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.

• Meals included: lunch & dinner
• Maximum altitude: 3,700 m / 12,139 ft
• Minimum altitude: 3,205 m / 10,515 ft
• Campsite altitude: 3,700 m / 12,139 ft
• Distance hiked: 8.00 km / 4.97 ml
• Approximate walking time: 4 – 5 hours

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

Transportation and tickets

• Transfer in from the airport to your hotel in Cusco
• Hotel pick up in Cusco
• Private transport to the trailhead in Socma community
• Entrance fee ticket to the Ancascocha Trek
• Private transport from Km 82 to Ollantaytambo
• Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
• Entrance fee ticket to Machu Picchu
• Round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Hotel drop off in Cusco
• Transfer out from your hotel to the airport 

Camping equipment

• Comfortable 4-season sleeping tent
• Three nights camping
• One night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes 3***
• Foam mattress
• Outdoor dining and cooking tents
• Food and drink utensils
• Portable chemical toilet tent
• Emergency medical first aid kit
• Emergency oxigen bottle
• Duffle bag for your personal items up to 8 Kg / 17 Lb
• Biodegradable soap and hand towels
• Portable transmitter-receiver radio
• Satellite telephone

Team

• Pre-departure Ancascocha Trek briefing
• Professional trekking Tour Guide
• Personalized service
• Small tour group max 8 people
• Private walking tour in Machu Picchu
• Professional and well trained Trek Chef
• Horsemen and mules to carry provided equipment and food
• Extra horse for emergencies only
• Guaranteed departure

Food

• High quality meals while on the trek 4B, 4L, 4D & snacks
• Drinking water to refill bottles from first day lunch onwards
• Classic afternoon tea before dinner
• This tour offers vegetarian and vegan food options on request simply let us know the food option that you prefer

• Huayna Picchu mountain entrance fee ticket
• Machu Picchu mountain entrance fee ticket
• First day breakfast and lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Meals after arrival to Machu Picchu
• Personal sleeping tent (available for rent)
• Sleeping bag (available for rent)
• Sleeping bag polar liner
• Insulated air sleeping pad (available for dinner)
• Hiking poles (available for rent)
• Rain poncho
• Extra expenses
• Thermal baths in Aguas Calientes
• Gratuities
• Travel insurance
• International or local airfare
• Hotel in Cusco or Aguas Calientes

What to take to the Ancascocha 5 Days tour

• Original passport (if you have purchased a new one after making your reservation, please bring both)
• Down or synthetic down jacket (you can rent it at our office)
• Clothing (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, tops, some t-shirts, socks, sun hat, thermal underwear, light long pants, gloves, poncho, raincoat)
• Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
• Sunscreen
• Headlamp
• Sunglasses and sun hat
• Camera
• Trekking poles (especially recommended for steep descents, they can be rented from us)
• Insect repellent

Ancascocha 5 Days

NOTES: Ancascocha 5 Days

NOTE: If you want to go up to Huayna Picchu, we suggest you book in advance, since places are limited, for any additional information write to us.

Optional services

• Entrance to the Huayna Picchu mountain; US $ 20 per person
• Vistadome train to Machu Picchu (one way), US $ 65 per person
• Dinner or Lunch at the Aguas Calientes Restaurant; US $ 20 per person
  You should consider
• Prices are per person (single or double room).
• Prices include round trip tickets between Cusco and Machu Picchu.
• Departure times may vary.
• Rates are not valid for Christmas or New Years, during which special prices will be quoted upon request.

RENTALS

• Trekking poles – US $ 20.00
• Sleeping bag – US $ 25.00
• Sleeping Bag Deluxe Package (+ Pillow & Liners) US $ 35.00
• Private Tent – US $ 30.00

UPDATES

• Vistadome train (round trip) – US $ 65.00
• Single accommodation * – US $ 43.00 – Up