Duration: 11 hours, or 1d/1n
Highlights:
- Visit the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo with Native Guides
- Cultural ceremony and offering to Mother Earth at the ruins!
- Interact with locals
- Amazing local gastronomy
- Transportation to and from community
- Local Guide
- Bilingual Guide
- Hiking Activity
- Lunch and Dinner
- Community ceremony
- Rural homestay (for extension)
- Breakfast (for extension)
- Cultural exchange (for extension)
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Camera
- Walking stick/Poles (suggested)
- High altitude medicine
- Backpack
- Sunscreen
- Raincoat (for November-March)
- Binoculars (suggested)
- Hat
In the warm Sacred Valley, the Incan Royalty constructed great palaces. One of such was Huchuy Qosqo (“Little Cusco” in Quechua), which was the country residence of the Inca Ruler Wiracocha. It is a huge complex of terraces and buildings constructed on solid polished stone bases. Like all great Inca centers it is divided into a sacred palace, an agricultural section and a recreational zone. Departing from the town of Huchuy Qosqo, we will reach the ruins after a moderate hike of four hours and visit the archaeological complex located at an altitude of 3652 meters above sea level (11,800 feet). There you can enjoy of an exquisite view of the Sacred Valley and you will also gain a better understanding of the Inca´s idea of space.
Day 1
Builders of the Tawantinsuyo
We will depart Cusco at 7:30 AM after breakfast in the hotel. After a 1-hour 15-minute drive to the Sacred Valley town of Lamay, we will drive down the short dirt road to the community of Huchuy Qosqo. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by an amazing community reception ceremony complete with traditional music and beautiful Incan flowers (Kantu). This ceremony represents an offering to the “Pacha Mama” (Mother-Earth in Quechua) to thank her for this new day and the chance for people of different cultures to share an intercultural experience together.
After the welcoming ceremony, we will begin the activity “Builders of the Tawantinsuyo.” Together with local guides from the community, we will begin the 4-hour trek to the Ancient Incan ruins of Huchuy Qosqo (“Little Cusco” in Quechua), which was the country residence of the Inca Ruler Wiracocha. It is a huge complex of terraces and buildings constructed on solid polished stone bases. Like all great Inca centers it is divided into a sacred palace, an agricultural section and a recreational zone. Departing from the town of Huchuy Qosqo, we will reach the ruins after a moderate hike of four hours and visit the archaeological complex located at an altitude of 3652 meters above sea level (11,800 feet). There you can enjoy of an exquisite view of the Sacred Valley and you will also gain a better understanding of the Inca´s idea of space. Our guides from the community of Huchuy Qosqo will explain to you the significance of the ruins, and enact an authentic cultural ceremony and offering to Mother Earth with you right at the ruins!
After our visit to the ruins, we will go back to the village of Huchuy Qosqo on an alternative route. Awaiting our return in the village of Huchuy Qosqo will be a delectable Andean meal prepared by the villagers – who are well trained in safe food preparation. At 7:00, we will return to Cusco.
Possible Extension
Rural Tourism Overnight
Rural homestay accommodations are available. They are clean and comfortable, and bathrooms with running water and hot showers are provided. Dinner will be provided and before eating, passengers will be treated to a unique intercultural presentation with local dancing, Andean poetry and storytelling, and a warm campfire. You can relax under the starry sky and truly become part of the rural Andean lifestyle for a night.
