Ancascocha Trek to Machupicchu 5D/4N
Duration
5D/4N
Difficulty
Moderate
Language
Español / Ingles
Max. Altitude
4,200 msnm
Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days is the perfect adventure for travelers who want to experience a more exclusive and less-crowded route in Peru. This unforgettable journey takes you through remote Andean landscapes, high mountain passes, hidden valleys, and breathtaking scenery before reaching the world-famous citadel of Machu Picchu.
The Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days is one of the most scenic and least-traveled alternatives near Cusco. Unlike more traditional routes, this trail offers rare solitude, dramatic mountain views, and a stronger sense of discovery along the way. Competitor pages consistently describe Ancascocha as an off-the-beaten-path trek with spectacular scenery, remote communities, and a quieter path to Machu Picchu.
As you hike through the Andes, you will enjoy changing landscapes filled with rolling hills, waterfalls, rivers, and panoramic views of the Vilcabamba and Urubamba mountain ranges. The route is ideal for travelers who want more than a classic trek and are looking for a deeper connection with the natural beauty of Peru. Some operators also emphasize that Ancascocha is far less crowded than other well-known circuits, which gives the experience a more authentic and peaceful character.
The Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days is also a great choice for hikers who appreciate both challenge and reward. This route reaches high altitude, and competitors note that it can exceed 4,650 meters, so proper acclimatization in Cusco is important before starting the trek. For travelers prepared for the altitude, the reward is an extraordinary journey through one of the most beautiful hidden trekking routes in the Peruvian Andes.
Prices
We pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 am and start our travel for 1 and half hours until we reach our starting point called Soqma (3200m/10500ft). Here we will have our first healthy and energetic breakfast, we will also meet our master chef and horsemen who will accompany and help us on our journey.
After a two hours walk we will reach a waterfall called Perolniyoc. At this place we will take a break in order to take pictures and have a snack. Then we continue hiking for about 45 minutes until we arrive at Rayanniyoc where we will have our first organic buffet lunch. After lunch and a short 20 minutes’ rest to digest the food, we will continue hiking for 3 more hours and then set up our campsite in Chancachuco (3700m/12136ft). In the afternoon going up we can enjoy the wilderness and the beautiful landscape surrounding us and then having a delicious dinner in the evening hours.
Trek Overview:
- Tour Location: Cusco Ancascocha, Peru
- Hiking time: 7 hours
- Transport time: 1.20 hours
- Tour Type: Hiking – Cultural,History – nature
- Start/End Time: At 5 am from your Cusco hotel and you will be in your camp at 4 pm
- Consideration: Please remember to take the necessary hiking cloths, boots follow all the company recommendations
- Starting Altitude: 3200m/10500ft
- Climate: little Cold
- Total, Walking Distance: 16 km / 10 ml
- Highest Altitude: 4450m / 14599ft
- Overall Difficulty: Dificult – moderate
Today we have to get up at 5:30am, starting the day with a cup of coca tea in our tents. After a big breakfast at 6:00am we start with a 4 hours climb all the way up the mountain until we reach the pass of Cuychicassa (4450m/14599ft). This is the perfect point to take a break and enjoy the astonishing landscapes surrounding us. From here we can observe the Vilcanota mountain range and its mountains Veronica, Pumahuanca, Chicon, and others, as well as the sacred valley of the Incas and the valley of Chancachuco. We keep on hiking downwards for 1 hour until we reach our lunch spot, where our master chef will wait for us with an organic buffet lunch. After a refreshing siesta we will continue our journey descending a narrow path while enjoying the beautiful views of Mount Veronica (5800m/19028ft). After approximately 4 hours we will reach a small community called Ancascocha (3700m/12139ft), this community will be our campsite for tonight.
