Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu – 5 Days

The Ancascocha Trek is one of the newest trekking routes offered in the Cusco region. The route is based on the classic Inca Trail and takes you past high waterfalls, Inca ruins, beautiful scenery, and unforgettable views.
The Ancasqocha trek journey is relatively easy compared to some of the others, so it is a great option for less experienced, or less athletic trekkers. A wonderful bonus about this hike is that far fewer hikers go this way — so if you’re looking to get away from the crowds, this is the trek for you!
By booking your Ancasqocha Trek Tour with Vicuna Adventures, you are choosing the best tour company out there!
Total distance hiked: 55 km / 33 miles
Beginning altitude: 3,105 m / 9,512 ft
Maximum altitude: 4,640 m/ 15,298 ft
Overall trek difficulty: Challenging, but less so than Inka Trail

ANCASCOCHA PRE-TRIP BRIEFING:

You will have a thorough briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before your Anqasqocha Trek to Machu Picchu. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations.

Itinerary

DAY 1: CUSCO – SOQMA – CHANKACHUCO VALLEY

We leave Cusco early in the morning and drive 1½ hours to Soqma (3,105 m / 10,512 ft). This is the starting point of our Ancasqocha Trek and where we meet the horsemen that will join us during the trip.
We begin the hike with a one-hour walk to the Perolniyoq Waterfall. The lookout over the waterfall is breathtaking! This is a perfect opportunity to stop for photos and snacks. We will then hike another 45 minutes until we arrive at the Inka site of the same name, where we will have a brief tour and lunch in Rayan village.
After lunch, we will ascend two hours through amazing views until we arrive at the first pass, Kuychi Qasa (4,260 m / 13,136 ft), where we take a break at the magnificent Sacred Valley. From there, we have a final 90-minute hike before we arrive at camp at Chancachuco Valley (3,750 m/12,300 ft).

• Meals: Lunch/Dinner
• Lowest Elevation: 3,105 m/ 9,512 ft
• Highest Elevation: 4,260 m/ 13,136 ft
• Distance to walk: 14 km/5 miles
• Approximate walking time: 6 to 7 hours
• Level of Difficulty: Challenging
• Area: Dry Mountain

DAY 2: CHANCACHUCO – ANCASQOCHA – WAYANAY PASS – INKA RAQAY VALLEY

We depart camp at about 6am for a 1 hour and 45 minute up/down trek with incredible views of the “nevados”/snow-capped peaks, valleys, and, if we are lucky, a passing condor. We will see the exquisite Verónica Mountain (5,789 m) while we hike uphill for 4 hours toward Machu Picchu. Part of this hike is over an original paved Inca Trail! On the way, we will see the beautiful waterfall that feeds into the Ancasqocha Lake.
We will have a delicious lunch at this beautiful vantage point. After refueling, we start our ascending zigzag, toward to Wayanay Pass (4,840 m/ 15,365 ft), our highest point of the day.
This is followed by a 1-hour walk downhill to reach camp (3,700 m/12,136 ft).

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Highest Elevation: 4,800 m/ 15,365 ft
• Campsite elevation: 3,700 m/ 12,136 ft
• Distance to walk: 16 km/ 11 miles
• Approximate walking time: 7 to 9 hours
• Level of Difficulty: Challenging
• Area: Dry Mountain

DAY 3: INCA RAQAY VALLEY – MUYU MUYU VILLAGE – PAUCARCANCHA (INCA VILLAGE)

Views of a nearby glacier Wayanay Mountain and well-preserved Inka ruins are the highlight of Salkantay Mountain - which is the highest point in this trip (6,215 m/ 19,678ft). After a hearty breakfast we are ready for this amazing day, descending towards the Inka Raqay Valley we will trek up/down for 4 hours. After a break, we will continue up/down for 45 minutes into Muyu Muyu Valley. At this point we will embark on a 3-hour descent into lush vegetation. During this stretch of the hike, we will see the classic Inca Trail in the distance and fascinating views of the communities of Qésqua valley. Then we’ll reach our campsite in the Paurkancha Inka village (3,850 m/12,628 ft).

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Highest Elevation: 4,650 m/ 15,298 ft
• Campsite elevation: 3,850 m/12,628 ft
• Distance to walk: 10 km/ 6 miles
• Approximate walking time: 6 hours
• Level of Difficulty: Easy Day
• Area: Dry Mountain

DAY 4: PAUCARCANCHA – KILOMETER 82 – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES

We begin the day with breakfast and a tour of the Paucarcancha ruins.
After the tour we will hike downhill for 5 hours until we reach Kilometer 82, which is the start of the classic Inka Trail. Along the way we will be able to see the Inka site of Llactapata. This is the first site on the Traditional Inca Trail. Our chef will make us a delicious lunch at Kilometer 82, in the town of Pisqacuchu.
After lunch we will be picked up by a private van at Km 82 and transported to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m/9,158 ft) where we will catch the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes.
When you reach Aguas Calientes, you will check into your hotel room. The natural hot springs in town are a great place to relax if there is time before dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Lodging: Hotel
• Highest Elevation: 3,850 m/12,628 ft
• Lowest Elevation: 2,792 m/9,158 ft
• Distance to walk: 12 km/ 7 ½ miles
• Estimated walking time: 7 hours
• Level of Difficulty: Easy

DAY 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

You will have breakfast at your hotel before we take a very early bus (5:30am) along the winding road to Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the world. Upon entrance to Machu Picchu, you will be given a 2-hour guided tour of the spectacular ruins.
If you have elected to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain, you will begin the hike at 10am. The ticket price for Huayna Picchu is included in the price of your Ancascocha trek. If you are not climbing the mountain you will have free time to enjoy Machu Picchu on your own before returning to Aguas Calientes by bus.
From Aguas Calientes, you will board the express train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo you will travel by private van to Cusco, and we will drop you off that your hotel. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft
• Highest Elevation: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft.