Huchuy Qosqo, “little Cusco” in Quechua, is an Inca site at 3,650 metres (11,975 ft), on a mountain ledge above the village of Lamay in the Sacred Valley. No road reaches it: it can only be visited on foot, which is why it is almost always empty. The usual way is a day hike from Cusco: two to three hours from the community of Patabamba to the site and an hour and a half down to Lamay. This guide explains what it is, what to see, what the hike is like and when to go.
What Huchuy Qosqo is
It was an Inca royal estate. The chroniclers Pedro de Cieza de León and Juan de Betanzos attribute it to the Inca Wiracocha, who is said to have built it around 1420 and retired there in his last years, while his son Pachacutec ruled in Cusco. Dating of the site places its construction between 1420 and 1530. The Incas knew it as Kakya Qawani; the name Huchuy Qosqo was given in the 20th century.
What to see
- The kallanka: a great stone and adobe hall about 40 metres (130 ft) long, the most striking building on the site.
- The storehouses and enclosures around the plaza.
- The terraces running down the slope towards the valley.
- The viewpoint: from the plaza you see the Sacred Valley from Pisac to Calca, with the Urubamba river below. It is one of the best views of the valley.
The guided visit leaves time to sit at the viewpoint without hurrying.
The hike
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Start | Community of Patabamba, on the high plateau above the valley |
| To the site | Two to three hours on an Inca trail, across the plateau and downhill |
| Descent to Lamay | An hour and a half, steep |
| Total walking | Four to five hours, mostly downhill |
| Highest point | About 3,900 m (12,800 ft) |
| Difficulty | Moderate: the final descent is what you feel most |
This is the route of our private Huchuy Qosqo tour: pickup at seven in the morning, breakfast on the way and lunch in the valley at the end, back in Cusco by mid-afternoon. There are shorter or longer variants, from Lamay or from Tambomachay; as it is private, the route is adjusted to how much the group wants to walk.
Altitude and preparation
The hike stays below about 3,900 metres, so it is a good option for walking without extreme altitude. Even so, spend a couple of days in Cusco before you do it. The demanding part is the descent to Lamay, which is harder on the knees than any climb: trekking poles help a lot. How to plan your first days is in the acclimatisation guide.
When to go
April to November, when the trail is dry. In the rainy season the path gets muddy and the descent to Lamay is slippery. We compare it with other trips in the best time to visit Cusco.
Entrance fee and what to bring
Huchuy Qosqo has its own entrance fee, paid at the site in cash. It is not covered by the Cusco Tourist Ticket. Bring:
- Trekking shoes with good grip.
- Layers: the plateau is cool in the morning and the valley warm at midday.
- Sunscreen and a cap.
- A litre and a half of water.
- Cash in soles for the entrance fee.
Huchuy Qosqo or the Sacred Valley by vehicle
The classic valley tours, such as the Classic Sacred Valley, visit the big sites by vehicle and with more people. Huchuy Qosqo is the opposite: a single site, reached on foot, with the whole valley at your feet and almost no visitors. If it is your first time in the valley, start with the classic route; if you have already seen Pisac and Ollantaytambo and you like walking, it is the best complement.
Frequently asked questions
What does Huchuy Qosqo mean?
“Little Cusco” in Quechua. The name dates from the 20th century; the Incas called it Kakya Qawani.
Is the hike difficult?
Moderate: four to five hours in total, mostly downhill, staying below about 3,900 metres. The final descent to Lamay is what you feel most.
Can you get there by car?
No. No road reaches the site; you can only get there on foot.
Do I need the Tourist Ticket?
No. Huchuy Qosqo has its own entrance fee, paid at the site in cash.
When is the best time?
April to November. In the rains the trail gets muddy and the descent is slippery.
Book
- Private Huchuy Qosqo, with breakfast, lunch and trekking poles.
- All Sacred Valley tours.
