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Salkantay trek and Inca Trail are often touted as Cusco’s must-do trek, but there is a rising star in a far more remote pocket of Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary – the Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days. It takes you to the high alpine or highland and cloud forest wilderness here and has the trail pretty much to everyone.
With Peru’s famous Inca Trail, and Salkantay Trek, becoming increasingly overrun – forcing travellers to battle stiff competition for peak season permits – the lesser-known Ancascocha Trek 5 days is quickly gaining a reputation as both a less-crowded, scenic historical trail due to the Inca Trail, and more strenuous alternative. A good level of fitness is required due to the high altitude. But the extra effort pays off. The Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days offers mind-blowing vistas and takes in a variety of ecosystems – from cloud forests and alpine peaks to glacial lakes and tropical jungles. Following in the footsteps of the highly trained Inca messengers, the four- to five-day odyssey culminates at the ancient site of Machu Picchu.
On Ancascocha trek to Machu Picchu, the trail goes through very remote Andean communities, where locals try to keep living in happiness moving their llamas and alpacas as they’ve been doing so far. This trail forms part of the network of classic Inca Trail which is linking Machu Picchu from the other towns located in the highlands, therefore, we’ll have the chance to witness ancient Incan ruins along the path to Machu Picchu, Inca ruins that are still covered by shrubs waiting for becoming uncovered by you.
If you are even more an intrepid one, and have longer time to hike, you have a chance to continue hiking the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 7 days as the trail gets to same path, so this would be even more a WOW experience for you. This tour is designed to create an experience that changes your life–Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days.
Join us for the adventure of a lifetime – give us a call at +51 984 464 391 or shoot us an email at [email protected] to learn more or book your spot today!
This trip is officially operated by Peru Summit Adventures, a 100% local tour operator based in Cusco.
Traveling with us you are making a big difference in favor of the environment, our trips are rated as eco-friendly trips to ensure that fragile ecosystems are protected and maintained for future human generations, also maintain ecosystem and environment integrity through considering a sustainable and ethical business model. Making genuine and sustainable itineraries often translates to real costs, with a host of responsible travel practices that underpin our prices.
Upgraded Comfort
UPGRADED COMFORT: Premium or Comfort trips are led by Peru Summit Adventures experts, an experienced crew at your side, or top trip leaders/guides, and tap into private local experts' resources to allow for in-depth exploration and special access to unique sites that only the local leaders/guides know. Itineraries are carefully crafted and fully planned, with plenty of free time to roam. Camping gears are high-end and accommodations are high-end or best available. Ground transportation and most meals (especially in hikes) and activities are included in the trip price.
STRENUOUS: Designed for experienced active travelers in excellent physical condition. Full-day hikes (6-9 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 ft) on many hikes. 4-day to 6-day trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 14,500 ft are in this category with some exposed sections.
Hiking, Archaeology & Cultural Adventures
While we expect the tour will run as the itinerary describes to Ancascocha Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu. Participants should accept that there is the possibility of changes, being necessary liable to local conditions, eg, strikes, natural disasters, these changes might be at the discretion of your travel company.
Pro 4-season tents in Black Diamond and North Face with Pro Sleeping pads in Therma-Rest and pillows, tents are roomy and cozy designed for 3 people but used only for 2 guests. Our hotel in Machu Picchu town is the Inti Punku Suites & Hotels (or a similar hotel) a lovely hotel for pleasant rest.
Min 2 ppl, Max 8 ppl
Minimum of 02 people is needed to depart. Family groups, couple travelers, friends, or even if you’re a SOLO traveler, you are welcome to our trips. Price is per person, which is based on two people who might share a room/tent. The itinerary is described and based on shared services as well as semi-private service; however, if you are looking for a private service, that would be upon request.
Yes. To protect MACHU PICCHU, the number of people allowed a day is limited to 4500 (spaces may vary depending on new regulations). That is why you should reserve your space as soon as possible. Spaces can be filled up three to four months in advance. Spaces fill more quickly in the high tourist season, from May to September.
Please allow a minimum of 2 days in Cusco city before your hike begins to Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu.
