Duration:
Price:
Maximum Altitude
3,424 m.s.n.m
Difficulty
Difficult
Group Size
02 and 08 people
Type of Service
Group
The alternative Ancascocha trek is definitely one of the less touristy routes around Cusco, allowing for its solitude and also some contact with the local people, particularly the shepherds. This is a true adventure specially prepared for lovers of nature, Andean heights and spectacular mountainous landscapes.
This hike is offered by only a few companies, giving you the opportunity to encounter well-preserved landscapes. The Ancascocha alternative trail offers the visitor beautiful Andean High Valleys, snow-capped peaks such as: (Salkantay, 6,271m. Humantay, Huayanay and others), and also colorful lakes such as Salkantay, Ancashqocha and others. In this adventure we will be able to see original Inka trails towards the mountains and covered by the passage of time. This trail previously connected the regions of Limatambo Mollepata, Machupicchu, Choquekirao, Tumibamba and Chinchaysuyo.
Day 1: challenge.
Our private car will pick you up and take you to Mollepata 2870m -9,470ft (approximately 3 hours).
Hike: Soraypampa - Laguna Humantay - Salkaytaypampa and Japonesapampa.
Approximately 10 hours away (17 km - 10,625 miles)
Day 2: challenge and wonder.
After breakfast, with muleteers and emergency horses, we start the long walk that will cross several high passes. First is Inca Chiriaska (4959m - 16,170ft), from where we will have views over the incredible landscapes of the area.
Hike: Japanese Pampa - Inka Chiriaska - Millpo - Yahuarmaky.
Approximate distance of 9 hours (16 km - 10 miles).
Day 3: Hard.
We rise very early on Day 3 and after breakfast we begin by hiking uphill for about an hour to the Chusquenay pass (4,630 m/15,190 ft.) Climbing again for about two hours until we reach the pass of Aqocasa (4,689 m/15,383 ft.), this is yet another spectacular place to enjoy the vistas across the magnificent Andes. Here we can see part of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
8 hours approximately distance (14 km – 8, 75 miles).
Day 4: Hard & stunning.
On Day 4 we take a 6 hour hike downhill through the most incredible canyon to the small village of Chilca. Hike Ancascocha – Silque Valley – Camicancha – Ollantaytambo- Aguas Caliente
11 hours approximately distance (10km – 6.5miles).
Day 5: Machupicchu.
or our last day we will have to take a very early bus at 5:30 am to get to Machu Picchu. The site opens at 6:00 am and we will head towards the "keeper's house", which is the perfect place for "postcard" pictures and some of the best views. In the afternoon return by train and car to Cusco.
Bus approximately 30 minutes away (10 km - 6.5 miles).
HIGHLIGTS:
- The best local professional tour guides.
- The best hikes, campsites and tours in the world.
- Discover the incas land along the way to Machupicchu.
- Explore the best tourist destination, Machu Picchu
- Travel with the best local agency travel. Tour operator
Incluided
✓ PERMITS AND TICKETS FOR THE INCA TRAIL.
We will secure all necessary permits once we receive your complete information and reservation deposit. Permits are subject to availability and are issued for a specific date and under your name. They cannot be changed under any circumstances. Changes in password number are only permitted for renewal reasons. In that case, you must provide both your old and new passport.
✓ PRE- DEPARTURE BRIEFING.
We offer a tourist orientation to our visitors before doing the excursion to Machupiccchu. The briefing starts at 6:00 p.m. We understand you may be nervous or have any questions about the excursion. This is the opportunity to meet with your tour guide and travel companions.
✓ EXPERIENCED TOUR GUIDES.
We have local professional tour guides who know a lot about their history and customs. They know the Inca trails very well and speak fluent English. You will feel safe your hands.
✓ TRANSPORTATION.
Transportation is included in your tour package. from pick up from your hotel Until the conclusion of your tour in Cusco.
First day: You´ll be picked up from your hotel in the morning and travel in our transportation to Soraypampa the starting point of the trek
Fifth  day: Bus ticket up and down
Fifth  day: Transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco. Train Ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.PeruRail (Expedition Service)
✓ MULETEER.
