One of the lesser-known routes to Machu Picchu is the Ancascocha Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu. This means it’s far less crowded than the others. However, that doesn’t make it any less spectacular. National Geographic named it one of the 20 dreams walks to complete worldwide.
On this route, you’ll get to visit some rarely visited Inca Archaeological sites as well as extensive fields where peasants have worked the land for generations and some traditional Andean towns. Don’t forget the incredible views of the mountains that will surround you all the way.
You’ll witness some of the most incredible landscapes you’ve ever seen, from beautiful crystal lagoons and splashing waterfalls to the outstanding Salkantay Mountain.
Departure & Return Location:
Hotel Cusco.
Departure Time:
Pick up from your hotel (4:00 am – 4:30 am).
Ancascocha Trek 5 Days highlights:
A non-refundable deposit (varies depending on tour) is payable from the Client to Huaynas Expeditions when reserving any Product. If the reservation is made 7 days or fewer before departure, full payment is required at the time of booking. Depending on the original booking method, the client should send the non-refundable deposit to Huaynas Expeditions or the authorized Agent through whom they made their reservation.
A pre-tour briefing is given to you, ideally two days before the start of the trek. This is comprehensive information on the tour schedule, required gear, altitude, weather, etc. Questions and concerns will be clarified so that you fully comprehend the tour schedule.
It is strongly suggested to be progressively acclimatized; thus, you should arrive in Cusco 2 days previous to trek departure. Altitude sickness causes you a headache, stomache, hands tingling, etc. There is certain medicine you may take to avoid altitude sickness, for instance acetazalomide; moreover, it is helpful to have coca tea; and hot liquids to not become dehydrated. You must descend as the ultimate emergency if you develop serious altitude sickness.
If your hotel is located in the Historical Center of Cusco, Huaynas Expeditions will pick you up there. Although your guide will schedule the pickup time during the briefing, please be aware that the pickup time could change by up to 20 minutes due to traffic.
Cusco is an ancient city, and there are lots of winding cobblestone streets there. It may be challenging to move luggage to some hotels and Airbnbs because they are situated on car-free streets or long, including inclines. Booking lodging with adequate access is something we strongly advise.
You’ll be given a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. Our horses will transport them, and the horsemen will hand them to you as you arrive at each camp. They are 60 x 24 x 22 centimetres (23.6 x 9.45 x 8.66 in).
Each duffel bag can only contain a maximum of 7 kilogrammes (15.4 lb), which includes the weight of your clothing, sleeping bag, and other personal belongings.
Strikes and demonstrations are frequent in Peru, which may stop some of our tours. Roads can be stopped, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will attempt to keep your vacation as initially planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these conditions, trips may potentially be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, our operations department will manage everything with you. Your safety is our priority, and our decisions will be taken to protect it.
Because group trips are made up of various persons, physical states and ages may differ. You acknowledge that some persons may be faster or slower than you if you choose to participate in a group trip. As a result, everyone on the road may proceed at their own speed.
It is conceivable that a group may want to change the itinerary; however, after discussing with all participants, the guide will determine if such changes are allowed.
We highly advise you to buy comprehensive travel insurance before departing. A comprehensive travel insurance coverage that covers everything from high-altitude treks to unforeseen trip adjustments is a must-have travel gear. Please remember that your standard medical insurance plan will not cover some possibilities in your own country. We suggest searching for a plan that covers the following coverage:
While we try to be understanding when situations arise, the fact is that Trip Changes and Trip Cancellation incur penalties.
To book the below things in your name, we require a photo of your passport’s bio page (Peruvian Government Requirement). Please keep in mind that each traveler must be aware of the re-entry laws for their place of residence/citizenship. Some nations require a passport valid for 6 months beyond the travel date. Please confirm that your passport is current and meets your country’s and residency standards. We can purchase your flights with an expired passport, but we will require a copy of the current passport as soon as you receive it in order to update your tickets.
Most countries are permitted to obtain a visa at the point of arrival. Only a few nations require visas to be obtained in advance. Please remember that each tourist is responsible for determining whether or not a visa is required before admission. Please remember that tourist visas are usually valid for 90 days or less and require proof of return travel.
Please be aware of where you leave your belongings, and remember to take everything with you once you leave our transportation, tents, or restaurants. You are solely responsible for your items throughout the trip.
Our objective is to provide great treks, tours, and adventure experiences while adhering to environmental, sustainable, ethical, and socially conscious travel practices. We make every effort throughout our excursions to avoid negative affects and enhance benefits to the local people and natural ecosystems we visit. We pay fair, livable rates to ensure that we employ and retain the best guides and support workers. We follow worldwide sustainable tourism criteria and have continuous community projects and charity activities that benefit four or more local Andean villages.
We take pleasure in offering five-star service before, during, and after your vacation. Huaynas Expeditions is committed to providing exceptional customer service and adventure experiences.
When walking over tough mountain terrain at high altitudes in unpredictable weather, it is critical to have the best equipment possible. We supply Mountain Hardwear 4-season tents (3 seasons for Inca Trail because of warmer weather), extra thick mattress mats, dry bags for your overnight gear, and other amenities to ensure a safe and enjoyable trek.
