Discover Huchuy Qosqo: Where the thunders are observed

Huchuy Qosqo was a town located at more than 3,550 m.a.s.l on a small plateau at the top of a mountain. From here you can take beautiful views of the other side of the valley, it is possible to appreciate snow-capped mountains of exuberant beauty such as the snow-capped Pitusiray and at the bottom of this privileged view, the town of Calca. It is known by the chroniclers that it was the Inca Wiracocha who ordered the construction of the city of Huchuy Qosqo; it is said that in his old age, he felt tired and wished to leave the government and move away from the movement of the capital of the Tahuantinsuyo empire (Cusco) and seek peace and tranquility in this place; it is built on a territory occupied by several human settlements, over time, these would be dominated and incorporated into the empire of the Incas. One of these settlements must have been on Huchuy Qosqo.

Where is Huchuy Qosqo? 

Huchuy Qosqo is located in the peasant community of the same name, just under 5 km from the city of Calca in the department of Cusco, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas; exactly on a summit at 570 m. on the basin of the Urubamba river (Vilcanota). Huchuy Qosqo route is very beautiful; touring its trails will allow you to visit some Andean communities, archaeological centers and enjoy beautiful landscapes. Many people take advantage of visiting Huchuy Qosqo on their trip to Machu Picchu. 

What does Huchuy Qosqo mean? 

Huchuy Qosqo means "Little Cusco", but it also has other names; one would be Qaqyaxaqixawana and another Qaqyaqhawana, this means "from where the rays are observed"; and without a doubt it is a good name since being 800 meters above the Sacred Valley of the Incas, gives you the opportunity to see the dramatic spectacle of lights and sound, at the moment when lightning and thunder descend from the sky to crash into the floor. Others say that the site was probably known in Inca times as "Caquia Jaquijahuana".

Huchuy Qosqo Archaeological Complex (Qaqyaqawana) 

The enclosure located in Huchuy Qosqo, is called Qaqyaqawana; Quechua name that refers to the place where the thunder is looking. This archaeological site is located in the upper third of the mountain called Qaqya (thunder), and exhibits one of the most impressive works of topographic modification through the use of terraces, modulating the edges of precipices and vertical ravines over the Vilcanota Valley, culminating in platforms that were used as ceremonial esplanades, around which you can still find standing, several architectural structures made of stone and adobe. Materials used and worked with great criteria, achieving a fine finish. In addition, the structures of the enclosure are distributed in such a way that they resemble it architecturally to the city of Cusco; is for this reason that at the beginning of the 20th century it receives the name of Huchuy Qosqo (small Cusco). One of the most outstanding features of this archaeological site is the use of lithic material combined with adobe and mud. This demonstrates the knowledge and mastery of the different construction materials, used with high technology, especially the adobe; the walls constructed of this material, with centuries of antiquity, still defy the strong inclemencies climatic of the zone, seismic movements and of course the passage of time.

What to see in Huchuy Qosqo (Qaqyaqawana)? 

Here is a list of what you can see in Huchuy Qosqo; at the moment no ticket is needed, or pay to enter Huchuy Qosqo.

• A structure of three levels (floors), the first two in the form of regular polyhedra, and the last floor made of adobe. The enclosure is of rectangular shape and of enormous architectural invoice. A long building of rectangular plant made of adobones on an eminent platform, this building counts on a great quantity of doors oriented towards the valley. 
• You will find many other small enclosures scattered, most are in poor condition. Very close to these ruins, you will find an Inca road oriented to the Cusco Inca road oriented to Cusco. Also some small loose enclosures as outposts and surveillance located on the edge of the precipice, in order to have the greatest possible field of vision, of the valley.
• From this point we will have a beautiful panoramic view to another side of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, from the top of this mountain we will appreciate the incomparable beauty of the snowy Chicon and Pitusiray, at the bottom of this panorama we can see the town of Calca.
• Huchuy Qosqo shows perfect precincts, Inca buildings that make up the architectural monument entotal harmony with nature.

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