Our muleteer Team will carry all camping equipment and supplies needs for the trek. Additionally, we’ll include the personal service of a porter responsible for carrying your duffle bag and personal items
✓ CAMPING IQUIMENT.
Dining tents, tables, chairs and cooking equipment, portable toilet and sleeping tents.
✓ DUFFLE BAG. For the trek, you will receive a duffle bag to pack your personal belongings up to maximum weight 7 kg or 15.4lb this weight includes your sleeping bag
✓ MEDICAL KIT:
All our tours guides have received training in first aid and rescue and high mountains rescue. In the event that a tourist requires medical attention during the trek, our staff will be able to assist you. We have a first aid kit. In an extreme case of a medical emergency, you will be evacuated to the nearest medical center.
✓ FOOD:
We try to offer natural and organic food. we buy the whole ingredient from farm farmers; They work all their products naturally and without chemicals. We have professional chefs from Inca Trail.
Note: Our clients when booking the tour. You must notify us if they have allergies or food restrictions to ensure that the food is prepared properly.
✓ WATER:
We offer water. First it is boiled, cooled and filtered. to fill water bottles or Camelback (the chef will provide clean water after each meal)
Note: we recommended to bring two liters’ bottles or camel’s bags because plastic bottles are prohibited.
✓ SUPPORT STAFF:
All travel agencies need a support staff that includes: chef, chef assistant, horse owner and porters. We offer work for both men and women with living wages.
Our staff are the humble people of the mountains who like to share their culture and history.
No Included
× Lunch on the last day
× Travel insurance: Highly recommended for all hikers.
× Additional tickets Machupicchu mountain and Huaynapicchu mountain $ 70
× Tips for the crew, guide, cook and porters
× VISTADOME Train – $67 USD per person extra. (Return only)
× Personal tent- $30 USD – (Please request when you book your trek)
× Additional night in Aguas Calientes – from 70 USD per person (depending on availability)
Huayna Picchu Mountain: $75 USD – This needs to be booked in advance and please let us know at the time of booking (it books out very quickly).
Picchu Mountain is an optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
RENTALS:
- Sleeping bag:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $20 to rent
- Inflatable air mattress:Â Â Â Â Â Â $15 to rent
- Trekking poles (pair):Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $20 to rent
- Hiking Backpack:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $20 to rent
MORE IMPORTANT:
Original valid passport (a copy will not be accepted).
Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
Valid student card (if booked as a student).
PERSONAL BELONGINGS:
- Trekking boots.
- Trekking backpack 20 or 25 liters.
- Water bottle or camel bag of 02 liters.
- Hat and sunglasses
- Rain clothes
- Sun cream, insect repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- Camera, extra batteries
- chocolates, sweets, energy bars or dried fruits.
- 3 shirts (absorbent shirts are the best)
- 2 pants / hiking pants
- 3 sets of underwear.
- 4 sets of socks
- 1 warm jacket for colder nights
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and paste
- Facial moisturizer
- Power bank / battery charger
- 2 plastic bags to separate wet or muddy clothes.
Extra money to buy extra drinks or snacks has to be in Peruvian soles.
- We recommend our hikers to arrive in Cusco 2 or 3 days before their trek. This will allow you to acclimatize to the height so as not to have problems in the walk.
- In Cusco we have only one main airport, most flights arrive from Lima to Cusco, which is the most recommended and easiest for our tourists.
- The trip from Lima to Cusco by bus is quite long approximately 22 hours and it is not recommended that you travel directly to Cusco. If you want to do it, we recommend that you do it by sections Lima – Nazca – Arequipa – Puno and Cusco.
- In Cusco we have many hotels located throughout the city of Cusco. If you need help booking a hotel or would like some recommendations on where to stay, do not hesitate to contact us.
- Arriving in Cusco you have extra days before or after your walk. We are happy to help you organize some more important tours as there are tourists who want to spend more days in the imperial city of the Incas.
- We offer free pick up and transfer from the airport to your hotel in Cusco. We do this in order that you don’t have to worry about anything. Let us know in advance the airline company, the schedule and flight number that arrives in Cusco.
