Ancascocha Trail + Salkantay Trek – 8D
Glaciers, Inca Sites, High Altitude lakes, Original Inca Trail paths, Solitude, Coffee Plantation Tours…this trek has all of these things and more.
We spend a lot of time discussing the merits of the Ancascocha and Salkantay treks and which is better for specific individuals. They are both incredible and it was unfortunate that a group couldn’t do both. That has changed now! This brand new trek combines our signature Ancascocha Trek with the most popular alternative trek to the Inca Trail.
Of course on the final day of the trek you visit the magnificent city of Machu Picchu to cap it all off.
We hope you will join us for this unique trek.
Eco Andes Trekking is highly recommended by TripAdvisor and Trustpilot. Join hundreds of happy trekkers who have experienced the adventure of a lifetime!
ITINERARY
Pre-trek briefing (required): We provide a full pre-trek briefing at our office or at your hotel in Cusco. This gives you the chance to ask questions about the trek itinerary. Briefings are scheduled for the day before your trek starts.
Please take this into consideration when booking your travel plans to Cusco, to ensure you arrive in time for the briefing.
Day 1: Cusco – Sqma – Perolniyoc – Rayampata – Kuychiccassa – Chancachuco Valley
You will be picked up from your Cusco hotel around 5:00 am, and then drive for about 2 hours, until we reach the starting point for our expedition, at Soqma (3,205 m/ 10,512 ft),
Here is where our adventure in the Peruvian Andes begins. Our chef will prepare breakfast. Soqma is the place where we will meet the rest of our incredible team that will assist and guide us along the adventure.
The first part of today’s hike will be on a gentle uphill section for 2 hours until you reach Perolniyoc, an amazing Incan site that we will take a tour of. This site has been recently excavated. Here, at the top of a beautiful waterfall, is where you will enjoy the most spectacular views of today.
After this visit, we will be hiking uphill for another 1 hour, until we reach the location of our lunch spot at Rayampata (3,700 meters/9,350 ft.). After a great lunch, we will continue on the challenging part of today’s expedition, the 2 hour long, steep uphill trail that will take us to Kuychicassa pass(4,450 m /14,596 ft), and then into the Chancachuco Valley.
Following a rest at the summit, we hike downhill for about 45 minutes until we arrive to our first campsite Chancachuco.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Lowest Elevation: 3,205 m/ 10,512 ft
- Highest Elevation: 4,450 m /14,596 ft
- Distance to walk: 11 km/6.8 miles
- Time: 8 to 10 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Day 2: Chancachuco – Ancascocha Village – Huayanay Pass – Incaracay
You will be woken up with a cup of hot coco tea before leaving your tent to enjoy the stunning views of these beautiful highlands.
We have breakfast, and then get ready to start an amazing hiking on an original Inca trail. The first section of trail is along a flat path with a few small hills, leading down to Ancascocha village.
Today, depending of the weather and clouds you will get a good chance to see the mighty condors soaring. This part of our Inca trail gets very narrow on the right side of the mountains, with spectacular views.
The hike from our campsite to the Ancascocha community will be about 3 hours. After Ancascocha village, we start hiking uphill to the Ancascocha lake 3,800m. We will stop here for our lunch right next to the lake and Huayanay glacier, with outstanding views of the mountains around.
After this incredible lunch, we will hike on the inca trail that used to connect Cusco and the Classic Inca trail to Machu Picchu. From our lunch location it is two hours until we reach the top of Huayanay pass (4,650 m/ 15,298 ft). After reaching the summit, we will participate in a ceremony that is going to be our offering to the mountains and Pachamama.
After enjoying the views at the pass we will start descending to our next camp at Incaracay (4,250m/13,990 ft). This will be another cold night and this will be a perfect place to see the stars in the sky.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Highest Elevation: 4,650 m/ 15,298 ft
- Campsite elevation: 4,250mt/ 13,990ft
- Accommodation: Camping
- Distance to walk: 13 km/8 miles
- Time: 8-9 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Day 3: Incaracay – Accoccasa Pass – Quelwaccocha – Queraccasa Pass – Yawarmaki
We will wake up early and have breakfast. Today´s hike starts with a moderate 40 minute climb through the highlands until we reach the Accoccasa pass (4640m/15,223 ft).
