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Ancascocha Trek and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 6 Days / 5 Nights
Ancascocha Trek and Inca Trail to Machu picchu 6 Days 5 Nights, This spectacular trek is world renowned and we are the only company in the Cusco area that offers this combination Ancascocha Trek + Inca trail Trek.
The Ancascocha Trek and Inca Trail to Machu picchu 6 Days 5 Nights in the Peruvian Andes is a spectacular trail that remains off the beaten path. It is listed as one of National Geographic’s 20 dream hikes on their World Best Hikes list. The trek wanders through traditional villages like Chillipahua, and its namesake Ancascocha (3,900 m/12,795 feet). Along the way, it humps over big passes, including the high point at the Huayanay Pass which leads you down to the Inca ruins of Paucarcancha wich is near of Wayllabamba village where you join the Inca Trail and continue on to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate.
Overview
Trip Overview:
This Ancascocha Trek and Inca Trail to Machu picchu 6 Days 5 Nights offers astounding trekking on the original paved Inca pathways where you will explore the Inca ruins along the way. On this trail, you will witness breathtaking, stunning scenery and pass through the cloud forest to arrive at the Sun Gate of the majestic Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.
Day 1 – Cusco – Soqma – Rayan
Day 2 – Rayan – Ancascocha
Day 3 – Ancascocha – Paucarcancha
Day 4 – Paucarcancha – Pacaymayu
Day 5 – Pacaymayu – Wiñaywayna
Day 6 – Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Itinerary
Trip Itinerary:
Pre-Trek Briefing
You will have a thorough briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before your trek. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations for Ancascocha Trek and Inca Trail to Machu picchu 6 Days 5 Nights.
Day 1: Cusco – Soqma – Rayan
We leave Cusco early in the morning and drive 1 hour and 45 minutes to Soqma (3,205 m / 10,512 ft). This is the starting point of our trek and where we meet the horsemen that will join us during the hike. Additionally, our chef will be waiting for us here with a delicious and energizing breakfast.
We begin the hike with a 1 ¾ hour walk to the Perolniyoc cascade lookout. This is a perfect opportunity to stop for photos and a snack. The waterfall that you will see at this location is breathtaking! We will then hike a further 35 minutes until we visit the Inca site of the same name, where we will have a brief tour. This will be our lunch site.
After a refueling lunch, we will ascend 45 minutes until our camp at Rayan (3,700 meters/9,350 ft)
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Lowest Elevation: 3,205 m/ 10,512 ft
Highest Elevation: 3,700 m/ 12,136 ft
Distance to walk: 8 km/5 miles
Approximate walking time: 4 to 5 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Area: Dry Mountain
Day 2: Rayan – Chancachuco – Ancascocha
We depart camp at about 6:30 AM for a 4 hour uphill trek with incredible views of the “nevadas”/snow-capped peaks, llamas, valleys, and if we are lucky, a passing condor – the largest bird in the Andes with a wingspan of up to 10 feet across. Here we reach the Kuychicassa pass (4,450 m /14,596 ft) where we take a break and soak in the magnificent views of the Chancachuco Valley on one side of the pass and the Sacred Valley of the Incas on the other side.
Then we start our descent and hike for another hour until we reach the location where we will take our lunch break.
After lunch we ascend for 30 min by way of a narrow trail following a stream with beautiful views of Mt. Veronica (5,822 m/ 19,100 ft).
This is followed by a 4 hour walk downhill to reach the small community of Ancascocha (3,700 m/12,136 ft), our campsite for the evening, in a small, gorgeous wooded valley with a stream running through it.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Highest Elevation: 4,450 m/ 15,250 ft
Campsite elevation: 3,700 m/ 12,136 ft
Distance to walk: 16 km/ 10 miles
Approximate walking time: 8 to 10 hours
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Area: Dry Mountain
Day 3: Ancascocha – Huayanay pass – Muyu Muyu community – Paucarcancha
Views of a nearby glacier and well preserved Inca remains are the highlight of this day. After a hearty breakfast we are ready for this challenging day. Ascending towards the Huayanay Pass (4,650 m/ 15,298 ft) for 4 hours, the highest point of our Ancascocha Trek and Inca Trail to Machu picchu 6 Days 5 Nights, which is a steep zigzag trail uphill, we find an original cobblestone paved Inca trail. On the way, we see the beautiful waterfall that feeds into the Ancascocha lake.
After this stunning view, we descend for 45 minutes until the Inca site of Incarajay. We will have lunch here.
At this point we will embark on a long descent into greener vegetation. During this stretch of the trek we will have views of the classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu appear in the distance, and fascinating views of the communities of the Qésqua valley. We will pass by the quaint Muyu Muyu community (3,850 m/12,628 ft).
