Itinerary – Ancascocha

• We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco early and drive for 2 hours to Soqma (3200m/10512ft). 
• After meeting the staff, the hike will begin with a 2.5 hour climb where we will pass a stunning waterfall before we arrive at the Inca site of Perolniyoc.  This cliff-top site will provide stunning views of the surrounding valley where you will want to stop for a rest and to take photos.
• After all your photos and selfies, we will continue on for a few minutes until we get to the lunch spot for some amazing Peruvian campfire cuisine. 
• After lunch, we will keep climbing for 2 hours until we get to the first campsite at Reservorio (3800m/12200ft), where Inca happy hour will be waiting for us.  We will have time to relax here until dinner.

Walking distance:  8km/5 miles (6-7 hours)
Elevation: 3200m/10512ft to 3800m/12200ft
Difficulty: Challenging/Difficult
Weather: Cold early, warm while walking; windy, may rain; very cold in the evening.

• After breakfast, we will begin a 2 hour climb on a switchback path to the Kuychik’asa Pass (4450/14599) where we will enjoy 360 degree views of the Chancachuco Valley and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• From this point, it’s going to be an easy one hour walk to lunch in the Chancachuco Valley (4312/14197).
• After lunch, we will begin descending for 3 hours until we get to the Ancascocha Valley (3700/12139).  This part of the downhill brings an incredible view of the Andes and the valley itself before arriving at our second campsite. 
• We will have dinner here with incredible views of the milky way (if we have good weather!) before settling in for a good night’s sleep.

Walking distance: 14km/8.7 miles (6-7hours)
Elevation: 3700m/12,139ft to 4450m/14600ft
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging
Weather: Cold early with wind. Warm afternoon, chilly evening

• After a big breakfast, we will start our 2 hour climb to the second highest point of our expedition – Huayanay Pass (4650m/15255ft).
• During this hike, we will see the beautiful Ancascocha lagoon and some stunning waterfalls scattered through the majestic valley. 
• After we reach the top of this climb, the rest of the hike will be easy and downhill. 
• We will walk for 1.5 hours to the lunch spot and then another 2 hours to the campsite at Paucarcancha (3133m/10278ft) passing more waterfalls, rivers, llamas, animals, archeological sites, and the stunning valley of Quesqa.

Walking distance: 14km/8.7 miles (6-7 hours)
Elevation: 3133m/10278ft to 4650m/15255ft
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging (mostly downhill)
Weather: Cold in the morning and at the mountain pass. Warm during the day and chilly in the evening.

• After enjoying our last Andean breakfast, we will pack our stuff and get ready to go.  Today’s walk is easier than you think.  It will be 6 hours to KM82, walking along the classic Inca Trail and exploring some ruins along the way. 
• Our last Andean lunch will be at KM82 where we will say hasta luego to our staff. 
• After lunch, we will take a van to Ollantaytambo (2792m/9160ft) where we will take a scenic train.  The “iron horse” will provide a totally different perspective as you ride through the beautiful Machu Picchu pueblo to the town of Aguas Calientes (2040m/6692ft). 
• Here, we will check into a hotel before having a nice dinner in a restaurant and planning our next day at Machu Picchu.

Walking distance: 10km/6.2 miles (6 hours)
Elevation: 3133m/10278ft to 2040m/6693ft
Difficulty: Easy
Weather: Warm, Hot/Humid during the day

• Today is the highlight of the trek. We recommend waking up early to catch the first bus around 5:30am. After entering Machu Picchu, you will have a two-hour guided tour of the most important sites in the city.
• Following the tour, there will be free time to explore the site at your own pace or do any of the short alternative treks to the Inca Bridge or the Sun Gate. If you purchased a ticket in advance to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will complete those hikes at this time (tickets to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain are NOT included and must be purchased separately).
• At the designated time, your guide will meet you down in the village of Aguas Calientes to pick up your duffel bags from the hotel and take you to the train station for your ride back to Ollantaytambo. A private van will take you back to your hotel in Cuscso from the train station.

Walking distance: varied! You can spend as much time as you like exploring Machu Picchu city or taking an additional hike.
Elevation: 2400/7874ft 
Difficulty: Moderate. Machu Picchu city is large and requires many trips up and down stairs to see it all.
Weather: Hot and humid (bring a lot of water and rain gear)

• All transportation (car, train, bus)
• All Entrance fees
• English speaking guide
• Tent for double occupancy (single tents will be an extra charge)
• Basic First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• All meals as listed in the itinerary (dietary restrictions can be honored with proper notice)
• Accommodation in Aguas Calientes in a three star hotel (Double occupancy. Single occupancy available for additional charge)
• Sleeping mat
• Duffel bags to be carried by porters (up to 15pounds/7kilos per person)
• Clean water at every meal stop

• Breakfast – Day 1
• Lunch and Dinner – Day 5
• Tax
• Ticket for Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu optional climb (+ $30)
• Tips for the guide, cook and porters. (To see our guide for tipping, please click here.)
• Walking Sticks (+$12 per pair)
• Sleeping bag (+$30 per person)