This hike is close to snow-capped mountains and fascinating views of the last remaining glaciers in our region. Today, you will feel like you are Indiana Jones when you are exploring these new lands that even the indigenous communities don’t know about it.
This is the real “off the beaten path”. After enjoying the amazing views from this pass, we will hike downhill for 1 hour to our lunch spot called Quelwaccocha. After lunch we will hike for 2 hours uphill until the second high point of today’s hike which is the Queraccasa pass.
From the pass we will hike up and down for 1 hour until we reach our campsite at Yawarmaki (4,400m/14,435 ft).
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- High Elevation: 4640m/15,223 ft
- Campsite elevation: 4,400m/14,435ft
- Accommodation: Camping
- Distance to walk: 11 km/6.8 miles
- Time: 6-8 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Day 4: Yawarmaki – Tocto – Inca Chiriaska Pass – Salkantaypampa
After a delicious breakfast we will begin the challenging portion of today’s hike with up and down sections lasting 3 hours until Tocto where we will stop for lunch.
We will pass through places where we might have the opportunity to see a variety of plant and birdlife and if we are lucky we might also spot the wild pig.
After lunch a 4 hour uphill hike will lead us to Inca Chiriaska pass (4850m/15908ft), This is the highest point of our entire trek from where we will have amazing views of the Salkantay, Umantay and Ausangate glaciers. After a 15 minute break we will continue on the trail.
The portion of the trail leading to our next camp site is downhill for two hours and takes you through beautiful mountains and the grasslands of the high Andes.
We will pause along the way to admire the majesty of Salkantay mountain and the lakes that we can see on our way to our camp at Salkantaypampa (4100m/13451ft).
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- High Elevation: 4850m/15908ft
- Campsite elevation: 4100m/13451ft
- Accommodation: Camping
- Distance to walk: 15 km/ 9.3 miles
- Time: 8-10 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Day 5: Salkantaypampa – Salkantay Pass – Huayracmachay – Colpapampa
This is the day where we will join to the classic Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu and we will see hikers going in the same direction as we are. After breakfast we are going to hike for 3 hours uphill to the highest point of the regular Salkantay trek, the Salkantay pass (4,650 m/15,252 ft).
At the top we are going to enjoy the other side of the Apu Salkantay and talk about the significance of the mountain in Inca culture and why this spot is venerated. Our next task is a 2 hour downhill hike to Huayracmachay (3,800 m/12,464 ft), where we will have lunch. After lunch we will hike downhill for an additional 4 hours until we reach our camp for the night, Colpapampa (2,850 m/ 9,350 ft).
During this section we are going to pass from the highlands to the cloud forest and finally into the rain forest.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- High Elevation: 4,650 m/15,252ft
- Campsite elevation: 2,850 m/9,350 ft
- Accommodation: Camping
- Distance to walk: 17 km/10.5 miles
- Approximate walking time: 9-10 hours
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Day 6: Colpapampa – La Playa – Lucmabamba
After working hard in the previous days, we are rewarded with a more gentle hike today. We will have a fantastic breakfast and then hike 5 to 6 hours on gentle up and down segments. We will be hiking through the rain forest, following the path of the Santa Teresa river.
We will have the opportunity to see multiple coffee plantations, banana plantations, and fields of passion fruit. Along this path you will also see the most beautiful waterfall along the trek.
We will reach Lucmabamba, our campsite for the evening, around noon. Here we will relax and enjoy a delicious lunch!
After lunch, we will do an incredible coffee tour at the plantation adjacent to the campsite. We will begin by browsing the fields, learning about the different types of beans, and picking our own beans.
There are also several fields of tomatoes and avocados. We will pick vegetables that the chef will use for dinner that night.
After picking our beans, we will roast them and grind them. Finally, we will brew and drink our own coffee! It is a truly unique experience.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
- Distance Covered: 14 km /8.5 miles
- Time: 5-6 hours
- Lowest elevation: 2,050 m /6,725 ft
- Highest elevation: 2,850 m/ 9,350 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
Day 7: Lucmabamba – Llactapata Inca Ruins – Hydroelectric – Aguas Caliente
We will wake up early and have breakfast. Today´s hike starts with a moderate 3 ½ hour climb through the rain forest until we reach the Llactapata Inca site (2,700 m/8,856 ft), where we will have a thorough tour.
