Ancascocha Trek with Short Inca Trail – 5-Day Scenic Route to Machu Picchu

TRAVEL FROM CUSCO TO SOCMA: GREAT HIKE FROM RAYAN TO CHANCACHUCO ANDES VALLEY

Our guide, tourist vehicle driver, and cook will arrive at your hotel at 5:00 a.m. to pick up the walkers. The trip lasts approximately 1 hour and a half until reaching Socma via Huarocondo and the Pomatales Valley.

The first section of the hike is moderate to challenging, gradually ascending until you reach the Perolniyoc waterfall and the archaeological ruins of the same name. The archaeological group of Perolniyoc is located on the waterfall. We have a beautiful view of the Andes over the Chanchachuco Valley from the camp. Between 05:30 and 06:00 pm, we will have an afternoon tea with Andean chocolate, coffee, organic tea, and popcorn to rest after our trek.

1st-day data:

• Early morning pick-up from your hotel is at 5:00 a.m.
• Private transfer to the trailhead “Soqma 3,205 meters (10,512 feet).
• Walking distance: 18 km (6.8 miles)
• Estimated duration: 7 to 8-hour trek
• Highest point: Kuychicassa Pass, 4,450 meters (14,596 feet).
• Campsite elevation: Chancachuco 4,350 meters/14,271 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate – Challenging
• Meals: Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner

After packing our adventure gear and having a delicious, refreshing breakfast, we start hiking the ancient Inca trail of Ancascocha until we conquer the Huayanay pass. We start the hike through the hills until we reach the Ancascocha lagoon. From this lagoon, we ascend until we reach the top of the walk. Wayanay Mountains Pass has an elevation of 4650 meters (15,300 feet).

Throughout the trek, we will observe the routes of an Inca trail interconnected with the main Inca trail and other trails of different mountains surrounding the area. After conquering and having the satisfaction of reaching the top, we will also observe the ruins of Incaraqay. Incaraqay was an Inca inn for ancestral walkers and a checkpoint towards the Huayruro Valley, Salkantay, and Cusichaca.

• A second hike day, “On the Andes and Traces of the Inca Trail.”
• Hike up to the Huayanay Pass, 4650 meters (15,300 feet).
• Lunch at Camino Inca or around
• Walking Distance: 18 km (11.1 miles).
• Estimated duration: 10 hours
• Highest point: Huayanay Pass, 4650 meters (15,300 feet).
• Campsite elevation: Qesqa 3,650 meters/11,910 ft.
• Difficulty: Challenging hike on Andes Heights
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner

TREK DOWN FROM QESQA TO PAUCAR CANCHA & KM 82 “from km 82 travel to Ollantaytambo.”

Explorers today have a downhill hike to km 82 of the railway. We come across a stony path, and sometimes there are mud puddles; it is advisable to bring a pair of poles to walk and have the stability of the descent. The adventure is within the inter-Andean valley, which has a pleasant climate, until arriving at the archaeological group of Paucar Cancha.

From different natural viewpoints, we will observe the classic Inca trail with its valley and landscapes from our walking angle. From the ruins of Paucarcancha, we enter a sector of the classic Inca Trail until we reach kilometer 82 of the railroad.

• From Qesqa to Ollantaytambo, it takes nine hours to get to the end of today’s walk.
• During the trek, we will discover Inca ruins such as Patawasi, Patallacta, Canamarca, etc.
• At kilometer 82, our tourist vehicle awaits us to move to Ollantaytambo.
• Today, we rest in a 3-star hotel with hot showers.

Additional notes depend on the evolution of the whole group’s walk. The guide will designate new camps or starting times of the walk to cover our entire expedition; we will adapt to the best decisions of the hiking guide and group decision-makers.

• Excellent downhill trek into the Andean Forest to Ollantaytambo and explore the Paucarcancha Inca site!
• Walking Distance: 15 km (9.3 miles)
• Estimated duration: 9 hours “Full-day hike downhill.”
• Hotel elevation: OLLANTAYTAMBO 2,792 meters (9,160 feet)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Meals: breakfast and lunch.

HIKING ALONG THE SACRED INCA TRAIL AND VIEWING Machu Picchu with an overnight stay in Machu Picchu Pueblo

A pleasant trip by train between Ollantaytambo and kilometer 104 of the railway. We continue on the banks of the Urubamba River.

TRAIN SERVICE

• Train service: Outbound Journey
• Train company: INCA RAIL
• Travel route: OLLANTAYTAMBO TO KM 104 (1 hour and 20 minutes of train ride)
• Class: The Voyager 41
• Departure: 06:40
• At Station: 06:10; otherwise, you may not be allowed to board.
• KM 104 Arrival: 07:50

The activities begin with the train service to kilometer 104 of the railway line. At the beginning of the walk, we have the welcome sign to the sacred path of the Inca. We crossed the Chachabamba suspension bridge and then registered for the Short Inca Trail at the entrance control. We have a gradual ascent until we reach the ruins of the Inca population of Wiñayhuayna.

There is no vegetation during the first two hours of hiking, so it is recommended to bring enough water, sunscreen, and a bell hat. The rest of the trek is within the vegetation of the cloud forest until reaching Machu Picchu and the town of Aguas Calientes.

The panoramic views are unique and impressive throughout the hike. One hundred percent pleasant, we recommend the walk from Ancascocha, crossing the short Inca Trail, to Machu Picchu.

Short Information: 

• Train service: We board the train that takes us to Kilometer 104.
• Walking Distance: 11 km
• Estimated duration: 5 Hours
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Meals: BoxLunch

In the morning, discover Machu Picchu and return to Cusco by train in the afternoon.

Peru is a country of hiking and camping sites exploring various Inca citadels; today, we have a guided tour of the extraordinary magnificence of Machu Picchu. We start the bus service to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes.

The guided tour takes two hours to explore all the essential areas that make up the Inca crystal citadel of the Incas, known as the jewel of Peru and South America. In the afternoon, we will return to the city of Cusco by train until we reach the town of Ollantaytambo, and from Ollantaytambo, we will have a private transfer service until we go to your hotel.

• Bus service to Machu Picchu (up and down)
• A two-hour guided tour inside the archaeological park of Machu Picchu
• In the afternoon, board your train service to the POROY train station.

Train service information: [Inbound Journey]

• Train company: INCA RAIL
• Service: MACHU PICCHU TO OLLANTAYTAMBO (1 hour and 50 minutes of train ride).
• Class: The Voyager 44
• Departure: 14:30
• At Station: 14:00; otherwise, you may not be allowed to board.
• Ollantaytambo arrival: 16:04
• Cusco arrival by transport: 17:50

When you get to the OLLANTAYTAMBO train station, be met at the train arrivals area. Just look for a KONDOR PATH TOURS sign with your name.” Group name: 5 Days Ancascocha Trek with Short Inca Trail

Thank you for traveling with the Kondor Path Tours team. We operate hikes with camps to get out of the routine for a healthy mind and body. We are waiting for you on your next exploration vacation.