SALKANATAY VIA ANCASCOCHA TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 6D/5N
THE BEST INCA TREK according to NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Day 1: Soraypampa – Chachaniq´asa
Great for landscape, flora, fauna, night, lightpainting, macro, sunset & sunrise photography
The first day of this treak is the hardest. Soon after breakfast, with muleteers and safety horses we start the long hike, taking a non much used trail one hour in, we’ll continues for four hours towards the high step way of our Ancascocha. Taking the right flank of the valley we will arrive at Inkachiriaska pass at 5100m, from this point we get spectacular views of the amazing landscapes of the area, such the closely impetuous snow-capped Salkantay, known as the sacred mountain since ancient times. Passing this place we will take the proper Ancascocha trail, first arriving to Toqtoqasa by a easy down hill trail, then we continue on a narrow and straw covered trail. It takes approximately four hours to arrive at the camp site at 3900m. (B / L / D)
Day 2: Chachaniq´asa – Occoruro
Great for landscape, flora, fauna, night, lightpainting, macro, sunset & sunrise photography
After an early breakfast we will continue on our beautiful walk, appreciating the wonderful landscapes; on this day the trail offers a landscape that can only be seen in the southern Peruvian Andes. The entire journey is about 7 hours walking. Along the trail we may observe the flight of condors, eagles and many Andean animals; our camp site is really quiet and cosy, surrounded by dreamlike landscapes at 3600m. (B / L / D)
Day 3: Occoruro – Ancascocha
Great for landscape, flora, fauna, night, lightpainting, macro, sunset & sunrise photography
The morning of this day we will pass by a stunning reddish sandy mountain called Accoqasa, to get this point approximately 3 hours of good energy are required. From the top, with help of binoculars, we will appreciate the famous Inca trail which leads to Machu Picchu. Mountain glaciers will also be seen on this day of the hike, as well as mountains such as Salkantay, Humantay, Huayanay and at distance we can observe Huacaywillka (Sacred Tears), a small archaeological site called Inka-raqay. Closer to this we will take a brief break to admire the beautiful landscape, with small lakes which shelters typical birds of this region such Huallatas, ducks and many others which migrates from different places to this highland. After lunch we follow an easy trail to Ancascocha Lagoon at 3700m where we set up out camp. (B / L / D)
Day 4: Ancascocha – Huayrapunku -Kachiqata Quarry
Great for landscape, flora, fauna, night, lightpainting, macro, sunset & sunrise photography
Toward the western end of the high valley, we follow the contours of a now-abandoned Inca aqueduct which transported water from the Chancachuco valley north to supply the otherwise-arid north-facing slopes above Ollantaytambo. This aqueduct once transported water across a sheer cliff face high above the Silque River. Today, on the mountainside above us we can glimpse traces of the original stonework, testimony to the extraordinary engineering of the project.
We reach our final pass (3,940m / 12,923ft) and visit a spectacular ridge-top Inca shrine called Huayrapunku (Gate of the Wind), with an astonishing view towards Nevado Veronica (5,682m / 18,637ft) directly across the valley. The site offers unsurpassable views to the terraces and temple site of the royal town of Ollantaytambo, over 4,000 feet below us.
We descend, past the curious Inca administrative site of Llaqtallaqtayoq, to our camp on a broad terrace at 3,525m / 11,562ft at the edge of the enormous Kachiqata quarry. In the afternoon we explore the intricate quarry workings. From this steep talus slope beneath the sheer face of Cerro Yanaorco, immense red granite building stones were carved onsite and then skidded down to the valley floor, across the river, and then up to the sun temple site on the far side of the valley. We explore the ramps and work platforms around the largest of the stones. Orchids and other flowers are abundant in and around the quarry site, set high on the mountainside above the valley floor. (B / L / D)
Day 5: Kachiqata Quarry – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Day 6: Machu Picchu – Cusco
Great for landscape, flora, fauna, macro & sunrise photography
Early, after a good breakfast, we set off to re-live the history and the mysterious world of the Incas, taking the first bus up at approx 6.15am and arrive at the ruins at 6.45am. At this time is still not so crowded, so we take advantage of the tranquility of this sacred site with a guided tour of Machu Picchu. This enigmatic city is explored for approx. 2 hours and their mysteries and archaeological information will be explained by your expert guide. Following this you will have free time to explore on your own (exact amount varies due to train timetables). You will have the option to climb to the Huayna Picchu mountain (Please check previously with your guide. Sometimes guided tour is after Huaynapicchu.) Around 4:00 pm we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for your return by train.