This is the location where you will have your first view of Machu Picchu in the far distance. You will also have a first look at the mountain you will hike tomorrow, Huayna Picchu!
Leaving Llactapata, we begin a 2 ½ hour descent to Hydroelectric, where we will have lunch. At 3 p.m. we will board the train for a 40-minute trip to Aguas Calientes.
On arrival at Aguas Calientes you will check into your hotel. Dinner will be at the finest restaurant.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
- Distance Covered: 13 km /8 miles
- Time: 6 to 7 hours
- Lowest elevation: 1,800 m /5,905 ft.
- Highest elevation: 3,100 m /10,170 ft.
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 8: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
You will have breakfast at your hotel before we take an early bus along the winding road to Machu Picchu, the city that was lost to the jungle but rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983, Machu Picchu exceeds all expectations.
Perched high on an inaccessible hilltop the citadel is protected by huge cliffs and the raging Urubamba River. Once there you will be given a 2-hour walking tour of the site.
You will probably have some free time to explore Machu Picchu before you return to Aguas Calientes by bus.
When you arrive in Aguas Calientes you will board the expedition train to either Poroy or to Ollantaytambo train station.
From the train station you will travel by private van to Cusco and we will drop you off at your hotel. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket, but is generally between 7:30 and 9 p.m.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft
- Highest Elevation: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft
INCLUDED:
- Bilingual English speaking tour guide
- Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek
- Pick up from your hotel and transportation to Soqma
- Four person tent for each 2 persons.
- Mattress and pillow
- Kitchen tent
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Toilet tent with portable toilet
- Chef and assistant chef
- Wranglers, porters and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc) and eight kg (15 lbs) per hiker for your own belongings
- Duffle bag for your personal gear
- Emergency horse in case we need it
- Eight breakfasts, seven lunches, and seven dinners
- Hot water for washing twice daily
- Daily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles.
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
- Return Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Poroy
- Private van transportation from Poroy to your hotel in Cusco
- Entrance to Machu Picchu
- One night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
- Round trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
NOT included:
- Sleeping bag – you can rent one from us
- Trekking poles – you can rent one from us
- Day 8 Lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Huayna Picchu permit (USD $75 per person)
- Tips for the crew
- Travel Insurance
What to bring:
- Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
- Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, warm underwear, light long pants, gloves, rain jacket)
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
- Sunscreen SPF 35+ recommended
- Head lamp
- Sunglasses
- Camera with spare batteries (batteries run down faster at high altitudes)
- Binoculars
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents (can be rented from us), MUST have rubber tips
- Insect repellent
PRICES & ADD-ONS
Private: USD $1350 per person
Group versus Private Treks: What’s the difference?
- Depending on the number of people in your booking, additional people may join the trek to make a full group.
- If you choose “private”, no additional people will be joining your group, no matter the size.
- Minimum booking size is two people; one person may book a group trek if Eco Andes Trekking is able to join that person with additional groups.
Discounts
- Under 18 years discount: USD $20
- Under 7 years Discount: USD $35
Rentals
- Hiking poles – USD $35 (pair)
- Sleeping bag – USD $40
- Private Tent – USD $50
Upgrades
- Return Vistadome Train – USD $60 per person
- Return Hiram Bingham Train– USD $400 per person
- Sumaq Machu Picchu hotel (5-star hotel) – USD $255 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- Inkaterra El Pueblo Machu Picchu hotel (5-star hotel) – USD $250 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- El Mapi hotel by Inkaterra (4-star hotel) – USD $115 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (3+ star hotel) – USD $50 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- Private Tent – USD $50 per person
PRICE PER PERSON IN USD:
$1350 (each based on 2 people)
DURATION:
8 Days / 7 Night
AVAILABLE ADD-ONS
- Hiking poles – USD $35 (pair)
- Sleeping bag – USD $40 per person
- Huayna Picchu Permit – USD $75 per person
- Return Vistadome Train – USD $60 per person
- Return Hiram Bingham Train– USD $420 per person
- Sumaq Machu Picchu hotel (5-star hotel) – USD $255 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- Inkaterra El Pueblo Machu Picchu hotel (5-star hotel) – USD $250 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- El Mapi hotel by Inkaterra (4-star hotel) – USD $115 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (3+ star hotel) – USD $50 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- Private Tent – USD $50 per person
OVERVIEW
- Day 1: Cusco – Soqma – Perolniyoc – Rayampata – Kuychiccassa – Chancachuco
- Day 2: Chancachuco – Ancascocha village – Huayanay pass – Incaracay
- Day 3: Incaracay – Accoccasa pass – Quelwaccocha – Queraccasa pass – Yawarmaky
- Day 4: Yawarmaki – Tocto – Inca Chiriaska pass – Salkantaypampa
- Day 5: Salkantaypampa – Salkantay pass – Huayracmachay – Colpapampa
- Day 6: Colpapampa – La playa – Lucmabamba
- Day 7: Lucmabamba – Llactapata Inca Ruins – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes
- Day 8: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
- Beginning Altitude: 3,205 m / 10,512ft.
