Ancascocha Trek 5 days

If you're looking for best off the beaten path trails, pristine wilderness, and a challenging trek, this is the one for you! National Geographic recently named Ancascocha. The Ancascocha trail is a spectacular trail that remains off the beaten path also known as the Hidden Inca Trail or the Super Inca Trail; It is less traveled and more rewarding path.

It was considered as one the World’s best hikes by National geographic. Along the way you will see Inca ruins, villages, and snowcapped mountains of both main mountain ranges of Cusco, the Vilcabamba and the Urubamba mountain range. This trek is highly recommended for those who don’t like crowds, this trek is where you find the solitude, just hearing the wind blowing in the campsites, bird calls during the hike, also you will be able to interact with local families especially on the first campsite.

National Geographic recently named Ancascocha Trail as one of the World's Best Hikes: 20 Dream Trails- off the beaten path to Machu Picchu

The ANCASCOCHA TREK is a spectacular trail that is beautiful, strenuous, and off the beaten path. Have the trail to yourself as you climb 2 big mountain passes and get rewarded with unbelievable views of sunrise and sunsets, rivers, quechua villages and the Ancascocha Lake.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Soqma – Rayan
Distance: 8 Kilometers / Miles
Leaving Cusco early in the morning, you will drive for around two hours to Soqma, which is the starting point of the trek. If you are going through a tour company, you will meet with our Explore Adventures staff- horseman here who will join you for the hike. we begin the trek in directiojns to Perolniyoc cascade lookout. This is great point for capturing photos and snacks. There is a waterfall at this location that is simply breathtaking.
You will then hike for more 40 minutes aprox, and stop for lunch.
Approximate walking time: 6-7 hours

Day 2: Rayan – Chancachuco – Ancascocha Valley
Distance: 16 Kilometers / Miles
From Rayan be prepared for an uphill trek that will take around four hours. You will view incredible snow capped peaks, valleys, and llamas. If you are lucky enough, you might even see a condor, regarded as the largest bird in the area. The next stop is at Kuychicassa pass at an altitude of 4,450 meters. Here, you can take a break as you enjoy the stunning views of the Sacred Valley on one side and Chancachuco Valley on the other side of the pass.
From there, you take a descent that will take an hour or so until you can find a nice spot for taking lunch. After you have taken lunch, you can decide to take a thirty-minutes hike to following a narrow trail with beautiful sceneries of Mt. Veronica. Alternatively, you can take a 4-hour walk down to Ancascocha. This is a great place for camping.
Approximate walking time: 8-9 hours

Day 3: Ancascocha Valley– Huayanay pass – Muyu Muyu community
Distance: 13 Kilometers /7 Miles
Ancascocha 4Views of a well preserved Inca and nearby glacier are the highlights of the day. Ascend towards Huayanay Pass at an elevation of 4,650 meters, a hike that will take four hours. This is the highest point of this trail characterized by a zigzag, steep trail uphill. On the way, you will see the magnificent waterfall that flows into Ancascocha Lake.
After that, you will ascend into deep greener vegetation. This section allows you clear views of the Inca Trailto Lost city of the Incas, appear in the distance. Below are the beautiful valley and the quechua communities living there. we will camp at Muyu Muyu community.
Approximate walking time:8 to 9 hours

Day 4: Muyu Muyu – Paucarcancha – Kilometer 82 – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Distance: 13 ½ Kilometers /7 ½ miles
From Muyu Muyu we will descend for 2 hours until the Inca site of Paucarcancha. We will have a comprehensive tour of the site.
After the tour we will hike downhill for 5 hours until we reach Km 82, which is the start of the classic Inca trail. Along the way we will be able to see the Inca site of Llactapata. This is the first site on the Classic Inca Trail. Our chef will make us a delicious lunch at Kilometer 82.
After lunch we will be picked up by private van at Km 82 and transported to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m/9,158 ft) where we will catch the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes.
When you reach Aguas Calientes you will check in to your hotel room. The natural hot springs in town are a great place to relax if there is time before dinner.
Approximate walking time:7 to 8 hours

DAY 5: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Cusco
After spending the previous night in a comfortable hotel, we can take the earliest bus up from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, arriving around 6:00 am. After having an interesting 3 hours guided tour of the ruins, you will have some extra time to explore the ruins on your own. After enjoying the citadel, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will board a train in the afternoon that will take you back to Cusco, arriving to in the evening.

HIGHLIGHTS

INCLUDED

EXPLORE ADVENTURES DIFFERENCE

THE EXPLORE ADVENTURES PERU® DIFFERENCE - DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE
Explore Adventures Peru® has been setting the standard for Trekking Peruvian Andes since 2010. As one of the few specialist companies organizing high quality expeditions, we are recognized as one of the best operators on the Peruvian Andes. Come see why we are the premier Andes outfitter. When you travel with us, you gain access to people and places. You’re enriched by the knowledge of our experts and guides, and by local experts we meet along the way. And you give back. Simply by taking a trip with Explore Adventures Peru, you support the work of our explorers and indigenous Quechuas villages.

WE HAVE A 99.8% CLIENT SATISFACTION RATE!
Undoubtedly, the most honest and accurate feedback comes from our clients themselves. With the goal of constantly improving our service, a post-Hiking survey is taken from each client in order to assess our staff, equipment, and food.

LOCAL GUIDES
KNOWLEDGE: LET OUR EXPERTS GUIDE YOU
• Professional, experienced, licensed local Quechuan guides
• Our guides are formed by expert Photographers, Explorers, History teachers, Archaeologists
• Honest, hardworking, team oriented support staff
• Over 600 times hikes on Inca Trail success experiences and client satisfaction

QUALITY EQUIPMENT
HIGH QUALITY EQUIPMENT & SERVICE.
• Rugged, four season North face, Mountain Hardwear, Doite, Vango tents
• Super warm North face, Mountain Equipment, Mountain Hardwear -30F sleeping bags
• Spacious mess tents and private toilets
• Outdoor utensils in stainless steel

FANTASTIC MEALS
• Delicious meals made from fresh, local ingredients
• Clean water treated with Water Guard
• we customize our menus depending on the preferences of the group,
• we never use freeze-dried backpacking meals
• Hearty, delicious meals that will optimally fuel and inspire you during your trip!
• We also regularly accommodate vegetarian, vegan, kosher, non-gluten and other specialty diets

FOCUSED ON SAFETY
WE HAVE MANY LAYERS OF SAFETY BUILT INTO OUR OPERATIONS TO MINIMIZE THE RISKS ON INCA TRAIL AND BEYOND .
• We have established protocols for handling emergencies on the mountain, including rescue and evacuation
• Certified Wilderness First Responders
• Certified of the oficial firemen of Peru
• Daily pulse and oxygen saturation monitoring
• We provide evacuation by helicopter Andes Corp. For hikers seriously injured or sick.
• Emergency oxygen, portable stretchers and medical kits
• Emergency horse available in all our Alternatives treks

RESPONSIBLE TREKKING
GIVE BACK: WHEN YOU TRAVEL WITH US, YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE
• Environmentally and socially responsible company
• Member of Inca Trail Porters Welfare
• Member of Leave No Trace
• Fair and ethical treatment of porters
• Empowering Peruvian women

EXPLORE PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION
Instead of local buses, which other companies use to reduce their costs,
we always provide private transportation. This service allows our clients
flexibility and privacy.

HAPPY CUSTOMERS
• "Great experience!"
• "Very well planned & organized"
• "Excellent service all around"
• "A solid company"
• "Highly recommended!"
• "Genuine, authentic, and flexible with deep local knowledge!"
• "Absolutely Amazing!"