Any hike or tour can be tailored to your travel, fitness, financial, and time constraints. Do you need a journey or tour for a business or work event, a charity organization, or any significant occasion? Get in touch; we can handle everything!
As it should be, our journeys leave nothing but smiles and footprints.
We care about the environment, which is why we reduce, reuse, and recycle. Our equipment is reusable (no paper or plastic plates/cups/utensils), we buy locally and avoid paper/plastic packaging, and we recycle anything we can. This is not the norm in Peru, but we intend to make it so one day soon!
All of our staff are enthusiastic about their jobs. Who wouldn’t want to work in an office surrounded by gorgeous mountains and endless vistas? We are happy to provide our guides and employees with the highest rates in the industry.
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco early; we then travel for around 2 hours to reach 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 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 most excellent falls along the Ancascocha hiking trail.
After shooting some pictures and cooling 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 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 our first campsite known Chancachuco (4,312 m / 14,147 ft).
Once we arrive at our first camp, the Huaynas Expeditions staff will welcome us with all the set tent up for relaxation, 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.
Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
Hiking Distance: 7.45 miles / 11 km
Meals: Lunch, Tea, Dinner.
There’s no need to set the alarm on your trek, as our team will wake you gently in the morning with a freshly brewed cup of tea or coffee and hot water to wash with. Once everyone is up, we will have breakfast together and fuel ourselves for the day ahead. You will need that fuel as we start with a steep 3-hour ascent to the Kuychiccasa pass (4,450 m /14,599 ft). On the way, we will pass rustic Fincas, see wild Alpacas or maybe even a passing Condor, and always with the snow-capped peaks of the Nevadas in the background.
There is no race to reach the top, though, and we will take a break together to enjoy the 360-degree views of the Chancachuco and Sacred valleys. Then, it’s just a 1-hour easy hike to our lunch stop at the Chancachuco Valley (4,312 m / 14,147 ft). After lunch, we do a short climb with beautiful views of Mt. Veronica (5,822 m/ 19,100 ft) before an easy 3-hour walk downhill to the community of Ancascocha (3,700 m/12,139 ft). Our campsite for the night is in a small but gorgeous wooded valley with a stream running through it.
Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
Hiking Distance: 7:45 miles / 12 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner.
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 a 2 or 3 hours hike, we reach the highest point of the Ancascocha Trek, known as 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 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 camp that is located close by Paucarcancha Incan Site, a great place to learn about the Inca history while exploring with our Adventure tour guide. Then, we settle into our campsite for the evening and yet another excellent dinner.
Hiking Time: 8 – 9 hours
Hike Distance: 8.70 miles / 14 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner.
The last day of hiking is the easiest of all as it is a 6-hour hike downhill on a section of the Classic Inca Trail to Km 82 (the official start of the Classic Trail). Lunch will be served at Km82. After lunch, we drive you to Ollantaytambo (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 different perspective of the mountains you’ve just been hiking in and many more photo opportunities.
On arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will check-in to your lovely 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. Showered and refreshed, we will take dinner together at an excellent restaurant with an extensive menu (drinks not included). It’s likely to be an early night, though, as our trip to Machu Picchu starts typically before sunrise!
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Hiking Distance: 6.83 miles / 11 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
The hotel we use provides a great buffet or can offer a boxed breakfast to ensure we are in the queue for the bus. It is about a 25-minute drive along the winding road to Machu Picchu, and on a clear day, the views can be spectacular. Upon arrival, your guide provides a 2-hour walking tour of the site, named as one of the new 7 wonders of the world. Then you are free to wander through the ruins yourself, perhaps finding a solitary spot to reflect on this awesome achievement of the Incas, or, if you have elected to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains (subject to availability) you can begin the hike once your guided tour concludes.
Your guide will arrange the time for you to return to Aguas Calientes by bus in time to make your train connection back to Poroy or Ollantaytambo. From here you will travel by private van to Cusco and back to your hotel. Arrival times vary depending on traffic and connections but should be around 8 pm.
Hiking time: 3 hours.
Meals: Breakfast at Hotel.
Note on Itinerary: Please keep in mind that itinerary changes are possible for various reasons (safety, weather, natural phenomena, strikes, etc.). For example, if the weather is extremely bad, the trail may be unsafe, and we may be forced to cancel or change the schedule, or we may be able to substitute another trek/tour instead, depending on the conditions. And we will make it an unforgettable experience!
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 5 Days private service, includes additional items such as:
Our prices for the Ancascocha Trek 5 Days are reasonable and are in different packages with the prices that are handled in the city of Cusco, and discounts will apply automatically for groups of over 5 people when booking this tour together at the same time.
We are a local tour operator that never shares service with any other company in Cusco, most agencies in Cusco share their service to save operating costs with poor quality. We guarantee to make the trip even if there are only 02 people in your group.
Our booking process is simple and you can secure your trip with only a 30% deposit and pay the rest at the destination.
