4-DAY LLAMA RETREAT TREK TO MACHU PICCHU
4-DAY LLAMA RETREAT TREK TO MACHU PICCHU
Ancascocha, Perú
Up to 10 in group
Open Dates
Retreat Highlights
- Scenic Hiking Trails: Enjoy the stunning beauty of the Andes Mountains as you trek along ancient trails and through misty cloud forests.
- Llamas as Companions: Experience the unique opportunity to hike alongside and interact with these gentle and sure-footed pack animals, which have been used for centuries in the Andes.
- Remote Andean Villages: Encounter traditional Andean communities and learn about their customs, traditions, and way of life as you pass through remote villages along the way.
- Spectacular Views: Take in breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and the Urubamba River as you ascend towards Machu Picchu.
- Inca Ruins: Explore lesser-known Inca ruins and archaeological sites along the trail, providing a fascinating prelude to the grandeur of Machu Picchu itself.
- Camping under the Stars: Spend nights in comfortable campsites, surrounded by the tranquility of the Andean wilderness, and under the stunning night sky.
- Machu Picchu: Finally, arriving at the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, experience the awe-inspiring moment of seeing this UNESCO World Heritage site from the Sun Gate after days of trekking through the Andes.
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Alfredo Huari, a soft-spoken but resolute young man who was born in the tiny Indigenous community of Chillipahua, far from the city of Cusco. His father, mule driver Ignacio Huari, was and continues to be a great example for him, both sharing a passion for preserving the local cultural and natural environment and creating beautiful experiences for visitors to the area.
Alfredo studied tourism in the city of Cusco, mastered the English language and worked as a tour guide at several respected tourist agencies in Cusco. During the time he worked for other tour providers, he saw how the services could be more personalized and how much visitors wanted to get really close to the indigenous people and their culture, a desire that was often not met by the tours and experiences they were offered. This is what motivated him to start guiding, and since then, feedback from clients confirms that we have been consistently meeting or exceeding visitors’ expectations.
Details of this retreat
The Ancascocha trek is considered the crown jewel of the Andes. This isn't a trek for everyone, but for those who want to get off the beaten path it will be the experience of a lifetime. On this 4-day Llama Pack Trek through the Peruvian Andes, our llamas will carry the food, water and gear to each destination we visit.
With the help of your friendly llama companions, you will experience diverse landscapes, get to know the remote Andean culture and see an unforgettable night sky. And of course, you will experience the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain and Red Mountain valleys: some of the most beautiful, natural landscapes in all of South America and perhaps the world. Come explore the Andes with us!
Why llamas: Llamas are currently an underutilized eco-friendly way to transport gear and supplies in the high mountains. With the growth of tourism, vulnerable mountain ecosystems are at jeopardy and require responsible management. This is why we use the native llamas just as the ancient Incas did.
In ancient times llamas were key to the success and survival of the Inca culture. Now we can use them to carry our supplies with minimal impact. Once on the trail, you will truly understand the power of these animals and why people have been packing with them for centuries: it’s just in in their DNA. Their feet have a leather pad similar to that of a dog, and a split toe that allows for larger surface area and great gripping. When it comes to rocky, steep, and tough to navigate terrain, llamas excel where some other pack animals might fall short. They are smaller than horses and therefore eat and drink much less in comparison, meaning they have much less of an impact on environment.
With the help of your friendly llama companions, you will experience diverse landscapes, get to know the remote Andean culture and see an unforgettable night sky. And of course, you will experience the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain and Red Mountain valleys: some of the most beautiful, natural landscapes in all of South America and perhaps the world. Come explore the Andes with us!
Why llamas: Llamas are currently an underutilized eco-friendly way to transport gear and supplies in the high mountains. With the growth of tourism, vulnerable mountain ecosystems are at jeopardy and require responsible management. This is why we use the native llamas just as the ancient Incas did.
In ancient times llamas were key to the success and survival of the Inca culture. Now we can use them to carry our supplies with minimal impact. Once on the trail, you will truly understand the power of these animals and why people have been packing with them for centuries: it’s just in in their DNA. Their feet have a leather pad similar to that of a dog, and a split toe that allows for larger surface area and great gripping. When it comes to rocky, steep, and tough to navigate terrain, llamas excel where some other pack animals might fall short. They are smaller than horses and therefore eat and drink much less in comparison, meaning they have much less of an impact on environment.
Schedule
ITINERARY
Day 1: Cusco or Urubamba - Yanacocha Lagoon - Puma pata
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 Lagoon 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 make you profoundly connect 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) where we’ll be able to take in the stunning view of the eroded mountains and highland valleys all around us. Another 1,5 hours of hiking will get us to the campsite for the day where we’ll also have dinner.
• Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours
• Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.84 miles
• Lowest Altitude: 4,350 masl / 14,272 ft
• Highest Altitude: 4,700 masl / 15,748 ft
Day 2: Following an ancient Inca path - Puma pata - Ancascocha Lake
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 is part of the vast network of Inca paths known as Qhapac Ñan in Quechua, which the actual Inka Trail is only a small part of. 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 at a stunning location in a beautiful valley looking down on Ancascocha Lagoon.
