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This is one of the least known and adventurous routes that you can do in just two days, and not venture far from Cusco. Ancascocha Corta means "Short Ancascocha trek". this trek starts in the high altiplano of the "Anta" and then crosses a pass before descending to the remote community of Ancascocha.

This is a really awesome alternative if you have missed the inca trail!

Ancascocha Corta trek - Full itinerary and inclusions

(Short Ancascocha Trek) Day 1

We will depart Cusco at 7am and take a private car through the high Andean landscape past Huaracondo to the small village of Molino where 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. These are two hours of moderate hiking upwards. From Huata to Chillipahua is a further two hours, with steep up and down valleys but also some flat sections. We will lunch around the community of Chillipahua in the early afternoon. After lunch we will continue with a moderately steep climb for a further two hours to Cochapata where we will camp in front of vivid red mountains. (total hours walking approx 6)

Day 2

In the morning we will ascend to the pass of Puca Ccasa in about 1 hour (steeply) before descending to the community of Ancascocha Alta and then to the school of Ancascocha Baja (two hours from the pass) 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. From the Ancascocha school to Chillca is about 5 hours walking, steeply downhill. We arrive at Chillca at about 3 pm, where we will take a bus to the nearby town of Ollantaytambo. Total hours walking 7-8hours.

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 (and return valued at $70US)
• Bus from Ollantaytambo
• 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 127 soles)
• Bus up and down to Machu Picchu (valued at $14 US)
• Celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes village
• Box lunch final day in Machu Picchu

Not included

• Entry to Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes.
• 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/ Dinner final day

  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.

  Want to join with others to reduce price? TREKKERS WANTED

prices 2010 3 day Ancascocha corta trek. More included in 2010, email us for inclusions!

# people in group	2	3	4	5	6+
price USD (per person)	$535	$435	$420	$405	$375

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thanks to regan pierce and friends for these photos

ALL NEW : scans of recent trip reports. Click on the link to view the pdf or jpeg. After you have viewed it, click on back to return to this page.

August 5 2009 reports / August 12 2009 reports

August 9 2008 report 1/ August 9 2008 report 2/

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366 Cuichipunco, Centro Historico, Cusco, Peru- Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

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