Hidden Inca Trail Review 2025: A Quieter Path from Cusco to the Sacred Valley (2D/1N)
So, you’re thinking about trekking in Peru, right? I mean, pretty much everyone immediately thinks of the classic four-day Inca Trail. And honestly, it’s famous for a very good reason. Still, what if you just don’t have four days, or maybe you kind of want something a little different? We were sort of in that exact spot. That is why the two-day ‘Hidden Inca Trail’ to Huchuy Qosqo really caught our attention for our 2025 trip planning. Basically, it’s a much shorter trek that takes you from the highlands above Cusco and drops you right into the heart of the Sacred Valley. This is pretty much our take on what the experience was actually like, away from the typical tourist brochures and stuff.
Day One: Leaving Cusco’s Noise for High-Altitude Stillness
Okay, so the day started super early, as a matter of fact. A van picked us up from our little hotel in Cusco well before the sun was even up, which is pretty typical for these things. Frankly, leaving the city at that hour is kind of magical. You see Cusco in a different light, all quiet and sleeping, you know? The drive itself is, honestly, an adventure. You go up and up, leaving the city’s buildings behind until they are just little specks. The van, anyway, took us to the starting point near Laguna Coricocha, and getting out of that van was, like, a shock to the system. The air up there is just different—it’s thin and smells like clean earth and wet grass. It’s so quiet, you can, like, literally hear your own heartbeat. For instance, the only sounds were the wind and maybe a distant animal call.
Uncovering Old Rocks and Wind that Speaks
Actually, the first part of the walk is a fairly gentle warm-up. It’s more or less a stroll across the high plains, with just lamas and alpacas for company, which is pretty amazing. Our guide, a really great guy named Mateo, was apparently pointing out all kinds of plants that local people still use for medicine and things. After a few hours, we started to see signs of old Inca pathways, which is so cool. I mean, you’re literally walking on the same stones that people walked on hundreds of years ago. The path then leads you to Huchuy Qosqo, or ‘Little Cusco.’ You sort of just stumble upon it. To be honest, seeing it for the first time is a bit breathtaking. Unlike Machu Picchu, which is often full of people, Huchuy Qosqo was nearly empty. We were almost the only ones there. Mateo explained that this was probably a royal estate for an Inca ruler. He pointed out the different buildings, like the grain storage houses and the water channels that still, you know, work.
Honestly, standing there, looking down at the Sacred Valley stretching out below, you get a real feeling for the place. It’s not just a bunch of old stones; you can almost feel the history there. It’s a very personal and quiet moment, really.
A Night with an Andean Family: The Homestay Experience
At the end of the day, instead of a cold tent, this trek offers something way better: a night with a local family. After we looked around Huchuy Qosqo, we walked a little further to a small, nearby community where our homestay was waiting. We were welcomed into a family’s home, a simple and really cozy place made of adobe bricks. Obviously, it’s not a luxury hotel, and you shouldn’t expect that. Instead, you get something that is, in a way, much more valuable. Our host family was a little bit shy at first, but they were so incredibly warm. They showed us to our room, which was basic but clean and comfortable, with stacks of heavy blankets on the bed.
Well, dinner was definitely a highlight. We all sat together in their small kitchen while they cooked up a meal of soup, potatoes, corn, and chicken, all grown right there in their own fields. It was, honestly, one of the best meals we had in Peru. We tried to talk using our very bad Spanish and a lot of hand gestures, and somehow, you know, it worked. They told us about their daily lives, their farming, and their kids. You just can’t get this kind of connection from a regular tour. You go to sleep that night with a full belly and a very full heart, really, tucked under what feels like a dozen heavy wool blankets.
Day Two: A Steep Drop into the Amazing Sacred Valley
So, waking up in the Andes is just something else. The morning sun hits the mountains, and everything just seems to glow. After a nice breakfast with our host family—I mean, fresh bread and hot tea—it was time to say our goodbyes, which was actually a bit sad. The second day of the hike is pretty much all downhill. And I do mean downhill. This part is arguably a lot tougher on your knees than the uphill parts of day one, so trekking poles are pretty much your best friend here. The path is this incredible original Inca trail that zigs and zags its way down the side of the canyon.
The scenery changes so dramatically as you go down. You start in the high, grassy plains and slowly descend into a much greener, more lush area filled with flowers and hummingbirds. The view of the Sacred Valley just gets bigger and more impressive with every step. You can see the Urubamba River snaking through the valley floor and the little town of Lamay getting closer and closer. By the time you reach the bottom, your legs are a bit like jelly, but you feel this amazing sense of achievement. A van is typically waiting in Lamay to take you to either Ollantaytambo for your train to Aguas Calientes, or maybe back to Cusco. It’s the perfect way to finish, really.
What You Should Actually Know Before You Book This Trip
How Hard Is It, Honestly? Let’s Talk About Fitness
Alright, so let’s be real about the difficulty. Tour companies sometimes call this trek “easy,” but that’s a bit misleading. The biggest factor is, of course, the altitude. You’ll be hiking at over 4,000 meters (about 14,000 feet) on the first day. So, you absolutely have to spend at least two or three days acclimatizing in Cusco before you even think about starting. Day one involves a gradual ascent which is manageable if you’re acclimatized and take it slow. Day two is the steep descent which, as I was saying, is very tough on the joints. You don’t need to be a marathon runner, but you should have a decent level of fitness. If you can handle a full day of walking with some hills, you’ll probably be fine. Just go at your own pace. Seriously.
Packing Smart for a Short Trek: Less is More
For a two-day trip, you really don’t need to carry a lot. Your main luggage will stay back at your hotel in Cusco. All you need is a small daypack. Here’s a quick list of what you should probably pack:
- Layers, layers, layers: The weather changes super fast. So, have a t-shirt, a long-sleeved shirt, a fleece, and a waterproof/windproof jacket.
- Comfortable hiking boots: Make sure they are well broken-in. This is not the place for new shoes, you know?
- Sun protection: The sun is extremely strong at high altitude. So, bring a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen.
- Water and snacks: Your tour will provide meals, but it’s always a good idea to have at least 1.5 liters of water and some energy bars or nuts for in-between.
- Trekking poles: I can’t say this enough. They will literally save your knees on the downhill part. You can usually rent them in Cusco.
- A small gift for the host family: This isn’t required, but it’s a really nice gesture. Things like school supplies for children (notebooks, pens) or something small from your home country are always appreciated.
- Some cash: For tips for your guide and host family, and maybe to buy some water or souvenirs along the way.
Choosing a Good Tour Company
You’ll see tons of agencies in Cusco selling this trek. In that case, it’s worth doing a little research. A good company can make all the difference, really. Look for ones that get good reviews online, especially reviews that mention the quality of the guides and their treatment of the local communities. A good guide doesn’t just show you the way; they really bring the history and culture to life. Also, check what’s included. Do they provide transportation, all meals, the homestay, trekking poles? Smaller group sizes are also usually better for a more personal experience. Basically, you want a company that is professional but also shows real respect for the people and places you’ll be visiting.
Read our full review: [Hidden Inca Trail Review 2025 Full Review and Details]
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