Guests are collected from their hotel in the morning to start this lovely trek to the little-known Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo, situated on a plateau with stunning views overlooking the Sacred Valley and snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba range.
Start your day by driving to the small town of Corao around 30 minutes from Cuzco and the epicenter of all Cusquenan earthquakes before branching off road into the high Andes and the tiny village of Patabamba at 3,400 m. Here is the start of the local trail to Huchuy Qosqo.
The trail takes you through small hamlets and affords stunning views of the Sacred Valley and Písac below. The trail climbs steadily to a pass at 4,200 m, beyond which you will descend to a beautiful canyon, where a picnic lunch is served. By now you are on the original Inca Trail from Cuzco to Machu Picchu until you reach the plateau housing Huchuy Qosqo.
After exploring the ruins it is a steep descent to the village of Lamay where your driver will be waiting. This trek is well away from the tourist trail and should last a total of eight to nine hours, although this can be reduced by around one and a half hours if your vehicle is able to make it to Huchuy Qosqo ruins to pick you up. (This road is commonly blocked by landslides so it is better to expect a descent to Lamay on foot.)