will lead us to a small canyon called Puma Punku, with the remnants of an Inca bridge, paths and impressive geological formations. Next, we will arrive at Huchuy Qosqo, where we pass by a balcony with an impressive panoramic view of the valley (3.200m / 10,498ft).
Huchuy
Qosqo lies in a plateau, surrounded by agricultural terraces, and offers
incomparable views of the Vilcabamba mountain chain and the river. The total
length of your journey today will be approximately 10 km (6.2 miles), which is
6 to 7 hours walking. As we arrive, we will visit the Inca city of Huchuy Qosqo
and then go to the inhabited house, where we will have a traditional dinner
with the local family.
After
breakfast, the family will offer us a small demonstration of Andean
instruments. Our day then begins with a strong descent to the Sacred Valley of
Lamay (2,800 m). We continue our route by private transport along the “Sacred
River”. We pass by several towns and villages that continue to Cusco
Guide: Professional private guide for the hike
Transport: collective minibus from Cusco or to Ollantaytambo
INCLUDING
Guide: Professional private tour guide
Transport: Private and collective transport as mentioned in the
program
Porters
and lamas for the hike
Meals: Meals as mentioned in the program
Lodging: with a Homestay family in Huchuy Qosqo
Entrance fee: Huchuy Qosqo
NOT
INCLUDED
Transport: Flights from Lima to Cusco, and Cusco to Lima
Meals: Lunch in second day and dinner in Cusco
Snacks
and drinks.
Lodging: Hotel in Cusco
A mínimum group size would be 2 persons. The bigger the group, the lower our cost per person: please, find our prices and discounts below!