Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu via Salkantay 5 Day
This stunning trek takes you past ancient Inca ruins and through traditional Andean villages such as Chillipahua and the trail’s namesake Ancascocha (3,700m/12,139 ft.) Here you may briefly share the trail with farmers and shepherds tending to their livestock and their simple lives.
The rewards for your efforts are staggering, with panoramic views across the snow-covered peaks of the Andes, cascading waterfalls, crystal blue lakes and the towering 20,551 foot (6,266 m) Apu Salkantay. The trail formerly connected Limatambo, Machu Picchu, and Choquequirao and so in the distance you will see many of the original Inca trails into the mountains, partly covered by the passage of time.
So if you’re ready, take a deep breath and take a hike with us through some of the most breathtaking and inspiring landscapes in the Andes.
Explore Peru treks, is a fully locally owned tour operator in Cusco. We are certified local guides with an excellent knowledge of Incas history and culture. As natives, our guides will be sharing some of the astonishing facts on this action packed travel experience from Cusco.
We offer Ancascocha Trek To Machu Picchu via Salkantay , both as a small group tour and as a private tour. We invite you to take a moment to check out our reviews on Tripadvisor.
It is highly recommended to spend some time in Cusco and acclimate to the altitude to avoid altitude sickness. Hike to Huayna Picchu is definitely challenging, although if you are with a reasonable physical condition it won’t be difficult to hike
Cusco Hotel Transfer
0500 AM
will be picked up from your Cusco hotel at 5am for the 3 hour drive to Mollepata, 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, After making final preparations, we being our hike for 1 hour up hill to the crystal blue waters of Umantay Lake . From Soraypampa we take a scenic 2 hour gentle uphill hike to Salkantaypampa (4, 100 m/13,452 ft.) where we will have our first views of the spectacular Apu Salkantay (6273m/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 (4,612m/15,124 ft.)
Day 2 is a strenuous and long hike which will climb up to many high passes. 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.
We take an original Inca Trail for 3 hours until arriving at the Tocto pass (4820m/15,812 ft.) where we stop for lunch. After lunch, we continue for another 2 hours to the Calacocha pass (4,660 m/15,289 ft.) and then for a further hour to the pass of Cruz Casa (4,622 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.
We rise very early on Day 3 and after breakfast we begin by hiking uphill for about an hour to the Chusquenay pass (4,631 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.
From Aqocasa pass, we descend 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 (4,651m/15,255 ft.), and then take a steady 3 hour downhill path to the small village of Ancascocha and our camp for the night (3,700m/12,138 ft.)
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 we will also see beautiful orchids and many of the wild plants use for medicinal purposes.
Once we arrive at Camicancha (2,900 m/9,514 ft.) we will enjoy our last lunch 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/6,691 ft.)
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 ,The natural hot springs in town are also a great place to relax if there is time before dinner.
After a very early breakfast at your hotel we take one of the first buses (5:30am) 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.
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.
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.
*the standard trek includes a permit to climb Huayna Pichu Mountain which is a fairly easy 1 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 2-3 hour strenuous climb up and down following very steep and narrow steps
This trek was breathtaking with ancient Andean ruins and villages!
