Name: Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu (3 Days)
Brand: Tayra Tours Cusco
SKU: 1

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Tour Details

If an off the beaten track trek excites you, you must hike the Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu. This is one of the true hidden gems. Infact there are even local people in Cusco, who seldom have heard about the route. Those who have hiked this refer this as the “Hidden Inca Trail to Machu Picchu“.

This three days trek is the best combination of archeological ruins, local communities and captivating views of the Andes. The trek takes you to some untouched wilderness. It offers a true off the beaten path trek experience.

It is very rare that you will see any other trekker for the first two days on this route. You will have most of the sites to your own. The trek is best for those who love photography.

The renowned travel magazine, National Geographic Travel Magazine considers this as one of the best 20 hikes in the world.

Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu is a high altitude trek. The highest point of the trek is at 4200 metres above sea level. In order to avoid altitude sickness, we recommend you spend some time in Cusco to acclimatize before the trek.

Tayra Tours Cusco is a fully local tour operator. We are one of the reputed travel companies with decades of experience. Our guides and crew are locals.

They have an excellent knowledge about history and culture. We work with the remote local Andean communities to empower them.

Departure & Return Location

Cusco Hotel Transfer

Departure Time

0500 AM

Price Includes

Pre-Trek briefing
Cusco Hotel Transfer
Round Trip Transport
Local Guide (English and Spanish speaking)
Tent with an extra capacity for added comfort
01 Night in a basic ensuite hotel in Aguas Calientes
Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back.
Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back
Mattress
Cook
Meals
Kitchen Tent and Dining Tent
Mules and Muleteers
An extra horse for emergency use
First aid kit
All entrance fees

Price Excludes

Breakfast in the first morning
Lunch and Dinner on the last day
Sleeping Bags
Any Private Expenses

Recommended To Carry

A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek - prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
Comfortable hiking shoes with extra pairs of socks
Sandals
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping. * This is a particularly cold trek, you should make sure you have a lot of very warm clothes.
Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
Flashlight
Sun block
Original Passport
Some Peruvian soles in cash
Rain gear

Itinerary

Day 1Cusco – Huata - Cochapata

We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco. Then in our private vehicle we will be driving you to the starting point of the trek to a village named Molino. Here we will be meeting our crew (muleteers and porters). Then we will start the three days of Ancascocha Trek.

We will be starting the trek with an uphill hike for two hours. This will take us to Huata. It is an archeological site. This is both historically and religiously significant.

Our local expert will give you a guided tour of the site. After the tour, we will be hiking for two hours to Chillipahua. We will be stopping for lunch here.

After relishing a healthy lunch, we will continue hiking further up to Cochapata. We will be camping here for the night.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Maximum Altitude: 4,000 m
Minimum Altitude: 2,600 m
Distance travelled: 14 kms approx.
Approximate Walking Time: 7 hours

Day 2Cochapata - Ancascocha - Chillca - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

We will be waking you up to a freshly brewed hot cup of coffee or tea. Then we will be serving you breakfast. After a hearty breakfast, we will start the second day of Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu with an hour’s climb up to Pauca Ccasa point.. It is a viewpoint that offers stunning views of the valley.

We will have a brief stop here to immerse in the tranquility of nature and to see the beauty of the Andes. Then we will start descending to Ancascocha Alta. It is a remote Andean community. People here are untouched with modernity and still continue to converse in Quechua.

Here our guide will be introducing you to their traditions and customs. Then we will start descending to Ancascocha Baja. It is a serene place snuggled by Andes mountains.

Then we will continue the descent following the course of a river. Here you will witness the biodiversity that Ancascocha Trail offers. We will be entering the cloud forest from snow capped mountain peaks.

We will be then hiking through some Andean farms. On this section of the trek we will be crossing some zig-zag bridges. At around 0330 PM, we will reach a village called Chillca.

We will be taking our private transport from here to Ollantaytambo train station. You will then be boarding the train to Aguas Calientes. We will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Basic ensuite hotel room.
Maximum Altitude: 4,200 m
Minimum Altitude: 2,600 m
Distance travelled: 15 km approx.
Approximate Walking Time: 6 hours

Day 3Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

We will start the day quite early. As you will be leaving the hotel, the staff will be handing you over a snack box. You will then be taking a bus up to Machu Picchu. It takes 25 minutes to reach the citadel from Aguas Calientes by bus.

Our local expert will assist you with crossing the security control where you will have to present your passport and entrance ticket to Machu Picchu. Once inside the citadel, we will give you a two hours guided tour. During the tour, you will be visiting some important sites like the main plaza, the ceremonial centre, remains of the temple and more.

After the tour, you will have some time to explore Machu Picchu on your own. If you have booked your hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our local expert will direct you to the entrance.

Alternatively, you can walk up to the Sun Gate. It is a two hours walk round trip. It offers a unique view of Machu Picchu citadel. This view at sunrise is exclusive for those on Inca Trail.

After visiting the Inca ruins, you will be taking a bus back to Aguas Calientes. You will then be boarding the train to Ollantaytambo train station. Our representative will be meeting you here and will be transferring you to your hotel in Cusco.