Ancascocha Trek & Classic Inca Trail 4 Days

The Ancascocha Trail starts from the Soqma Peasant Community in the direction of the Ancascocha Lagoon. Then we continue to kilometer 82 and finally reach Machu Picchu, all these places to visit are located within the geographical scope of the province of Urubamba, department of Cusco.

The Ancascocha trail  presents a uniqueness of different ecological floors with their respective heights that go from the departure of the city of Cusco, the beginning of the walk in the community of Soqma, walking through the Andes mountain range, descending until arriving at kilometer 82 and finally go to Machu Picchu.

• Minimum altitude: 2050m / 6561 ft – Aguas Calientes town (last day)
• Maximum altitude: 4650m / 15256 ft – Abra Huayanay (third day)

The weather during the Ancascocha Trail to Machu Picchu  is characterized by being dry temperate with a maximum temperature of 25 ° C and a minimum temperature of up to -8 ° C (during the months of June, July and August) that can eventually occur during the overnight night. in the second camp located in Ancascocha.

From Paucarcancha the weather will be much more pleasant and condescending with visitors. Especially in the town of Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu in the middle of the jungle, this is characterized by being hot and humid with a maximum temperature of 28 ° C and a minimum temperature of up to 7 ° C.

The distance of the Ancascocha Trail, begins in the rural community of Soqma until reaching kilometer 82, this route has an approximate distance of 49 kilometers. Finally, we continue by land transportation to Ollantaytambo and the last train ride to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town).

Regarding the difficulty of Ancascocha Trail, it is characterized by being a challenging walk, so it is recommended to be in good physical condition prior to the walk, beforehand to perform exercises in your locality two months in advance of the trip. It will be very helpful, likewise if you come from places that are at sea level, you must arrive 2 days in advance to Cusco to acclimatize to the altitude and not present any decompensation on the route to Ancascocha and Machu Picchu.

Day 1: Cusco – Soqma – Perolniyoq – Rayan

• Distance traveled: 8 km / 4.97 miles
• From Soqma to Perolniyoq (lunch place) is 3 hours
• From Perolniyoq to Rayan (1st camp) is 1 hour
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2:  Huaynay Pass- Quesqa Valley – Paucarcancha

• Distance traveled: 15 km / 9.32 miles
• From Ancascocha to Incaracay (lunch place) is 4 hours
• From Incaracay to Paucarcancha (3rd camp) it is 3 hours and 30 minutes
• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 3: Paucarcancha – Kilometer 82 – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

• Distance traveled: 12 km / 7.46 miles
• From Paucarcancha to Kilometer 82 (lunch place) is 6 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 4: Machu Picchu

• Guided visit to Machu Picchu
• Difficulty: Easy

Remember to do the Ancascocha Trail with an accredited travel agency, so that they are in charge of organizing the tour, hiring the respective vehicles, as well as looking for the suitable personnel who will accompany you on the tour such as: guide, cook and muleteers.

These aspects are very important because the Ancascocha Trail  is an ideal route for nature lovers, a quiet place that is far from the city and the fact of having a travel agency that is aware of your physical and emotional integrity. It facilitates being able to enjoy the entire tour that begins at your hotel, continues to Ancascocha and Machu Picchu and then ends at your accommodation in Cusco.

The Ancascocha Trail  is available all year round, the advantage of this route is that only a select group of people are those travelers who decide to do this walk, so until now there has been no limitation of access to the Ancascocha lagoon.

If you are within the profile of a traveler who likes to enjoy nature, a quiet place with few crowds en route, as well as interacting with residents of the high Andean areas, this walk is an excellent alternative for you.

The other point to highlight is that during the months of April to September is the best date on which you can make the trek to Ancascocha, contradictorily on the route to the Inca Trail during these dates the spaces are already sold out several months in advance (season high), and having this alternate route allows you to travel part of the original Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Being a walk that involves physical effort, and if accompanied by minors it is recommended that they be over 13 years old, however if they do not reach that age it is possible to do the Walk to Ancascocha as long as a mule or horse is hired (especially for the second and third day of the journey), this animal will be very helpful to ascend and descend certain sections of the route, this is the only way in which children can be allowed access.

