The Huchuy Qosqo Archaeological Park was declared National Cultural Heritage on August 19, 2003, by Directorial Resolution N° 611-2003, by the National Institute of Culture.
Huchuy Qosqo: An Inca Treasure in the Highlands of the Sacred Valley
The Spanish took control of Kakya Qawani in 1500, after the revolution of Inca Manco (1540 approx) and used the site as a farm. The settlers built several small reservoirs for irrigation during their time in Huchuyqusqo.
History of Huchuy Qosqo
The Archaeological Park of Huchuy Qosqo was occupied by a pre-Inca settlement, located in the sector of Warqana as occupation| Killke and later Inca, the seventh Inca Yawarwaqaq decides to expand its territorial domains to the area Qaitomarca in the valley of Yucay and Calca, the Inca Wiracocha subdues the inhabitants of Qaitomarca, Xaquixaguana, today denominated as Huchuy Qosqo, according to Cieza de Leon, in his second chronicle of Peru, affirmed that the palaces were built by Wiracocha, eighth Inca, probably established as a real estate by the Inca Wiracocha.
Upon the arrival of the Spaniards who took control and distribution of the land and the encomiendas, demolished some other Inca structures to build the largest reservoir that is seen today, haciendas were created, Huchuyqosqo was part of the Casa Hacienda Pauqart’ika in the early seventeenth century in 1604, was owned by Francisco Merino and his wife Catalina Pereira, later owned by different owners.
It is currently known as Cusco pequeño and is an adventure tourist attraction.
Architecture of Huchuy Qosqo
The archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo, is an Inca architectural complex, has a large number of buildings, some of stone, some adobe, which exhibits one of the best works of modulation of the topography through the use of platforms or sucres (paw paw), are a kallanka (large hall), 40 meters long and were state centers of importance where Inca officials stayed. Water supply to the site is an irrigation canal built by the Incas, lined with stones for about 800 meters, these buildings built on a polished stone base of fine finish with clay plaster are the best preserved parts, the higher floors are built of adobe.
Below the main site of Huchuyqosqo are the restored Qolqas stores for dried meats, crops such as corn, quinoa, potatoes, beans.
Main Structures
Main esplanade-Main square: The esplanade is the place where ceremonies and sacrifices were performed, corresponds to the east end of the archaeological site Huchuy Qosqo, the southern edge of the esplanade is protected by the retaining wall or platform, the locals call them Haukaypata, instead in the northern profile of the esplanade is an open balcony, in the esplanade you can see two rocks near the south platform.
Agricultural terraces: These terraces are accompanied by an irrigation system with canals that, in some cases still work, were used to grow products adapted to the altitude, such as corn, potatoes and quinoa, are a testimony of the Inca mastery in agriculture and management of the mountainous terrain.
The Kallankas: There are Kallankas in rectangular shapes of different sizes of stone and adobe, some larger than others, scattered throughout the archaeological site, the largest Kallana is located on the esplanade that outline the southern edge of 54 meters long and 17 meters wide, these Kallankas fulfill the social function of housing people in different social activities.
The Aqueducts: They sought to maintain a stable flow to transport water, to increase the arable land.
Colonial Reservoir: There is a large water reservoir from colonial times, located in the middle of the enclosures, with a capacity of 2000 m3, its walls are made of stone with lime-clay mortar that currently this reservoir no longer works, for the construction of this reservoir had to remove several enclosures and reuse lithic elements.
The Enclosures: The constructions are distributed on the three levels or platforms that extend to the west of Haukaypata or main esplanade. the platform of the second floor has three floors, two with carved stone and an upper floor of adobe, it is believed that it was used as a royal residence to the Eighth Inca Wiracocha.
The second floor adobe construction, which retains its original structure, is believed to have been used as a warehouse and food distribution center.
Third floor rectangular construction made with large adobe bricks, it is believed that it was used as a learning space for the women of the Empire.
Strategic Location
This archaeological site is north of the city of Cusco, located about 50 km north of the city of Cusco, at 3600 meters above sea level, above the town of Lamay, in the district and province of Calca, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
How to get to Huchuy Qosqo
For the section Cusco- Calca, on foot by bridle path are about 25 km approximately about 7:00 hours, this route on foot starts from the archaeological park of Tambomachay.
For the section Cusco- Calca- Lamay Asphalted, in a tourist bus are about 45.2 km about 1 hour and 10 minutes approximately.
For the Cusco- Calca- Lamay section, on foot from the town of Lamay, about 6 km, about 3 hours approximately.
Hiking Routes
The treks that are offered to Huchyqosqo can be:
The 1 day hike: (Qoricocha Lagoon, Huchuyqosqo): This hike can be started from the Qoricocha or Chinchero Lagoon, this hike takes approximately 6 hours.
2 day trek: (Tambomachay, Patabamba, Huchuyqosqo) this trek starts from Tambomachay, passing by the Qoricocha lagoon, until arriving to the town of Patabamba where we will spend the night, the next day very early we will start the trek until arriving to Huchuyqosqo, then we will descend to Lamay, returning to Cusco.
3 days trekking (Tambomachay, Patabamba, Huchuyqosqo, Aguas Calientes, Machupicchu): This trek starts from Tambomachay about 25 minutes from the city of Cusco, we will pass through the Qoricocha lagoon, until we arrive to the town of Patabamba where we will spend the night, the next day very early we will start the trek until we arrive to Huchuyqosqo, and then descend to Lamay, lunch and after this we will go to Ollantaytambo to take our train to Machupicchu Pueblo.
Best Time to Visit
The best time is the dry season between April to October, in these seasons the weather is more stable, and the route will be in better conditions, although the rest of the year you can do the hike you have to consider the rainy season.
Hiking Tips
This is a moderate hike and we recommend you take the following.
- A good acclimatization of one or two days is necessary.
- Comfortable clothing.
- Comfortable shoes suitable for hiking.
- Walking sticks.
- Sunscreen, hat.
- Water, snacks, dried fruits.
- Camera or cell phone.
- Well recharged batteries.
- Flashlight with extra batteries.
- Small and light backpack.
Cultural and Spiritual Importance of Huchuy Qosqo
The Archaeological Park of Huchuyqosqo is an Inca archaeological site that has great cultural importance, is one of the most important archaeological evidence of the Inca culture in Cusco, is an architectural work that demonstrates the progress in engineering and culture that the Incas lived, is an administrative, religious, agricultural and textile center of the Sacred Valley, witness and participant of important periods of history.
The Inca culture was based on the worship of many gods, respect for nature and the belief that it was divine in the relationship between humans and deities.
What to See Near Huchuy Qosqo
The closest places to the Archaeological Park of Huchuyqosqo, we have the town of Lamay, Calca Valley, El Nevado de Veronica, the Vilcanota river, the town of Pisaq, the town of Ollantaytambo, the town of Chinchero.
