Ancascocha Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days
The Ancascocha Trek, also known as the Hidden Inca Trail or the Super Inca Trail, is a strenuous and less traveled trek. If you’re looking for off the beaten path trails, pristine wilderness, and a challenging trek, this is the one for you! National Geographic recently named Ancascocha Trail as one of the World’s 20 Best Hikes.
In Ancascocha Trek you will feel the magic of the Andes and at the same time discover the history that surrounds the great empire of the Incas. hiking in the mountains of the Southern Andes. Nature, geography, flora and fauna will surprise you with its beauty and diversity, filling your eyes and spirit with their unique characteristics. The story of The Incas will be present at each step towards the end point of our journey. Archaeological sites dotted throughout our journey will help us to better understand the Andean civilization and way of life.
Trip Highlights
- The Ancascocha Trail, also known as the Hidden Inca Trail or the Super Inca Trail, is a less traveled trek. If you’re looking for off the beaten path trails, pristine wilderness, and a challenging trek, this is the one for you! National Geographic recently named Ancascocha Trail as one of the World’s 20 Best Hikes!
- Best local tour guides who teach you about several ancient Inca ruins, wandering through remote Fincas where generations of farmers have tended their livestock, and passing traditional andean villages like Chillipahua and Ancascocha. But of course the real reason to take this trek is for the unsurpassed views of the majestic Andes.
- We will see spectacular views across the mountains, beautiful clear blue lakes and raging waterfalls, and with the towering 6,266m (20,551 ft.) Apu Salkantay frequently dominating the skyline.
- On our third day of hiking we will be on a portion of the Classic Inca Trail (the one that gets booked up a year in advance!) After 2 days of solitude, you may well be surprised to see so many other hikers; but don’t worry, they are going in the other direction!
- From the sacred valley town of Ollantaytambo we will take the scenic train to Aguas Calientes, which is the base for our trip to Machu Picchu. The train journey in itself is a fantastic experience, and full of photo opportunities.
Inclusions of this tour
CUSCO – SOQMA - RAYAN - CHANCACHUCO VALLEY
Our guides will pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 AM to take you on a private car ride to Soqma (3,205 m/10,512 ft), the starting point of our four-day trek. Upon meeting up with the rest of our staff, our horsemen and porters we will embark on our trekking adventure toward our destination for the day which is the Valley of Chancachuco.
An hour and a half from the starting point we will arrive at the Perolniyoc waterfalls’ lookout followed by a visit to an ancient Incan site. At every point of interest, our professional and knowledgeable guides will give you small bits of information about the background of these locations. From there we will continue the ascend along a gorgeous valley toward our lunch spot at Rayan. After Lunch, we will go on a challenging climb to reach the highest point of the day at the Kuychiccasa pass (4,450 m /14,599 ft). On this location, the impressive views of the Sacred Valley on one side and the Chancachuco Valley, on the other hand, will be the prelude of the majestic scenery of this trek for the days to come. We complete our day by going down the hill for about an hour toward our campsite at Chancachucho.
Camping Tent
CHANCACHUCO VALLEY – ANCASCOCHA – HUAYNAY PASS – 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. We 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 Mt. Veronica (5,822 m/ 19,100 ft). We then take a 2.5 hour walk downhill to reach the small community of Ancascocha (3,700 m/12,139 ft), in a small but gorgeous wooded valley with a stream running through it. Continuing uphill for 1 hour you will enjoy views of the nearby glacier and well preserved Inca remains, before reaching the beautiful crystal blue Ancascocha Lake where we stop for lunch.
After lunch we continue our ascent towards the Huayanay Pass (4,650 m/15,255 ft). This is a strenuous 2 hour climb along a steep switchback trail which brings us to the highest point of our trek. Along this section you will see an original cobblestone paved Inca Trail. After taking time to enjoy the incredible views from the summit, we embark on a 3 hour descent into greener vegetation. Along this stretch we 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. We will also pass the small Inca site of Incaracay. Finally we will reach our campsite, nestled in the Quesqa valley (3,850 m/12,631 ft). Once again, your chef will serve an excellent dinner as we reflect on the sights and sounds of the day.
Camping Tents
PAUCARCANCHA – LLAPTAPATA – KM 82 - AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN
After the breakfast we will hike downhill for 2 hours towards Paucarcancha ruins,  there you will explore this fascinating inca place. Then we will continue hike down to the community of Huayllabamba, where we will join to the classical inca trail. At midday we will arrive to the place of tarayoc, where will be our Lunch. After one short break we have to walk to the inca site of Patallacta, which is the most amazing and biggest one inca village. Continuing with the walk alongside the Vilcanota river, we will arrive at km 82, where we say goodbye to our muleteers; and then take the transportation to Ollantaytambo.
In the afternoon (16:45 pm) we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, on arrival we will check in the hotel. Then with the guide , you will  organize the plan to visit Machu Picchu.
Hotel Retama Machu Picchu
TOUR IN MACHU PICCHU - RETURN TO CUSCO
This day the tour in Machu Picchu will take place early in the morning, after getting ready at the hotel, we will take the bus at 5:30 am. After a trip along the road surrounded by vegetation and impressive views of the Putukusi mountain, we will arrive at the access point for the sacred sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
First, before passing the control, those who wish to use the toilets will be able to do so. Since there are no bathrooms inside Machu Picchu, if you are going to go outside once inside, unfortunately you will not be able to re-enter.
Our visit to the wonder of Machu Picchu will be through circuit number 2, since it is one of the most complete. On this tour you will be able to go up to the famous guardian’s house from where the postcard photo of Machu Picchu will be taken, then you will pass through the main gate, the ceremonial plaza, the Inca’s house, the ceremonial fountains, you will see the temple of the sun, but not up close; You can also access the pyramid where the sundial is located.
Continuing with the circuit you will arrive at the sector of the sacred rock, and finally you will visit the urban area where the royal houses of the Inca nobles were, and also the room of mirrors. After 3 hours of travel we will retire with our guide, and once outside you can have a drink or food. Because inside the complex is prohibited.
Then you can take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have enough time to have your lunch. At 2:30 p.m. it will be the time of the return train to the Ollantaytambo station, where your return transportation to Cusco awaits you, arriving at approximately 7:00 p.m.
Best season to travel
The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season, between May and November, when the weather is dry and bright, with more frequent rainfall occurring between November and April.
Ancascocha Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days
Price $ USD 680 PP or Reserve now with $ USD 200 PPChoose your preferred departure date to proceed
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Essential Trip Information
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