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
• Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles
• Lowest Altitude: (4,354 masl / 14,284 ft)
• Highest Altitude: (4,925 masl / 16,158 ft)
Day 3: Ancascocha Lake - Camicancha - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
We’ll wake you up with a warm cup of tea or coffee to be followed by breakfast with the deep-blue Ancascocha Lagoon as a backdrop. Now it’s time for what is likely the spiritual highlight of the trek: we’ll descend to the lagoon itself 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 Ancascocha 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 Ancascocha River, which we’ll cross to reach the village of Camicancha. This is where we’ll have our last lunch in the mountains 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, where you can enjoy a hot shower and relax until dinner. Alternately, and if you still have energy, you can explore the small town or head to the hot springs to relax your muscles. We’ll meet for dinner at a top-quality restaurant and chat about the next day before heading to our rooms early to get some rest. We’ll need to be up bright and early in the morning to explore Machu Picchu!
• Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
• Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles
• Highest Altitude: (4,354 masl / 14,284 ft)
Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
After tucking in to 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, including the housing quarters, the astrological observatory with its renowned sun dial, the Temple of the Condors, the cemeteries and the quarry. If you have reserved the Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain ticket, you can go up there at around 9am. It’s a fascinating and challenging hike, not for the faint of heart.
After our tour finishes and you’ve given thanks to this amazing place, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to have lunch. 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 6-8pm.
Day 1: Cusco or Urubamba - Yanacocha Lagoon - Puma pata
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 Lagoon 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 make you profoundly connect 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) where we’ll be able to take in the stunning view of the eroded mountains and highland valleys all around us. Another 1,5 hours of hiking will get us to the campsite for the day where we’ll also have dinner.
• Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours
• Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.84 miles
• Lowest Altitude: 4,350 masl / 14,272 ft
• Highest Altitude: 4,700 masl / 15,748 ft
Day 2: Following an ancient Inca path - Puma pata - Ancascocha Lake
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 is part of the vast network of Inca paths known as Qhapac Ñan in Quechua, which the actual Inka Trail is only a small part of. 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 at a stunning location in a beautiful valley looking down on Ancascocha Lagoon.
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
• Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles
• Lowest Altitude: (4,354 masl / 14,284 ft)
• Highest Altitude: (4,925 masl / 16,158 ft)
Day 3: Ancascocha Lake - Camicancha - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
We’ll wake you up with a warm cup of tea or coffee to be followed by breakfast with the deep-blue Ancascocha Lagoon as a backdrop. Now it’s time for what is likely the spiritual highlight of the trek: we’ll descend to the lagoon itself 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 Ancascocha 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 Ancascocha River, which we’ll cross to reach the village of Camicancha. This is where we’ll have our last lunch in the mountains 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, where you can enjoy a hot shower and relax until dinner. Alternately, and if you still have energy, you can explore the small town or head to the hot springs to relax your muscles. We’ll meet for dinner at a top-quality restaurant and chat about the next day before heading to our rooms early to get some rest. We’ll need to be up bright and early in the morning to explore Machu Picchu!
• Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
• Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles
• Highest Altitude: (4,354 masl / 14,284 ft)
Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
After tucking in to 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, including the housing quarters, the astrological observatory with its renowned sun dial, the Temple of the Condors, the cemeteries and the quarry. If you have reserved the Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain ticket, you can go up there at around 9am. It’s a fascinating and challenging hike, not for the faint of heart.
After our tour finishes and you’ve given thanks to this amazing place, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to have lunch. 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 6-8pm.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Wari Retreats, Ancascocha, Perú
Directions
CUZ Teniente Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
Accommodation
2 nights camping 1 night hotel
Program Price
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
The Sacred Valley, Cusco, Peru
It's not luck that this place is called sacred. The whole region of Cusco has a mystical feel to it. The moment you step out of the airport, you'll feel that the energy here is special. Even though there's hustle and bustle as you drive through the city on your way to the valley, you'll also notice a quiet energy.
There's palpable peace emanating from the Andes mountains in this region, and the feeling of peace here is undeniable.
Cusco comes from the Quechua wo
It's not luck that this place is called sacred. The whole region of Cusco has a mystical feel to it. The moment you step out of the airport, you'll feel that the energy here is special. Even though there's hustle and bustle as you drive through the city on your way to the valley, you'll also notice a quiet energy.
There's palpable peace emanating from the Andes mountains in this region, and the feeling of peace here is undeniable.
Cusco comes from the Quechua wo
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
You will have a memorable dining experience while you’re on the Trail with us. We strive to provide you healthy and sustainable food at every single meal; the products are grown on our organic farm.
What's Included
- Tourist bus and transportation to the start of the adventure.
- Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip).
- Train leaving Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.
- Pick up from the train station and transfer to the Hotel in Cusco.
- Professional tour guide fluent in English.
- Professional chef, kitchen assistant.
- Llamas
- Tourist ticket to Machupicchu and Wayna picchu.
- High mountain tent Eureka, which is waterproof and thermal, for up to 4 people, but for comfort, we use it only for two people.
- Sleeping Bag (It will be clean and warm).
- Air Mattress (Therm-a-rest mattresses).
- Dining Tent.
- Kitchen tent.
- Bathroom Tent and Portable Bathroom.
- Camping tables and chairs.
- First Aid Kit
What's Not Included
- travel insurance
- lunch on the last day