Ancascocha’s Alternative Walk is definitely one of the less touristy routes around Cusco that allows you the solitude and also some contact with the local people, particularly the shepherds. This is a true adventure specially prepared for people who love nature, high Andean sites and spectacular mountain landscapes.
This hike is offered only by a few companies, which gives you the opportunity to find well preserved landscapes. The Ancascocha Alternative Trail offers visitors beautiful Andean high valleys, snow-covered peaks such as: Salkantay, 6.271m, Humantay, Huayanay and others, as well as colorful lakes such as Salkantay, Ancashqocha and others. In this adventure we can see original Inka trails in the mountains and covered by the passage of time. This path previously connected Limatambo Mollepata, Machupicchu, Choquekirao, Tumibamba and Chinchaysuyo regions.
Lo Más Destacado: being on a remote, little visited route, isolated landscapes
Ubicación:Sacred valley, very similar landscapes to the traditional Inca Trail with little known ruins. most of the trek is above 4000 m – this is a high altitude trek.
Duración:5days/ 4nights
Nivel:difficult- strenuous
Clasificación de la Aventura: one of the least known routes around Cusco, this is very adventurous and tough. High Altitude. You should be well acclimatised and fit.
Inka Trail alternative: yes, excellent.
Departure dates: Any day with two people. We offer tours at affordable prices for 2 people so that you can leave the day that suits you best. ** Humid Season Trek ** Suitable for December, January or February (depending on weather conditions). NOT RECOMMENDED in December, January or February (weather conditions).
Combos & Upgrades: Combine with one of our tours for a complete Peru experience, try Camping Cozy or choose a climb to Aguas Calientes.
Trekkers Needed: If you would like to join a tour group, please see Trekkers Needed. You can also make your own tour to be announced on this page. Maximum group size 10.
Our private car will pick you up and take you to Mollepata 2870m (approximately 3 hours) where we have the opportunity to buy supplies. From Mollepata we continue an hour by car to Soraypampa (3840m). We will walk from the pasture village of Soraypampa or Challacancha. Most likely we will have lunch at Salkantaypampa. After several hours of trekking we will arrive at our campsite. Our camp for the night is at the base of the most majestic and impressive mountains of this area like Salkantay (6264m) and Humantay (5217m). The campsite is called Japanese Pampa (Japanese Plains) and is located at 4600m. (This is a high campground so it should be well acclimated).
After the lunch, we will ascend for 45 minutes until our camp at Rayan (3,700 meters/12,136 ft).
After breakfast, with muleteers and emergency horses we start the long walk that will cross several high passages. The first is Inca Chiriaska (4959m), from where you will have views of the amazing landscapes of the area. From here you will walk along an original Inca Trail until you reach the Tocto (4821m) where the Inca trail heads towards Salkantay. We will continue for another 2 hours to the Paso de Calacocha (4667m). From here it takes 1 hour on foot to cross the Casa Cruz (4600m) and then in an hour we will reach the Millpo pass, where we descend to our campsite Millpo (4399m). If you feel good we could continue to camp at Yahuarmaky. Total walk time today 8.5-9hours.
Very early in the morning we will walk for approximately 1 hour to the Chusqenay pass (4630m) and then in 50 minutes we will descend to the RumiInca pass and then continue up to the narrow Yahuarmaky valley, another 40 minutes walk. We start again to climb, for about 1.5 hours until we reach the pass of Aqocasa (4686m). This mountain is a nice reddish sandy mountain and from the top of this pass (with the help of binoculars) we will appreciate the famous Inka trail leading to Machupicchu. We can also see the mountains of Salkantay, Humantay, and Huayanay and far in the way we can observe Huacaywillka (Sacred Tears). On the way we can see a small archaeological site called Inka-raqay. From here its 3 hours descent to Inka Rakay, and then another 1.5 hours climb to the Huayanay Pass (4630m). Then we will descend to our camp in Ancascocha, 3 hours. (Ancascocha Camp or Laguna Ancascocha 3700m). Total walking time today 8-9 hours.
After breakfast we will go down the hill for approximately 5 hours to reach Chillca. From Ancascocha its 2 hours descent to Arequipapampa. We will pass through small villages observing Andean valleys with typical trees of vegetation like chachacoma, qewña, orchids, begonias and bromelias that adorn the landscape. The descent becomes easier towards Camicancha (2930m) where our car can pick us up. (Or we will continue descending to Chillca) We take the train around 4:00 pm to Aguas Calientes where we will enjoy a celebration dinner and spend the night in a hotel.
Early in the morning (before dawn) we will take a bus to the ruins of Machu Picchu. (Bus included in the price) so you can appreciate the sunrise from the watcher’s cabin (or Inti Punku if you get up very early). You will then have a three hour guided tour of Machu Picchu with your guide. After your tour you can explore the ruins by yourself or climb Huayna Picchu for that classic photo of Machu Picchu. Note that you need to start climbing Huayna Picchu by 12 noon. Also try to fit in a visit to the Temple of the Moon or the fabulous Inca Bridge. We highly recommend walking from Machu Picchu to get a feel of the vegetation and also the audacity of its builders. It is a 1-2 hour hike back to the village of Machu Picchu or you can take the bus that is included in your ticket. Return to Cusco in the afternoon for the backpacker train (departs either at 2.30pm or 6pm) and are greeted by a driver in Ollantaytambo who will transfer you directly to your hotel. You will arrive in Cusco approximately 4 hours after the departure of your train from Aguas Calientes.
When you arrive to Aguas Calientes Town you will board the train “Expedition” to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo you will travel by private van to Cusco City and we will drop you off at your hotel.
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