Name: 4 Day Ancascocha to Machu Picchu Hiking Tour in Peru
Brand: Peru Hike
Price: 540 USD
Availability: InStock

Accommodation

You will spend two nights camping and one night at Kasas Del Inka. There are four-person, four-season tents, destined for two travelers. You will be equipped with one Polar sheet per person, pillows throughout the tour, rubber warmers, a PRO air-sleeping pad, and a sleeping bag. Peru Hike also includes a large tent with a table and chairs for you to enjoy your meal worry-free, all the cooking equipment, carried by porters and horses, and a portable toilet.

Program

Maximum altitude: 4650 meters / 15255 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

The Ancascocha trail in the Peruvian Andes is a spectacular trail that remains off the beaten path even given its proximity to the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The Ancascocha Trek, often called the Super Inca Trail or even the Hidden Inca Trail, is a far more strenuous yet less traveled and more rewarding path. You will cover a portion of the Classic Inca Trail during the third day of walking. After a few days of solitude, you may be surprised to see many hikers suddenly. However, there is nothing to worry about as they go in another direction.

You will visit Machu Picchu, one of the 7 New Wonders of the World, on the last day. You will notice that nothing compares to the most famous archaeological site in South America despite all the beauty you have already seen so far. You will have a two-hour guided tour and the possibility of climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain (subject to availability). After completing the tour, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes and then train to Cusco.

Do not worry about anything, they will drop you off at your hotel’s door to arrive. The standard trek includes a permit to climb Huayna Pichu Mountain which is a fairly easy one-hour hike. However, if no tickets are available (e.g. due to late booking) then a permit to climb Machu Picchu mountain will be issued. Note that this is a two- or three-hour strenuous climb up and down following very steep and narrow steps.

Why take the Ancascocha trek to Machu Picchu?

At (Peru Hike), your safety, fun, and comfort will always be their main concern. Therefore, your guide will ensure that the pace of the excursion is adjusted for each member of the group. They will take a break whenever necessary. Camps will be ready before your arrival. They use high-quality equipment to ensure maximum comfort. They are extremely proud of their kitchen team. The chef and his assistant will surprise you with the delights they can make in the middle of the mountain.

You will never go hungry because the menu is specially designed to ensure you have enough energy for each day of hiking. Highlights of this excursion include guided tours of ancient Inca archaeological sites, extensive cultivation fields where generations of peasants have tilled the land, and traditional Andean towns such as Chillipahua and Ancascocha. However, the real reward of this route is the impressive views of the majestic mountains.

However, no reward comes without effort. It is a challenging walk that will take you above 4,600 meters on the Huayanay Pass (4,650 meters / 15,255 feet). Therefore, they recommend that all passengers have an excellent physical condition. Enjoy unique landscapes, beautiful and crystalline blue lagoons, raging waterfalls, and the imposing Apu Salkantay (6,266 meters / 20,551 feet) constantly dominate the scene.

Daily itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Soqma - Kuychiccasa Pass - Chancachuco Valley

After meeting you at your hotel, you leave Cusco early in the morning and drive one hour and 45 minutes to Soqma (3,000 meters / 9,843 feet). This is the starting point of your trek and where you meet the horsemen (and horses) who will be your porters during the hike. The hike begins with a one-hour-and-45-minute walk to the Perolniyoc cascade lookout. The waterfall is breathtaking, and you can even take a short climb down to the base of the falls for some fantastic photo opportunities (and cool down if the weather is hot). Then, hiking for a further 45 minutes, you visit the Inca site of the same name.

Perched on a cliff-top with spectacular views of the surrounding valley, your guide will share some of the history of the site and the Incas and you will be free to wander through the ruins, imagining life 500 years ago. Next, you make a steep ascent for around an hour to reach your lunch spot, Rayan (3,700 meters / 12,139 feet). Here, you will sample for the first time the incredible culinary skills of your chef, with a chance to rest, relax, and refuel for the afternoon’s hiking. The afternoon begins with a challenging three-hour uphill hike to reach the Kuychiccasa pass (4,500 meters /14,764 feet).

Passing the rustic houses of the farmers, at every turn, you will see sumptuous views of the snow-capped peaks of the ‘Nevadas’, wild llamas, sprawling valleys, and if you are lucky, a passing condor (the largest bird in the Andes with a wing-span of up to 10 feet across). As you reach the top of the pass (perhaps a little breathless), you take a break to soak in the magnificent views of the Chancachuco Valley on one side and the Sacred Valley of the Incas on the other.

From here, it is an easy 45-minute downhill hike to reach your camp for the evening at the Chancachuco Valley (4,350 m / 14,272 ft). Here, with the campsite already prepared when you arrive, you can change into warmer clothing and lie back to watch the sky gradually fill with the most incredible display of stars (clouds permitting!) before joining your guide and your fellow trekkers for a well-earned, hearty dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking distance: 16 kilometers / 9.9 miles
Campsite elevation: 3,350 meters / 14,272 feet
Highest elevation: 4,500 meters / 14,764 feet

Day 2: Chancachuco Valley - Ancascocha - Quesqa Valley

You will be woken with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea, followed by a full breakfast to fuel you for the morning ahead. You begin with a 45-minute undulating hike followed by a 20-minute ascent by way of a narrow trail that follows a stream with beautiful views of Mount Veronica (5,822 meters / 19,100 feet). You then take a two-and-a-half-hour walk downhill to reach the small community of Ancascocha (3,900 meters / 12,795 feet), in a small but gorgeous wooded valley with a stream running through it.

Continuing uphill for one hour, you will enjoy views of the nearby glacier and well-preserved Inca remains, before reaching the beautiful crystal-blue Ancascocha Lake where you stop for lunch. After lunch, you continue your ascent towards the Huayanay Pass (4,650 meters / 15,255 feet). This is a strenuous two-hour climb along a steep switchback trail which brings you to the highest point of your trek. Along this section, you will see an original cobblestone-paved Inca Trail.

After taking time to enjoy the incredible views from the summit, you embark on a three-hour descent into greener vegetation. Along this stretch, you will have a distant vista of the classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu as well as fascinating views of the communities of the Quesqa valley. You will also pass the small Inca site of Incaracay. Finally, you will reach your campsite, nestled in the Quesqa valley (3,850 meters / 12,631 feet). Once again, your chef will serve an excellent dinner as we reflect on the sights and sounds of the day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Difficulty: Challenging
Walking distance: 15 kilometers / 9.32 miles
Campsite elevation: 3,850 meters / 12,631 feet
Highest elevation: 4,650 meters / 15,255 feet

Day 3: Quesqa Valley - KM 82 - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

On your final day of trekking, you descend from Quesqa Valley for two hours until we reach the Inca site of Paucarcancha (3,120 meters / 10,236 feet) where your guide will provide a comprehensive commentary about the site. You then join a section of the classic Inca Trail and make an easy hike downhill for five hours until you reach Km 82, which is the official start of the Classic Trail.

Along the way, you will be able to see the Inca site of Llactapata. Lunch will be served at Km 82. After lunch, you will be picked up by your private local van and transported to Ollantaytambo (2,792 meters / 9,160 feet) to catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. Photo opportunities are endless as you carve through the valley floor into the lush green vegetation of the Aguas Calientes area.

After two nights in the mountains, your comfortable hotel room will be a welcome sight. The natural hot springs in town are also a great place to relax if there is time before dinner. You will have dinner together at a nice and quality local restaurant with an extensive menu (drinks not included) before retiring to the hotel to prepare for the early start on Machu Picchu.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking distance: 18 kilometers / 11.18 miles
Accommodation elevation: 2,040 meters / 6,693 feet
Highest elevation: 3,850 meters / 12,631 feet

Day 4: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

After a very early breakfast at your hotel, you take one of the first buses (5:30 a.m.) along the winding road to Machu Picchu to see the magnificent sunrise. Your guide will then give a two-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. If you have elected to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains, you can begin the hike once your guided tour concludes. The ticket price for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain is also included in the price of your trek.

