Cusco is a perfect place as a base for organizing trekking adventures. There are a lot of hiking possibilities around. Some trekkings are better, faster, safer and just more comfortable to organize with a tourist company, but there are also some which you can organize on your own, without spending almost any money !
Do you want to do cheap one day hiking in Peru? Check below how to organize trekking near Cusco on your own!
Trekking to Maukallaqta ruins
As a first place I can recommend you to visit Maukallaqta ruins (spelled also as Mauka Llacta, Mauka Llaqta, Mauca Llacta) near Yaurisque town in the Paruro Province (one of thirteen provinces in the Cusco Region).
A perfect trek almost for free and without tourists around guaranteed…
Maukallaqta ruins are still not very well known, what means that are also not often visited by tourists. The complex of ruins is very big and what is more important the access to it is very easy, practically for people in every age. Maukallaqta is considered as the largest and the best know ruins in Pacariqtambo region. Maukallaqa comprises the ruins of more than 200 structures. In that trekking a great physical condition is not necessary. Every one who at least like to walk can reach it!
How to get there?
First you need to take a local bus from Cusco to the town of Yaurisque (on the way to Paruro town). It will take approximately 1-1,5 hours by bus to get there. You need to leave the bus in Yaurisque and and ask locals for the route to Maukallaqta ruins – it iwll be the starting point of your trek. One side bus ticket will cost around 12-15 soles.
The route is easy to find, it is rather impssible to get lost. The only moment when you can be a little bit confused is Yaurisque town. There is no visible signals where to start the trek. That is why you should ask locals. They know that palce and for sure will show you the right direction.
Walking time is about 3,5 – 4 hours one site. The first part it is a wide road, like in the picture above, around 8 kilometers.
The second part starts behind the signal of Maukallaqta and is more uphill.
For some soles you can catch a taxi from the town Yaurisque till the signal of Maukallaqta . In that case you will skip 8 kilometers of the trekking.
But if you have all day free I recommend you to take a walk insted go by taxi. It is a really easy, flat part, during which you will have opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the nature and wonderful landscapes.
The second part starts from the signal Maukallaqta. This path will be harder, because you will have all the way up the hill. The hike here should take around 1-1,5 hours. But do not worry, it is not so steep and exhausting 🙂
I wish you a lot of fun on the way :-). I wish you a lot of fun on the way :-). Soon I will describe other possibilities how to organize trekking near Cusco on your own…