From Muyu Muyu it is a further 2 hour descent to our campsite next to the beautiful Inca remains of Paucarcancha (3,133 m/10,276 ft). This camp is a unique Inca settlement recently restored that served as a “Tambo.” A Tambo was an Incan structure that was built for administrative and military purposes.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Highest Elevation: 4,650 m/ 15,298 ft
Campsite elevation: 3,133 m/ 10,276 ft
Distance to walk: 16 km/ 10 miles
Approximate walking time: 7-8 hours
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Area: Dry Mountain
Day 4: Paucarcancha – Ayapata – Pacaymayu.
After a delicious breakfast we will begin our hike from Paucarcancha we will hike 25 minutes downhill to the last village on the Classic Inca Trail, Huayllabamba (2,866 m / 9,400 ft). This will be followed by a 4 hour uphill hike to Llulluchapampa (3,700 m/12,136 ft). On the way we will hike through many ecosystems with abundant vegetation of various types of trees including the Queuña tree (polilepis), a rare forest to be found in the Andes. From here you continue on a steady ascent to the Warmiwañusqa pass (Dead Woman’s Pass) at 4,215m (13,692ft) which affords a magnificent view of your ascent and the trail ahead.
Here you have a well-deserved break and observe the beauty of the deep valleys. After the break the group descends on a restored Inca Trail down to the Pacaymayo River, where will be our camping site.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Minimum Elevation: 2,866 m / 9,400 ft
Highest Elevation: 4,215 m/13,692ft
Approximate walking time: 8 – 9 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Area: Dry Mountain
Day 5: Pacaymayo – Chaquicocha – Wiñaywayna
Today you ascend again another pass, about halfway up lies an Inca ruin of Runkuraqay (small, round, roofless stone building and thought to have been an astrological site and a sort of checkpoint for couriers following the trail to Machu picchu), after a short tour, you continue up the pass at 4,050m (13,200ft).
From here the group walks down on the original Inca Trail, passing a small lake and the first signs of the cloud forest. Soon after you will arrive at a second, larger Inca site called Sayacmarca “Town in a Steep Place” at 3,850m (12,551ft) This Incan ruin was built on a rock overlooking the trail and is accessible only via a single narrow stone staircase- a beautiful location overlooking the Aobamba Valley.
After touring you continue along the ridge through amazing landscapes, viewing Mt. Salkantay from the western side and Mt. Pumasillo, a silhouette to the north on the horizon, your lunch stop. After lunch you continue walking through a rolling flag stoned trail and a tunnel before arriving to yet another Incan site called Phuyupatamarca “the village on the edge of the clouds.” From here the flag stoned trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna “Forever Young”- a well restored Inca Ruin. The campsite is here for the night.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Highest Elevation: 3,900 m/ 12,795 ft
Campsite elevation: 2,700 m/ 8,856 ft
Approximate walking time: 9 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Area: Andes and Cloud Forest
Day 6: Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Cusco
We will rise very early to complete the final stretch of the Inca Trail, which brings us to Inti Punku or the Sun Gate, the principal entrance of the crystal city of Machu Picchu. The trail here is fairly easy going and after about an hour we will arrive to Inti Punku (2,400 m/ 7,875 ft), an awesome location to observe the citadel of Machu Picchu and sunrise in the Andes.
From Inti Punku it is a further 40 minute downhill hike to the citadel of Machu Picchu. We will go to the classic “photo” spot and take pictures once we arrive. Then there will be a short break prior to starting our tour of Machu Picchu. The tour will last two hours. If you have elected to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain you should select the 10 AM time spot.
When you are finished exploring the extraordinary city of Machu Picchu you will travel to Aguas Calientes by bus. You will then take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo where our private van will be waiting to transport you back to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.
Meals: Breakfast
Maximum altitude: 2700 m/ 8856 ft
Minimum altitude: 2,430 m/ 7,972 ft
Distance to walk: 6 km/ 3.73 miles
Approximate walking time: 2 hours
Includes
Included:
Bilingual English speaking tour guide
Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek
Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Soqma
Four person tent for each 2 persons.
Inflatable Mattress
Kitchen tent
Dining tent with tables and chairs
Toilet tent
Chef
Wranglers, porters and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc) and eight kg (15 lbs) per hiker for your own belongings
Emergency horse in case we need it
Five breakfasts, five lunches, and five dinners
Daily hot water for washing.
Daily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles.
Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Private van transportation from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco
Inca Trail permit
Entrance to Machu Picchu
Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Not included:
Sleeping bag.( you can hire it in our office)
Walking poles( you can hire it in our office)
First day breakfast and Lunch at Aguas Calientes on the last day.