Trek Overview:
- Tour Location: Cusco Ancascocha, Peru
- Hiking time: 5 hours
- Transport time: None
- Tour Type: Hiking – Cultural, History – nature
- Start/End Time: At 6 am from your Cusco hotel and you will be in your camp at 4 pm
- Consideration: Please remember to take the necessary hiking cloths, boots follow all the company recommendations
- Starting Altitude: 4,312 / 14,147 ft
- Climate: little Cold
- Total, Walking Distance: 17 km / 10.5 ml
- Highest Altitude: 4,312 / 14,147 ft
- Overall Difficulty: Regular – moderate
Today we will set off with a positive mind because this day is the highlight of our little adventure. Starting our journey with a cup of coca tea in your tents, we’ll enjoy our breakfast in order to get good energy. Then we start our 4 hours hike all the way up to the pass of Huayanay (4650m/15298ft). This is also the highest point of the Ancascocha trek. On the way up we follow an original stone paved Inca trail and we will also see a beautiful waterfall that leads into the Ancascocha lagoon. After 45 minutes walking we will arrive to a beautiful Inca site called Incaracay, where our professional tour guide will explain us all about it. Here we will enjoy our organic buffet lunch made it by our master chef. From this point on we will decent for 3 and a half hours until we reach our campsite. Along the way we pass beautiful sceneries and the classic Inca trail to Machupicchu appears in a distance. Also, we will pass small communities such as Qhesqha and Paucarcancha. Once up on arrival at the campsite, our master chef will be waiting for us with a delicious dinner.
Trek Overview:
- Tour Location: Cusco Ancascocha, Peru
- Hiking time: 9 hours
- Transport time: None
- Tour Type: Hiking – Cultural, History – nature
- Start/End Time: At 6 am from your Cusco hotel and you will be in your camp at 4 pm
- Consideration: Please remember to take the necessary hiking cloths, boots follow all the company recommendations
- Starting Altitude: 4,400 / 14,435.7 ft
- Climate: little Cold
- Total, Walking Distance: 16 km / 10.5 ml
- Highest Altitude: 4650m / 15298ft
- Overall Difficulty: Regular – moderate (long day)
Today we will get up at 5:30am with a cup of coca tea in our tents and then we have an energy loaded healthy breakfast. Our today’s hike will go gradually down. After 2 hours we will arrive at the Inca site of Paucarcancha, where our tour guide will give us cool information about this site. 25 minute farther down we will pass the village of Huayllabamba. This community is the first official campsite for the hikers who are doing the classical Inca trail. After 3 more hours we will reach Kilometer 82, on the way down we will have amazing views and pass some local communities as well as the archaeological site of Patallqa. Of course, our tour guide will provide you with information about this site. Then we continue our hike until we reach our lunch spot named Misjhay. Once we have enjoyed an organic buffet lunch, we continue our hike for 45 more minutes to Kilometer 82. Here we say goodbye to our horsemen and to our master chef, because at this point they will finish their work. Then we will be taken by our private van to Ollantaytambo train station in order to catch up the train to Aguas Calientes. On arrival we will walk to our hotel and finally, the next day we will visit the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
Trek Overview:
- Tour Location: Cusco Ancascocha, Peru
- Hiking time: 3.30 hours
- Transport time: 40 minutes transport by local cars
- Tour Type: Hiking – Cultural, History – nature
- Start/End Time: At 8 am from your Cusco hotel and you will be in your camp at 4 pm
- Consideration: Please remember to take the necessary hiking cloths, boots follow all the company recommendations
- Starting Altitude: 3,133 / 10278.87 ft
- Climate: little Cold
- Total, Walking Distance: 11 km / 6.8 ml
- Highest Altitude: 3,133 / 10278.87 ft
- Overall Difficulty: Easy – Down – flat
Today will be easy and the most impressive journey at 5.10 am we finally board the train to Aguas Calientes town. The train take us 2 hours approximately, once arrived to aguas calientes train station our tour guide will take you to Bus station where the bus drive 25 minutes and leave you next to Machupicchu entrance. where you and your professional tour guide Show the original passport and entrance feet to citadel in order to visit.
Once passed the control our tour guide start with tour guiding for 3 hours in the citadel, where he will teach you the Peruvian, inca history and also, he will show you the most impressive places, such like temple, palace, fountain, plazas, ceremonial places, much more. after you finished to explore the citadel of machupicchu, you will have to return to aguas calientes town together with your guide. Here if you want you can go have lunch with your tour guide or by yourself any restaurant because this last lunch is not included in your trek.
At 3:20 or 4:20 pm according you booking trek you will be returning to Ollantaytambo train station and from Ollantaytambo to Cusco. Our driver will leave you to each of you at door of your hotel.