The traditional camps in the trek known as Ancascocha Trek 5 days / 4 nights are:

• First day: Rayan Camp, altitude 3700 m.a.s.l., cold weather with a minimum temperature of down to -5 ° C (during the months of June, July and August) that can eventually occur at night.
• Second  day: Paucarcancha Camp, altitude 3133 meters above sea level, temperate climate with a cold sensation, maximum temperature: 26 ° C, minimum temperature: 2 ° C.
• Third day: Lodging / hotel Aguas Calientes, altitude 2050 m.a.s.l., max temperature: 26 ° C, min temperature: 10 ° C

On the food it is a point to highlight in the walks, even more so if you do it with a recommended travel agency. In addition, in many of them the chef tests his culinary skills and skill to prepare delicious dishes for each day. Above all, the most outstanding thing is the variety that they make available to visitors who make this journey.

Entries:

• Anticucho of mushrooms
• Parboiled corn
• Vegetable ceviche with corn and mushrooms
• Fried wantan with ham, cheese or sausage stuffing
• Pickled vegetables with avocado
• Stuffed caiwa
• Quinoa risotto

Soups:

• Quinoa with vegetables
• Cream of corn
• Cream of moraya
• Morón wheat soup
• Vegetable diet with pasta
• Sopa a la criolla (vegetable soup with pieces of chicken meat)

Main courses:

• Lomo saltado
• Chicken stew
• Noodle with meat stew
• Second of vegetables with avocado
• Yellow rice with chicken salad
• Meat picking
• Stuffed hot pepper
• Trout roll

Note: As you can see, the food options are varied, if you are vegetarian, vegan or have some dietary restriction. Therefore, this is not an impediment to make and enjoy the route to Ancascocha. Even better if you go with a travel agency because all you have to do is contact them in advance. Remember to inform of your food restrictions and they will take care of organizing the various dishes for you according to your requirements.

Regarding the hygienic services, on the Ancascocha Trail the travel agency will carry a portable toilet with all the sanitary measures to be used in the camps. However, if en route you need to use the toilet, the only way to do it is to get off the route, find a suitable environment in nature, make a hole (they will provide you with a small shovel), and then do Your need should proceed to cover the hole, and put the used toilet paper in a bag and deposit it in the trash provided by your agency.

Your travel agency will be in charge of providing you with boiled water from the first night on during meals and for this do not forget to bring your canteen, for the first 8 hours of walking you must bring your own bottled water that you can buy before starting the tour. hike or on the same hike.

Travel agencies take this aspect very responsibly to protect the well-being of visitors and their own staff, so you should not worry, however if you are skeptical you can bring your water purification tablets if you wish.

If you need to carry trekking poles, it is highly recommended to do so since the route is not flat and you have to go up and down the 2 streams of the route to Ancascocha, we will test our knees and having walking poles will help us to reduce the load on our knees and we will be in better physical condition to visit Machu Picchu with ease.

If by chance you do not have a sleeping bag or walking sticks, do not worry, travel agencies offer both items for rent, if you want to rent one of them just contact your travel agency and they will be in charge of providing you the costs as well as making the delivery of them.

The costs of renting the items are generally:

• Sleeping bag: US $ 20.00
• Walking poles: US $ 20.00

We take this opportunity to inform you that all travel agencies provide a double tent for visitors. That is why 2 people must share the same tent during the entire route of the route.

However, sporadically some visitors wish to have their individual tent and not share it with anyone, fortunately for these clients it is possible to manage the individual tent. Therefore, all you have to do is request your travel agency, this service has an average additional cost of US $ 70.00.

