Huchuy Qosqo ONE DAY HIKE
We will pick you up 7am in order to drive northeast out of Cusco valley for about 2 hours and 30minutes. Then we will get close the beginning of the trail. We ascend about 600 meters trough the Andean semi-dry forest on the way towards the pass at 4050 meters. The landscape changes dramatically to classic high Andean savannah, “Puna”, with scant vegetation, mainly “ichu” or high altitude grass. The views of the Cordillera Vilcanota peaks are spectacular: Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon and San Juan snow peaks. Soon after the pass you descend toward the Huchuy Qosqo plains along a path that leads to the Ccauca Ravine, where you will be able to see archaeological ruins and wild crops, such as tarwi, and a variety of cacti.
Downhill towards the Leon Punku Ravine are ruins of an Inca bridge and trail. The impressive geological formations here feature majestic rocks and boulders that direct the river to Huchuy Qosqo, at 3650 meters. Huchuy Qosqo (“Little Cuzco”) is a noteworthy Inca archeological site with very fine stonework. There is a large Kallanka (rectangular Hall), some residential and military quarters, interesting two-story buildings made of stone and adobe. Huchuy Qosqo is located on a plateau surrounded by Inca agricultural terracing and commanding superb views of the Vilcabamba range. Descending to Lamay at 2900 meters brings us to our return transportation to Cusco. Fauna along the way may include falcons, finches, hummingbirds, flora will mostly be native trees and shrubs such as queuña, chachacomos, qolles and chilca.
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