Adult: | USD 750 |
Student: | USD 730 |
Child: | USD 320 |
Infant: | Free |
Adult: | USD 800 |
Student: | USD 780 |
Child: | USD 770 |
Infant: | Free |
Adult: | USD 1080 |
Student: | USD 1060 |
Child: | USD 1050 |
Infant: | Free |
Adult: | USD 840 |
Student: | USD 820 |
Child: | USD 810 |
Infant: | Free |
Adult: | USD 1600 |
Student: | Not available |
Child: | Not available |
Infant: | Not available |
Adult: | USD 1950 |
Student: | Not available |
Child: | Not available |
Infant: | Not available |
*Remember that age is considered at the time of completion of the trip.
We want your vacation to Peru to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. This section contains answers to any inquiries regarding going with Huaynas Expeditions. Please read the following information; it will assist you if you have any queries regarding our services.
We have the best and easy booking system; learn here how to book any tour with Huaynas Expeditions.
You’ll pay your remaining balance once you arrive in Cusco and in cash in US dollars or soles (Peruvian currency) to the change of the day. If you prefer payment through PayPal, you’ll be charged an additional 6% due to bank commissions. It is better to pay us with cash because there is no transaction fee.
Of course! During the tour to Machu Picchu, your main luggage can be stored in our office or at your hotel. Both of them are free.
Usually, it is not accepted since the permits, and the train tickets are not allowed to change the date or transfer to another name.
But if you need it, we’ll need to buy new permits and train tickets and the cost you’ll pay for it.
Yes! You must bring your original passport, which must be the same one you sent us at the booking time. Your passport will be checked at Machu Picchu checkpoint and when you board the train.
Updating passport numbers: If you are renewing your passport, go ahead and email us a copy of your old passport to book your Machu Picchu ticket. If you no longer have your old passport, any government issue ID will be accepted, as long as the name is the same. Once you receive your new passport, please email us a copy of your new passport ASAP to change the information about your permits and train tickets.
Yes, you can book your hotel. It will decrease the price of $30 per person. If you decide to book your own hotel, don’t forget to tell us where you plan to stay so our guide will take you there safely.
We receive reservations at least 1 week in advance. However, seats are limited and are always subject to availability. Both the permits for Machu Picchu and the train ticket and permits for the mountains of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu are in high demand, sometimes selling out months in advance. For this reason, we recommend that you make your reservation as far in advance recommendable 2 or 3 months in advance.
The Expedition and Vistadome categories offer comfortable leather seats and include a snack and hot or cold drink per person. The first and main difference between both categories is that the Vistadome train has windows on the roof of the cars, which allows a panoramic view of the outside. The second difference is that the Vistadome train offers entertainment services on board, such as typical dances and parades.
If you want to get the student discount, the following requirements must be met:
The university card must meet the following requirements:
If you meet the requirements above, you will get the following discount:
All students have to send a copy of their passport and student card at the time of booking to get the student discount.
Tipping is not required, but it is appreciated if you are satisfied with the services. Even though it might not be familiar in your country, the people who will look after you during the tour place a lot of importance on it. Many Huaynas Expeditions’ destinations encourage top-notch service and are a foundational aspect of the travel and tourism sector. It’s up to you how much to tip based on how well you thought out the tour and how long it lasted. Remember that leaving a tip is optional and should only be done if you receive first-class service.
Yes, Huaynas Expeditions is a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator; for that, we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and appreciate the local places and their people.
Our guides make us so happy! Their English is excellent, and they are extremely professional. They have a great deal of knowledge and love for the history and heritage of the Incas. Constant professional and personal growth is a priority for our tour guides. They conduct research to make sure that the Inca and Andean cultural theories you are given are accurate and widely accepted. Our team members are smart, athletic, and fun-loving. All of them have academic backgrounds in archaeology, tourism, botany, history, or anthropology.
You should have at least 48 hours or more in Cusco. It’s recommended to enjoy these days in the city of Cusco and in the Sacred Valley.
The Ancascocha Inca Trail is cataloged 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 travelers 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.
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.
Ollantaytambo & Urubamba is the best place to stay other than Cusco. By staying in the sacred valley, you get a little more sleep, because we will pick you up about 1.5 hours after the Cusco pick-up time. You can only have your briefing in Cusco. So please arrange a time that works for you and our office team with your Huaynas Expeditions sales team.
When making plans for a long-awaited dream journey, choosing the right travel agency or tour operator is the most crucial option you will make. Initially, some businesses might appear more affordable. But if you dig a bit further, you’ll discover why booking with Huaynas Expeditions ensures that your trip will be as remarkable as it can be.
All our Tours & Treks are provided only by Huaynas Expeditions staff and professional guides. That means Huaynas Expeditions will never pass you on to another company or 3rd Party.
Our staff comprises tourism industry veterans eager to share their expertise and serve the passenger. They are prepared to show you the best of Cusco and Peru with their extensive knowledge.
We are a travel agency committed to providing the best tourism services and are eager to help you explore the numerous natural and archaeological treasures found in every region of the nation.
Find excursions and activities that astonish you, then reserve them. You’ll be overjoyed when the tour is over and eager to tell your friends about your fantastic trip to Peru. Choose us for your ideal vacation.