Regarding the shower, in the camps it will not be possible to find showers both on the road and in the camps, in front of this the travel agency usually provides hot water in a small container so that you can use it to wash your face or Similar. The only option available is close to km. 82 in the Wayllabamba camp where it is possible to access a hot shower, this is managed by the local population and has a cost of 10 soles per person.

The visiting time in Machu Picchu citadel is an average of 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. This is enough time to visit the main circuit that includes the most important sites of the historical sanctuary. Once the guided tour is over, you won’t have much time to visit the site on your own. However, if you have bought the entrance tickets for either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, the extra hikes, you will have the chance to enter the site a second time.

Something important that any traveler must be aware of is the regulations of Machu Picchu that entities such as SERNANP and DDC-Cusco have established in order to preserve the route. Therefore, we will mention some of the main regulations.

The Ancascocha Trail includes the entrance to Machu Picchu citadel, but it does not include the entrance to the extra hikes to the mountains from where you can see the citadel from above.

In truth it is not typical sunrise. As long as you don´t have too much mist or low cloud then you see the first light illuminating Machu Picchu. It is after dawn though as the sun must rise up over the high mountains surrounding Machu Picchu.

If you are wanting to include an ascent of Huayna Picchu in your visit to Machu Picchu, note that The trail to Huayna Picchu is safe but very vertical and is about an hour and a half round trip beware that there are new regulations since July 2018 and permits have to be bought in advance. If you want us to organise your permit to climb Huayna Picchu and we must have this request in writing and confirmed at the time of your booking indicating you will pay the extra  for this permit. Deposit for Huayna Picchu permit is $80 usd .

When the Ancascocha  trail tour is done, we arrive at the citadel at 6.00 am. After a 10-minute break to use the bathrooms, and eat a snack. It begins with the guided tour at 7:00 am. The complete circuit takes 2hrs approx. Then we will all retire as it is not allowed to stay longer in the archeological site, by rules of protection of the Sanctuary. At 12:00 pm approx. We must get off by bus to the city of Aguas Calientes where you can have lunch, and then take the train back to Aguas Calientes.

Upon arriving in Machu Picchu on the last day of the Ancascocha Trail, travelers will be invited to take a guided tour of Machu Picchu. This tour comprehends a visit to the most important places of interest of Machu Picchu,so that temples, palaces, astronomical observatories, houses, fountains, etc. The guided tour takes two to three hours approximately, depending on your interest in the information provided by your tour guide. The guided tour of Machu Picchu takes place along any of the different circuits that the Peruvian government has established. Every tourist circuit runs in a one-way direction, which has a different duration and difficulty level.

Small, ten-litter backpacks are allowed inside the archaeological site. We advise that people take their passports, entrance tickets, small one-liter water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, cap, and rain gear or rain poncho. Make sure to use the toilets before heading for the guided tour, as there are no toilets inside Machu Picchu.  Large backpacks must be left at the luggage storage outside the entry point of Machu Picchu. Large tripods, professional photographic equipment, drones, selfie sticks, and food are not allowed inside.

There are plenty of shuttle buses departing from outside the main entrance of Machu Picchu. The shuttle ride ends at Aguas Calientes main street. From there, there is a 5-minute walk to the train station.

There are plenty of tourist trains departing from this town bound to Ollantaytambo and Cusco. The train ride to Ollantaytambo takes about two hours, while the train ride to Cusco takes four hours approximately. ​​

The physical and mental condition is very important to carry out the walks. For example, if you are looking for a gentler walk that involves less physical effort, the Lares Walk is a good option. Likewise, if you want a moderate walk that involves greater physical effort, you can do the Trek to Ancascocha, Salkantay or the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Finally, there is an option for those who want extreme challenges and are looking for a challenging hike, for them we have the Trek to Choquequirao.

The best date to develop the Ancascocha trail corresponds to the dry season (between the months of April to October). Characterized by presenting a pleasant, warm climate, no rain and better panoramic views of the route. However, the only detail to take into account is that during the months of April to July at night there are temperatures below 0 ° C, especially in the second camp of Ancascocha.

