The Antanuca Experience with Yanaqocha Lake and Machu Picchu 4 days / 3 nights
4 Days / 3 Nights
23 reviews
The Antanuca Experience with Yanaqocha Lake and Machu Picchu 4 days / 3 nights
4 Days / 3 Nights
23 reviews
Overview
Itinerary
DAY 1
We will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. We’ll begin our scenic walk from the Temple of the Sun in the town of Ollantaytambo along the original Inca trail to Antanuca. On this walk we’ll see some of the stones which were brought from the quarry to be used at the Temple of the Sun. We’ll also view Incan tombs on our gentle, 1.5 hour walk which ends at the Incan school Yachaywasy. As a unique add-on we’ll be offering an ancient blessing ceremony in honor of Pachamama (Mother Earth) before you continue up to the private and sacred land of Antanuca.
After refreshments, we’ll continue another 40 minutes to the platforms at Antanuca where you will find your campsite under a blanket of stars this evening. Once at Antanuca you will enjoy a delicious Pachamanca lunch prepared in the earth as our ancestors did. This will be a participative event where you will be able to prepare the vegetables and meat for the oven.
After lunch you’ll find your tent, settle in, relax and explore the organic gardens or go for a short walk to visit the resident Alpacas and Llamas, yes you can feed them. Once rested, we’ll collect some firewood, take a short walk up to the ridge to watch the sun set. Dinner will be a memorable event in the exclusive Kuntur restaurant with a sunset view of the valley. This view doesn’t exist anywhere else in the Sacred Valley.
Accommodations: camping at Antanuca or experience a one-of-a-kind luxurious hanging capsule or dome at Vertical Sky Luxury Suites. Note: Ask us to arrange special pricing for you as a Puma Path guest.
- Meals: lunch and dinner
- Trekking time: 3 hours
Day 2
After a delicious organic breakfast we’ll start our day’s trek around 9 am to Yanaqocha Lake. This trek starts from 10,000 ft / 3000 m at Antanuca and finishes at 13,780 ft / 4200 m. The walking takes us through the native Andean forests with trees that are more than 600 years old. We hike to Onora (approx. 45 minutes) Here we’ll connect with the spirit of the forest and the Apus (Sacred Mountains) and see the Waterfall of the Guardians of the Apus. We’ll then cross a mountain pass “El Abra del Diablo” at 12,140 ft / 3700 m. From here there is an incredible view of the Sacred Valley looking toward Machu Picchu and Veronika glacier. We’ll also view the ancient Incan water canals used to transport water from high in the mountains to the Temple of the Sun and the town of Ollantaytambo. We will arrive at Lake Yanaqocha after approximately 5 hours of hiking. Lunch will be enjoyed here as well as a relaxing afternoon at our private campsite. This lake is on our private property at Antanunca. No one will be here. It’s all for you.
Yanaqocha means a black lake in Quechua language (Incan language) it was built by the Incans as a reservoir for the Temple of the Sun because of its pristine location. An added bonus is that when the water is still you will see an impressive reflection of the Andes mountains. Our Shaman, Eduardo will perform a purification ceremony for you from the sacred waters of Yanaqocha.
- Accommodations: camping at Yanaqocha Lake
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Day 3
We return to Antanuca after a delicious organic breakfast and a leisurely start to your day. Our trek takes us from Yanaqocha to Onora Pampa where we’ll be able to see the towns of Choquebama and Ollantaytambo. Choquebamba is an ancient Incan city, larger than Machu Picchu, which is to this day covered by vegetation. In addition to these we’ll also view other sacred Incan locations from a distance.
We then begin downhill to Antanuca where we’ll arrive mid-day in time for an organic lunch. After lunch your private transport will bring you to the train station in Ollantaytambo for your late afternoon train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu). Once in Aguas Calientes, your private guide will check you in to your hotel and explain the next day’s adventure in the lost city of the Incas.
- Accommodations: hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner on own in Aguas Calientes
- Trekking time: 5 hours
Day 4
Experience Machu Picchu! After a very early breakfast you’ll join the queue to board the bus up to Machu Picchu. Once inside this historic city we’ll pick our best spot to view the sunrise. Your private guide will explain all aspects of Machu Picchu and how the Incans lived in this spectacular location.
Optional activities: climb Sun Gate, Machu Picchu Mountain, Inca Bridge or the iconic Wayna Picchu (additional fee and reservation required).
Lunch will be at a restaurant at Machu Picchu. After lunch we’ll return to Aguas Calientes for any last-minute shopping before your return afternoon train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco.
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch
- Trekking: approximately 2 hours of walking and climbing inside Machu Picchu with your private tour guide. If climbing Machu Picchu Mountain, Sun Gate or Wayna Picchu expect more trekking and climbing.
Included
No Included
What to bring
Prices
| Number of persons | Price per person |
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