4 Days and 3 Nights Ancascocha and Machu Picchu Trek

4 days (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 5 more

The Ancashcocha to Machu Picchu Trek stands out for its remoteness, stunning scenery, and authentic cultural encounters. This lesser-known route offers pristine lakes, glaciers, original Inca paths, and traditional Andean communities rarely seen by travelers.

Unlike crowded trails, this trek delivers true solitude, diverse landscapes, and a meaningful journey that naturally leads to Machu Picchu. It’s the perfect choice for hikers looking for adventure, history, and one of Peru’s most rewarding trekking experiences.

What's Included

Pre-departure briefing
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Experienced Mountain Guide
Inflatable mattress and portable travel toilet.
Lunch (Optional[3])
Lunch
Dinner (Optional[3])
Dinner
One-way bus tickets (Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu).
Breakfast (Optional[4])
Breakfast
Entrance to Machu Picchu (Circuit 2 for 5-month bookings; if unavailable, Circuit 3, then Circuit 1)
Portable travel toilet
All private transport and transfers during the tour
Hygiene products (small towel and soap).
Personal duffel bag (up to 5 kg / 11 lb) for your travel gear.
Water, Tea Time, and daily snacks on the trail
Personal Belongings Transport
Transfer from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco.
Transportation from Piscacucho (KM 82) to Ollantaytambo
Expert chef, porters, and horsemen
Walkie-talkies, satellite phone, oxygen, and first aid kit available at all times.
Private Camping Facilities & Equipment (tents, tables, chairs, cooking utensils).
Pickup and return to your hotel in the historic center of Cusco as part of the itinerary.
Tourist train round-trip ticket (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes).
Backpack cover.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes and dinner in Cusco (Day 4)
Clothing and personal hiking equipment
Gear: Sleeping Bag & Trekking Poles
Travel Insurance (Recommended)
Gratuities for the staff (Optional)

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

We recommend booking hotels in the center of Cusco.
The pickup time is between 04:00 and 04:30 am.

Itinerary

Duration: 4 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Cusco - Soqma - Perolniyoc - Racaypata - Abra Kuychiccasa - Chancachuco

    3 stops
  • 1

    We start early with pick-up from your accommodation and travel for an hour and a half to Soqma (3,000 m / 9,843 ft).

    1 hour 30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Socma Perolniyoc

    Upon arrival, we will enjoy a delicious breakfast and meet our team.

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • 3

    Then, we begin a three-hour hike to the Perolniyoc waterfall, where you will have time to enjoy the scenery and take pictures. We continue for another hour to Racaypata, located at the top of the waterfall, where the guide will share information about this important Inca site. We will take a break for lunch, prepared by our mountain chefs. In the afternoon, we ascend for approximately three hours to the Kuychiccasa pass (4,500 m / 14,764 ft). During the hike, we will see farm fields, alpacas, and, with a little luck, Andean condors. From the pass, we will descend for about an hour and forty-five minutes to the camp (4,350 m / 14,764 ft), where a comforting dinner and a well-deserved rest under the Andean sky await us.

    15 hours Admission ticket included
  • Day 2

    Chancachuco - Ancascocha - Abra Huaynay - Incaracay - Quesqa

    2 stops
  • 4

    We start the day with an energy-packed breakfast before setting off on a 65-minute hike to a viewpoint with breathtaking views of the La Verónica glacier (5,682 m / 18,642 ft). Then, we descend for approximately three hours through a beautiful valley, crossing a stream, until we reach the community of Ancascocha (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). After a short break, we ascend for an hour with views of the surrounding glaciers until we reach Inca archaeological sites and the spectacular blue lake of Ancascocha.

    5 hours Admission ticket free
  • 5

    We enjoy a snack and lunch prepared by our mountain chefs before continuing with a two-hour ascent to the highest point of the hike, the Huayanay pass (4,650 m / 15,265 ft), located on a section of the original Inca Trail. Finally, we descend, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, to the camp in the Qesqa Valley (3,850 m / 12,631 ft), where a delicious dinner and a well-deserved rest await us.

    16 hours Admission ticket included
  • Day 3

    Quesqa - Paucarcancha - Piscacucho, km 82 - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

    4 stops
  • 6

    We start the day early with a delicious breakfast before beginning a descent of approximately two and a half hours through the Qesqa Valley to the Inca archaeological site of Paucarcancha (3,120 m / 10,236 ft). Here you can see a section of the original Inca Trail, while the guide shares the history and mysteries of the place.

    6 hours Admission ticket included
  • 7

    We continue with a descent of about five hours along a section of the Classic Inca Trail, passing through Llactapata and Cajabamba, until we reach km 82, the starting point of the traditional Inca Trail. Upon arrival, we will take a short break for lunch and rest.

    2 hours Admission ticket free
  • 8
    Ollantaytambo

    In the afternoon, we will transfer to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m / 9,160 ft) to board the train to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m / 6,693 ft).

    2 hours Admission ticket free
  • 9
    Aguas Calientes

    Upon arrival, we will accompany you to your hotel, and if you still have energy, you can explore this charming town. Later, we will meet for dinner at one of the best local restaurants before resting up for the next day.

    10 hours Admission ticket free
  • Day 4

    Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

    5 stops
  • 10
    Aguas Calientes

    We wake up very early to prepare for our visit to Machu Picchu. We enjoy an early breakfast before boarding the bus to the citadel.

    1 hour 30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 11
    Machu Picchu

    Upon entering, the guide leads us through the main circuit, sharing historical and cultural information, and then provides free time for photographs and personal exploration. Those who have booked an additional hike can climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain.

    2 hours Admission ticket included
  • 12
    Aguas Calientes

    Around noon, we return to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time for lunch and souvenir shopping.

  • 13
    Ollantaytambo

    In the afternoon, we board the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo.

  • 14
    Cusco

    In Ollantaytambo, our private transportation will take you comfortably back to your accommodation in Cusco.

Additional info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek so you can get used to the altitude
Supplied by Salkantay Trekking
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Tags

Hiking Tours
Multi-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Audio Guides
Rail Tours
Archaeology Tours
Small Group
Adventure Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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