Remember that while on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for these dates the spaces are already sold out months in advance. That is why the Ancascocha Trail turns out to be one of the most recommended alternatives if you are looking for routes similar to the original Inca Trail.

To reserve Ancascocha Trail it is suggested to do it at least 3 to 4 months in advance, and even more so if you plan to add a visit to the Huayna Picchu mountain, since the spaces for this additional trek are limited and if you want to guarantee your visit you must to reserve it in advance.

It is advisable to bring an approximate of 500 soles per person, since you will find places where you can buy snacks, water, food (keep in mind that food is included in the walk except for the first and last). Likewise, any inconvenience may arise for which it is better to have extra money available.

Travel insurance is optional but highly recommended, since in the event of an incident on the road, you can quickly solve it with travel insurance that allows you to carry out support procedures between the various institutions.

These are some of the reasons why it is important to have travel insurance:

• In the event of an accident, the insurer compensates you financially to cover the expenses.
• In case of suffering any decompensation or discomfort when arriving in Cusco, they provide you with the respective assistance.
• Helps you get medical assistance wherever you are.
• In the event of any problem, it provides 24-hour telephone assistance.
• In the event of an unforeseen event and if necessary, it helps you change your return ticket.
• It supports you in covering the expenses in medicines.
• Among others.

Here are some recommended travel insurance websites:

• www.assistcard.com
• www.mapfre.com
• www.intermundial.es
• www.fiatc.es
• Ahart Frinzi & Smith
• World Nomads
• Berkley Internacional
• Amex Assurance
• Liberty Seguros

As one of the most frequently asked questions, the highest point of the Inca Trail is at 4,200 meters above the sea level, you will spend the night at the campsite at 3.600 meters. It is difficult to say if you really going to suffer from altitude sickness, people are different and are prepared physically different. Most hikers don’t have any issues, but two days rest in Cusco to acclimatize is very advisable, drinking water and chewing cocoa leaves will definitely prepare you for the Ancascocha Trail.

From 1 to 5 it’s 3, moderately difficult. The andean trails up and down in different temperatures and high altitude all that makes this level of difficulty. You can rent walking poles before you start your hike. Those will help you in many ways, we would recommend you get ones if you have some issues with knees or ankles, poles would absorb some pressure from those parts and also help to keep your balance! We recommend you to have a look how to prepare yourself for the Ancascocha Trail.

During the Ancascocha trail 4 days, you will not have Internet connection. Therefore, using a cellphone or any electronic device is not convenient in most places.

In the scenario that you are unable to finish the Ancascocha trail  due health issues, Andean Great Treks will do everything in its power to get you to the nearest civilization and get help or transportation to help. If the issue is respiratory or due to altitude, we do carry at least one tank of oxygen on trek that you will have access to. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel Insurance required) There are no refunds in the situation that you are unable to finish though.

Fitness is important but more important than that is acclimatization and experience.​

Most Ancascocha trail tour operators will gather the members of their group tours in one location where they will meet their tour leaders and receive a pre-trek presentation with all the details about their journey. On this occasion, you will have the last chance to re-check dietary options, update passport information, and hire the necessary camping gear and extra porters. Be sure to attend such a gathering and ask the essential questions.

Pick up from your hotels starts  at 4:30 am, Andean Great Treks is one of the only companies to pick you up directly from your hotel. As long as your hotel is in the center of Cusco city, we will coordinate this pickup based on a time that your inca trail trek  guide will discuss at the briefing. Pick up times may vary 30 – 45 minutes based on traffic conditions and previous pickups.

We assume most people try to arrive to Cusco 2-3 days before the trek to allow adequate time for acclimatisation and a buffer in case of transport delays. Once you have settled in and rested you must come to the Cusco office to view and reconfirm the information we have pertinent to your inca trail trek, personal requirements and sign the conditions ( even if you have already paid in full.) There are occasions when local holidays or unrest may require last minute changes to departure times or some additional information and so we have a short briefing day before the trek, our  office is open from 9:00 am to 17:00 pm.