We head out to Soqma Village 10,512 ft, early in the morning, by driving for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, which is the trailhead to start our hiking. At this point we’ll meet up our horses and muleteers, get ready our hiking gears, and we’ll have our breakfast, after enjoying the breakfast we’ll start hiking up following a small valley to Perolniyoq a small Incan site perched atop the mountain, but previously we’ll see a nice waterfall, a perfect place to shoot some pictures. Once our arrival to the Incan site, you’ll have an explanation about the history of this site by our Trek Leader. We will then continue to our lunch spot for about 1 hour where we’ll enjoy a just prepared lunch, which comes with starter, soup, main course, dessert, tea (coca), in our dining tent overlooking to a great scenery around. After having our lunch, we’ll continue hiking up for about 2 hours to reach the first pass Called Kuichicasa 14,596 ft, at this point we’ll have stunning vistas of the Urubamba range where some snowcapped mountains are located, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas below us. From the pass we’ll hike downhill for 1 hour to get the first camp site called Chacachuco 14,268 ft. All meals included.
Moderate
Today’s breakfast makes us ready for a great adventure day, after having our breakfast at 6:00 am, we’ll start hiking on a highland plain with great views around, after trekking for about 3 hours we’ll arrive at next lunch spot located in Ancascocha community. After lunch we’ll hike up for about 2 hours to reach the second camp site 14,432 ft, located close by to Ancascocha lagoon. All meals included.
Moderate to Demanding
We start the day having a nutritious breakfast at 6:00 am, we then start our trek, following the switchback trail up to the highest point with amazing vistas in every direction, snow-capped mountains. After 2-hour hiking, we reach the highest pass on the whole trail, Guayanay pass 15,252 ft, with stunning views around, where we’ll take our snacks, before making our way to lunch spot. Next, the trail goes downhill to lunch spot for about 2 hours, on the way we’ll see a small Incan ruins, and walk close by to some alpacas. In the afternoon, once we enjoy our meals, we’ll continue with our trek trough the highland valley to the next camp site Paucarcancha 10,335 ft for 2 more hours, on this section of path we’ll walk on the ancient Inca trail which is connecting to Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley with stunning glacier peaks beyond. Close by to this camp site is located the Paucarcancha Incan Site a great place to learn about the Inca history while exploring with our Trek Leader. All meals included.
Very Demanding
We take our breakfast early in the morning to hike down to km 82, this section of the trail is pretty much the section of the Classic Inca Trail, so on the trail we’ll see a lot of Inca Trail hikers who are starting their adventure. On the trail we’ll see Llaqtapata, a beautiful Incan ruins nestled in the Sacred Valley with amazing crop terracing around, and other small Inca ruins. After, 5 hours hiking, we’ll have arrived to km 82 where we’ll have our last lunch prepared by our chef, and a place to say goodbye to our horses, muleteers, and chefs. Next, we’ll drive for 45 minutes to Ollantaytambo town, a quaint town with Inca cobble stone streets. From this place we’ll have a train ride to Machu Picchu Town for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Upon our arrival hotel check-in. All meals included, exept dinner, for a good choice of the restaurant get some recommendations from your Trek Leader.
Moderate to Demanding
A full morning exploration of Machu Picchu affords us the luxury of exploring at a leisurely pace while learning more about the Inca culture and the latest theories behind the construction of this marvelous complex. We have an early breakfast and head up to the ruins by shuttle bus before the morning tourist train arrives in order to fully enjoy the peace and solitude of this mystical place. Our knowledgeable Leader leads us on a fascinating tour, recapping Machu Picchu’s rediscovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and explaining the significance of the various structures that cover the grounds. We then have the chance to indulge ourselves with a hike to the dramatic viewpoint of Intipunku (the Sun’s Gateway), or a variety of other intriguing possibilities including an easy walk to an ancient Inca drawbridge or more vigorous hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain based on permit availability both peaks loom above the ruins. Of course, we can also choose to independently continue our exploration of the main site and daydream about what life must have been like here centuries ago. We catch the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo and from there take the bus back to Cusco, arriving at hotel at about 7:00 p.m. The day concludes with our Leader joining us for a final celebration dinner at a traditional local restaurant. Only breakfast included, the rest of meals don’t include.
