Ancascocha Trek - Inca Trail and Machu Picchu 5D/4N

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The Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu, is a remarkable trail that remains off the beaten path. It is listed as one of National Geographic’s 20 dream hikes on their World Best Hikes list. The trek wanders through traditional villages like Chillipahua and its namesake Ancascocha (3,700 m/12,136 ft).

Along the way, it humps over big passes, including the high point at the Huayanay Pass (4,650 m/ 15,298 ft), and takes in views of towering (6,266m/20,551 ft) Apu Salkantay.

This is an Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu option. You spend 3 days hiking through this beautiful landscape and tour Machu Picchu on the 5th day! On the third and fourth day you spend more than half of the day hiking a portion of the Classic Inca Trail.

Itinerary

DAYS
/ 4 NIGHTS

Day 1: Cusco - Soqma - Rayan - Chancachuco Valley

Lunch–Dinner

We leave Cusco early in the morning and drive 1 hour and 45 minutes to Soqma (3,205m/ 10,512ft). This is the starting point of our Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu and where we meet the horsemen that will join us during the hike.

We begin the hike with a 1 ¾ hour walk to the Perolniyoc cascade lookout. This is a perfect opportunity to stop for photos and a snack. The waterfall that you will see at this location is breathtaking! We will then hike a further 35 minutes until we visit the Inca site of the same name, where we will have a brief tour.

We will then ascend 45 minutes until our lunch location, Rayan (3,700 meters/9,350 ft).

After a refueling lunch, we begin a 4-hours uphill trek with incredible views of the “nevados”/snow-capped peaks, llamas, valleys, and if we are lucky, a passing condor – the largest bird in the Andes with a wing-span of up to 10 feet across.

Here we reach the Kuychicassa pass (4,450m/14,596ft) where we take a break and soak in the magnificent views of the Chancachuco Valley on one side of the pass and the Sacred Valley of the Incas on the other side.

From here it is an easy 45-minutes downhill hike, and we’ll reach our campsite in Chancachuco (3,900 m/12,795ft).

Accommodation: Camping.
Highest Elevation: 4,450m /14,596 ft.
Lowest Elevation: 3,900m/12,795 ft.
Distance to walk: 18 km/11 miles.
Approximate walk time: 9 -10 hours.
Level of Difficulty: Challenging (due to elevation).

Day 2: Chancachuco Valley - Ancascocha - Huaynay Pass - Muyu Muyu Community

Breakfast–Lunch–Dinner

We begin the day with a 45-minutes hike with up and down portions. This is followed by a 20-minutes ascent by way of a narrow trail following a stream with beautiful views of Mt. Veronica (5,822m/ 19,100 ft).

This is followed by a 2 ½ hour walk downhill to reach the small community of Ancascocha (3,700m/12,136 ft), in a small, gorgeous wooded valley with a stream running through it.

We will continue hiking for 1-hour uphill, while enjoying views of a nearby glacier and well-preserved Inca remains. At this point we will reach the Ancascocha Lake, our lunch site.

After lunch we will continue our ascent towards the Huayanay Pass (4,650m/15,298ft) for 2 hours, the highest point of our trek, which is a steep zigzag trail uphill. Along this segment we find an original cobblestone paved Inca trail.

After taking time to enjoy the incredible view, we will embark on a 3-½ hour descent into greener vegetation. During this stretch of the trek we will have views of the classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu appear in the distance, and fascinating views of the communities of the Qésqua valley. We will also pass the small Inca site of Incarajay. Then we’ll reach our campsite in the Muyu Muyu community (3,850 m/12,628 ft).

Accommodation: Camping.
Highest Elevation: 4,650 m/ 15,298 ft.
Lowest Elevation: 3,850 m/12,628 ft.
Distance to walk: 18 km/ 11 miles.
Approximate walk time: 10 hours.
Level of Difficulty: Challenging (due to elevation).

Day 3: Muyu Muyu – Paucarcancha – Km 82

Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

From Muyu Muyu we will descend for 2 hours until the Inca site of Paucarcancha. We will have a comprehensive tour of the site.

After the tour we will hike downhill for 5 hours until we reach Km 82, which is the start of the classic Inca trail. Along the way we will be able to see the Inca site of Llactapata. This is the first site on the Classic Inca Trail. Our chef will make us a delicious lunch at Llactapata, then we’ll reach our campsite in the km 82 (2,792 m/9,158 ft).

Accommodation: Camping.
Highest Elevation: 3,850 m/12,628 ft.
Lowest Elevation: 2,792 m/9,158 ft.
Distance to walk: 13 km/ 8 miles.
Approximate walk time: 7 – 8 hours.
Level of Difficulty: Easy.