Ollantaytambo & Urubamba is the best place to stay other than Cusco. By staying in the sacred valley, you get a little more sleep, because we will pick you up about 1.5 hours after the Cusco pick up time. You can only have your briefing in Cusco. So please arrange a time that works for you and our office team with your Andean Great Treks sales team.

We know how vital information is when making the fabulous Inca trail to Machu Picchu, before this Andean Great Treks has planned the recruitment of the best local expert guides on the Inca Trail route to Machu Picchu, who are trained in our training academies for aspiring guides to form part of this select group of leading guides. Andean Great Treks prepares them every semester in group mangment techniques, evacuation and first aid, concepts of archeology, botany, and Inca astronomy. After rigorous field and theoretical examinations, an aspiring guide is included in the working group for the Inca trail route to Machu Picchu, since our company is a pioneer in leading groups in the languages of English, German, and French.

Our groups on the Ancascocha Trail to Machu Picchu are made up of a maximum of 8 people. Andean Great Treks organize the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu from 2 people. A very important aspect is that we only organize trekking services on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in premium class. To make you feel very comfortable, we take care of all the details on your vacation in Peru.

The train will came back at 14:30 pm, wich arrives to Ollantaytambo train station at 16:20 pm. Then you will be pick up by our private transportation , arriving to Cusco at 18:30 pm, the drop off will be your Hotel adress in Cusco.

Chef: Important personnel in the Ancascocha Trek, despite being in the heights, the chefs with great skill and dexterity carry out the preparation of food for both the visitors and the support staff, they strive to provide you with a good nutritional diet and above all varied.

Muleteer: Muleteers are the people who are in charge of carrying camping luggage, food and a certain amount of weight of travelers’ personal items, this work is carried out with the support of mules or horses, which are largely of a lot of support not only from the visitor but from the entire group that makes the walk, and the number of muleteers for the route is proportional to the number of travelers, that is, more travelers within the group need a greater number of muleteers.

Guide: The guides are in charge of leading the group throughout the journey to Ancascocha. Likewise, the guides are highly trained personnel in constant training. They generally introduce themselves to the group in advance of the walk to give them an informative talk. This talk can be at your hotel or at the travel agency office; Likewise, the day of the start of the walk, you will be picked up from your accommodation to start the Walk to Ancascocha.

Note: It is a well-known tradition in Peru and South America, to deliver a sum of money as a tip on behalf of the visitors with the agency staff (muleteer, chef and guide) as compensation, thanks for the services provided during the journey, en route you will feel how they strive to provide you with the best possible experience for all visitors.

They receive an adequate and fair salary from the company, despite the fact that they receive some extra money from the traveler. What’s more, it is an added incentive for them and their families, but keep in mind that tipping is not mandatory, it is optional.

The following example is referential, if you wish you can add a higher amount for staff:

The muleteers normally receive an average of 60 soles per person from the entire group of travelers, while the chef receives 120 soles. Since the latter, apart from carrying their own kitchen supplies, must also prepare food, which is why a higher amount is assigned.

In the case of guides, the amount varies according to the experience shared with your guide. That is, the most important thing here is your personal appreciation of the service provided and accordingly you can deliver the amount you consider appropriate and personally and directly to the guide on the last day of the tour.

To hike the fantastic Ancascocha Trail 5 days, you need to bring your personal identification documents. The names in the permits must match the information in your documents. Therefore, make sure you provide accurate information to the agency you are booking the tour with. If the information is not accurate, you won’t be able to do the Ancascocha Trail:

The only time that you can change your dates with no penalty charge is, if we have not purchased your permit yet. Usually we try to purchase the permits for Machu Picchu, at the most, the same day you do the reservation for the Ancascocha Trail.