Ancascocha Trek 5 Days /4 Nights - Tour Agency in Machupicchu - Cusco - Peru

Ancascocha Trek

5 Days / 4 Nights

Ancascocha Trek - 5 Days / 4 Nights

The Ancascocha Trail is one of the lesser known treks from Cusco. In fact, you may even draw blank looks from people when you tell them you’re hiking it. Yet it was named by National Geographic as one of 20 dream hikes on their World Best Hikes list, and for good reason.

Highlights of this trip include guided tours of ancient Inca ruins, wandering through remote Fincas where generations of farmers have tended their livestock, and passing traditional Andean villages like Chillipahua and Ancascocha. But of course the real reason to take this trek is for the unsurpassed views of the majestic Andes.

Being rewarded with amazing views does not come without effort. This is a challenging trek as you climb up to the Huayanay Pass (4,650 m / 15,255 ft) and so we recommend that everyone who joins us has a good level of basic fitness. But maintaining a high elevation for much of the trek you’ll see spectacular views across the mountains, beautiful clear blue lakes and raging waterfalls, and with the towering Apu Salkantay (6,271 m / 20,574 ft) frequently dominating the skyline.

In conclusion, the Ancascocha Trail in the Peruvian Andes is a remarkable trail that, unlike other more popular trails, remains off the beaten track and away from crowds.

Itinerary

Included

Not included

Recommendations

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Soqma – Perolniyoc – Rayan

We pick you up from your hotel early on the first morning and drive for around two hours to Soqma (3,205 m / 10,512 ft), the starting point of our trek. Our vans are extremely comfortable and we provide blankets for those who would prefer to catch a little more rest during the drive. After meeting your porters and horsemen, and making a final equipment check, the hike begins with a moderate one and a half hours walk to the waterfall of Perolniyoc (3,460 m / 11,351 ft). If the weather is warm enough you may want to make the short climb down to the base of the falls to cool off, or maybe just stay on the trail and take your first photos. One hour further on you arrive at the Inca site of Perolniyoc (3,600 m / 11,811 ft), perched on a cliff-top with spectacular views of the surrounding valley. All of our guides are experts in Inca history and so they will provide you with a quick history lesson as you soak in the views. You’ll also take lunch here and for the first time you will sample the sumptuous cooking from our kitchen team. After lunch we make a steep climb for around an hour to our campsite at Rayan (3,700 m / 12,139 ft). Clear nights in the Andes are a wonder in themselves, and as we settle down to a full 3 course dinner you can watch the sky fill with constellations and the most amazing display of shooting stars before retiring to your tent for a well-earned night’s sleep.

Day 2: Rayan – Kuychiqasa Pass – Chancachuco – Ancascocha

There’s no need to set an alarm on our trek, as our team will wake you up gently in the morning with a freshly brewed cup of tea or coffee and hot water to wash with. Once everyone is up, you’ll have breakfast together and get ourselves fueled for the day ahead. You’ll need that fuel as you start with a steep 3 hour ascent to the Kuychiqasa pass (4,460 m / 14,632 ft). On the way you’ll pass rustic Fincas, see wild Alpacas or maybe even a passing Condor, and always with the snow-capped peaks of the Nevados in the background. There is no race to reach the top though, and we will take a break together to enjoy the 360 degree views of the Chancachuco and Sacred valleys. Then, it’s just a 1 hour easy hike to our lunch stop at the Chancachuco Valley (4,312 m / 14,146 ft). After lunch we make a short climb with beautiful views of Veronica mountain before an easy 3 hour walk downhill to the community of Ancascocha (3,700 m / 12,139 ft). Our campsite for the night is in a small but gorgeous wooded valley with a stream running through it.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Maximum altitude: 4,460 m / 14,632 ft
Minimum altitude: 3,700 m / 12,139 ft
Campsite altitude: 3,700 m / 12,139 ft
Distance hiked: 16.00 km / 9.94 ml
Approximate walking time: 9 – 10 hours

Day 3: Ancascocha – Huayanay Pass – Incaracay – Quesqa – Paucarcancha

Once again, day 3 starts with a climb, but this time just for one hour. Your reward will be stunning views of the nearby glacier, well preserved Inca remains, and the sparkling blue Ancascocha Lake. Taking a deep breath we make a strenuous two-hour climb to the highest point of the trek, the Huayanay Pass (4,650 m /15,255 ft). Along this section you’ll see an original cobblestone paved Inca Trail. After all that effort, you’ll take your time to enjoy the incredible views from the summit, before making an easy 45-minute walk to our lunch spot at the small Inca site of Incaracay. The afternoon’s hiking is much easier as you descend through the valley to the community of Quesqa and on to the Inca site of Paucarcancha (3,205 m / 10,515 ft). At this lower elevation, the vegetation is lush and green, and you’ll have the chance to see a view of the Classic Inca Trail in the distance as well as the remote communities of the Quesqa valley. On arrival at Paucarcancha your guide will provide a guided tour of the site, before settling into our campsite for the evening and yet another excellent dinner.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Maximum altitude: 4,650 m /15,255 ft
Minimum altitude: 3,205 m / 10,515 ft
Campsite altitude: 3,205 m / 10,515 ft
Distance hiked: 15.00 km / 9.32 ml
Approximate walking time: 8 – 9 hours

Day 4: Paucarcancha – Huayllabamba – Km 82 – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

The last day of hiking is the easiest of all as it is a 6 hour hike downhill on a section of the Classic Inca Trail to Km 82 (the official start of this trek). Lunch will be served at Km 82 (2,650 m / 8,694 ft). After lunch your drive will take you to Ollantaytambo (2,800 m / 9,186 ft) to catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. The train journey provides a totally different perspective of the mountains you’ve just been hiking in, and many more photo opportunities. Arriving in Aguas Calientes (2,040 m /6,692 ft) you’ll check-in to your nice hotel room where you can rest before dinner. Or, if you still have some energy, the natural hot springs in town are also a great place to relax. Showered and refreshed you’ll have a celebratory dinner in the town at an excellent restaurant with an extensive menu. It’s likely to be an early night though, as your trip to Machu Picchu normally starts before sunrise.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Maximum altitude: 3,205 m / 10,515 ft
Minimum altitude: 2,650 m / 8,694 ft
Aguas Calientes altitude: 2,040 m /6,692 ft
Distance hiked: 12.00 km / 7.45 ml
Approximate walking time: 6 – 7 hours

Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

The hotels used by our company provides a breakfast buffet before you take a bus to Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft). It is about a 25-minute drive along the winding road to Machu Picchu, and on a clear day the views can be spectacular. Upon arrival your guide will provide a 2-hour walking tour of the site, named as one of The New Seven Wonders of the World. Then you are free to wander through the ruins by yourself, perhaps finding a solitary spot to reflect on this awesome achievement of the Incas, or, if you have elected to climb up the mountain Huayna Picchu (2,720 m / 8,923 ft), you can begin the hike once your guided tour concludes. Your guide will arrange the time for you to return to Aguas Calientes by bus in time to make your train connection back to Ollantaytambo. From there you’ll travel by private van to Cusco and back to your hotel.

Note: Huayna Picchu Mountain tickets are subject to availability

Meals included: breakfast
Machu Picchu altitude: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft
Huayna Picchu altitude: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft
Ollantaytambo altitude: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft
Cusco altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft

Included

Not included

Recommendations

Comments about this tour

 5/5

I recommend it to you, the best trip of my life

$ 759 Per Person

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