Tips (Cook, horseman and guide)
Entrance to Huayna Picchu ($ 70.00)
Insurance of any kind, international airfares, domestic flights, Airport departure (U.S. $ 31 per person for international flights and U.S. $ 7 for national flights) taxes, visa fees or excess baggage charges. Also not included are additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverage, bottled water, snacks, laundry, phone calls and entrance fee to Wayna Picchu Mountain
Bring for the Ancascocha Trek and Inca Trail to Machu picchu 6 Days 5 Nights
A good daypack: Eagle Creek Afar Backpack –appropriate packs to carry your personal belongings.
Original passport with the migration Peru card (for Trains, Machu Picchu Park, and Hotels)
Travel insurance (strongly recommended but not required).
Swimwear for the hot springs of Lares
Lighter trekking boots (with good ankle support)
3 pairs of trekking pants (not jeans): 1 hiking, 1 cotton–which is just enough. Please spray both pairs with an insect repellent before the trip.
Layers for variable temperatures especially at night
1 rain jacket: The first night the temperature can be as – 5 degrees Celsius/41 degrees Fahrenheit. The rain jacket can be helpful, because there are rainy days even if we are in dry season!
1 warm/Winter jacket
Thermals: wool socks, gloves, scarf, and woolen hat for cold nights.
4 pairs of underwear, 5 pairs of socks (Bamboo or cotton/nylon-blend socks dry faster than 100 percent cotton, which lose their softness when air-dried). It is nice to have a couple of extra pairs of socks to change into at night when you’re not hiking. Also, we recommend bringing both really heavy hiking socks and lighter socks because the weather is variable, so you want to make sure you’re not too cold or overheat.
4 t-shirts, 2 long sleeve shirts
1 good sleeping bag liner that is super lightweight and easy to pack. Definitely does its Job!
Travel-size tissues and wet wipes–The air is cold and damp so your nose is going to run a lot. Everyone seems to run out of tissues by the end of the trek. Also, most bathrooms do not have toilet paper (if you even get a bathroom), so wet wipes are key.
Iron tablets and pills for altitude sickness. Several people on the hike have varying degrees of altitude sickness and both of these remedies (in addition to the coca tea) are very helpful in alleviating the symptoms.
Sun protection cream (SPF 45 or higher recommended).
Bug spray with 30% DEET in it–which you need, but it doesn’t work very well. The issue with Cusco outdoors is that most of the bugs are not mosquitoes. They are these small flies you can’t even see that leave weird bites that first look like you pricked your finger and then blow up into itchy red bumps. Unfortunately, these bugs seem to bite you no matter what kind of spray you put on, so an anti-itch medication could be helpful.
Re-usable plastic or metal water container or a hydration pack such as Camel back
Water (only for first day hike). Then we will provide you with water throughout the hike.
Camera and film
A headlamp to navigate camp in the evenings and pre-dawn mornings with spare batteries
Bandages or moleskin
Flip flops to change into at night–your toes will thank you!.
Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste/floss, shampoo/conditioner, brush/comb, Vaseline (for feet great for potential blisters), feminine hygiene products, deodorant, nail clippers/file/tweezers, spare glasses and/or prescription, mini-eyeglass repair kit, contact lenses if required and supplies, hand sanitizer etc.–and whatever else you need, but pack light.
Medication (Imodium AD or something for your stomach. Some people get an upset stomach on the trek. With 8-10 hours of hiking each day, you need to get over whatever the day throws at you quickly, so bring some meds.
Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes
Something to read in the evenings
Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, & tips to your staff
Additional Notes
Prices
The Ancascocha Trek and Inca Trail to Machu picchu 6 Days 5 Nights can leave any day of the week, from March through January. We do not run this trek in February
Group Price:$1189USDPer person
* We need a minimum of 2 people to run the tour. We guarantee that your tour will be limited to a maximum of 8 people.
Important: Price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (NO need of extra Porter hire!).
Discounts:
Student Discount: US$20.00 Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using a University Student Card our under 17-years-old, we need to see a copy of their card or passport at the time of booking to receive the discount.Please send all to info@cuscojourneys.com.
Optional Extras (Need to Book in Advance):
Machu Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance)
Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance)
Upgrades:
Train Upgrades:
Vistadome train -US $65 for trip from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Need to book in advance).
Hiram Bingham train (deluxe) -US $585 for trip from Aguas Calientes to Poroy (Need to book in advance).