- Near the weather, Cusco is located at 3,350 m or 11,050 ft. which makes the weather very difficult to predict. In Cusco, we have two seasons; the rainy season, which runs from November to March, and the dry season, from April to October. We recommend the dry season that is from April to October. But for some tourists the stations don’t matter and they plan their tour according to the time they have and it is possible to organize some tours according to the weather.
- At near altitude sickness or soroche, Cusco is located at 3,350 m or 11,050 ft. Therefore, the air is short, dry and difficult to breathe for which it is recommended to arrive in Cusco 2 or 3 days in advance of the tour
WE RECOMMENDED TO OUR VISITORS:
- Drink enough water.
- Mate coca.
- Deep breathing exercises.
- Soft walks.
- Diamox or acetazolamide (you can find these medications at any pharmacy in Cusco, check with your doctor to make sure you are not allergic to any medications).
DISCOUNTS:
- 18 to 25 years old: $30 USD. Information required from the student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date, etc. A copy of the card is required at booking to obtain government approval for the discount.
- Under 18 years old: $30 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
- Under 11 years old: $40 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Itinerary
The days with Action Peru start early and you will be picked up from your Cusco hotel at 5am for the 3 hour drive to Mollepata. Here our chef will prepare an energizing breakfast at a local house, and you will also have the chance to purchase any last minute supplies.
From Mollepata we continue our drive for another hour until we reach Soraypampa (3850 m/12,631 ft.) At Soraypampa, we will meet our horseman (and horses!) and all the rest of our crew who will accompany us on this adventure. After making final preparations, we being our hike for 1 hour uphill to the crystal blue waters of Umantay Lake where we will stop to soak in the incredible views of the lake and the surrounding glaciers. We then take a 45 minute return downhill.
From Soraypampa we take a scenic 2 hour gentle uphill hike to Salkantaypampa (4, 100 m/13,451 ft.) where we will have our first views of the spectacular Apu Salkantay (6271m/20,574 ft.) and a well-deserved lunch. After lunch, we hike a challenging, less traveled uphill path for 3 ½ hours until we arrive at our camp for the night at Pampa Japonesa (4,610m/15,124 ft.)
The campsite is located at the base of the stunning mount Salkantay and if the night is clear you will most likely see the most stunning display of stars and distant galaxies. Your chef will prepare a sumptuous and hearty dinner before we retire for the night to rest our weary limbs.
DETAILS:
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Lowest Elevation: 3,205 m/ 10,512 ft.
- Highest Elevation: 4,610m/15,124 ft.
- Distance to walk: 12 km/7.5 miles
- Approximate walking time: 7 to 8 hours.
- Level of Difficulty:Â Moderate
- Difficulty: Easy
- Area:Â Dry Mountain
You will be woken at dawn with a steaming hot cup of coffee or coca tea and a delicious, nutritious breakfast. Day 2 is a strenuous and long hike which will climb up to many high passes. But don’t worry, your guide will ensure we take a pace that best suits the group, and take plenty of rest when needed.
With incredible views of the Andes all around us, we first hike uphill for 2 hours to Inca Chiriasca pass (4,960 m /16,272 ft.) Here we will be able to see the magnificence of the Vilcabamba and the Urubamba mountain ranges. Make sure your camera batteries are fully charged!
We then hike along an original Inca Trail for 3 hours until arriving at the Tocto pass (4820m/15,813 ft.) where we stop for lunch. Once again our team will have forged ahead (you will wonder at how they move so quickly!) and the lunch site will already be prepared for our arrival.
After lunch, we continue for another 2 hours to the Calacocha pass (4,660 m/15,288 ft.) and then for a further hour to the pass of Cruz Casa (4,620 m/15,157 ft.) After a short 1 hour climb to the Millpo Pass, from here we take a gentle descent for an hour to our camp for the night at Millpo (4390 m/14,402 ft.)
DETAILS:
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Lowest Elevation: 4390 m/14,402 ft.
- Highest Elevation: 4,960 m /16,272 ft.
- Distance to walk: 16 km/10 miles
- Approximate walking time: 9-10 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
- Area:Â Dry Mountain.
