Cusco- Urubamba - Yanacocha Lake - Puma pata

Lake Ancascocha - Our first day of this beautiful trek will start at daybreak when we pick you up from Cusco or Urubamba to drive up to the trailhead in Yanacocha Lake located at an elevation of 4,572 masl (15,000 ft). We will be met by our mule drivers and embark on our journey with a gradual ascent for about 45 minutes followed by a slight descent. The purity and ruggedness of the surrounding mountains, only inhabited by llamas, alpacas, and condors will immediately have you profoundly connected to nature. We’ll have our first fabulous lunch made with mostly organic ingredients from our family farm at a place called Amarupata (4,400 masl / 14,437 ft) with the impressive Mount Moyuc in the background. From here, the next stretch is 30 minutes uphill to conquer our first pass, Kinsa Cruz (4,700 masl / 15,748 ft). Another 1,5 hours of hiking will get us to the campsite for the day where we’ll also have dinner.

Puma pata - Ancascocha Lake

Lake Ancascocha - We’ll be woken up by an indescribable sunrise as the sun peeks out between the mountains and this beautiful view will accompany us while we tuck into a delicious breakfast. The next part of the trail is one of the most scenic of the entire trek since it’s all framed by the Rainbow Mountain and other, snow-capped peaks. This part leads us up to the next summit at an elevation of 4,925 masl (16,158 ft). Following lunch, we’ll continue trekking downhill through more astounding landscapes on either side, including views of the Humantay Glacier. The path we’re following belongs to the vast network of Inca paths known as Qhapac Ñan in Quechua, of which the actual Inka Trail is only a small part. It will lead us to the Ancascocha Lagoon (4,354 masl / 14,284 ft), the highland lagoon the trek is named after. Our campsite is located in a truly stunning location in a beautiful valley looking down on Ancascocha Lagoon.

Ancascocha Lake - Camicancha - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

Ollantaytambo - We’ll wake you up with a warm cup of tea or coffee, followed by breakfast with the deep-blue Ancascocha Lagoon as a backdrop. Now it’s time for the spiritual highlight of the trek: we’ll descend to the lagoon to participate in a ceremony with the sacred water from the glacier. After this deep moment of connection to the lagoon, we’ll continue to descend the Valley, probably meeting local inhabitants and their herds of alpacas on the way. The next part of the hike takes us through a spellbinding cloud forest dotted with delicate orchids and other flowers and vegetation until reaching the Ancascocha River, which we’ll cross to reach the village of Camicancha. This is where we’ll have our last lunch and say goodbye to the full hiking team. A private van will pick us up to transfer us to the village of Ollantaytambo, a very quaint town in the Sacred Valley where we’ll catch the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we’ll take you to your comfortable room

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Machu Picchu - After tucking into an early but hearty breakfast at your hotel, we’ll jump on the bus up to the impressive Inca citadel, a journey that takes about 25 minutes. We should be at the site by 6 am to start our 3-hour guided tour accompanied by the crisp early morning sun, an excellent time to set off because the big crowds will come a few hours later. The guide will take you through and tell you everything there is to know about the different parts of this important Inca citadel. If you have reserved the Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain ticket, you can go up there at around 9 am. It’s a challenging hike, not for the faint of heart. After our tour finishes and you’ve given thanks for this place, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, you will get back on the bus and head to Aguas Calientes town. You will then board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where a private van will be waiting for your ride back to Cusco, arriving between 6-8 pm.

• Private transportation
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
• Professional indigenous chef
• Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes. Round trip.
• Dining tent with table and chairs, and a kitchen tent, manned by a professional cooking staff.
• Professional tour guide fluent in English
• Pick up from the airport Cusco to the hotel.
• Horses and muleteers to carry the equipment and 15lbs of the hikers
• Food
• Hotel for 1 night in Aguas Calientes.
• First aid kit and remote doctor’s assistance
• Expedition train leaving Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.
• Camping tent
• Pick up from the train station and transfer to Hotel in Cusco or Urubamba

• sleeping bags
• Hiking poles
• travel insurance

The wonderful route of the Ancasocha trail is one of the least-known routes to the incredible Machu Picchu. It’s far less crowded than other trails. Not a lot of companies offer the tour because it’s so off-the-beaten-path and the scenery is so beautiful that it was recognized as one of the 20 dream hikes by National Geographic on their best walks in the world list. Along the trail, you’ll visit Quechua-speaking farming communities and observe how they live in these more remote parts of Cusco. Much of their culture and customs have changed very little for centuries, and these communities will give you a glimpse into what life was like back in Inca times. This trek combines high-altitude hiking in the Andes, fascinating history, endearing cultural exchanges, nature, and one of the quietest trails leading to Machu Picchu.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.