ANCASCOCHA TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 5 DAYS

The Ancascocha Alternative trek is definitely one of the less touristed routes around Cusco which enables you solitude and also some contact with the local people. This is a true adventure specially prepared for people who love nature, Andean high places, and spectacular mountain scenery. This hike is offered only by few companies, which gives you the opportunity to encounter well preserved landscapes. Ancascocha alternative trail offers visitors beautiful Andean high Valleys, snow-covered peaks such as: (Salkantay, 6.271m. Humantay, Huayanay and others), and also colorful lakes such as Salkantay, Ancascocha and others. In this adventure we can see Original Inca trails in to the mountains and covered by the passing of time.

5 Day Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu Trip Overview

Difficulty of the hike: Challenging

KmDistance hike: 54 Kilometers

Elevation max: 4800m

Group: 2-8

Price from $780 per person

Departures
MAR 2020-DEC 2020

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Trip Highlights

The Ancascocha hike, also known as the Hidden Inca Trail or the Super Inca Trail, is a less traveled walk. If you are looking for off the beaten track, virgin nature and a challenging walk, this is the one for you! National Geographic recently named Ancascocha Trail as one of the 20 best walks in the world!
The best local tourist guides that teach you about several ancient Inca ruins, roam through remote farms where generations of farmers have taken care of their livestock and pass through traditional Andean villages such as Chillipahua and Ancascocha. But, of course, the real reason for this hike is because of the unparalleled views of the majestic Andes.
We will see spectacular views across the mountains, beautiful light blue lakes and furious waterfalls, and with the imposing 6,566 m (20,551 ft) Apu Salkantay that frequently dominates the horizon.
On our third day of hiking we will be in a part of the Classic Inca Trail (the one that is booked one year in advance!) After 2 days of solitude, you may be surprised to see so many other hikers; but don’t worry, they are going in the other direction!
From the city of the sacred valley of Ollantaytambo we will take the panoramic train to Aguas Calientes, which is the base of our trip to Machu Picchu. The train journey itself is a fantastic experience and full of opportunities to take pictures.

see map of
ANCASCOCHA TREK 5 DAYS

ANCASCOCHA-TREK-5-DAYS map by eco path trek

Activities

Ancascocha Trek is very strenuous and challenging due to the increase in altitude, the 7 steep peaks and the length of the hike: 56 km / 34.8 miles and climbs to 4,959 m / 16,270 feet. But to be rewarded with incredible views do not come effortlessly, we recommend that everyone who joins us have a good level of fitness. Be prepared for all kinds of climatic changes, since in the Andes it can rain, snow or hail at any time. That is why we recommend using good trekking equipment, such as walking shoes, jackets and pants.

Accommodations

Comfortable tents with foam mattress and blanket, 03 nights.
Hotel in Aguas Calientes, 01 night.

Day 1

CUSCO – SOCMA VILLAGE – PEROLNIYOC INCAN RUINS – CHANCACHUCO

Difficulty level: Challenging
Altitude: 4450 m
Hiked distance: 11 km
Approximate walking time: 8 h

We head out to Soqma Village 10,512 ft, early in the morning, by driving for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, which is the trailhead to start our hiking. At this point we’ll meet up our horses and muleteers, get ready our hiking gears, and we’ll have our breakfast, then we’ll start hiking up following a small valley to Perolniyoq a small Incan site perched a top the mountain, but previously we’ll see a nice waterfall, a perfect place to shoot some pictures.

Once our arrival to the Inca site, you’ll have an explanation about the history of this site by our Tour Guide. We will then continue to our lunch spot for about 1 hour overlooking to a great scenery around. After the lunch, we’ll continue hiking up for about 2 hours to reach the first pass Called Kuichicasa 15,250 ft, at this point we’ll have stunning vistas of the Urubamba range where some snow capped mountains are located, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas below us. From the pass we’ll hike downhill for 1 hour to get the first camp site called Chancachuco 14,268 ft.

Day 2

CHANCACHUCO – ANCASCOCHA LAGOON

Difficulty level: Challenging
Altitude: 4800 m
Hiked distance: 12 km
Approximate walking time: 7 h

Today’s breakfast makes us ready for a great adventure day, after having our breakfast at 6:00 am, we’ll start hiking on a highland plain with great views around, after trekking for about 3 hours we’ll arrive at next lunch spot located in Ancascocha community. After lunch we’ll hike up for about 2 hours to reach the second campsite 14,432 ft, located close by to Ancascocha lagoon.

