Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu - 5 Days.

Itinerary

Day 1: CUSCO – SOQMA – CHANKACHUCO VALLEY

Stop At: Sacred Valley of the Incas, 0051 Peru
We leave Cusco early in the morning and drive through the Sacred Valley for 1½ hours to the small town of Soma. This is the starting point of our trek and where we meet the horsemen that will join and assist us during the trip.

Our hike begins with a one-hour walk to the spectacular Perolniyoq Waterfall. Continuing on for 45 minutes we arrive at the Inka site of the same name, where we your guide will provide a brief tour before enjoying a delicious lunch together in the village of Rayan.

After lunch, we make an ascent for two hours until we arrive at the first pass, Kuychi Qasa. The views as we climb grow more and more spectacular, and we will have plenty of time at the summit to rest and take some unforgettable pictures. From the pass, we have a final 90-minute hike before we arrive at our campsite for the night in the Chankachuco Valley.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: OVERNIGHT

Day 2: CHANCACHUCO – ANCASQOCHA – WAYANAY PASS – INKA RAQAY VALLEY

Stop At: Sacred Valley of the Incas, 0051 Peru
We depart camp at about 6am for an undulating 2 hour trek with incredible views of the “nevados” (snow-capped peaks), the Sacred Valley and, if we are lucky, a passing condor. In the distance we will see the majestic Mt Verónica as we hike uphill for 4 hours toward Machu Picchu. Part of this hike is over an original paved Inka Trail! On the way, we will see the beautiful waterfall that feeds into the crystal blue Ancasqocha Lake.

We will have a delicious lunch at this beautiful vantage point before we begin a challenging zig-zag path toward the Wayanay Pass, our highest point of the day.

Our day finishes with an easy 1-hour walk downhill to reach our campsite.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight

Day 3: INKA RAQAY VALLEY – MUYU MUYU VILLAGE – PAUKARKANCHA (INKA VILLAGE)

Stop At: Sacred Valley of the Incas, 0051 Peru
Views of a nearby glacier, Wayanay Mountain and well-preserved Inka ruins are the highlights of our day on Salkantay Mountain, which is the highest point in this trip (6,215 m/ 19,678ft).

After a hearty breakfast we descend towards the Inka Raqay Valley taking an undulating path for around 4 hours. After taking a break, we continue for another 45 minutes into the Muyu Muyu Valley. From the valley we make a 3-hour descent into the most beautiful. lush vegetation. During this stretch of the hike, we will see the classic Inca Trail in the distance and fascinating views of the communities of the Qésqua valley. At the end of this section is our campsite for the night, tucked away in the Inka village of Paurkancha.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight

Day 4: PAUCARCANCHA – KILOMETER 82 – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES

Stop At: Sacred Valley of the Incas, 0051 Peru
We begin the day with a delicious, nutritious breakfast before your guide provides a fascinating tour of the Paucarcancha ruins.

After the tour we hike steadily downhill for around 5 hours until we reach Kilometer 82, which is the start of the classic Inka Trail. Along the way we will be able to see the Inka site of Llactapata. This is the first site on the Traditional Inka Trail. Our chef will make us a delicious lunch at Kilometer 82, in the town of Pisqacuchu.

After lunch we will be picked up by a private van and transported to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m/9,158 ft) where we will catch the spectacular Vistadome train service to Aguas Calientes.

On arrival in Aguas Calientes we will take you straight to your comfortable hotel to check in. The natural hot springs in town are a great place to relax if there is time before we all meet to enjoy a delicious dinner together in an excellent local restaurant.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight

Day 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Stop At: Hot Springs (Aguas Calientes), Signposted from main square, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Peru
You will have breakfast at your hotel before we take a very early bus (5:30am) along the winding road to Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the world. Upon entrance to Machu Picchu, you will be given a 2-hour guided tour of the spectacular ruins.

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

From Aguas Calientes, you will board the express train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo you will travel by private van to Cusco, and we will drop you off that your hotel. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.