Languaje
English Spanish ortuguese
Best Season
April - November
Departure City
Cusco
Guide
Professional guide
Maximum Altitude
3,900 m / 12,795 ft
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Walking Hours
5 - 8 hours
Tour Operador
Salkantay Trekking
Minimum Age
2
Maximum Age
11
Destinations
Cusco, Hiking & Trekking
Activities
Hiking & Trekking Activities
Trip Type
Best Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Best Hiking and Treking, Hiking and Trekking Packages, Machu Picchu Travel Packages

DESCRIPTION

The Dreamed Adventure
through the Andes

One of the least known routes to the incredible Machu
Picchu is the Ancascocha trail. It’s far less crowded than
other tourist treks, and not many people travel along
the route. In fact, not a lot of companies offer the tour
because it’s so off-the-beaten-path. Despite these
facts, it’s still considered one of South America’s best
treks and was declared as one of the 20 dream hikes by
National Geographic on their best walks in the world list.
Along the route, you’ll spot Inca constructions and
quaint villages, as you’re accompanied by the
beautiful mountain views of the Vilcabamba and
Urubamba mountain ranges. Spectacular landscapes
are everywhere, and you’ll get some fantastic photo
opportunities. This trip combines high altitude Andes
hiking, fascinating history, fantastic cultural elements,
and rare solitude on arguably the best route to Machu
Picchu.

Day 01 :

Cusco | Soqma - Perolniyoc - Racaypata - Rayan

Day of Inca History and Beautiful Scenery

We’ll set off early today and take you to the starting
point of the trek. From there, you’ll enjoy a 3-hour hike
to the Perolniyoc waterfall while you’re surrounded
by corn, wheat, and quinoa fields all the way. When
we get there, you’ll have the chance to cool down
in the refreshing waterfall and take some great
photos. After, we’ll continue for another hour to the
Inca Archaeological site of Racaypata, where you’ll
enjoy a fascinating guided tour and learn about Inca
history. You’ll also have your first delicious lunch here.
In the afternoon, we’ll walk downhill for another
hour to reach our comfortable camp for the night in
Rayan. You can spend the early evening watching
the constellations and shooting stars in the Andean
sky before enjoying a great dinner and some quality
shut-eye in your tent.

Day 02 :

Rayan | Kuychiccasa Pass - Chancachuco - Ancascocha

Enjoy Spectacular Views of the
Surrounding Valleys

Enjoy being woken up with a hot cup of tea or coffee
before eating a reenergizing breakfast to get you
going. We’ll then head off for a 2-hour ascent to the
Kuychiccasa pass and enjoy stunning views as you
walk. There’s no need to rush as the high altitude
can affect you more if you try to do anything too
strenuous. After, we’ll enjoy some time to relax and
enjoy incredible views of the Chancachuco Valley and
the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We’ll head on for one
more hour to eat lunch.
In the afternoon, we’ll keep heading uphill to take in
more incredible scenery of La Veronica glacier before
we start our 4-hour descent to the community of
Ancascocha, where you’ll find out camp. You’ll spend
this evening in the most wonderful setting in the
middle of a gorgeous valley with a crystal stream
running through the middle. Enjoy some dinner before
getting a good night’s rest.

Day 03 :

Ancascocha | Huayanay Pass - Incaracay - Quesqa - Paucarcancha

Trek Up to the Highest Point of the Trail

Begin the day with a great breakfast before we climb
for an hour to enjoy some breathtaking views. We’ll
then keep going to the highest point of the whole
hike at Huayanay Pass and enjoy a break and some
more astounding landscapes. We’ll then keep going
to the Incaracay Inca site and enjoy a tour and a bite
to eat.
In the afternoon, the walk will be far less challenging,
and we’ll descend to the Quesqa community and
then to the Paucarcancha Inca site. You’ll enjoy.
another guided tour and notice how the climate and
vegetation change to be warmer and greener. You’ll
also see the original Inca Trail in the distance. Spend
the night in this area and enjoy another lovely dinner.

Day 04 :

Paucarcancha | Piscacucho, KM 82 - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

Hike Along the Classic Inca Trail

Today is the easiest day of trekking, which might
give you some comfort. We’ll be walking for 5 hours
along the Classic Inca Trail in the direction of KM 82,
where Inca Trail trekkers begin their hike. We’ll see the
archaeological sites of Llactapata and Canabamba
on the way before having lunch at KM 82. From there,
our transport will take you to Ollantaytambo.
In Ollantaytambo, you’ll board the train to the
small town at the base of Machu Picchu, Aguas
Calientes. Here, you’ll check in to your hostel and
relax or explore the town before we head to a great
restaurant for dinner. Make sure you go to bed early
this evening to be up before the crack of dawn.

Day 05 :

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Enter the Incredible Fortress - Machu Picchu

Be sure to set your alarm to wake up before dawn
and be one of the first to arrive at Machu Picchu. To
do this, we will board a bus at 5:30 a.m. from Aguas
Calientes to the entrance of the Inca citadel. Once
inside, you ́ll enjoy the fantastic views before starting
a guided tour of approximately two hours to the
main points. Afterwards, you can climb one of the
additional mountains (subject to availability) to get a
panoramic view of the site.
A little after midday, you’ll have to bid farewell to
the Inca citadel and head back down to Aguas
Calientes. You’ll have time to grab some lunch before
boarding your train to Ollantaytambo. From there,
our private transportation will take you back to your
accommodation in Cusco to put your feet up and
relax while you reflect on your wonderful trip.