Ancascocha Trek via Salkantay – 5 Days

The Ancascocha Trek via Salkantay is an incredible adventure that combines two of the most famous treks in the Cusco region: the Ancascocha Trek and the Salkantay Trek. This 5-day journey will lead you through breathtaking landscapes, snow-capped mountains, traditional Andean villages, and the stunning Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.
You will also be able to enjoy the unique flora and fauna of the area, as well as the cultural aspects of the local communities that you will encounter along the way. You will have the opportunity to learn about the traditional Inca way of life, as well as their history, customs, and beliefs. In addition, you will have the opportunity to experience the incredible food, music, and art of the region. The Ancascocha Trek via Salkantay is a once- in-a-lifetime experience that will stay with you forever.

We will pick you up from your hotel and take you in our private transport for about three hours to Mollepata (at an elevation of 2870m/9416ft). Here, we can purchase last-minute snacks and supplies before heading to Soraypampa, which is located at 3930m (12,849 ft). We will then start walking, passing through fields before arriving at Salkantaypampa, the starting point for the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. We will keep hiking for a few hours until we reach Pampa Japonesa (4600m/15,091ft), where the snow-capped mountains Salkantay (6264m/20,551ft) and Humantay (5217m/17,116ft) are located. We will have lunch here and, after resting, go to Inka Chiriaska for 1:30hs. Inca Chiriaska is a high pass at a height of 4959m (16,269ft) and offers beautiful views of the area. Finally, we will descend to Yanaq’aya lookout, where we will set up our campsite.

Total Walking Distance: 12km
Total Walking Time: 8hs
Minimum Altitude: 3800m (12,467 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 5000m (16,404 ft)
Altitude of camp: 4750m (15,583 ft)
Approx. night temperature: -15˚C (5˚F)

After eating a nutritious breakfast to give us the energy for the day ahead, we follow the old Inca path, following in the footsteps of those who lived before us until we make it to Toqto Pass (4850m / 15,912ft). We walk for two hours until we reach Calacocha Pass (4667m / 15,311ft) and then a further hour until we get to Cruz Casa (4600m / 15,091ft) and Millpo Pass. Then we go downhill to Millpo (4399m / 14,434ft) where we will stop for lunch. From Millpo, we will ascend for an hour until we reach Qosqueñaq pass (4600m /15,091ft) and then descend to Yahuarmaky to set up camp.

Total Walking Distance: 17km
Total Walking Time: 10hs
Minimum Altitude: 3300m (10,826 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 4850m (15,912 ft)
Altitude of camp: 3300m (10,826 ft)
Approx. night temperature: -10°C (14°F)

This morning we got an early start, with a lot of ground to cover! We’ll start by heading to Chusqenay Pass (4630m / 15,191ft), then travel downward to Rumi lnca Pass and up to the narrow Yahuarmakay Valley. After that, we’ll ascend for 1.5 hours until we get to Aqocasa Pass (4686m / 15,374ft), where we can see the renowned Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! We’ll get a chance to enjoy the picturesque Salkantay, Humantay, Huayanay, and Huacaywillka (Sacred Tears) mountains, and take a look at the Incan archaeological site of Inca Raqay. After that, we go down for 3 hours to Inca Rakay, followed by a 1.5h climb to Huaynanay Pass (4630m / 15,191ft), and down once more to our campsite at Ancascocha (4400m / 14,435ft).

Total Walking Distance: 13km
Total Walking Time: 8hs
Minimum Altitude: 4000m (12,123 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 4686m (15,374 ft)
Altitude of camp: 4400m (14,435 ft)
Approx. night temperature: -7˚C (19.4˚F)

Today’s hike will be a bit of a break from the last three taxing days of high altitude trekking. Our journey will last approximately five hours as we make our way from Ancascocha to Chillca. Along the way, we will have the chance to take in the beautiful vegetation of the Andes, such as chachacoma and qeuña trees, as well as orchids, begonias, and bromeliads. As we reach Camicancha (2930m / 9612ft), the descent to Chillca will become increasingly easier. We will make it to Chillca in time to board the late afternoon train to Aguas Calientes, where we can enjoy a celebratory dinner and stay the night in a hotel.

Total Walking Distance: 11km
Total Walking Time: 6hs
Minimum Altitude: 2700m (8,858 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 4000m (13,123 ft)

Our hotel offers a great buffet or boxed breakfast to make sure we get on the bus early. It’s a 25-minute ride along a curvy road to Machu Picchu, and when the skies are clear, the views are amazing. Your guide will provide a 2-hour walking tour when you arrive, showing you one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. Afterwards, you can explore the ruins on your own. If you chose to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains (depending on availability), you can start the hike after the guided tour ends.

Your guide will make sure you get back to Aguas Calientes by bus in time to catch your train to Poroy or Ollantaytambo. From there, you’ll go by private van to Cusco and back to your hotel. The return time will vary depending on traffic and connections, but it should be around 8 pm.

• 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 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
• 4 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)
• Breakfast on the first day
• Day 5 Lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Ticket for Huayna Picchu mountain US$ 80 extra 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 via Salkantay – 5 Days private service, includes additional items such as:

Additional Inclusions:

• Extra Emergency horse to ride.
• 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.

Our prices for the Ancascocha Trek via Salkantay – 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.

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.