Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu (5 days)

We will pick you up from your hotel at approximately 5:30 am and then drive by private bus for 2 hours to Soqma, which will be the starting point of our Ancascocha Trek. Then the real adventure begins as we follow a gently undulating path for half an hour before we ascend gradually for another hour until we reach the Incan site of Piroiniyoc.

From there, we will enjoy the amazing views of the Ancascocha trek and Soqma waterfall and valley and take a short break at our scenic lunch spot. After lunch, we will continue hiking for another hour along more undulating paths until we reach our camping site at Rayan.

Walking Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Starting Elevation: 3200 m /10511 ft
Highest Elevation: 3700 m / 12130 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping

Our wake up call for Ancascocha Trek will be at 5:30 am with a nice warm cup of coca tea and a filling breakfast to follow after. Then we will start our hike uphill for approximately three and a half hours until we reach the beautiful views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will take in the amazing snow peaks of the Veronica mountain (5750 m / 19100 ft) and also gaze upon the Urubamba river down below in the valley.

We will then begin our descent for about one hour until we reach our lunch spot where we will enjoy our meal facing Veronica mountain. After lunch, we will continue our Ancascocha Trek descending for another three and a half hours until reaching our campsite for the night. On the way, we will enjoy the beauty of The Ancascocha Trek and the surrounding village as we trek across open grassland, past small streams, and in the native forests.

Walking Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Starting Elevation: 4450 m /15,511ft
Highest Elevation: 3700 m / 12,130 ft
Difficulty: Moderate / Challenging
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping

Today we will wake up around 5:30 am and enjoy our breakfast before starting the day hike.

On day 3 of the Ancascocha Trek, we will get to enjoy the most incredible views. We are going to enjoy the serenity of crystal lakes and stunning peaks of Huayunay mountains and appreciate the unique architecture of the real Incan roads that link the classical Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

After four hours of hiking followed by a further half-hour descent, we will reach our lunch spot at Inca Rakay. After lunch, we keep following the path downhill for another four hours. Along the way, we will enjoy the lush mountain forests and features of the Classic Inca Trail until we reach our campsite for the night.

Walking Distance: 13 km / 7 miles
Starting Elevation: 4600 m /15,511 ft
Highest Elevation: 3800 m / 12,130 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping

On the last day of The Ancascocha Trek, we will discover the start of the Inca trail that leads to the Machu Picchu Inca site. Our hike will begin with a two and a half-hour descent to the first Inca site of Paucarcancha where we will take a break to enjoy and explore the beauty of this Incan site. We continue downwards for a further four hours through the village of Huyallabamba until we reach to next Incan site of Llaqtapata. After taking some time to explore we continue the hike along an undulating path until we reach the beginning of the Inca Trail.

At Km 82 of the Inca trail we will reach the end of our Ancascocha trek and enjoy our last lunch of the trek together. We will then take our private van to Ollantaytambo train station from where we will catch our train all the way to Machu Picchu Town. To mark the end of The Ancascocha Trek we will celebrate with a tasty group dinner before retiring to our beds for a good nights sleep in our hotel.

Walking Distance: 13 km / 7 miles
Starting Elevation: 3800 m / 12,511 ft
Highest Elevation: 3700 m / 9,130 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

We will wake early to catch a bus up to the Machu Picchu Inca site where we will have the chance to enjoy the sunrise and experience the wonder of Machu Picchu in the morning light. You will enjoy a two-hour tour from a local guide around this astonishing archeological site and then enjoy some free time to explore it further by yourself.

During this time you may also opt to hike to the top of Huayna Picchu, the iconic mountain peak that overlooks the site of Machu Picchu as well as Machu Picchu Mountain itself. After we will return to Machu Picchu Town by bus, from where we catch our train to Ollantaytambo and then take a private bus back to Cusco.

Highest Elevation: 2115 m / 7231 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Meals Included: Breakfast