Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu – 5 Days

The Ancascocha trek to Machu Picchu 5 days, shows you jaw-dropping views across the beautiful Andes mountains. This trail is cataloged by National Geographic as one of the most epic trekking routes and specially for people seeking for off the beaten track hikes in the world. The Ancascocha Adventure hiking Trail is the ultimate trek in Cusco, and it takes you to the little visited places of Cusco in Peru. During the trip youwill hike through some remote Andean villages such as Soqma, Rayan, Ancascocha, Kesqa, and Paucarcancha. This fantastic hiking trail can be also combined with other Inca road systems or Salkantay trek.

On this great Trekking in Peru, hikers will walk across some high mountain passes with breathtaking views, being the most spectacular one Wayanay pass (4655m/14940ft), which is the highest point for the entire trip. From here is visible the tall towering Mt Salcantay (6300m/20620ft). The great Ancascocha Inca Trail is ideal for travelers looking for the tranquility and quiet places.
This amazing Ancascocha tour is usually done in 5 days, including the day visit to Machupicchu. But we also offer the shorter option for experienced people in 4 days of hiking. On the final part of this great Peru trek, you will go on the beginning section of the Classic Inca Trail.

Ancascocha Trek 5 Days highlights:

• Fascinating mountain scenery
• Interesting Inca sites and trails
• Spectacular Mountain passes
• Typical stone houses covered with thatched roofs
• Authentic local people, descending of the Incas.
• Snow-capped mountains.
• The famous Ancascocha Lake
• The mystical train ride.
• Machu Picchu the lost city

Acclimatization:
We recommend you be in Cusco at least 2 days before your trek to be acclimatized to Cusco’s altitude so that you won’t have a problem during the tour.

About us:
Peru Tripper is a direct local tour operator in Cusco – Peru; we never share our tours with other companies as most of them do to minimize operating costs. We don’t work with intermediaries or have hidden prices; we have the best local guides and professionals. We guarantee that your travel expenditures will support the local economy, and improve the lives of local Peruvians, due to the simple reason we are a local business!

In the morning, your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel in Cuzco; we then travel through the Sacred Valley 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach the picturesque village of Soqma (3,205 m / 10,512 ft), where you will start the Ancascocha tour, the muleteers will be meeting us at this village ready to join us for this adventure hiking trail.

You begin the Ancascocha Peru Trek from Soqma following one of the side valleys; there will be one hour of hiking until you reach the waterfall of Perolniyoc, which is one of the nicest falls in the proximity of the Sacred Valley. You will continue walking for one more hour uphill to arrive at the archaeological site of Perolniyoc, located above the waterfall. After having the explanation of the Inca history with your guide, you will walk for one hour to arrive to our lunch spot and the campsite for the first night.

The beginning part of this Trekking will serve you as part of the acclimatization to the high altitude, so after lunch, we will relax and have rest for the following days; we spend the night camping at Rayan village (3,700 meters/12,136 ft).

This part of our Ancascocha Peru trek begins with a delicious breakfast served by our expert cook; we then set off from the campsite, 3 hours of slow walk will lead us to the highest point of the hike in Ancascocha Puka kasa pass (4,450 m /14,596 ft), for many people this is the most challenging section because the altitude but is the most spectacular day, we will see many of the snow-capped mountains and the Sacred Valley down below us. Once we reach the mountain top, you will have the sensation of surviving one of the highest passes on this mountain range. After enjoying all the incredible and scenic views, we will continue to Chancachuco; it will be an hour and a half gentle walk to the lunch place.

As we hike on the spectacular picturesque trail, we’ll see some beautiful snow-capped mountains in front of us; Veronica Mt (5,950 m/ 19,600 ft) will accompany us for many hours, after to turn some of the grassy hills we will enter in the Valley of Ancascocha Tour, with attractive farming land of the local people. We then go across the stream called Yawarmaki and hike uphill for another 2 hours to arrive at our campsite around Ancascocha Lake (4,090 m/13,100 ft.).

After a good breakfast, you will continue with this great Ancascocha Inca Trail; the morning hike is uphill for 2 hours until we reach the highest point of the entire trek called Huayanay Pass (4,650 m/ 15,300 ft.). The views along the way are awe-inspiring. It is impressive how the Incas managed the rugged geography of this area to build the Inca Road System, which is still visible in some parts. After enjoying the magnificent views from the pass, we will hike down into the little valley with a little Inca site called Incaraqay where a delicious lunch will be waiting for us. If we are lucky we will spot the Andean Condors flying around the highest point.

After a refueling lunch, we will continue hiking for 3 hours downhill until to reach the community of Qesqa. On the way down, there will be constant views of Huayanay peak in the distance. Qesqa is a very peaceful community, where local people raise animals, and it is located to the tree line. So the night here will not be too cold as the earlier two nights of Camping (3,650 m/11,910 ft).

