Travel from Cusco to Socma and the beginning of the Hike from Socma to Rayan

We drive northeast to Izucchaca. Huarocondo to the trailhead at Socma 3,205 m/10,512 ft., located in the Pomatales Canyon. We’ll begin our best Ancascocha hiking trail, ascending toward the Perolniyoc waterfall.

After observing and taking many photos at the Perolniyoc Inca Falls, we continued hiking until we reached the Perolniyoc Inca Ruins at the top. We camped in the surroundings of Rayan on our first night of camping. The travel team accompanied us on this alternative trek to Ancascocha through the Andes.

A brief description of the beginning of Trek 

• At 06:00, we start the trip from the city of Cusco to Socma (1 hour and 20 minutes of travel)
  • Private transfer to the trailhead “Soqma 3,205 m/10,512 ft.”
• Lunch at Perolniyoc Inca site
• Walking distance: 08 km / 05 miles
• Estimated duration: 4 hours
• Highest point: Rayan 3,700 meters (12,136 ft).
• Campsite elevation: 3,700 meters (12,136 ft).
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Meals: lunch + afternoon tea + dinner.

We start walking from Rayan to the Laguna de Ancascocha at dawn.

After packing our adventure equipment, we trekked along the ancient Inca trail. The fauna of the place is Andean High Mountain, with its miniature shrubs and extensive grasslands. This place will give you a stunning panoramic view of the sacred valley of the Incas and the glacier mountains.

Essential activity towards the first Pass of Kuychicassa

• The start time of the walk is 06:00
• First Pass: Puccaqasa Mountain Pass, 4,370 meters (14,333 feet).
• Second Pass: Kuychicassa Pass, 4,457 meters or 14,619 feet.
• Lunch at Chancachuco
• Walking Distance: 18 km (11.2 miles)
• Estimated duration: 09 – 10 hours
• Highest point: Kuychicassa, 4,457 meters, or 14,619 feet.
• Campsite elevation: 4,090 meters (13,100 feet).
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, afternoon tea, and Dinner

To conquer the Huayanay pass and then descend to the Inca ruins of Paucarcancha

With the adventurous spirit that fills us with the energy to discover new scenic landscapes, we begin the trek to the highest point of the expedition. Ascending towards Huayanay, 4650 meters high (15,300 feet) (a 1-hour hike), we find an original cobblestone-paved Inca trail on a steep zigzag path uphill. On the way, the beautiful waterfall feeds into Ancascocha Lake.

Once we conquer the top, we will appreciate the valleys of Socma and Paucarcancha. We start our long way down, passing through the ruins of Inca Racay and the rural area of Qesqa, until we reach the fertile valley of Paucarcancha.

• The walk starts at 05:30. “It is important to start the hiking activities early to reach the goal of Paucarcancha.” Using a pair of canes to ascend to the top of Huayanay and start descending by an average of 5 hours is recommended. The Ancascocha Peru trek terrain is rocky, slippery, and has mud spots.”
• Huayanay Pass 4650 meters (15,255 feet) “Incredible view of the Andes.”
• Lunch at Incaraqay or Qesqa: 3,650 meters/11,910 feet
• Trekking distance: 15 km (9 miles).
• Estimated duration: 9 hours
• Campsite elevation: Paucarcancha 3,161 meters/10,370 feet.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon tea, and Dinner

PAUCARCANCHA INCA SITE

In Inca times, the Inca ruins of Paucarcancha were a checkpoint for walkers of the Socma Valley—Huayanay, Sacred Valley, Salkantay, and the Inca Trail. Paucarcancha is a planting site for organic agricultural products on the Inca terraces and hillsides. The climate is conducive to such rural activity, and for walkers, it offers a temperate climate to spend the night near the Paucarcancha ruins. From the Inca ruins of Paucarcancha, we are inside the buffer zone of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Easy walk through the Classic Inca Trail sector until km 82 of the railway line. In the afternoon, a train trip to Aguas Calientes

This day in our Ancascocha hike is like walking between the Inca trails and the archaeological remains. We continue downriver at Km. 82. From Km. 82, we transport to the Ollantaytambo train station to board our train.

At km 82 of the railway “exit of the Inca Trail of Ancascocha,” it is the farewell of our team of muleteers and cooks.

Last hike with our adventure team

• Lunch at the “beginning of the Inka Trail.”
• Hiking Distance: 13 km (8.2 miles)
• Trail Duration: 5 hours.
• Trail Conditions: Lovely Andes Path
• Difficulty: Easy-moderate.
• Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

In the morning, we have the guided tour of Machu Picchu, and in the afternoon, we return to Cusco by train via Ollantaytambo.

We have the best plan for you and your party. Our Ancascocha trekking guide will arrive at your hotel to pick you up, walk to the bus station to board one of them, and transport us to the Inca citadel, “25 minutes of travel on a zigzag path”.

Upon arrival, visitors present their entrance tickets along with their original passports. We have the guided tour of Machu Picchu, and we will start at the top of the Inca citadel to have the best view of the city and then start walking around Machu Picchu, exploring and understanding each great site.

After visiting Machu Picchu, clients return to Aguas Calientes to go to the train station and board the rail service to transport us to the Ollantaytambo train station. From Ollantaytambo, we will travel by private vehicle to your hotel in Cusco.

Activities in Machu Picchu

1. Bus, or hiking up (by bus, 25 minutes, by foot, 1.5 hours)
2. GMachu Picchu Gguided Tour, 02 hours
3. The bus returns to Aguas Calientes village.
4. Afternoon train service to Ollantaytambo