Peru: Quechua Villages and Inca Ruins Trek
There is a little known 3-day rural-country trek from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, via Parpishu, Chilipahua, and Peroniyoc. Named the “Ancascocha Trek”, this trail winds through Quechua villages and Inca ruins, seen by very few people. There are opportunities to meet local people and hear children singing. Scenes of surrounding mountains ...
Read Full Description- Destination:
- Cusco, Peru; Machu Picchu, Peru; Peru
- Trip Length:
- 5 days
- Price Range:
- From $0 to $2000 per person See what this includes and what this excludes
- Best Time to Go:
- Any time.
- Recommended for:
-
Infants (under 2)
Children (2 - 5)
Children (6 - 8)
Children (9 - 11)
Children (12 - 14)
Children (15 - 17)
Adults (18 - 20)
Adults (25 - 29)
Family Trip, Group Retreat
Detailed Trip Description
There is a little known 3-day rural-country trek from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, via Parpishu, Chilipahua, and Peroniyoc. Named the “Ancascocha Trek”, this trail winds through Quechua villages and Inca ruins, seen by very few people. There are opportunities to meet local people and hear children singing. Scenes of surrounding mountains are awesome! Campsites are near rural communities of Chilipahua and Rayan. This trek, with guide, crew and burros, is followed by the 2-day Inca Trail Express. This is a hike from km 104 to Machu Picchu via Winay Wayna and the Intipunku (sun gate), and overnight in an Aguas Calientes hotel and a guided tour of the famous Machu Picchu citadel. Let us know if you are interested in this new custom 3-day trek followed by a 2+ day hike or a train to Machu Picchu. Ask for the Ancascocha Trek and the Inca Trail Express or train to Machu Picchu. This was designed especially for us, and our clients who have hiked it are praising it’s uniqueness!
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Cusco
Cusco/Parpishu/Chilipahua.
Hiking
We depart with our guide from Cusco at approximately 7:00 am, driving to Parpishu (2,900m), from where we will start our trek. We meet the rest of our crew (cook, muleteer, and assistant muleteer and their burros). From here, we will ascend through a trail up to the Wata Inca Ruins (3,700m); we have lunch nearby the ruins.
Camping
The trek then continues to the Chilipahua Andean community (3,600m) where we will camp (LD). (Trek:8 hours)
Day 2 - Peru
Chillipahua/Peroniyoc.
Hiking
After breakfast, the trek will start with a gradual ascent up to 3,780m, from where we will have an excellent view of Pitusay, Chicon and Chincheros snowy peaks. Then we will descend down to the awesome Peroniyoc waterfalls, have a short lunch rest, and then we will continue descending down to community of Rayan (3,650m), where we will camp (BLD). (Trek: 7 hours)
Day 3 - Peru
Peroniyoc/Ollantaytambo.
Hiking
Before starting the trek today, we will visit the impressive ruins of Peroniyoc; then we will head northwest on the Inca trail to the place known as Cusilluyoc (The place of the happy monkey), from where we have a spectacular view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the white snowy peak of Mount Veronica. Here, we will then descend through the Inca Trail down to the Sacred Valley straight to the town of Ollantaytambo (2,800m). We say goodbye to our crew (and burros), but keep our guide and cook for the remaining 2-days.
Camping
Overnight at a camp at Rumina (private camp) (BLD).
Day 4 - Machu Picchu
Ollantaytambo/Km 104/Machu Picchu.
Hiking
Leaving Ollantaytambo on the early train to Machu Picchu, we head over the pass of Tika Tika to the puna (High Andean Savannah) and its rolling hills, downhill towards the Urubamba river in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. As the Valley becomes a canyon the cloud forest begins to appear with a vegetation change as we reach the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Getting off, we cross a hanging bridge at km 104 to the Chachabamba site, and after a brief visit, we begin a three hour ascent to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, an important spiritual site. The Inca Trail cuts across the ridge above Machu Picchu to finally reach Intipunku the door of the sun from where the trail winds downhill. The classic vista into the lost citadel located right above the Urubamba River will be a unique experience; it is the most exquisite way to see Machu Picchu for the first time.
Bus
We take a shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Hotel
Overnight at Hotel El Presidente in Machu Picchu Pueblo (BLD).
Day 5 - Cusco
Machu Picchu/Cusco.
Bus
After an early breakfast, we take a shuttle bus back up to Machu Picchu.
Sightseeing
Visit the citadel and surrounding complexes. We have the opportunity for an in depth tour of this world renowned site, with a chance to see the spectacular views without other tourists in our pictures!
Hiking
There is an optional hike up to the top of Wayna Picchu (no extra cost).
Train
We return by train to Cusco (BL)
Not the trip you were looking for?
Click here to find experts to book your trip (it's free!)
Submit Inquiry to Travel Specialist
Trips you may also be interested in
- Highlights of Peru and Ecuador
- If we had to pick two absolutely "must see" destinations in South America they would undoubtedly be the incredible Incan ruins of Machu Picchu and the naturalist's paradise of the Galapagos Islands. For this incredible itinerary we've added an unexpected twist; a visit to the Ecuadorian Amazon for three days ...
- Mystical Peru Journey
- Though I offer individual trips and groups this group will be August 19-29, 2010 exploring Machu Picchu, Cuzco and Sacred Valley with shaman guide/teacher and doing ceremonies at the ancient sites.
- Peru Adventure
- Cuzco, Machu Picchu & 2 nights in the Amazon basin
- 9 Days in Peru
- Live the legends of the Inca among the patchwork green, red and gold fields where their descendants still thrive. Raft a twisting river in the shadow of surreal peaks. Wind through Andean mountains, discovering impossible stone creations like Machu Picchu – the mysterious city in the clouds. This trip is ...
