Do you know which region in Peru is a paradise for lovers of hiking? You will definitely do the most interesting trails in Cusco. You can find here extremely many trails: some shorter, some longer as well as easier and more difficult. In this article you will find three best trekking trails near Cusco, that can be overcome in one day.
Here the most interesting trekking trails in Cusco
Huchuy Qosqo (small Cusco) is a very interesting archaeological center, located in the sacred valley of the Incas. It is situated at an altitude of approx. 3600 m above sea level, just above the village of Lamay and Calca. The ruins of this Inca town with cultivated terraces are the perfect viewpoint on Sacred Valley and the beautiful peaks, such as Chicon, Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Waccaywilca and Veronica. This trail is very special, because almost entirely goes through original Inca road. Everyone who dreams of walking on the Inca paths, will be fully satisfied – both the beauty, precision, as well as their ideal maintenance. This is even more astonishing that since the creation of the Inca roads have passed at least 500 years.
View of the best part of the trail during Huchuy Cusco trekking
Trekking to Huchuy Qosqo is either one full day or even two days. It all depends on our physical fitness and how we are acclimatized to the altitude. The highest points during the trek exceeds 4300 m above sea level. If you already stay for some days in the Andes, have a very good physical condition and if you like to walk even 8-9 hours a day, definitely you can attempt to start and end this trip on the same day.
Inside Huchuy-Qosqo ruins
If you are going to choose one-day trekking, expedition should start no later than 7:00 am. It is much better if you will reach the town called Lamay or Calca before 6pm. In general the route can be overcome in 7-8 hours, with stops – in about 9-11 hours. Of course, all assuming that we are trekkers, who got used to the altitude. Otherwise, the trip may take longer, it’s best to break it down for 2 days.
Itinerary
- 5:45 Wake up
- 6:00 Breakfast
- 6:30 Departs from the city of Cusco to the start point of trekking (public transport or taxi)
- 7:00 Beginning of the thike
- 18:00 End of trekking in the village of Lamay or Calca
Difficulty level:
The route is demanding and difficult only when you do it in one day. The first difficult section appears at the beginning, because you must climb at over 4,000 meters, to the pass. Overcoming this part takes over an hour and runs all the time uphill. Then most of the route is flat, or slightly down, except for a few small hills. This, what definitely makes the trail more difficult, the distance to be covered during the day and the last part running from the Huchuy Qosqo to Lamay. This final section clears up in just over an hour, but it can make some problems for your knees (it is really steep downhill). All descents make an extra effort for the knees, especially when the entire route clears up within a day. An alternative option is descent to the village of Calca. Descent is milder, but unfortunately a little longer, which after many hours of hiking also can be a bit problematic.
Additional options:
- You can shorten the route by starting it in another place.
- You can do this route on horseback.
Another interesting trekking in Cusco is the Inti Punku tour. Inti Punku the sun gate, is more than just a gate. In the Inca Empire stone gates on the tops of the hills were extremely important. Their ruins, often quite impressive, are located in different parts of Peru, including in the region of Cusco. To one of these beautiful gates you can reach from the charming town Ollantaytambo. There is nice trail leading to this place, during which you will have possibility to admire beauty of the Sacred Valley. You will also pass by some other ruins from the times of the Inca Empire, as well as you will see the place from which the Incas transported the stones to build their incredible fortresses in Ollantaytambo. In addition, on the way there is situated lovely swimming pool, where you can swim and admire the beauty of the agricultural terraces and snowy peak of Veronica. From the Inti Punku you will have amazing view for a total of 4 valleys. Perfect place to sit for a while and just relax, far away from daily life.
Inti Punku (Sun Gate)
Itinerary
- 6:30 Wake up
- 6:45 Breakfast
- 7:30 Beginning of the hike
- 18:00 End of trekking in Ollantaytambo
Difficulty level:
It is quite easy hike, but because of the distance, certainly requires physical strength. The first part of the trail is a little more difficult, because for 4-5 hours will be uphill. It should be borne in mind that the degree of slope is not large, so it is not like climbing. For a change, it is very easy on the way back, because then there is only descent to the town.
Additional options:
- You can implement this route on horse.
