The Huchuy Q’oqso ruins were once a miniature city built for the Inca Wiracocha. The name translates to Little Cusco and it was built as a escape from the city.

It played a major part in Inca history because when the Chanca were attacking Cusco, the Inca Wiracocha fled to Huchuy Q’osqo, abandoning the Inca capital. Dates are vague, but archeologists say it was probably in the 1410s.

One of his sons, Cusi Yupanqi led the defense of Cusco and defeated the Chanca, which eventually led to him being elected ruler (Sapa Inca) over his brothers who had previously been supposed to succeed Wiracocha, but who had sat out the fight and lost favor. The name he took as Sapa Inca was Pachacutec, the most famous and influential of all Incas.

There are four trails to Huchuy Q’osqo. The most simple, but not the easiest, leads from Lamay up to the ruins. I have hiked down from the village of Patabamba through a lovely little valley to Huchuy Q’oqso. You can get a taxi to Patabamba from C’orao, Pisac or Cusco. There are also trails from both Chinchero and Lake Piuray down to Huchuy Q’oqso.