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highlights: being on a remote, little visited route. Ancascocha Corta means "Short Ancascocha trek"

description: a special hike in the sacred valley that crosses an awesome pass nd visits a remote village. aan awesome alternative if you have missed the inca trail!

inca trail alternative: yes

location: sacred valley, very similar landscapes to the traditional inca trail with lots of little known ruins.

duration: 3days/ 2nights level:  moderate

top link:

departs: any day with two people.

Full itinerary & Inclusions

Prices

Ancascocha Corta trek - Full itinerary and inclusions

(Short Ancascocha Trek) Day 1

We will depart Cusco at 8am and take a private car through the high Andean landscape to Huaracondo we will meet our muleteers and begin to hike to Huata, a archaeological site about 2 hours from the trailhead. It appears to have some religious function in the Inca Empire. We will lunch around the community of Chillipahua in the early afternoon. We pass through various houses before heading upwards and crossing the pass of Uspaccasa.

We will camp at in the afternoon in a high location surrounded by impressive peaks.

Day 2

In the morning we will descend to the community of Ancascocha Alta and then to the school of Ancascocha Alta which we will visit if it is a school day. This is a high, remote and isolated place.

We will descend in a narrow chasm alongside a rushing stream with spectacular views of Veronica Peak in front of us. The vegetation changes as we descend from high altiplano to almost tropical vegetation.

The last 1.5 hours of hiking are through farmland and if we are lucky we might see the Andean people tilling their fields.

We arrive at Chillca at about 3 pm, where we will take a bus to the nearby town of Ollantaytambo.

You will have time in the afternoon to visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo, or relax at one of the village’s cafes in an ambient atmosphere.

At 8pm you will board the backpacker train to Aguas Calientes, arriving approximately 9.30pm. Accomodation: Hostal, Aguas Calientes.

Day 3

Early in the morning (before dawn) we will take a bus up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. (Bus included in price) so that you can appreciate sunrise from the Watchman's Hut (or Inti Punku if you get up very early). You will then have a three hour guided tour of Machu Picchu with your guide. After your tour you can further explore the ruins by yourself or climb Huayna Picchu for that classic photo of Machu Picchu. Please note that you need to start climbing Huayna Picchu by 12 noon. Also try to fit in a visit to the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. We highly recommend walking down from Machu Picchu to get a feeling for the vegetation and also the audacity of its builders. Its a 1-2 hour walk back to the village of Machu Picchu. Alternatively, you can take the bus ($6 - not included). We return to Cusco in the afternoon by the backpacker train (leaves approx 4pm), arriving around 8.30 pm.

Inclusions:

• Transport to the trek, and return to Cusco
• Backpacker train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu (return)
• While camping, 3 good and nutritious meals per day made by experienced cook. Optional meals for vegetarians.
• Camping equipment includes tents, mattresses, and kitchen equipment.
  Guide (English/Spanish/Quechua)
• Cook & assistant
• Muleteer and mules for camping and kitchen equipment.
• One “riding horse” for emergencies.
• First-Aid kit.
• Oxygen
• Hostal in Aguas Calientes (one night)
• Entry fee to Machu Picchu (valued at $37US)

Not included

• Entry to Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes.
• Bus up or down to the ruins of Machu Picchu. ($6 each way).
• Additional horses for passengers luggage. If there are any substantial items or backpacks, passengers will need to hire an additional mule at a cost of $5 per day. (Normally the mules can take up to 5kg of the passenger's luggage without needing a separate horse/mule)
• Snacks or high energy trekking food
• Drinking water.
• Breakfast Day 1/ Lunch and Dinner Day 4

  What you should bring :

  • Original passport and valid ISIC student card. Insurance card.
  • Sleeping bag (We can hire this to you.)
  • Changes of cothes for cool and hot, humid weather. Eg. gloves, scarf, beanie/touk, hat, light singlets/t-shirts that can be layered according to the weather.
  • Thermal underwear
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Good trekking footwear and socks
  • Plastic poncho, as well as other suitable rain protection
  • Special medication
  • Any special or high energy snacks that you might wish on the trail,
  • Swim-suit & towel
  • Waterbottle and purifying tablets
  • Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
  • Toiletpaper,
  • Binoculars (if you have them)
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Sunblock and sunhat
  • Walking cane (if you wish) We can also hire this for you.
  • Extra rolls of film or well charged batteries for your digital camera.

price

prices 2008 Ancascocha Corta Trek

aguas calientes

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005-08. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru