Alternative Inca Trail Trek to the Sacred Valley

This morning transfer 2 hours through the Sacred Valley to the village of Soccma, a small agriculture- based community with 40 Quechua families.  Their crops include several types of potatoes, maize, choclo, quinoa, wheat and barley.  After lunch, have a tour of Soccma and collaborate with community members to make improvements to the local school.

Day 2 - Socma > Ccorimarca Camp (11,900 ft.)                               

Morning to explore around the Soccma village and participate with the community members.  Play soccer with the children and contribute to Andean Discovery's ongoing service project.  After lunch, begin the trek to the Sacred Valley, which takes you along a beautiful ridgeline with ancient ruins, temples, and spectacular views of the snowcapped Mount Veronica.  Ascend to the Perolniyoq Waterfall and feel the wind and spray of this powerful 300-foot waterfall.  Follow an ancient Inca irrigation channel and arrive at Ccorimarca, your first camp that boasts panoramic views of the surrounding Andean highlands.

Day 3 -  Ccorimarca Camp (11,900 ft.) > Chancachuco Camp (14,120 ft.)

After a delicious breakfast, begin the most difficult part of the trek, the ascent to Chancachuco lookout point.  This stretch is the highest point on the Cachicatta trek reaching 14,435 feet above sea level.  Enjoy views of mountains such as Apus, Ausangate, Pachatusan, Salcantay, Mount Veroncia, as well as the fields of Chincheros, Moray, and the salt mines of Maras.  Descend and have lunch near the Mamacochas lagoons, rich in native flora and fauna.  Keep your eyes out for the Andean woodpecker, Mountain Caracara, or with a little luck you may spot an Andean Condor.  After lunch, notice the landscape change and the terrain become more favorable as you descend to your second camp at Chancachuco.

Day 4 -  Chancachuco Camp (14,120 ft.) > Cachicatta > Ollantaytambo 

After an early rise and breakfast, begin your final day of trekking, which takes you through canyons and valleys, quite different from the first two days of the trek.  Explore ancient sites along the way that few tourists have seen such as the Pyramid of Paccarectampu and the Choquetacarpu ruins. Participate in a traditional Andean spiritual ceremony and give an offering to Pachamama and mountain spirits.  After lunch, visit a nearby Inca quarry and ancient Inca tombs before descending to your final campsite perched on a hill overlooking the village of Cachicatta.  Hot showers and bathrooms are available at this campsite.