Patacancha Valley is a beautiful part of the region of Cusco. The picturesque landscapes, full of tradition and warm people make this place unique. It is worth coming here not only because of the beautiful scenery of the mountain range Cordillera Urubamba, but also because of the inhabitants of these areas. It is good to get to know their way of life and colorful handmade textiles. Patacancha Valley is very colorful. All through the gorgeous clothes, with the dominance of the red, which usually carries the local people.
Children from Patacancha Valley on the way to school
Itinerary
- 4:50 Wake up
- 5:00 Breakfast
- 5:20 Departs from Ollantaytambo to Patacancha Valley, to the start point for trekking (taxi)
- 6:15 Beginning of the hike
- 18:00 End of trekking in Lares
Difficulty level:
It’s definitely the heaviest of the proposed one-day trekking in Cusco region, but it is very picturesque. You will have to overcome long parts of the trails through local villages and mountain pass at an altitude of over 4,300 meters above sea level. All of this make the trekking a little bit more difficult. I do not recommend this route during the first days of stay at the altitude. The trail can be defeated in about 11-12 hours. After a successful trek there will wait for you very warm hot springs, in Lares, which for sure will help you to relax after a day’s walking and recover for the next adventure days :-).
In the middle of the way to Lares
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5 Comments
Hi! I’m looking to do the trek from Patacancha Valley to Lares and was wondering where exactly is the trailhead in Patacancha Valley?
Dear Alice,
there are many trails going from Patacancha Valley to Lares. You can start in Lares town or in Patacancha village. There is no signals so I recommend you to go there with somone. It is a little bit dangerous to go alone for a trek in the Andes.
Greetings,
Sylwia
Huchuy Qosqo is an incredible trek worth doing. Although one must be in relatively good condition to do it. I would recommend acclimating before doing this trek as it requires at least 8-10 hours of hiking at 9-14k feet in elevation, (2-day trek is also an option). We were fortunate enough to have Sylwia as our guide and she made sure that every stopping point featured the most breathtaking views of Cusco and the surrounding mountains of Veronica, Ausungate, and El Chicon .
If you have a keen interest on doing the Inca Trail during your visit in Cusco, this trek is a must – for the latter part of the trek takes place on the Inca trail. I’ve trek the Salkantay and Rainbow Mountain, as well as driven in and around the region, this less well known hike is by far the most breathtaking. If you’re looking to do this trek at some point, I would highly recommend getting a hold of Sylwia either on this site or on her facebook.
The one I did with Sylwia is Cusco – Huchuy Qosqo – Lamay. This is a long distance trail (at least 8-10 hours walking distance) with altitude between 2800m-4300m. Though it is just one day trek, there are lots of spectacular view along the trek which I don’t feel I walked 9 hours. And surprisingly, this trek include part of Inca Trail and I can experience how wise is the ancient Incas to build this road.
If you are planning to do multi days trekking to Machu Picchu (like Salkantay, Inca Trail, etc), having a one day hike in Cusco area would be a good idea to adapt the altitude and test your physical fitness. And I will recommend you to follow Sylwia. She is very passionate in mountains and had a several years experience trekking in Cusco and its surrounding and even Andes Mountains.
Cusco – Huchuy Qosqo – Lamay
Maravilloso trek!! Y… a calentar piernas!!
Muy buena opción sobre todo cuando no dispones de muchos días, porque esta larga caminata (entre 8 y 10 horas) se divide en 2 partes muy diferentes, por lo que obtienes 2 maravillosos treks en 1, más la suerte de poder recorrer parte del camino inca original.
Huchuy Qosqo – Lamay es una fusión perfecta de naturaleza y cultura. Empezamos poniendo a prueba nuestra resistencia a lo largo de 1h., mientras subimos vamos dejando atrás ruinas para dar paso y ser testigos de la majestuosidad de las montañas que nos rodean y poder disipar a lo lejos grandes nevados como el Verónica, el Chicón o el Ausangate; a nuestro pies quedan hermosos valles, ríos y lagunas, por lo que caminar a 4.200m (máx. punto) hace que te sientas caminar entre balcones,todo es un gran mirador!
La segunda parte del trek iremos descendiendo suavemente alejándonos de la amplitud que nos rodea, a recorrer parte del camino inca y adentrarnos entre su muros y grandes rocas, pasaremos puentes y disfrutaremos del frescor de una cascada.
Otro paisaje con otra historia muy difente.
Sin duda, un maravilloso trek!!!!
Muchísimas gracias Sylwia!