Hiking Optional Huayna Picchu. Hike may be unguided and is steep with some exposure. Permits are limited to 400 spaces a day. An alternative optional hike may be available if Huayna Picchu permits cannot be obtained.
Easiest
Although we do our very best possible to adhere to the schedule above, this itinerary is subject to change for several reasons beyond our control, including strikes, weather, natural disasters, and terrain conditions. On some occasions, these conditions may demand us to deviate from our original schedule, in which case we will provide the best available alternative options. And we’ll make a great experience of it!
| Number of participants | Price per person | Total ($ USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Participant | We have special rates for SOLO travelers. Get started by filling out the inquiry form. | Enquire Now | |
| 2 Participants | $ 1,900.00 | $ 3,800.00 | Enquire Now |
| 3 Participants | $ 1,800.00 | $ 5,400.00 | Enquire Now |
| 4 Participants | $ 1,700.00 | $ 6,800.00 | Enquire Now |
| 5 Participants | $ 1,600.00 | $ 8,000.00 | Enquire Now |
| 6+ Participants | We have special rates for groups, which are over 6ppl. Get started by filling out the inquiry form. | Enquire Now | |
| # | |
|---|---|
| 1 person (We have special rates for SOLO travelers. Get started by filling out the inquiry form.) | Enquire Now |
| 2 people $ 1,900.00 | Enquire Now |
| 3 people $ 1,800.00 | Enquire Now |
| 4 people $ 1,700.00 | Enquire Now |
| 5 people $ 1,600.00 | Enquire Now |
| 6+ people (We have special rates for groups, which are over 6ppl. Get started by filling out the inquiry form.) | Enquire Now |
Prices are quoted in US Dollars and all payments must be made in US Dollars. Prices are per person based on SEMI-PRIVATE service; we depart with 2 ppl as a minimum, 8 ppl as maximum, and an average of 4 ppl in a group. This trek is also based on double occupancy for tents in the trail and a double twin-bed (matrimonial if requested) or triple occupancy in case of families or friends for hotel rooms, single rooms are subject to a single supplement fee.
Making a choice of your right travel company/ tour operator is the most important decision you will make as you make your plans for a long-anticipated dreamed adventure. At first glance, some companies may seem cheaper. However, when you research a little deeper, you will see why traveling with Peru Summit Adventures assures that you will have the most memorable travel experience possible. In fact, we guarantee it, our TripAdvisor reviews say that.
Making genuine and sustainable itineraries often translate to real costs, with a host of responsible travel practices that underpin our prices, here are the reasons why you should go with us!
Besides, Machu Picchu offers one of the world’s most spellbinding travel experiences. But it’s also a world-renowned destination, and touring the site in a big group with multitudes of tourists shoving for photos, and competing to hear the guide, your once in a lifetime visit to this World Heritage Site may lose its magic. Our Machu Picchu Trips are scheduled with an average of just four travelers, allowing for a deeper exploration of the lost city of the Incas, with our Local Experts / Tour Leaders.
We are very confident the quality of our Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu will get your expectations and that you will savor the best possible of cultural travel experience, nature travel experience, and adventure travel experience if you are dissatisfied, we’ll happily give you credit for an extra trip or for a future journey. It’s, to our knowledge, the best guarantee in the travel business.
Probably you will see that most of the tour operators mention it on their websites that are local tour companies, however, if you research a little deeper you will find out that’s not true, they might be although half of the operation is done from here and another half abroad, they even have NorthAmerican phone number or European phone numbers, which is a clue to find out, we are not against the foreigner companies or half foreign companies, what we are against is that they lie.
In Cusco exist just few truly local tour operators. If you did not know, foreign companies come to Peru to get rich without paying a General Sales Tax or Tax Contribution to our country. If you did not know that, according to the United Nations, for every US $100 spent on a tour in a developing country or foreign travel companies, only $5 stays in the local economy. Normally, almost all of the money flows back to large companies operating outside the destination countries. As we are a local family enterprise, we guarantee that your travel expenditures will support the local economy, and improve the lives of Peruvians through contributing to general sales tax.
