The archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo (Small Cusco), which was known during the Inca times as Qaqyaqawana (which in Spanish means "place where you look at the thunder"), is located in the district of Lamay, within the province of Calca, in the department and region of Cusco, specifically in a plain found on the top of a mountain. At an altitude of 3,550 meters above sea level. And it is currently considered, thanks to the National Institute of Culture, as Cultural Heritage of the Nation. At the historical level, this site is known for being the favorite place of the Inca Wiracocha, which he chose as a place of rest and retirement and, where, according to the myth, he died at an advanced age (80 years). It is also said that this area was already populated by different ethnic groups, before the arrival of the Inca, so they had to be previously defeated. Another striking story about the area is that the Inca Wiracocha would not have arrived alone there, but in the company of his son: Inca Urco, the worst ruler of the Empire, who left Tahuantinsuyo to his fate after the Chanca attack that ended up being stopped by his other son Cusi Inca Yupanqui. Finally, another reason that makes this site important is the discovery of a mummified body, found during the Conquest, and that had been attributed to the old Inca monarch, although later burned by the brother of Francisco Pizarro. As for its location, it can be added the access feature, which provides the visitor (and those who lived in the archaeological center) a great view of the snow-capped Pitusiray along with the town of Calca. Regarding the architectural remains that have been preserved on the site, we can say that there are at least 2 buildings, in addition to the presence of platforms and cliffs. Among the buildings, built with some of stone and others of adobe, we can observe, one of three floors, without name; This first construction is characterized by the presence of the mixture of building materials, since the two lower levels are made of stone, while the last one conserves a structure based on adobe. The second building, also without a name, is a rectangular base construction, made of adobones, which was believed to have been intended as a space for labor learning for the women of the Empire. There are also vestiges of remains of minor enclosures that are almost destroyed by natural events, including rainfall and vegetation in the area.Huchuy Qosqo ,the most important archaeological center for Inca Wiracocha offer us an incredible views of the famous kallanka (rectangular enclosure that could measure up to 70 meters long and which were important state centers where Inca officials stay as a lodge) that measure from at least 40 to 50 meters long. Also a remarkable building with two stone floors and one upper one of adobe. There are also large terraces, a very large square and a large Inca gate through which passes a very well preserved road that leads from Tambomachay.
05:30 Pick you up from the hotel and transfer to Chinchero
07:00 Reach the Community of Tauca where you will appreciate the lagoon of Piuray.
07:30 Start our walk until we reach the first Abra de Pucajasa (4,100 masl) for 10 minutes
07:40 Descend in approximately 1 hour 50 to the Archaeological Complex of Huchuy Qosqo
09:30 Visit to the Archaeological Complex for two hours of visit.
11:30 Continue our walk of a descent with a spectacular view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the district of Lamay for 1 hour and 30 minutes
13:00 Return to the city of Cusco in our transport for 45 minutes.
Huchu'y Qosqo was a work of the Inca Wiracocha and it was Gonzalo Pizarro who found his mummy and ordered it to be burned and Polo de Ondegardo discovers it ashes. Pedro Cieza de León, a Spanish conquistor, in his book "Señorío de los Incas" recounts the following: " The Inca was determined to go to the Qonti Suyo,but finding himself tired and old, he left it. At that time he ordered that some palaces be built in the valley of K'ajya Qhawana (Huchuy Qosqo) to go out and recreate in them; and as he had many children and the eldest of them, called Urco, in whom the command of the kingdom was to remain,but Urco had bad habits,he was vicious and sometimes cowardly, for that reason, Wiracocha wanted to deprive him of the lordship and give it to his younger son called Inca Yupanqui. Juan de Betanzos affirms that after giving power to Inca Yupanqui, Wiracocha died at the age of 80 years.
Talking about flora ,the species most seen during the tour are:
Along the tour, also you will see different species of fauna such as:
Our Tour Starts between 5:30 am and 6:00 am with the pick-up from your respective hostel or hotel, then we will board our bus that will take us to a certain point, around 45 minutes we will arrive at Lamay district, during our tour we will see beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas to reach the town of Lamay, from where we will start our trek to ascend for about 3 hours in total our trek is 4 kilometers, on our way we will be accompanied by our guide exploring the Trek at the same time. We will have the opportunity to see all the splendor of the biodiversity that the trail offers us. A great variety of native plants, following the tour we will observe the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Huchuy Qosqo archaeological site, and the serenity of this magnificent archaeological site. Where we will have enough time to visit with our guide, you will know the history to understand this magical place so we can appreciate and explore the sacred places and the most important sites of Huchuy Qosqo, finished the tour we will continue with our adventure and then return a walk of 1 hour and a half until you reach the community of Lamay to finally we will be returning to the city of Cusco.