The day 4th of the Ancascocha trek Peru begins with an early breakfast. You will continue descending through the valley for approx. 2 hours until you arrive at Paucarcancha, an impressive Inca fortress; the guide will transmit to you all the history of these charming ruins. After 30 minutes of the downhill hike, you will reach Huayllabamba Village, and from here, you follow the famous Incan Trail, walking for 4 hours until to get Km 82. This last portion of our hike goes on the beginning section of the Classic Inca Trail; on the way to km 82, we will stop at Willcarakay, a great Inca site with great views of Patallaqta, another remarkable Inca ruin in the lower part of the valley. You will meet many trekkers starting the classic Inca Trek. At Piscacucho, our chef will be waiting for us with a delicious lunch.

After lunch, you will be picked up by our transfer, and then he will transport us to the train station at Ollantaytambo (2,792 m/9,158 ft.), from where you will have a beautiful train ride. At your arrival, you will check in to the hotel; later you can visit the Hot- spring

To best appreciated Machu Picchu, we’ll wake up early in the morning so we can get to the citadel in good time. You’ll have time for breakfast first, and then your guide will pick you up from the hotel at around 5:40 a.m. We’ll then walk to the bus departure point for the short but zigzagging ascent up the road to Machu Picchu.
We’ll then pass through the gates into the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Here you’ll begin your guided walking tour with an experienced and highly knowledgeable guide.

Our tour of Machu Picchu will last about two hours and will take you to all the most famous and most spectacular parts of the extensive archaeological complex. These include the House of the Guardian, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza, and other vital locations. And as we walk around, we’ll have spectacular views of the agricultural terraces of Machu Picchu and across to the surrounding mountains and plunging gorges. After the guided tour, you’ll have time to explore Machu Picchu as you please, perhaps walking to some less visited parts such as the Inca Bridge.

Once we’ve finished our tour of Machu Picchu, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you can relax and have lunch (not included) before we board the train back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival at the station, we’ll be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, where you’ll finish the entirety of your incredible Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu.

• 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

• 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 40 per person
• Gratuity for the trek crew (guide, chef, and horsemen)
• Travel/Health/Emergency insurance

• Original Passport.
• Original Student Card (if you book as a student).
• A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek – prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco.
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots are recommended. Extra socks are a must.
• Sandals or plastic slip-on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breathe in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf, and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
• Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
• Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
• Camera, films, and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain, and cold
• Sunblock
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no malaria risk has been reported
• Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
• We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
• Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters, etc.
• Small towel or sarong
• Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs )
• Cash – sufficient for snacks, tips, and souvenirs.
• Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)

We also offer a special service only for you or your group; you have the power to choose the size of your group and the date of departure; we will never add other people since it will be organized only for you.

Our Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu – 5 Days private service includes additional items such as:

• Hotel 3 Stars (At Aguas Calientes Town).
• North Face 4 season tents.
• Entrance to climb Huaynapicchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain.
• Vistadome Train (First Class train back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo).
• Private Van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
• Bus Round Trip (Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes).
• Lunch in Machupicchu or Aguas Calientes.
• Sleeping Bag.
• 02 Waking Poles per Person.
• 1 Duffel Bag to carry all your sleeping bags, self-inflating pad as well as clothes.
• Tour Guide to explore Machupicchu and Huaynapicchu all day. And of course, we pay a little bit more to our Staff and Guide.

We offer 3 kinds of service, each with different price ranges and you can book in any of these services according to your convenience, we just need you to be a minimum of 02 people to organize your trip on the date that suits you, all our services are 100 % guaranteed.

We are a direct TOUR OPERATOR that never passes clients to other agencies as most agencies do it here in Cusco to save operating costs with poor quality.

We will make the trip even if there are only 02 people in your group.

What is the difficulty of the Ancascocha trek?
The Ancascocha Inca Trail is catalogued from moderate to difficult trek. Due to its high elevation on the passes as Huayanay. Where you reach 4,650 m / 15,255 ft. So travellers planning to hike this trek need acclimatization to the altitude. In some sections of the Ancascocha trek, you will go uphill for 2 or 3 hours. Which means you need to be relatively fit. So you can enjoy this scenic hiking trail.

What is the elevation of the Ancascocha trek?
The start of the Ancascocha Inca Trail is 3,205 m / 10,512 ft. at the village of Soqma, and the highest elevation you get is 4,650 m / 15,255 ft. at Huayanay pass. The rest of the hike is still at a high altitude. Remember the plan B for this trek is riding a horse for the difficult parts, So you can still make it to the highest point and then continue the hike downhill.