Be a responsible traveller! Let’s make this world a better place for everyone and for everyone that lives in it! The natural environments that we travel to are fragile and abundant with beautiful culture and traditions that are often reliant on tourism. We have a responsibility as travelers to minimize the impact of our presence, protect what is delicate, and leave a positive influence everywhere we can.
As a locally owned and based Peruvian tour company, we integrate these practices into our in-country operations we are aiming for a style of travel that makes the world a better place for everyone, and for everyone that lives in it. Since our very first days as a tour operator, responsible business has been at the heart of what we do. Peru Summit Adventures is committed not just to treading lightly, but to making a real difference by helping and investing in local communities, education initiatives, environmental conservation projects. These values are not more than just words, they are ingrained in the culture and philosophy of our crew, daily operations of Peru Summit Adventures trips, and at our office too.
Hiking between 7 to 8 hours every day covering the 58 km / 36,04 miles of trail, with stops to enjoy the unique nature visuals along the trail, and we’ll hike through the ancient Inca Trail, and a part of Classic Inca Trail as the path finishes at KM 82 which is the starting point of Classic Inca Trail, we’ll learn about the local culture, local flora and fauna, history, counted by our great storyteller Tour Leaders, getting to two high passes, which are over 4,400 m.a.s.l, and exploring Inca ruins along the trail where we’ll enjoy the history of each place by our local expert. We’ll interact with local children engaging them in games, this will be a memorable experience for both you and the children of the local community. We’ll end this amazing adventure exploring the stunning ancient inca city of Machu Picchu with our tour leader discovering its mysteries.
We’ll eat amazing food (breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch time, tea time), all fresh, just made and organic food, all prepared by our Quechua chef. All this food experience we’ll be always in our dining tents with chairs, tables, at night with lamps, and many more.
At night we’ll take a time to get our cameras ready to spot some constelations and take some awesome shots of milky way. And our accomodation for night we’ll be in four season tents with therma rest sleeping pads, and sleeping bags.
End your day with a nice tea time, then a typical-cooked dinner made from our locally-sourced ingredients. At night, we’ll take a glance the sky to learn about the Andean constellation, and take some great shots of milky way. End your activity of the day, resting in a confortable four season tent with nice sleeping pads, and sleeping bags.
The perfect custom-made private tours, adventure tours, or expeditions don’t just happen. It takes a team of talented, knowledgeable, passionate, and experienced professionals to bring it all together and possible. Our team of Peru Summit Adventures Leaders is comprised of local trip veterans, seasoned tour veterans with rich backgrounds on history, archaeology, culture, cuisine, geology, biology, and more.
With the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the travel industry, our Trip Leaders safely deliver your trip-of-a-lifetime to maximize your Peru journeys and adventures every step of the way. Our Tour/Trek Leaders have worked extensively in the Peru isolated mountains, archaeological sites, hiking the Inca Trail (at least 150 times), Amazon jungle, and being at Machu Picchu for over 400 times at least, this guarantees your trip a unique and memorable experience.
Camping Equipment: Great gear is a key part of every great journey, so we’ve made our gear warehouse featuring top-performing brands like Black Diamond, Patagonia, North Face Summit Series, Therma Rest, Marmot, Leki, this is a fantastic collection of our outdoor gear, accessories, which are offered in all trekking adventures, expeditions, and Peru Summit Adventures Logo items.
In all hikes, you’ll enjoy Pro 4-season tents in Black Diamond and North Face with Pro Sleeping pads in Therma-Rest and pillows, tents are roomy and cozy designed for 3 people but used only for 2 guests.
Hotels: We select carefully our hotels in each destination all over the country. And we select our accommodations for how well they represent the distinctive character of the destination you’re in. Some of these rooms and cabanas draw their inspiration from history and others from the views they offer. What’s consistent, however, is that we stand by each and every one of these for what they’ll add to your experience.
We have created a custom comprehensive listing of Ancascocha Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu and Peru, Machu Picchu, and Peru travel books for this trip. Our reading list Peru is custom-designed to complement specific Peru Summit destinations. We feature a handpicked selection of travel guides, maps, literature, books on art, cuisine, nature, and culture, designed to help you get more out of your travels to Machu Picchu & Peru.
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