Huchuy Qosqo is the most beautiful archaeological site in the Sacred Valley, so beautiful that it can be compared to Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. It is located on top of a mountain from which you can appreciate the entire Sacred Valley.
According to chroniclers, Huchuy Qosqo was built by order of the Inca Wiracocha, who, feeling tired from old age, wanted to retire from the command of the Tahuantinsuyo empire in search of rest with his family.
However, it was not until the 20th century that it was given the name Huchuy Qosqo due to its similarity to the capital of the Inca Empire. Originally, its name was Caquia Jaquijahuana.
With the arrival of the Spanish conquest, it was Manco Inca who used the city of Huchuy Qosqo to move the Inca army from Cusco to Vilcabamba to recover this sector. However, it was the conqueror Gonzalo Pizarro who invaded and destroyed Huchuy Qosqo.
Huchuy Qosqo was declared a National Heritage Site in 2003.
The name Huchuy Qosqo is a Quechua word that means "Little Cusco." This name is given due to the similarity of the archaeological site to the city of Cusco.
It is located in the rural community of the same name, at the summit of a part of the mountain range, almost 5 km from Calca and 570 meters above the Vilcanota River.
As this place was a retreat site for a former Inca ruler, it only has constructions necessary for daily life. What can be appreciated in this archaeological complex today includes:
The Qallanca is a rectangular square approximately 50 meters long, located in the center of the archaeological site. This place was of great importance as it served as a meeting center for high-ranking Inca officials.
It is a long grouping of terraces with retaining walls that create suitable terraces for agriculture.
A building with the first two floors made of stone and the third of adobe. The structure has a rectangular floor plan and is of excellent quality. It is believed to have been a space for the vocational training of women in the Inca city.
Many of the smaller enclosures are scattered throughout the city and are in poor condition. However, it is possible to observe adobe buildings, Inca roads oriented towards the city of Cusco, and some small enclosures that served as lookout posts since they have a view of the entire Sacred Valley.
Monday to Sunday from 08:00 am to 17:30 pm.
Entry to Huchuy Qosqo is not included in any tourist ticket, so you must purchase your ticket at the entrance; however, entry is free.
The climate in Huchuy Qosqo varies depending on the season, whether it's the dry or rainy season. During the rainy season (November-April), the climate is cool and humid, with more frequent rains that can last all day. In the dry season (May-October), the climate is warmer and drier, and temperatures tend to drop. However, this is undoubtedly the best season to travel.
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