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The Ancascocha Trek 7 Days is one of the most extraordinary hiking adventures in the Andes of Peru. This incredible route combines the stunning Ancascocha Trail with the world-famous Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, creating a perfect blend of nature, culture, and history. Ideal for adventure lovers and those who seek an authentic experience, the Ancascocha Trek takes you through high Andean valleys, crystal-clear lakes, and ancient Inca pathways that remain hidden from the crowds.
Throughout the Ancascocha Trek Peru, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking snow-capped peaks, colorful mountains, and peaceful communities where you can interact with local Andean families who still preserve their Inca traditions, languages, and handmade clothing. You’ll walk alongside herds of llamas and alpacas, visit sacred lagoons such as the stunning Lake Ancascocha, and witness the majestic landscapes that make this one of the top alternative treks in Cusco.
Often called the Alternative Inca Trail, the Ancascocha Trail is a hidden gem recognized by National Geographic as one of the world’s best treks. Combining it with the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu makes the Ancascocha Trek 7 Days a complete and life-changing experience. You will explore remote archaeological sites, hike along ancient Inca stone paths, and finally arrive at the majestic Machu Picchu through the iconic Sun Gate — the same way the ancient Incas did centuries ago.
This extended itinerary allows you to fully appreciate the diversity of the Andes — from high mountain passes to lush cloud forests — while immersing yourself in the fascinating world of the Incas. The Ancascocha & Classic Inca Trail 7 Days is more than just a trek; it’s a journey through time, culture, and natural beauty that will leave you with unforgettable memories of Peru.
Join Franklin Navarro and our expert trekking team on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure and discover why the Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu is considered one of the most rewarding treks in the Andes.
We head out to Soqma Village (3,00 m / 9,842 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, then we’ll start hiking up following a small valley to Perolniyoq a small Incan site perched a top 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 Tour Guide. We will then continue to our lunch spot for about 1 hour overlooking to a great scenery around. After the lunch, we’ll continue hiking up for about 2 hours to reach the first pass Called Kuichicasa (4,500 m / 14,764 ft), at this point we’ll have stunning vistas of the Urubamba range where some snowc
apped 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 Chancachuco (4,350 m / 14,272 ft).
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 (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), located close by to Ancascocha lagoon.
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, Wayanay pass (4,650 m / 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 through the highland valley to the next camp site Paucarcancha (3,120 m / 10,236 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 Guide.
Today, we will start with a 1-hour steep downhill trek to the small village of Huayllabamba where we join the classic Inca Trail. Then we will take a hike to the area called ayapata, a place we will use for our lunch. Upon our arrival we will receive with warm applause our porters, who will make their short presentation and the great work that they will play with us.
The view from which is fabulous to all the valley of Huayllabamba; to finish the day we will make a 2-hour hike to the Llullucha camp, the trail is surrounded by highland forests where it is possible to even see native species such as colle, queuña, intimpa, tasta, chachacomos, and beautiful ñuqchu flowers, which They visit many species of hummingbirds. This day will end the walk around 5:00 pm.
Today, we will reach the highest point on the Inca Trail (dead woman pass) (Warmihuañusca) (4,200 m / 13,776 ft). On reaching the pass we’ll stop for a short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River). It’s another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot and a chance to refill our water bottles.
After lunch we begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek (Runkurakay) (3,970 m / 13,022 ft), stopping halfway to visit the impressive archaeological site of Runkurakay. Going over the pass, we descend toward Lake Yanacocha and enter into the cloud forest to arrive at the Sayacmarca Inca ruins (3,624 m/ 11,887 ft). Our campsite is at Chaquicocha (3,400 m / 11,154 ft).
Today, we will take an easy climb in the morning to the last pass with its Incan ruins of the same name (Phuyupatamarca, 3,700 m / 12,136 ft). Here, we will also have remarkable views of the Urubamba River Valley. Afterward, we go into the rain forest. We will walk downhill for 3 hours. During this stretch of the trail we will visit Inti Pata.
Along this path you will take the most beautiful pictures of the entire Inca trail. After Inti Pata it is a further 30 minutes to our campsitewe descend to the Wiñaywayna campsite (2,650 m/ 8,692 ft) and visit the archeological site there after lunch. Campsite Elevation – 2,600 m/ 8,530 ftDifficulty: Easy Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Camping Area: Cloud Forest
Today we arrive at the long-awaited finale of our trek, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Machu Picchu. After an early start to our day, we arrive at the campsite exit gate where we must wait in line until 5 AM. Subsequently, we will hike one hour until we arrive at the Sun Gate (Intipuncu) which looks down onto Machu Picchu. We will arrive early to enjoy its serenity in the soft morning light.
From there, we will walk downhill on a stone path to enter the hidden Royal Citadel of the Incas with impressive panoramic views all the way down. We will have a 2-hour guided tour through this incredible ancient city to visit temples, terraces, palaces, priest’s houses, the sundial, the industrial sector, and the farming fields. Be amazed at the engineering ingenuity of the Incas which was so far ahead of their time and still partially a mystery today
When you are finished exploring the extraordinary city of Machu Picchu you will travel to Aguas Calientes by bus. You will then take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo where our van will be waiting to transport you back to Cusco. Arrival time in Cusco will according the train back Schedule we have at 14:55 pm and 16:22 pm. So the total time combining trail plus van is like 4 hours.
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’ll put all the belongings you intend to bring on the trek that won’t be in your day pack.
ou’ll 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 cm / 2 ft. Long x 36 cm / 1 ft. Wide.
A maximum of 5 kg is allowed for each duffel bag that includes the weight of your sleeping bag, mat, clothes and other personal items.
The trek has to be paid for in full by at least 7.30 pm two days before departure. For example, if your tour departs on a Wednesday, then you must come to our office before 7.30 pm on Monday.
It would be much appreciated if you pay the trek balance in cash US dollars or local currency. You can withdraw some money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (either in US dollars or local Peruvian Soles). You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 6% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance by traveler’s checks.
Of course! During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at our office 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. Don’t leave items of value with your bags, 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.
Peru Hike Company can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s 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. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
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 are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, we 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 cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
You’re responsible for your objects during the tour. Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our trucks, tents, or restaurants.
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I did the 7 day/6 night Ancascocha trek and it was absolutely stunning, so glad I did it! The scenery was spectacular with dramatic mountains and valleys, and we passed through several Incan ruins and small Quechua-speaking communities along the way. The Peru Hike staff were also great and made me feel very well taken care of. Our guide, Odón, was very experienced and could predict the weather and our hiking times with spooky accuracy. Pretty much every meal had multiple courses! Would highly recommend!