Trek Overview:
- Tour Location: Cusco Machupiccu, Peru
- Hiking time: Full Day tour
- Transport time: 50 minutes transport by bus in aguas calienets couple hours by train
- Tour Type: Hiking – Cultural, History – nature
- Start/End Time: At 8 am from your Cusco hotel and you will be in your camp at 4 pm
- Consideration: Please remember to take the necessary hiking cloths, boots follow all the company recommendations
- Starting Altitude: 2792 m / 9,160. 1 ft
- Climate: Templete weather
- Total, Walking Distance: 11 km / 6.8 ml
- Highest Altitude: 3,133 / 10278.87 ft
- Overall Difficulty: Easy – Down – flat
Included
- Professional English & Spanish speaking tour guide throughout the entire trek and Machu Picchu visit.
- Private transportation from Cusco to the Ancascocha trailhead.
- Official Ancascocha Trail permit.
- Official Ancascocha – Inca Trail connection permit.
- Muleteer drivers and horse mules to carry trekking equipment during the Ancascocha section.
- Professional trekking chef (Master Chef) throughout the trek.
- All meals during the trek prepared by our professional chef.
- Healthy and energetic breakfasts.
- Organic buffet lunches.
- Organic buffet dinners.
- Snacks and drinking water during hiking days.
- Dinner at a tourist restaurant in Ollantaytambo.
- Train ticket to Machu Picchu.
- Round-trip bus tickets in Aguas Calientes (up and down).
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket (Circuit #2).
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- Private transportation from Ollantaytambo back to your hotel in Cusco.
- First-aid kit and emergency assistance during the trek.
Not Included
- Trekking poles.
- Sleeping bags.
- Air mattresses.
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes on the last day.
- Tips for muleteers, trekking chef, and support staff (optional).
- Tips for your tour guide (optional).
- Personal expenses and extra drinks not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Travel insurance (highly recommended).
- Arrive in Cusco at least two or three days before the trek to properly acclimatize to the altitude.
- Bring your original passport, as it is required for permits, train travel, and Machu Picchu entry.
- Wear well-broken-in hiking boots with good grip and ankle support.
- Dress in layers to adapt to cold mornings, warm afternoons, and changing mountain weather.
- Carry a waterproof jacket or poncho at all times.
- Use sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat due to strong UV radiation at high altitude.
- Bring a warm sleeping bag suitable for cold nights in the Andes.
- Stay well hydrated and drink water frequently during the trek.
- Avoid alcohol and heavy meals before and during hiking days.
- Carry a small daypack for personal items such as water, snacks, camera, and sunscreen.
- Bring some cash in Peruvian soles for tips and small personal expenses.
- Consider renting trekking poles for added stability on steep or uneven sections.
- Purchase travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and outdoor activities.
- Respect local communities, archaeological sites, and follow your guide’s instructions at all times.
The Ancascocha Trek is a less crowded and more remote alternative route to Machu Picchu. It offers stunning high-Andean landscapes, turquoise lakes, glaciers, and traditional mountain passes before connecting with the Classic Inca Trail. Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, Ancascocha provides a quieter trekking experience with fewer hikers, making it ideal for travelers seeking adventure, nature, and cultural immersion away from the crowds.
The Ancascocha Trek is considered moderate to challenging due to high altitude passes, long hiking days, and remote terrain. It is recommended for travelers with good physical condition and some hiking experience. The highest sections require steady walking and endurance, but the trek is non-technical. Our professional guides set a comfortable pace, provide support, and ensure safety throughout the entire journey.
The best time to hike the Ancascocha Trek is during the dry season, from April to October, when weather conditions are more stable and views are clearer. June, July, and August are the most popular months and require early booking. March and November are good shoulder-season options with fewer travelers, although occasional rain may occur. February is not recommended due to heavy rains.
You should bring well-broken-in hiking boots, layered clothing, rain gear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a warm sleeping bag suitable for cold nights. Trekking poles, sleeping bags, and air mattresses are not included but can be rented if needed. A small daypack is recommended for personal items. All main camping equipment, meals, permits, and logistics are provided.
Travel insurance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. Your policy should cover high-altitude trekking, emergency medical care, and evacuation. While our team carries a first-aid kit and emergency support, insurance offers additional peace of mind during a multi-day trek in remote mountain areas. Proper coverage helps protect you against unexpected health or travel issues.
Prices
Payment Methods
Book your trip now, spots sell out fast!
All Included:
Tours with hotel pick-up, transportation, professional guide, and entrance tickets.
24/7 Communication:
We’re here for you before, during, and after your journey.
Flexible Cancellation:
Cancel up to 30 days before your tour in case of emergency. (For Machu Picchu and Inca Trail tours, please check specific conditions.)
Discover Peru With Us
Share your travel plans and let our experts design your experience