The Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days is a spectacular trail that takes to everyone through the wilderness highland with the magic of the Andes that combines amazing history, spectacular vistas and a vision of modern Andean life. The Ancascoche Trekking Route in Peru is less crowded alternative trek to Machu Picchu and is ranked by National Geographic among the 20 dream walks in the best hikes in the world.
In addition, the Ancascocha Trek in Peru is strenuous, and off the beaten path treks! And it is a truly spectacular adventure for people who love nature, Andean high places, and spectacular mountain scenery. If you’re looking for off the beaten path trails, pristine wilderness, and a challenging trek, this is the one for you. On our Ancascocha trek 5 Days, the trail goes through very remote Andean communities, where locals try to keep living in happiness moving their llamas and alpacas as they’ve been doing so far.
Likewise, the trekking goes across high mountain passes with incredibly breathtaking views, being the most spectacular one Huaynay Pass (4,650 m/15,255 ft), the highest point for the entire Ancascocha Trek. This fantastic Ancascocha adventure tour is usually hiked in 5 days including the private guided tour to Machupicchu. On the final part of the Ancascocha trail, we will walk on the beginning section of the Classic Inca Trail. The best time to do this Ancascocha Trek is from April to November and it is organized only in private tour service. Join us for the adventure of a lifetime!
Trip Overview
- Day 1: Cusco – Socma – Perolniyoc Inca Ruins – Chacachuco Valley
- Day 2: Chacachuco – Kuychiccasa Pass – Ancascocha Lake
- Day 3: Ancascocha – Huaynay Pass (4,650 m/15,255 ft) – Paucarcancha
- Day 4: Paucarcancha Inca Site – KM 82 – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
- Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Inca Citadel – Cusco
Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu 5D/4N — Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Socma – Perolniyoc Inca Ruins – Chacachuco Valley
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco early, we then travel for around 2 hours to reach to the Ancascocha trek trailhead, known Soqma (3,205 m / 10,512 ft.), the muleteers will be waiting for us at this village ready to join us in our adventure hiking trail to Machu Picchu. We then have our breakfast, after enjoying the breakfast we’ll begin the Ancascocha Adventure Hiking Trail from Soqma following one of the side valleys, covering about 1 hour and a half of hiking you will reach the waterfall of Perolniyoc, which is one of the nicest falls along the Ancascocha hiking trail.
After shooting some pictures and cool off in the waterfall. We will continue trekking for one more hour uphill to visit the Perolniyoc Inca ruins (a small Incan site perched atop the mountain) located above the waterfall. After having a history of this site by your experienced guide, we will walk for one hour to arrive at our lunch spot. While you enjoy your first lunch prepared by your trekking cook you will have an overlooking scenery around. Following lunch, we’ll continue hiking up for about 2 hours and a half to reach to the Kuychiccasa pass (4,450 m /14,599 ft). On the way we will pass rustic fincas and see some South American camelids such as alpacas, llamas etc. and also, will enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks of the Urubamba range in a distance and below us the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas. From Kuychiccasa pass, we descent for 1 hour to reach to our first campsite known Chancachuco (4,312 m / 14,147 ft).
Once we arrive at our first camp, the Peru Spirit Adventure’s staff will welcome us with all the set tent up ready for taking rest and relax and then, you will have a hot drink and snack before dinner. By 7:30 PM your dinner will be ready, and afterward, you can get some well-deserved rest.
Day 2: Chacachuco – Kuychiccasa Pass – Ancascocha Lake
We wake up at 6 am with a cup of freshly brewed tea and delicious breakfast served by our cook, we then set off from the campsite. This first stretch of two hours is up/down trek with incredible views of the snow-capped mountains, Valleys and Mt. Veronica (5,822 m/ 19,100 ft.), after to turn some of the grassy hills we will enter toward Ancascocha Valley, with interesting farm lands of the local people. The lunch spot is located in Ancascocha community. After enjoying a delicious lunch and short break, we begin our ascent for about 2 or 3 hours to reach the second camp site 14,432 ft, located close by to Ancascocha lagoon. Our campsite for the night is in a small but gorgeous wooded valley with a stream running through it.