We rise very early on Day 3 and after breakfast we begin by hiking uphill for about an hour to the Chusquenay pass (4,630 m/15,190 ft.) followed by a 1 hour descent to the pass of Rumi Inca. We continue upwards for an hour to the valley of Yahuarmaky.
Climbing again for about two hours until we reach the pass of Aqocasa (4,689 m/15,383 ft.), this is yet another spectacular place to enjoy the vistas across the magnificent Andes. Here we can see part of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu far in the distance as well the Salkantay, Humantay, and Huayanay glaciers. The glaciers are simply breathtaking!
From Aqocasa pass, we descend for 3 hours to a small Inca ruin named Inca Racay. We will stop here for our lunch and your guide will tell stories of the ancient ruins.
After lunch we climb for an hour to the Huayanay pass (4,650m/15,255 ft.), and then take a steady 3 hour downhill path to the small village of Ancascocha and our camp for the night (3,700 m/12,139 ft.)
DETAILS:
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Lowest Elevation: 3,700 m/12,139 ft.
- Highest Elevation: 4,689 m/15,383 ft.
- Distance to walk: 14 km/8.6 miles
- Approximate walking time: 8 to 9 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
- Area:Â Dry Mountain
On Day 4 we take a 6 hour hike downhill through the most incredible canyon to the small village of Chilca. On our way we will pass several small villages and no doubt see the villagers going about their simple lives. We will also see beautiful orchids and many of the wild plants that the locals use for medicinal purposes.
Once we arrive at Camicancha (2,900 m/9,514 ft.) we will enjoy our last lunch from our chef before taking a local van to Ollantaytambo. It is from here that we take a 2-hour scenic train ride to the beautiful town of Aguas Calientes (2,040 m/6,692 ft.) Photo opportunities are endless as we carve through the valley floor into the lush green vegetation of the Aguas Calientes area.
Arriving in town, we escort you to your quality hotel where you will have some time to relax before dinner. After 3 nights in the mountains, your comfortable hotel room (and the hot shower!) will be a welcome sight. The natural hot springs in town are also a great place to relax if there is time before dinner. We take dinner together at a quality local restaurant with an extensive menu (drinks not included) before retiring to the hotel to prepare for the early start on Machu Picchu.
DETAILS:
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/6,692 ft.
- Highest Elevation: 3,700 m /12, 139 ft.
- Distance to walk: 11 km/6.8 miles
- Approximate walking time: 5-6 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate
- Area:Â Dry Mountain
After a very early breakfast at your hotel we take one of the early buses along the winding road to Machu Picchu to see the magnificent sunrise. Your guide will then give a 2 hour walking tour of this breathtaking site, named as one of the new 7 wonders of the world. Your entry ticket to Machu Picchu is included in the price of the trek.
After you have concluded your guided tour of the site you will probably have some time to be at Machu Picchu before returning to Aguas Calientes by bus.
Arriving back in Aguas Calientes you will board the expedition train to Ollantaytambo. From here you will travel by private van to Cusco and back to your hotel. Your arrival time in Cusco will depend on the time of your train ticket.
DETAILS:
- Meals: Breakfast
- Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/ 6,692 ft.
- Highest Elevation:Â 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft.
- Level of Difficulty:Â Easy
Faq's
We recommend warm and breathable layers, waterproof gear, hiking boots with good grip, sun protection, and a hat for both sun and cold. Temperatures can vary greatly, so it’s important to be prepared for both hot days and freezing nights.
This trek is recommended for well-conditioned hikers who are comfortable with high altitudes and long distances. It is not suitable for children or travelers who are not used to trekking in mountainous terrain.
Yes, a licensed guide will accompany the group throughout the journey. They’re trained in high-altitude safety, first aid, and will offer insight into the cultural and natural surroundings.
Definitely. The route features untouched Andean landscapes, snow-capped peaks, hidden valleys, and local communities. You’ll have plenty of chances to pause and take incredible photos.
Sudden weather changes are common in the Andes. Your guide will monitor conditions and may adjust the schedule if necessary to ensure safety. Always pack for both sun and rain.
All ground transportation during the trip is private and arranged specifically for the group’s comfort and convenience.
Yes, we recommend carrying some cash in soles for small purchases, local snacks, tips, or community donations along the trail.