Ancascocha Treks to Machu Picchu in Peru

Ancascocha Hiking to Machu Picchu

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco to Soqma – Rayan

Morning picks up from your hotel Cusco and drives North East to Ñaupa Iglesia, a critical Inca shrine (first trek to explore it). We’ll tour the site before continuing our drive to the trailhead at Soqma 3,205 m / 10,512 ft., located in the Pomatales Canyon. We’ll begin our trek ascending towards Perolniyoc waterfall. After our hike to Perolniyoc to explore the Inca site “Inca´s remains,” we ascend to our campsite at Rayan 3,700 meters/12,136 ft.

Day 2: Rayan to Ancascocha

Today we have 3 hours ascending the mountain of Puccaqasa pass 4,450 m / 14,596 ft. we’ll appreciate vistas of the surrounding mountains of Vilcabamba and Vilcanota mountain ranges, viewing the snow-covered peaks of Veronica, Halacoma, and Chicon. Then descend to Chancachuco (1 hour) to our lunch place. Then will continue our trek to enter Ancascocha Andean Valley from the Ancascocha community at 3700m / 12,136 ft. We hike up for another 2 hours to our campsite at Ancascocha Lake, 4,090 m / 13,100 ft.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: Ancascocha to Huayanay pass – Qesqa community

After breakfast, we will continue our challenging hike with views of a nearby Glacier, and well-preserved Inca remains are the highlight of this day. Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu Ascending towards the Huayanay Pass 4650m / 15,300 ft. (two hours hike), a steep zigzag trail uphill, we find an original cobblestone paved Inca trail. On the way, the beautiful waterfall feeds into the Ancascocha lake.

As we descend from the Huayanay Pass, we visit the ruins of Incaraqay. We will enjoy a Kondor picnic lunch amid this mountain scenery, and then we will continue to the small settlements sparsely populated of Qesqa 3,650 m/11,910 ft. (3 hours down trek). Camp at Qesqa.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4: Qesqa to Kilometer 82 – Aguas Calientes village

Today we follow a clear path trail down a narrow canyon until we reach the Paucarcancha Inca site (2 hours trek), a unique Inca settlement recently restored that served as a “Tambo” (rest point). Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu As we descend, the trail becomes greener vegetation. From Paucarcancha, we follow a clear and friendly path to the settlement of Wayllabamba, where we meet the Classic Inca Trail and the numerous hikers going in the opposite direction.

We continue until we reach a lookout point and observe the Llactapata Inca complex until we reach the Valley floor next to the Urubamba River. We continue upriver at Km. 82, From Km 82, we transport to Ollantaytambo train station to board our train to Aguas Calientes village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

DAY 5: Machu Picchu - Cusco

Machu Picchu, “the city of the Incas,” is the primary day of the trip. We will explore with your professional Kondor guide: the Sun Temple, the Royal palace, the Three Windows Temple, and Inca Sun Dial. The walking tour takes 2 hours; you will have free time to explore independently. PM Train back to Cusco City, first via train to Ollantaytambo village and then transport to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.