If you choose not to climb the mountain, you will have plenty of free time to explore Machu Picchu before returning to Aguas Calientes by bus or walking. Arriving back in Aguas Calientes, you will board the expedition train to Poroy or 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.

Meals: Breakfast
Difficulty: Moderate
Machu Picchu Site elevation: 2,430 meters / 7,972 feet
Huayna Picchu Mountain elevation: 2,720 meters / 8,924 feet
Machu Picchu Mountain elevation: 3,000 meters / 9,843 feet

Briefing or informative meeting

All information meetings are held in your hotel at 6:00 p.m., one night before the tour begins. If you cannot attend, you must coordinate another time at the Peru Hike offices. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and there, you will be given a small duffel bag, in which you will put all the belongings you intend to bring on the trek that will not be in your day pack.

Duffel bag or canvas case

You will receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. The porters will take them on the way and will deliver them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 66 centimeters / 2 feet long x 36 centimeters / 1 foot wide. A maximum of five kilograms is allowed for each duffel bag including the weight of your sleeping bag, mat, clothes, and other personal items.

Luggage storage

During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at the office (you can organize a briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge. Any equipment that you are not going to need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Do not leave items of value with your bags; please put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing all the items). Best put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.

Pick up of guests

Peru Hike can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it is in the Historic Center of Cusco. The pickup time will be coordinated with your guide in the briefing. The pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic. Cusco is a very old city, therefore, it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. They strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.

Return to Cusco

Returning from Machu Picchu requires quite a bit of logistics, but everything is included in your tour. In Machu Picchu, you will board a bus that will take you for 25 minutes to the small city of Aguas Calientes. The buses are boarded according to your arrival. In Aguas Calientes, you will board a train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco. Your guide will give you the train tickets where the boarding time will be shown. Make sure you are on the platform 30 minutes early.

The train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes two hours. Once you arrive at the station, your representative, identified with the Peru Hike clothing, will be waiting to transfer you to Plaza San Francisco, in Cusco. The trip from Ollantaytambo to Plaza San Francisco takes two hours. In San Francisco, depending on your hotel’s location, they will take you to a smaller car from the company (Hyundai H1) to transfer you faster to your hotel in Cusco.

Group tours

Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if said modifications can be made.

Strikes and demonstrations

Strikes and demonstrations are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of their tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, they will try to keep your excursion as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by their operations department. Your safety is their highest priority and their decisions will be made to protect it.

Location

The tour will take place in Peru.

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Food

You will be served daily vegetarian and vegan breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as water to drink on the trail every day, morning wake-up tea, afternoon tea time or happy hour, snacks on the trail daily, and products for hygiene included in the price.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Snacks
Drinks

The following drinks are included:

Water
Tea

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Vegetarian
Vegan

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

What's included

Program
3 nights accommodation
4 breakfasts
4 lunches
3 dinners
Water to drink on the trail every day
Wake up tea every morning
Tea time or happy hour every afternoon
Snacks on the trail daily
Products for hygiene
Pre-departure briefing
English and Spanish-speaking experienced guide
A professional cook only for the group
Motorola Talkabout radio for communication
Medical kit with first-aid kit
1 duffle bag per person
Customer service 24/7
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu circuit (1 or 2)
Private transportation from Cusco to the start of the trek
Extra oxygen
Horses and muleteers horses (carry your eight-kilogram / 16-pound personal items)
Private transportation from the end of the walk to the Ollantaytambo train station
Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
Private transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco
1 Polar sheet per person
Pillows throughout the tour
Rubber warmers, for the night
PRO air-sleeping pad, Therma-Rest brand
Sleeping bag
Trekking stick

What's not included

Airfare
Airport transfers
Travel insurance
Tips for the staff
Additional costs or delays out of control of the management

How to get there

Recommended Airports

CUZ

Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport

587 km

Transfer available for additional US$ 20 per person

Airport: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport Airport transfer available: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (US$ 20 per person) Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.

Cancellation Policy

A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.

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