Huchuyqosco to Machu Picchu Trip

We took an amazing tour with the group Qente. Nobody else signed up, so the group consisted of Elise, me, our guide Socroates, our head cook Alex, the assistant cook Cicero, and the 'muleteer.' We saw no other tourists during the hike or at Huchuyqosco -- just us and the local people and lots of animals. The first day, we hiked all the way to the Huchuyqosco ruins and camped at its base. The first part was all uphill, and just when we reached the top and thought it would get easier, it started hailing. From lunch on, however, it got easier.

The next morning we ate breakfast outside as the sun rose. Speaking of food, the food on our trip was incredible and there was so much of it! The morning of the second day we hiked down to a village, ate lunch, and then a bus took us to Ollantaytambo, where we had some time to look around. From there we took the train to Aguas Calientes and stayed overnight. We visited the hot springs (which were actually only lukewarm), and the third morning took the bus up to Machu Picchu at 6 A.M. Overall, we were very spoiled on the trip.

near Ollantaytambo

Huchuyqosco from above

our campsite, at the base of Huchuyqosco

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu (view from Huayna Picchu)