Ancascocha Trek To Machu Picchu 5 Days

What To Bring

Weather on the trek and in Cusco

The weather varies a lot across Peru, having 28 climates and 84 of the worlds 104 ecosystems. Cusco is set high up (3,380 mts, 11,089 ft) in the Andean Mountain Range and the dry season (winter) is from Mar/April to October/November with the wettest part of the year (summer) being December through March. The weather for trekking is pretty much the same year round, with the main difference being the amount of rainfall. During the dry season, most days are dry and clear, but high-altitude mountains always have the potential for rain and/or snow so it is essential to come prepared for all types of weather regardless of the time of year.

The Ancascocha trek is very high altitude, therefore the weather can be quite cold and unpredictable. The nights on this trek are usually around 20F/-7C. During the day it can get quite warm if the sun is out; anywhere from 60-75F/15-24C. Keep in mind, if the weather is rainy or cloudy it will be colder, and that the weather can change in an instant, particularly when up at the high-altitude passes. It is often quite windy at the top of the passes as well. As with any high-altitude trek you’ll need to bring plenty of layers to adjust to the fluctuating temperatures and conditions as well as appropriate sun/rain protection.

Cusco weather: Cusco is always very cold at night due to the high altitude. It is regularly around 40F/4.4C at night so bring a nice warm jacket for nighttime walking in town. It is warmer in Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes as these areas are lower altitudes than Cusco and the trek.

What to bring: for your trek

Everything you need for the day should be kept in your daypack that you carry because all the items you leave with your porter will not be available to you until the evening at the campsite. It is recommended not to hike in cotton or jeans in the event of rain as cotton takes a very long time to dry. It is also recommended to bring true hiking boots or trail running shoes as regular running shoes do not get very good traction, especially when it has rained.

• Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
  • Recommend a sleeping bag rated for 20F/-7C or below for this trek
• Sleeping bag liner (for your sleeping bag if you wish)
• Mattress pad – while we provide a mattress pad, being rested is essential for a great hiking experience and we find that sleep habits are very individualized. Therefore we recommend bringing your own pad that you know you are comfortable sleeping on, as well as any other sleep items you might want to have (camp pillow, etc).
• Sunscreen: the sun is very strong in Cusco
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Lip balm
• Hiking shoes/boots with good, grippy tread
• Optional: microspikes in case of excessive snowfall (rare)
• Hiking pants (or shorts) and shirts (layers)
• Layers – long underwear and/or warm sleep pants for cold nights
• Hand warmers if you wish
• Warm hat, gloves, scarf and thick warm socks (or you can buy a traditional Peruvian hat and scarf – they are beautiful!)
• Daypack and rain cover
• Rain gear – rain jacket and rain pants (optional for the pants), can buy an inexpensive poncho before the trek
• Cash for tipping porters (USD or Peruvian Soles are fine), cooks, horsemen, guides, buying items along the trail, for in town, emergencies, etc. Note: Cash should be in perfect condition (ripped, damaged bills of any kind are NOT accepted anywhere in Peru)
• Swim suit, flip flops, towel for any hot springs you may visit (not every trek/trip has this) if you wish to go
• Sandals
• Torch/flashlight/headlamp (and batteries)
• Insect repellent for the Machu Picchu portion of this trip
• Hand sanitizer and face covering (for COVID-19 Pandemic)
• Extra snacks if you wish (beyond snacks provided by us)
  • E.g. if you have a favorite protein bar as Cusco doesn’t sell items like this
• First aid kit, including blister protection (though your guide will have one, you may wish to carry one of your own)
• Personal medication and toiletries you might want/need
• Camera, extra memory cards, batteries and solar panel/power bank
• Water bottle or water bladder to refill
• Passport (must be valid 6 months past your final travel dates for most countries)
• Copies of passport (keep copies separate, give to travel friends to keep, etc)
• Power plug adapter
• Travel lock(s) approved by TSA (or they cut them off – US only)
• Tickets, itinerary, emergency contact information
• Any medications you currently are taking or need/may need (see suggestions below)
• Small quick-dry pak towels and/or compostable wipes for a quick wipe down at the end of the day

What to bring: medications – medications are optional and depend on your specific needs

• Antibiotic for travelers diarrhea or UTI
• Antibiotic for a severe bacterial infection
• Medication for upset stomach/indigestion
• Medication for prevention of altitude sickness (requires a prescription from your physician and has contraindications for certain people and potential side effects)
• Anti-inflammatory medication (some people find this is useful for prevention of altitude sickness as well. Speak with your physician for more information)
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Anti-nausea medication for motion sickness/altitude sickness if needed
• Cold/flu medication
• General pain killer/fever reducer
• Vaccinations – recommend bringing all boosters up to date (MMR, tetanus, etc)
• COVID19 negative test result (currently within 72 hours of departure) and eventually will likely need a COVID19 vaccination card