Ancascocha – Machu Picchu

We leave Cusco early in the morning and drive 1 hour and half to Soqma (3.205 m / 10.512 ft). This is the trail head of our Ancascocha Trek and where we meet the wranglers and horses  that will join us during the hike.

We begin the hike with an hour walk to the Perolniyoc waterfall  look out. This is a perfect opportunity to stop for photos and a snack. The waterfall that you will see at this location is breath taking! Then we will  hike a further 35 minutes until we visit the Inca site of the same name, where we are goin to have guiding tour . This will be our lunch spot.

Meals Included:       middag, aften, snack

We depart camp at about 6:30 AM for a 4 hour uphill trek with incredible views of the “nevadas”/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 (4.450 m / 14.596 ft) 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.

Then we start our descent and hike for another hour until we reach the location where we will take our lunch break.

After lunch we ascend for 30 min by way of a narrow trail following a stream with beautiful views of Mt. Veronica (5.822 m / 19.100 ft).

This is followed by a 4 hour walk downhill to reach the small community of Ancascocha (3.700 m / 12.136 ft), our campsite for the evening, in a small, gorgeous wooded valley with a stream running through it.

Meals Included:       middag, aften, snack

Views of a nearby glacier and well preserved Inca remains are the highlight of this day. After a hearty breakfast we are ready for this challenging day. Ascending towards the Huayanay Pass (4.650 m / 15..298 ft) for 4 hours, the highest point of our Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu, which is a steep zigzag trail uphill, we find an original cobblestone paved Inca trail. On the way, we see the beautiful waterfall that feeds into the Ancascocha lake

After this stunning view, we descend for 45 minutes until the Inca site of Incarajay. We will have lunch here.

At this point 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. Then we’ll reach our campsite in the Muyu Muyu community (3.850 m / 12.628 ft).

Meals Included:       middag, aften, snack

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 Kilometer 82.

After lunch we will be picked up by private van at Km 82 and transported to Ollantaytambo (2.792 m / 9.158 ft) where we will catch the  train to Aguas Calientes.

When you reach Aguas Calientes you will check in to your hotel room. The natural hot springs in town are a great place to relax if there is time before dinner. Dinner will be at Indio Feliz.

Meals Included:       middag, aften, snack

You will have breakfast at your hotel before we take a very early bus (5:30 am) along the winding road to Machu Picchu to see the magnificent sunrise. Once there you will be given a 2 hour walking tour of the site.

If you have elected to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain you will begin the hike at 10 AM. The ticket price for Huayna Picchu is included in the price of your trek. If you are not climbing the mountain you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu before you return to Aguas Calientes by bus.

When you arrive in Aguas Calientes you will board the expedition train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo you will travel by private van to Cusco and we will drop you off at your hotel. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.

Meals Included: