The Archaeological Center of Huchuy Qosqo, located in the high part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco, in the vicinity of the province of Calca,was the most important building done by the Inca Wiracocha.Huchuy Qosqo does not count with vehicular access,that's the reason why is little visited by tourists. Huchuy Qosqo is located on the Sacred Valley, enjoy a splendid view of the Wilcamayo river know now as Vilcanota river (Sacred River) and its surroundings. This interesting place is one of the most important in the Sacred Valley, after Pisac and Ollantaytambo. The set includes platforms, esplanades, squares, buildings of different magnitude and quality, as well as a pedestrian path. An extensive stone wall that supports the terrace where a construction of great length is imposed; to the left you can see the road that arrives from Tambomachay and Cusco. It is possible to visit Huchuy Qosqo in two ways, the first walking from Cusco and Tambomachay by the Inca trail. The other way is going up from the Sacred Valley after crossing the Wilcamayo river (today Vilcanota). The Inca trail that comes from Cusco, reaches Huchuy Qosqo down the hill, has steps in stone as well as side walls that facilitate its location. The constructions of the place adapt very well to the rugged Andean topography, the roads climb curved paths and save heights, the terraces allow flat areas in the middle of the natural slopes of the mountains. One of the most attractive buildings of the place is the one that we show, it has three floors or clearly marked levels, the first two of carved stone and the final floor of land based on adobes( mateial used by incas to build some constructions) that remain standing despite being without a roof. more than 500 years. In the place we found many evidences of an advanced hydraulic system, the water flowed through Huchuy Qosqo through channels carved in stone, perfectly assembled together to avoid the leakage of water. The construction of the enclosures has a slight inward inclination, which guarantees better behavior during earthquakes. The stones are joined to each other in wavy lines, this detail would allow a better resistance of the wall in seismic events. The "windows" have a trapezoidal form, with a smaller width in the upper part and a smaller one in the lower part, a stone lintel closes the opening, the height of these openings is between 4 and 5 rows of stones. One of the most remarkable characteristics of the set is the location of the set in a stepped manner following the natural slope of the mountain, the result is of great aesthetic quality. Another characteristic is that the buildings are built forming squares, and this squares without touching each other, so that there are alleys or transit spaces between the constructions. In Huchuy Qosqo there is a type of building called "Kallanca" which consists of a very long enclosure, with many spits towards the Valley. Scholars say that these precincts had military and social uses, served as a shelter for the troops, and also for public ceremonies on rainy days. Finally, the place is very pleasant, it is possible to contemplate the beautiful landscape of the Sacred Valley, to go through each space, to go up and down the terraces, to enter each room and see every detail of the whole, all of which leads us to think of the great respect with which our elders built, without altering or damaging nature, merging rather his work to the environment, achieving harmon.Wellcome to Huchuy Qosqo. Let's start this adventure with us.
Day 01 Cusco – Tambomachay – Pumamarca
Day 02 Huchuy Qosqo – Cusco
Huchuy Qosqo was a population of height, about 3,550 meters above sea level in a small plant in the upper third of the mountain. From the place you have a beautiful view, on the other side of the valley you can see the incomparable beauty of the perpetual snow of the Pitusiray and in the background you can clearly see the town of Calca. The name of Huchuy Qosqo means "small Cusco"or "little Cusco". It has other names: Qaqyaxaqixawana and Qaqyaqhawana, which is suggestive, meaning "from where the rays are observed". In addition to the spectacular nature of the rooms, including two levels, of polished stones of fine finish, with clay plaster, it is rich in historical laws. They associate Huchuy Qosqo with the mythical war of Quechuas and Chancas, from which the government of Inka Yupanqui Pachakuti emerges. The oral history of the collection by chroniclers of the seventeenth century, refers that Huchu Qosqo was the work and favorite place of the Inca Wiraqocha. Upon seeing Cusco threatened by the Chancas invaders, he left the city, taking refuge there, accompanied by his son Inka Urku, who had designated him as his successor. It is at this moment that the figure of Inka Yupanqui emerges, organizing the defense. Defeat the chancas, which for faster becomes condors. It assumes the power taking the name of Inka Yupanqui Pachakuti, initiating a period of great Inca splendor. This complex is the most important archaeological center of Urubamba, after Ollantaytambo and Pisac. The ruins are impressive, although the conservation of the site is inferior to that of Ollantaytambo or Pisac, because they are older. But a difference of places previously specified Huchuy Qosqo has a peculiar architecture: the buildings have been built on polished stone bases of fine finish, with clay plaster and the highest floors are made of adobe.
Very early, our guide will pick you up from your hotel to take you by bus to the archaeological site of Tambomachay (3,720 masl) located 20 minutes from the city of Cusco, where we will have a short and beauty guided tour, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the history and the culture of this beautiful and short circuit. The first section of the route runs through beautiful Andean landscapes towards the town of Qorimarca (3,760 m.s.). We will appreciate the picturesque mountain pasture known as the Quechua name of Ichu. After an easy ascent, we will arrive at a large pampa full of lamas, followed by the Qoricocha lagoon (4,030 masl).Finally we will continue climbing in the middle of the puna to reach the Abra Rumicruz from where we will descend to the community of Pucamarca where we will camp in the middle of a spectacular landscape.
After taking our delicious breakfast, we will ascend to another large pampa where they usually graze the lamas. Near Pucamarca we will see remains of the Inca road that leads to Huchuy Qosqo. The last section of the road runs through mountains that dominate the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will arrive at an esplanade where this captivating Inca archaeological complex known as "Pequeño Cusco" or "Little Cusco" (at 3,630 meters above sea level) rises. From where we will have a formidable view of the area and the mountains of the Urubamba Mountain Range, such as the snow-covered Pitusiray (at 5,600 meters above sea level). ) and Sahuasiray (at 5,720 meters above sea level), we will visit the archaeological site. In the afternoon we will descend to the town of Lamay from where we will be transported to the city of Cusco, so we complete this small route between mountains.