Day 04: Km 82 - Ollantaytambo - Km 104 - Wiñaywayna- Aguas Calientes

Breakfast – Box Lunch

Early morning, we pick you up from km 82 and drive to the train station to board the train that will take us to km.104 on the Cusco – Machupicchu railroad (starting point of the hike), where we arrive at around 8:10 am.

We start visiting the Chachabamba archaeological complex (2,150m/7,052ft), located very close to the control point and then will gradually ascend for approximately three hours, towards the fascinating archaeological complex of Wiñay Wayna (2,650m/8,692ft).

After lunch, you will continue through the semi-tropical forest towards Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) 2,700m/ 8,858 ft, where you will enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu, we will enjoy our first view of the sacred city.

This magical place will surprise us with impressive geography, as well as with the evidence of the high intellectual and spiritual development achieved by the Andean people, under the rule of the Incas.

We will cross the archaeological site to take our transport to the town of Aguas Calientes (2,040m/6,692ft). Spend the evening relaxing in your hotel, readying yourself for more extensive explorations tomorrow.

Accommodation: Not Included Hotel.
Highest Elevation: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft.
Lowest Elevation: 2,150m/ 7,052ft.
Distance to walk: 13 km / 8 miles.
Approximate walk time: 6 – 7 hours.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate.

Day 05: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Early in the morning, at 5:30 am we will move to the bus station of Aguas Calientes (2,040m/6,692 ft), to take the touristic bus that leads to the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu (2,430m/ 7,972ft). This short bus ride takes only 30 minutes and covers an unpaved track, very steep and winding through a jungle and mountain properties with breathtaking views.

Finally, we will arrive to Machu Picchu, where our guide will tour the most important sectors of this beautiful citadel. Around 12:00 hours we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes.

In the afternoon we return to the station to catch the train to Ollantaytambo and then transferred to a tourist bus to return to the city of Cusco.

The trip to the Cusco will take approximately 4 hours.

End of the trip.

Accommodation: Not Included.
Highest Elevation: 2,430m/ 7,972 ft.
Lowest Elevation: 2,040m/ 6,692 ft.
Approximate time of Visit: 2-3 hours.
Departure and arrival times are approximated.

Included in the program

Briefing time one or two days before the trek.
Private Transportation from Cusco to Soqma (Beginning of the trail).
Professional english speaking guide.
Assistant guide from more than 9 passengers.
Entrance fees for Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
High Mountain Tents (The North Face), model VE-25 of 03 people of high-quality material for two people to offer more comfort and space for the pack of our customers.
One inflatable sleeping pad per person (Therma-rest).
Dining tent with tables and chairs.
Kitchen tent.
Mules (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment).
One emergency horse for each five persons – the days 1 to 3.
Mules to carry personal luggage (Maximum 06 kg per person).
Duffle bags for personal luggage, per person.
All camp waste is hauled out of the park.
Andean chef specializes in exquisite camping meals.
Meals (03B, 04L, 03D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day).
Vegetarian or special menus are available at no extra cost.
One Textile Snack Bag per person, to avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment.
Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead.
Comprehensive first-aid kit including oxygen bottles.
One Box Lunch – 4^th day.
Bus ticket from Machu Picchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes – 4^th day.
Train ticket (Expedition class) from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes – 4^th.
Train ticket (Expedition class) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo –5^th day.
Round trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes –5^th day.
Transfer from the train station- hotel in Cusco.

Our Services Do Not Include

1-night hotel in Aguas Calientes – 4^th day
Dinner in Aguas Calientes – 4^th day
Lunch in Aguas Calientes– 5^th day
Sleeping Bag.
Walking sticks or poles.
Extra Mules.
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
Dinner on the last day.
Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is s/10.00 (Peruvian Soles). Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes.
Hotels and meals in Cusco.
Extra services not mentioned in the program.
Tips for guides, porters or chefs and extra expenses.

What We Recommend That You Bring

Original passport.
A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek.
Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco).
Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended.
Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp.
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
Flashlight/headlamp and batteries.
Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions).
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold.
Sun block.
After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body.
Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported.
Handkerchiefs.
Toilet paper.
Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection.
Water container and water for the first morning. Plastic water containers (ie. Nalgene) or metal ones are recommended
Optionally: water- sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far.
Small towel.
Swimsuit (if you wish to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes).
Cash in soles and/or US$.
Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail).

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Ancascocha Trek

Ancascocha Trek

Ancascocha Trek

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