Huchuy Qosqo homestay trek and wonders of the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu (5 Days)

Your trekking guide meets you at your hotel early in the morning for a logistical briefing and equipment check. You then hit the road to the Tambomachay site, the starting point of your hike. The trail climbs for about 4.5 hours to the Queullacocha pass, offering a splendid view of Cusco and the Andes mountain range. After lunch at the summit, you continue your walk for 4 hours through the pampas and high-altitude lagoons towards Patabamba. Upon your arrival, Rosalio and his family warmly welcome you to share a pachamanca, a traditional dish cooked underground. You spend a convivial evening immersed in local culture.

Distance: 15 km
Elevation gain/loss: +675 m / -675 m
Maximum altitude: 4,275 m
Accommodation: Homestay in Patabamba.

After breakfast with Rosalio's family, you resume walking towards the 'balcony' of the Sacred Valley, offering a grandiose panoramic view of Pisac, Calca, Lamay, and the snow-capped peaks of the mountain range (Pitusiray, Sawasiray, and Verónica). You cross the Pukamarka pass, then descend into the spectacular León Punku canyon for lunch amid impressive rock formations. In the afternoon, you take a preserved section of the Inca Trail leading to the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo, nicknamed 'Little Cusco'. The day ends at Natividad's home for another night of Andean hospitality.

Distance: 14.5 km
Elevation gain/loss: +500 m / -650 m
Maximum altitude: 4,080 m
Accommodation: Homestay in Huchuy Qosqo.

Last day of sustained effort: you begin a 4-hour walk from Huchuy Qosqo to the Tauca pass (4,435 m), the highest point of your trek, which offers a spectacular view of the Urubamba mountain range. After a contemplative break at the summit, you start a 3-hour descent towards the Piuray lagoon and the traditional village of Chinchero for lunch. The afternoon is left free for you to rest and relax with your new host family.

Distance: 12 km
Elevation gain/loss: +800 m / -575 m
Maximum altitude: 4,435 m
Accommodation: Homestay (Sonia's family) in Chinchero.

Heading to the Sacred Valley! Your morning begins in Chinchero with a captivating demonstration in a traditional textile workshop to discover the ancestral techniques of weaving and natural dyeing. You then visit the archaeological site of Moray, a mysterious Inca agricultural laboratory featuring concentric circular terraces. The adventure continues at the spectacular Maras salt mines, where you begin a superb downhill hike amid thousands of suspended white pools down to the banks of the Urubamba River. After meeting up with your driver, you explore the strategic fortress of Ollantaytambo before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes (about a 1h45 journey).

Accommodation: Night at the Hatun Inti Classic Hotel (standard room).

The big day has arrived! Early this morning, you take the official shuttle (a 30-minute ride) to reach the entrance of the mythical Machu Picchu (2,430 m). Accompanied by your expert guide, you enjoy an in-depth tour of this Wonder of the World, exploring its sacred temples, cobbled squares, and agricultural terraces in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature. After the visit, you hike back down to Aguas Calientes via a pleasant hiking trail of about 1.5 hours (bus option available on site). You then take the train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a railway company shuttle taking you to Wanchaq station in Cusco, concluding with a private transfer to your hotel.