Cusco continues to surprise the world with seemingly never ending touristic attractions! This time, we’ll talk about the amazing Chinchero-Urquillos hike, which is an alternative to the Short 2-Day Inca Trail, going along a different route (although it covers some miles of the Inca Trail). This trek is easy level, marching along new, not much explored paths. Once arriving at Urquillos village, we go to Ollantaytambo train station and from there a ride to Machu Picchu station (Aguas Calientes). On day 2, there’s the unforgettable tour of the sacred hilltop Inca jungle retreat.
The Cusco region is simply amazing! By the way, we would like to clarify about a warning made by the US Department of State, regarding safety concerns for American travelers to Peru. The DOS has issued a warning citing criminality and terrorism risks in our country; we want to make clear Cusco is a very safe region, criminality is quite low. Sadly, almost all police incidents that took place with visitors involved backpackers who were traveling alone, mostly female. In this case, they obviously became targets of antisocial people. Regarding terrorism, it was defeated in 1992 (the Shining Path maoist guerrilla). Our country is safe. The Chinchero-Urquillos hike is safe.
It needs to be said that the DOS notice came from the current situation at the Peru-Colombia border, where, indeed, there are problems related to drug-trafficking and armed gangs. As of today, early July 2022, criminality is very low in the Cusco region and terrorism is gone, except for a few groups far away in deep jungle.
Next, we will see the highlights of the amazing Chinchero-Urquillos hike!
- From Cusco City, we go on a wonderful private van ride across the beautiful Sacred Valley, seeing mighty mountainous landscapes all along, up to Chinchero village.
- Chinchero has everything: natural beauty, history, archaeology, folklore, nice weather, healthy air and so on. There are famous Inca ruins, like in the Main Square and the spectacular palace of emperor Tupac Yupanqui, who stayed there when he was on his way to Machu Picchu. Also, you’ll find the very famous handicrafts market, full of great souvenirs you can take back home.
- After, the Chinchero-Urquillos hike begins! It is easy level, going downhill for around 8 km (5 miles approx.), with an average duration of 3 to 4 hours. It is a top hike! Not only because you’ll be on top of the mighty Andean range, but there are ancient, rarely used paths, magnificent landscapes all the way, with massive apus (sacred mountains) on sight, like the Sahuasiray and the Pitusiray, also archaeological remains from the Inca age. One special highlight of the Chinchero-Urquillos hike to really enjoy is the Poc Poc waterfall, a fresh, relaxing spot nature has for us; its height is about 50 meters (164 feet approx.)!
- Then, after this light but wonderful hike, we arrive at Urquillos village, a jewel of Cusco Andean range. You can never get enough of the wonderful mountain landscapes but in Urquillos you’ll admire and relax with the vast, beautiful farming fields.
- Next, it’s time to go to Machu Picchu! For this, we head first to the ancient Inca village of Ollantaytambo, a place full of history, archaeology, very praised by people who believe in extraterrestrial theories, for example, that some of the temples were built using antigravitational lasers! (Cusco is a place of peregrination for many spiritual seekers, from all around the world).
- From the Ollantaytambo train station, we have a relaxing ride leaving the Sacred Valley and entering the Western border of Peruvian rainforest. The landscapes are still mountainous but they get more mixed with lush vegetation. Here we must give you a very good insider tip: check the Vistadome train option for going from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu; it is especially designed for allowing full enjoyment and connection with natural energy.
- And finally on the Chinchero-Urquillos hike, we arrive at the famous village of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu station), at the base of the wonderful Inca citadel. This small town also offers many options of leisure and learning of a foreign culture. From there the tour of Machu Picchu citadel starts, 3 hours or more, with professional, experienced guides. Discover and enjoy the place where Inca rulers went on vacation and also did religious rituals.
- As a plus many people book when exploring Machu Picchu site is the world-famous hike to the Huayna Picchu top. Its elevation from the site level is around 370 meters (1,214 feet) and the views from the summit are really praised by hikers worldwide, posted a lot on social media
So, this is it regarding the new Chinchero-Urquillos hike to Machu Picchu. It’s a short, easy level trek meant for visitors who want to feel the emotions of walking through the Andes but not for 5 or 6 days in the challenging wilderness!
Remembering Peru and particularly the Cusco region is very safe for travel! Down here is not the border with Colombia, which is actually dangerous currently. By the way, Cusco City can be seen again with lots of tourists, we’ve left the worst of covid-19 behind.
Peru and Cusco area are great, safe destinations to visit! Contact our travel specialists if you want to get to Machu Picchu via the Chinchero-Urquillos hike, exploring many Andean-Amazonian highlights.