The train departs Aguas Calientes late in the afternoon. (6:00pm or 5:00pm to Ollantaytambo then 2 hours transport to Cusco arriving at 9:00 pm approx.)
NOTE :
* People who want to visit Huayna Picchu must let us know as soon as they can, because according to new rules, there is a limit of people (400) per day that can climb it.
Timetable :
– 1st Turn 07:00 am : 200 people.
– 2nd Turn 10:00 am : 200 people.
Included:
- Private transport to trail head
- Horses (for equipment and personal items and 1 emergency horse) + horsemen
- Entrance fee to the trail
- Tents, high quality camping equipment (including toilet tent, tables, chairs)
- Meals as detailed above
- Vegetarian food available on request
- Last lunch at Indio Feliz restaurant: https://www.indiofeliz.com/en/restaurant.html
- Water (not for the first 4 hours of the trek)
- Professional bilingual guide
- Round trip by train to Machu Picchu
- 1 night in Plaza Andina Hotel at Aguas Calientes
- Return bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Return to Cusco in private transport
Not Included:
- Sleeping bag
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
We recommended you bring:
- A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
- Rain gear (jacket and trousers if available) or rain poncho
- Waterproof trekking boots recommended
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
- Sleeping bag (can be hired from us)
- Flashlight and batteries
- Camera, films and batteries (batteries are consumed faster in cold conditions)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
- Sun block
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
- Toilet paper
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please beware that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. This recommendation applies for all clients being used to a specific snack, as it may happen that it is not included in our selection.
- Non-disposable canteen and water for the first morning. Optional: water sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink.
- Small towel
- Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the trail)
Considering an extra night in Aguas Calientes? We can change the date of your train ticket to the following day. Hotel and other costs associated with returning to Machu Picchu the following day are additional to trek costs. Please also note that your entry ticket to Machu Picchu is valid for one day only, if you wish to visit the ruins on a second consecutive day you will need to purchase another ticket.
Aguas Calientes Extra Day Upgrade Package (optional)
With hikes that trek the traditional Inca Trail, the standard package has clients returning to Cusco at the end of the trek, and they don’t spend a night in Aguas Calientes. This package provides clients the opportunity to stay in Aguas Calientes for an extra night, visit Machu Picchu for a second day and then return to Cusco by the comfortable Vistadome train.
- Cost: $195 per person on twin share basis. This price doesn’t change depending on the number of people in the group.
- Second day’s entry to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, valued at $60
- Bus up and down to ruins on extra day, valued at $17
- 1 night in a 3 star hotel, like Killa Inn Plaza Andina. These are nice hotels, well decorated, and clean.
- With limited eating choices at Machu Picchu hunger tends to send clients to Aguas Calientes; by including the buffet lunch we find that clients can visit Machu Picchu early, then go to the buffet to try lots of different Peruvian (and Western) dishes, rest and go back for a second look at Machu Picchu.
- Return in Vistadome train rather than Expedition train, which gives you the opportunity for a more varied timetable and to return in a nicer train, with big windows in the roof.
** Please contact us for a price for the same package but with 2 star accomodation and return in Expedition Train service **
Discounts
- Student Discount: $35 off per personStudent Discounts apply to anyone who has a valid GREEN ISIC card at the time of the trek or is 16 years old or younger. For those using an ISIC card to receive the discount, we do need to see a copy of the card at booking. For those booking children 16 years old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. Please send all to phototourperu@gmail.com
- Under 15 years will pay as student: US$35.00
- Under 7 years Discount: US$50.00
Private Service Prices 2018
- 1 person : US$1750.00 per person
- 2 people : US$1200.00 per person
- 3 people: US$1150.00 per person
- 4 people : US$1100.00 per person
- 5 people : US$1050.00 per person
- 6 people : US$1000.00 per person
- 7+ people : US$950.00 per person
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
As you see in our Additional Items under Trip Overview, there are several optional upgrades you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices, but check our Overview section for more details.
Huaynapicchu: $65 per person
Vistadome Train (One Way): $80 per person
Vistadome Train (One Way): $65 per person
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Flavio Huamani, Photo Tours Peru
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Adress: Urbanizacion Flor de la Cantuta B -2 San Sebastian Cusco Peru