Day 3

ANCASCOCHA LAGOON – PAUCARCANCHA

Difficulty level: Challenging
Altitude: 4647 m
Hiked distance: 14 km
Approximate walking time: 8 h

We start the day having a nutritious breakfast at 6:00 am, we then start our trek, following the switchback trail up to the highest point with amazing vistas in every direction, snow-capped mountains. After 2-hour hiking, we reach the highest pass on the whole trail, Wayanay pass 15,252 ft, with stunning views around, where we’ll take our snacks, before making our way to lunch spot. Next, the trail goes downhill to lunch spot for about 2 hours, on the way we’ll see a small Incan ruins, and walk close by to some alpacas. In the afternoon, once we enjoy our meals, we’ll continue with our trek through the highland valley to the next camp site Paucarcancha 10,335 ft for 2 more hours, on this section of path we’ll walk on the ancient Inca trail which is connecting to Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley with stunning glacier peaks beyond. Close by to this camp site is located the Paucarcancha Incan Site a great place to learn about the Inca history while exploring with our Guide.

Day 4

PAUCARCANCHA – KM 82 – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN

Difficulty level: Moderate
Altitude: 2040 m
Hiked distance: 11 km
Approximate walking time: 5 h

We take our breakfast early in the morning to hike down to km 82, this section of the trail is pretty much the section of the Classic Inca Trail, we’ll see Llaqtapata, a beautiful Incan ruins nestled in the Sacred Valley with amazing crop terracing around, and other small Inca ruins. After, 5 hours hiking, we’ll have arrived to km 82 where we’ll have our last lunch prepared by our chef, and a place to say goodbye to our horses, muleteers, and chefs. Then we’ll drive for 45 minutes to Ollantaytambo town, from this place we’ll have a train ride to Machu Picchu Town for about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Ancascocha trek to machu picchu by eco path trek peru

Day 5

TOUR IN MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO

Difficulty level: Moderate
Altitude: 2400 m
Hiked distance: 6 km
Approximate walking time: 4 h

We start the tour at 4:30 am, with our breakfast in the hotel, then we will do the line for the bus to Machu Picchu, after 30 minutes ride, we will arrive to the main control of the sacred citadel, we have to show our original Passport and entrance tickets to machu picchu. Into the ruins we will have a 2 hours tour guiding, all the most important places. After the tour you will have a 3 hours more for your own experience, you can go to Huayna Picchu in case you make the reservation in advance. At midday we have to leave the ruins and go down to the town of aguas calientes.

Our train backs to Ollantaytambo will be at 14:30 pm. So the total time from Aguas calientes to Cusco is approximately 4 hours. The final place in cusco is the small plaza of san francisco which is located in Cusco’s downtown.

INCLUDED IN THE ANCASCOCHA TREK 5 DAYS:

Professional english speaker tour guide
Expert mountain cook
Private transport from your hotel to the start of the trail.
Entrance fee to Machu Picchu.
Bus tickets up from aguas calientes to machu picchu.
Round trip train ticket.
Camping tent
Dining tent with table and chairs, and a kitchen tent, manned by a professional cooking staff.
Transport from the train station to Cusco.
First-Aid Kits, Oxygen tank.
Meals: Breakfast (5), lunch (4), dinner (4), with option for vegetarians, gluten free, lactose free.
Horses and muleteers to carry the equipment and 15lbs of the hikers
Sleeping pad
Outdoor toilet tent.
Emergency horse, that will be staying with us during the hike to upload our personal day gears or ride.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANCASCOCHA TREK

Sleeping bags, you might get them rented from us US$ 20
Hiking poles,you might get them rented from us US$15
Last lunch on 5th day.
Extra expenditure during the trek, such as: soda, alcoholic drinks, extra snacks, tickets for the hot springs in Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes).
Tipping.
Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
Travel Insurance.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING FOR THE ANCASCOCHA TREK

Original passport
Sleeping bag (or you can rent one from us).
Backpack to carry your things.
Phone, power bank battery, camera charger and adapter.
Torch or headlamps.
Deet or mosquito repellent ( recommendable 30% deet).
Hiking poles ( or you can rent one pair from us).
Rain gear (especially if traveling in the wet season, from October to March).
Comfortable hiking clothes, including warm clothes for the nighttime.
Good hiking boots with protector ankle or similar, and one pair of flip-flops or light sandals.
Sunblock and sunglasses.
Hiking long sleeve T-shirts.
Hiking trousers.
Ear Plugs.
Binoculars.
Thermal underwear.
Hiking socks.
Water bottle or canteen.
American dollars and peruvian soles in cash.
Sun hat, cap, and warm hat and gloves for the nighttime.
Toilet paper, and face tissue paper.
Luggage Tags and Locks.
Anti-inflammatory tablets (e.g. Ibuprofen).
Personal first-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrea, re-hydration)