Day 3: Ancascocha – Huaynay Pass (4,650 m/15,255 ft) – Paucarcancha
After breakfast at 6 am, we continue our trekking to Machu Picchu following the switchback trail up to the highest point with stunning views of the nearby glacier, well preserved Inca remains, and the sparkling blue Ancascocha Lake. After 2 or 3 hours hike we reach to the highest point of the Ancascocha Trek, known Huayanay Pass (4,650 m/15,255 ft). Along the way, you will see the beautiful waterfall that feeds into the Ancascocha Lake and an original cobblestone paved Inca Trail. We will keep enjoying the incredible views from the summit, before making our way to the lunch spot. The lunch spot is near to the small Inca site of Incaracay. After enjoying a delicious lunch and short break, we’ll continue with our trek through the highland valley to the next campsite Paucarcancha (10,335 ft) for 2 more hours. Subsequently, we walk downhill to reach the campsite that is located close by Paucarcancha Incan Site a great place to learn about the Inca history while exploring with our Adventure tour guide, and then, we settle into our campsite for the evening and yet another excellent dinner.
Day 4: Paucarcancha Inca Site – KM 82 – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
The last day of hiking! We’ll take our breakfast early in the morning to hike downhill for 5 hours until we reach Kilometer 82, which is the start of the classic Inka Trail. So on the trail we’ll see a lot of Inca Trail hikers who are starting their adventure. On the trail, we’ll also see Llaqtapata, beautiful Incan ruins nestled in the Sacred Valley with small Inca ruins. Lunch will be served at Km 82, and a place to say goodbye to our horses, muleteers, and chefs. After lunch, we drive for 45 minutes to Ollantaytambo town (2,792 m/9,160 ft) to catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m/6,692 ft). The train journey provides a totally different perspective of the mountains you’ve just been hiking in, and many more photo opportunities. The train ride is under 2 hours. Arriving in Aguas Calientes you will check-in to your nice hotel room where you can rest before dinner. Or, if you still have some energy, the natural hot springs in town are also a great place to relax.
Day 5: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Inca Citadel – Cusco
Enjoy your breakfast at your hotel very early and head up to the Machu Picchu ruins by shuttle bus at 5:30 am, the bus ride is about 30 minutes. Upon arrival at Machu Picchu Inca Citadel enjoy a full morning exploration of Machu Picchu with a spectacular sunrise. You will then receive a 2-hour guided walking tour of the site. After guided tour, you will have free time to explore the ruins and have the chance to indulge yourselves with a hike to the dramatic viewpoint of Intipunku (the Sun’s Gateway) or walk to an ancient Inca drawbridge. If you have elected to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain, you will begin the hike at 10 am. The ticket price for Huayna Picchu is not included in the price of your Ancascocha trek (Climb to Huayna Picchu is optional: Permits are limited to 400 spaces a day). If you will not climbing the mountain you will have free time to enjoy Machu Picchu on your own before returning to Aguas Calientes by bus. From Machu Picchu Town, you take a train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy and then, we transfer you in our transportation to Cusco and back to your hotel. Arrival times will vary depending on traffic and connections. All our service is door to door.
Machu Picchu Tours
Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu Includes:
- Bilingual English speaking tour guide
- Pre-departure briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your Ancascocha Trek
- Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Soqma village trailhead
- Four-person tent for every 2 people
- Inflatable Mattress and pillow
- Kitchen tent, Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Toilet tent
- Professional Chef and assistant chef
- Daily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles
- Horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc)
- Horse to transport 8 kg of your personal gear
- Duffel bag for your personal gear
- Emergency horse in case we need it
- 5 Breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit
- Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- 1-night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
- Roundtrip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
- Private van transportation from Ollantaytambo to your Cusco hotel
The Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu not Included:
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Trekking poles (can be rented from us)
- Day 5 Lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Ticket for Huayna Picchu mountain $ USD 35 per person
- Gratuity for the trek crew (guide, chef, and horsemen)
- Travel/Health/Emergency insurance
Price for Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days / 4 Nights
A minimum of 2 trekkers required for this trek. Maximum of 8 trekkers in a group.
- 02 people – US$ 910 per person
- 03 people – US$ 840 per person
- 04 people or more – US$ 790 per person
What to bring for the Ancascocha Trail
- Original passport (If you have acquired a new one after you made your booking you bring both)
- Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, tops, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, thermal underwear, light long pants, gloves, poncho, rain jacket)
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
- Sun block (factor 35+ recommended)
- Head lamp
- Sunglasses and sun hat
- Camera
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
- Insect repellent
- Snacks (while your crew will prepare the most amazing meals, everyone’s energy needs are different, particularly at altitude, and so you should pack some suitable snacks to make sure you are always fully energized)
- Take note: The batteries run down faster at high altitudes
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