Short hikes in Cusco (SHC)

Day 1

Cusco city walking tour

In the morning, reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Cusco town (3,400 m./11,152 ft.) and once there, you will have the rest of the morning to relax and acclimatize to the altitude.

In the afternoon, we´ll have a walking tour, visiting Santo Domingo’s Monastery which shelters the remains of the Qoricancha and Temple of the Sun considered as the most beautiful Incan architecture in Cusco; the Incas´ ancient capital city. Later on, we will stop by the Main Square and visit the Cathedral, to enjoy the beautiful colonial art in its architecture, paintings and stone and wood carvings dating back to the Spanish Colonial Period.

Day 2

Walking around Cusco´s nearby archaeological sites

Our day will start taking a van ride from Cusco to Tambomachay (3,740 m. / 12,267 ft) and after the visit of this stunning archaeological site, we will hike back to Cusco. On the way and not far away from Tambomachay, there is the Incan fort of Puca Pucara. Then, from Puca Pucara, we´ll climb a bit to 3,820 m. / 12,530 ft., to later on descend to Lanlacuyoc, where there is a cave with carvings of snakes and an altar inside it. There, we´ll have a snack at the site. In the early afternoon, we´ll walk to Qenqo, to see a huge limestone structure, with numerous carvings and in one of its caves, a beautiful stone table used for rituals in ancient times. After Qenqo, we´ll descend to Sacsayhuaman, where we´ll find stone structures some of which weigh 100 tons. The last part of our walk will take place along a steep path leading to Cusco town. Breakfast and morning snack.

Day 3

Drive to Tauca – Camp at Huchuy Qosqo

We will have an early start in Cusco and will transfer you by van to Tauca (3,780 m. / 12,398 ft.), where we´ll start our two day hike, the first part of which will be climbing to reach a mountain pass at 4,520 m. / 14,825 ft. and later on descend to Huchuy Qosqo (3,480 m. / 11,414 ft.) to camp. On the way, we might sight herds of lamas and alpacas, flocks of Andean geese and if weather conditions are clear, we may see the Urubamba Mountain Range, with its high mountains, such as the Sawasiray, Pitusitay, Chicón, Pumahuanca and so on. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4

Lamay – Ollantaytambo

After our exploration of Huchuy Qosqo, we´ll hike downhill on a gravel path to Lamay, where our transportation will be waiting for us, in order to transfer us to Ollantaytambo. On the way along the Sacred Valley, we´ll go by picturesque localities like Calca, Urco, Yucay, Urubamba and Yanahuara, ending our drive in Ollantaytambo,

In the afternoon, the activity is focused on visiting the still inhabited Incan village, as well as the archaeological area. Then, we´ll settle at our hotel in Ollantaytambo town. Breakfast.

Day 5

Hike to Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

After a train journey of less than one hour and a half, we’ll start hiking towards Machu Picchu for almost eight hours, visiting on the way, the archaeological sites of Chachabamba and Wiñaywayna. In the afternoon, we´ll have a quick look at Machu Picchu and then, rest that night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes town. Breakfast and Box Lunch.

Day 6

Machu Picchu – Cusco

First, we’ll have an early breakfast in the village of Aguas Calientes, to then take a bus ride up and visit the Incan City of Machu Picchu on a guided tour, after which we´ll still have time to wander around the site on our own. In the early afternoon, we´ll go back to Aguas Calientes and catch the train to Ollantaytambo; from there, we will drive to Cusco, to get there at night. Breakfast.

Day 7

End of our services

In the morning, our representatives will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you back to Cusco’s airport, in order to catch your flight to Lima and have your connection for home. Breakfast.

Aquí lo que incluye y no incluye en el tour