Rentals:
Hiking poles – US$20.00
Sleeping bag – US$25.00
Sleeping bag Deluxe Package (+ Pillow & Liners) US$30.00
Private Tent – US$40.00
US$130 Personal Porter to carry extra 10 kg of personal items
Terms & Conditions
By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with Cusco Journeys, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Booking:
Your booking is confirmed and a contract exists when the Tour Operator or your travel agent issues a written confirmation after receipt of the applicable deposit amount. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to the Tour Operator or authorized agent immediately. Please ensure that names are exactly as stated in the relevant passport.
You will pay a deposit which is completely non-refundable in any situation. There are no exceptions.
You will be required to show the original passport (not a copy) that you booked with, at the checkpoint to enter the Inca Trail. If you originally booked with an old passport and then renewed your passport, you must also bring your expired passport along with your new, valid passport to permit entry or they will refuse your entrance to the trail.
The only acceptable ID to receive a Student Discount is your University Card with a clear expiration date that must be the same year as trek. IDs with expiry dates the following year, even though clearly valid, will not be accepted by the Peruvian government. You must submit a copy of this card at time of booking.
Cancellations:
Cancellations: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 40% is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing (we do not accept medical notes of any kind) as our out of pocket expenses are non-refundable to us.. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
ONCE BOOKED, DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. CHART BELOW OUTLINES WHAT FURTHER FEES WILL BE DUE.
Cancellation By
Terms
91 days or more before departure
we will retain 50% of your deposit.
90 – 30 days before departure
we will retain 75% of the total tour cost.
29 – 0 days before departure
we will retain 100% of the total tour cost.
Inca Trail Tours:
Permits: Permits for the Inca Trail are in your name and can not be transferred to anyone else under any circumstances. Change of dates is also not possible once a permit has been purchased. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit will be forfeited. Please note that this is a regulation of the Peruvian government and not Cusco Journeys (or any agency).
In extreme cases when the “Inca Trail to Machu Picchu” is declared closed for safety reasons, Cusco Journeys will replace your trek with an alternative trek.
Those who booked PERMITS with a Student ID must bring that ID with them on the trek. If they fail to show this card to the Park Rangers, they will not be allowed entry onto the trail.
Medical Information:
You must advise Cusco Journeys of any medical problems or allergies you may have. You need to be in good physical health, and if your health is questionable, then you should consult a doctor. If you are over the age of 70 years old, then you will need to present us with a current good health medical certificate.
You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. The Tour Operator does not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements.
Cusco Journeys reserves the right to deny you permission to travel or participate in any aspect of a Tour at any time and at your own risk and expense where the Tour Operator determines that your physical or mental condition renders you unfit for travel or you represent a danger to yourself or others.
Pregnancy is considered a medical condition and must be disclosed to the Tour Operator at the time of booking. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry pregnant women over 24 weeks. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry anyone with certain medical conditions if reasonable accommodation or alternatives cannot be arranged.
It is strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect you in case of medical emergency or any tour cancellations.
Tours and Treks:
All balances need to be paid in either cash, Western Union, Transfer Bank or PayPal (in full) prior to the briefing which will be held the night before your tour. Visa incurs a 5% service fee and if you need to use another card, it must be through PayPal which incurs a 5.5% service fee. You must advise your guide if you wish to leave the group or the camping area for independent walks or sightseeing. If you are experiencing any problems with the services of the guide or tour, please advise the guide in that moment, so that he can resolve any problems.
All Adventure Treks include transportation to Cusco. The return train route depends on train availability.
If you become ill or injured on the trail and are unable to continue, a porter will be provided to accompany you back to an area with emergency assistance capabilities. Helicopter air lifts and medical assistance are at the expense of the trekker. If you are unable to complete the tour due to illness, we will assist you in meeting your group at Machu Picchu to recommence your tour at that point. There will be no refund of the original payment. However, we will prepare a document to certify illness which can be presented for your travel insurance.
Cusco Journeys will take all reasonable care in providing to our clients avoidance of accident, illness, and loss of personal property, and will only employ suitably qualified staff. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Cusco Journeys cannot, however, be responsible for any action of third parties. You are totally responsible for your own personal property and rented equipment.
Cusco Journeys does not take responsibility for unfavorable weather conditions, natural catastrophe, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal ítems, etc. It is the client’s responsibility to carry insurance to cover these types of events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the unforeseen conditions listed above.
Cusco Journeys may modify your itinerary where reasonably required in its sole discretion.
Group tours might be as large as 16 participants. Groups are open to everyone no matter skill or age. By accepting a Group Tour you acknowledge that others might change the speed and timing of the tour.
All tours are done in English.
Delays:
Any costs, whether direct or incidental, incurred by the Customer as the result of delays caused by bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, sickness, government intervention or other contingencies which are beyond the control of southern explorations will not be reimbursed.
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