Ancascocha Trek

BM-12153

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4 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants

12 peopleMaximum group size

5 - 79 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

4650mHighest point reached

Starts

Ends

Cusco, Peru

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Best price guaranteedNo credit card or booking fees.Carbon neutral tours.

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Highlights

Stay in remote campsites

Visit Inca ruins

Explore the Machu Picchu Citadel

Huayna Picchu hike

Itinerary

Step out of your regular life, and get back to nature!

The Ancascocha Trek in the Peruvian Andes is a remarkable trail that, unlike other more popular trails, remains off the beaten track and away from crowds. Yet don't be put off by its lesser known status.

Named by National Geographic as one of 20 dream hikes on the World Best Hikes list, this stunning trek takes you past ancient Inca ruins and through traditional Andean villages such as Chillipahua and the trail's namesake Ancascocha (3,700 m). Here you may briefly share the trail with farmers, shepherds and livestock tending to their daily lives far removed from the tourist crowds of Cusco.

Challenge yourself as you climb a number of big passes, including the highest point at the Huayanay Pass (4,650 m). The rewards for your efforts are staggering, with panoramic views across the Andes, cascading waterfalls, crystal blue lakes and the towering 6,266 m Apu Salkantay. At all times, your guide and crew will ensure that the pace is suitable for everyone in the group, taking breaks for rest and food whenever needed.

At the end of each of the first two days of hiking, you will arrive at camp to find your high-quality tent already pitched (complete with mattress and pillow), your gear in place, and your crew preparing a sumptuous dinner. After a night under the most incredible starlit skies, you will be woken right on time with a cup of steaming hot fresh coffee or tea, before sitting down for a nutritious and energizing breakfast. All you need for the day of hiking ahead.

On the third day, you will spend several hours hiking a portion of the Classic Inca Trail, to the sacred valley town of Ollantytambo. This is likely to be the first time you will see other hikers!

Taking the scenic train to Aguas Caliente you will have photo opportunities galore as the train cuts along the valley floor. Your final night will be spent in a comfortable hotel with a group dinner at an excellent local restaurant (drinks not included). Rising as early as you want, your itinerary concludes with a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Witnessing this new wonder of the world is an incredible spectacle that will stay with you forever.

Finally, with your camera loaded with photos and your head full of incredible memories, you will take the train back to Cusco transfer back to your hotel.

day 1Cusco – Soqma – Rayan – Kuychiccasa Pass – Chancachuco

After meeting you at your hotel, we leave Cusco early in the morning and drive 1h 45m to Soqma (3,205 m/10,512 ft). This is the starting point of our trek and where we meet the horsemen (and horses) that will be our porters during the hike.
The hike begins with a 1h 45m hour walk to the Perolniyoc cascade lookout. The waterfall is breathtaking, and you can even take the short climb down to the base of the falls for some fantastic photo opportunities (and cool down if the weather is hot)! Then, hiking for a further 45 minutes we visit the Inca site of the same name. Perched on a cliff-top with spectacular views of the surrounding valley, your guide will share some of the history of the site and the Incas and you will be free to wander through the ruins, imagining life 500 years ago.
Next, we make a steep ascent for around an hour to reach our lunch spot, Rayan (3,700 m/12,139 ft). Here you will sample for the first time the incredible culinary skills of your chef, with a chance to rest, relax and refuel for the afternoon’s hiking.
The afternoon begins with a challenging 3-hour uphill hike to reach the Kuychiccasa pass (4,450 m /14,599 ft). Passing the rustic houses of the farmers, at every turn, you will see sumptuous views of the snow-capped peaks of the ‘Nevadas’, wild llamas, sprawling 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!).
As we reach the top of the pass (perhaps a little breathless) we take a break to soak in the magnificent views of the Chancachuco Valley on one side and the Sacred Valley of the Incas on the other.
From here it is an easy 45 minute downhill hike to reach our camp for the evening at the Chancachuco Valley (4,312 m / 14,147 ft). Here, with the campsite already prepared when you arrive, you can change into warmer clothing and lie back to watch the sky gradually fill with the most incredible display of stars (clouds permitting!) before joining your guide and your fellow trekkers for a well-earned, hearty dinner.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Lowest Elevation: 3,205 m/10,512 ft.
Highest Elevation: 4,450 m/14,599 ft.
Distance to walk: 16 km/9.9 miles
Approximate walking time: 8 to 10 hours
Level of Difficulty: Challenging

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

day 2Chancachuco Valley – Ancascocha – Huaynay Pass – Quesqa

day 3Quesqa Valley – Ollantaytambo

day 4Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

What's Included

Pre-departure briefing at your hotel

Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Soqma (start of trek)

Bilingual English speaking tour guide (additional tour guide for groups of nine people or more)

High quality, 4 person tent for every 2 people

Inflatable mattress and pillow

Kitchen tent

Dining tent with tables and chairs

Portable eco-friendly toilet and toilet tent

Professional Chef and assistant chef

Wranglers and horses to carry all equipment

Horse to transport up to 8 kg of your personal gear

Duffle bag for your personal gear

Emergency horse (in case we need it!)

Four breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners

Hot water for washing twice daily

Daily morning boiled and cooled water to fill the water bottles.

Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.

Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Poroy or Ollantaytambo

Private local van transportation from Poroy or Ollantaytambo to your Cusco hotel

Round trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

1 night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)

Entrance to Machu Picchu

What's Excluded

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Ancascocha Trek

Highlights

Itinerary

day 1Cusco – Soqma – Rayan – Kuychiccasa Pass – Chancachuco