- Maximum Altitude: 4850 m / 15908 ft
- Hike Total Distance: 94 km / 58 miles
- Overall Trek Difficulty: Difficult
INQUIRE ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE
WHY WE'RE DIFFERENT
Your Full Satisfaction or Your Money Back
We understand planning a big trip like ours at EAT takes a lot of trust, and we’re here to make sure that trust pays off from the moment you book to the day your adventure wraps up. We’re fully committed to making your experience unforgettable. If something doesn’t go as planned—whether it’s an issue with the service or something unexpected along the way—we’ll step in to fix it.
That even includes offering a refund if needed so you can book with total peace of mind.
Your Peruvian adventure means the world to us, and we’ll go the extra mile to make sure it not only meets but exceeds your expectations. With our satisfaction guarantee, you can relax and focus on taking in all the incredible beauty and culture Peru has to offer.
We Help You Experience Peru Through The Eyes of a Local
We’re 100% locally owned and operated, with guides, porters, and chefs who grew up in the Cusco region. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Quechua, our team brings unmatched cultural and historical knowledge to share with you. Traveling with us means gaining insight into Peru’s traditions, landscapes, and stories from those who know them best.
We Work With Professional Guides Who Provide Exceptional Service
Our guides are the best of the best. Truly skilled experts with at least 5 years of experience, every guide we employ is ready to share their expertise on Peru’s trails, culture, and history. Our porters are no exception. They work hard to make your journey one for the books, while our chefs will prepare you delicious meals along the way. With a 99% recommendation rate, we’re dedicated to making every detail of your trip unforgettable.
We’re Committed to Our Team
Our porters and horsemen are easily the backbone of every trek. That’s why we are fully committed to prioritizing their well-being. We ensure they’re paid above-average wages—higher than those offered by most tour companies—recognizing their hard work and dedication to the team. Beyond fair pay, we truly care for their well-being, providing proper gear, meals, and working conditions so they’re not just safe but comfortable, too.
We Look Out for Our Community
A portion of every trek we sell supports local projects, like helping fund a much-needed school roof in Sacsayhuaman, where many of our team live. For years, children in the area had no nearby school and faced grueling four-hour walks in harsh conditions to get an education. Today, thanks to these contributions, they have a local school, and we continue to donate to its upkeep—because making an impact goes beyond the trek.
We Customize Our Adventures to Suit Your Travel Style
We want every trip to feel like it was made just for you. Whether you’re keen on hiking the famous Inca Trail, exploring lesser-known spots in the Sacred Valley, or tackling our one-of-a-kind Ancashcocha + Inca Trail trek, we’ll plan your adventure to fit your travel style. To keep things personal, we keep group sizes small—and if your group is larger than eight, we’ll bring in an extra guide so no one misses out on the experience.
We Travel with Purpose – Serving the Women, Children, & Men of Peru
Every journey with us has a ripple effect. Your adventure supports ethical tourism, fair wages for porters, and opportunities for female trekkers–many of whom are breaking barriers on the Inca Trail–and children. We’re passionate about creating opportunities for local children to grow up healthy and learn about everything their heart desires. Through initiatives like repairing schools, donating educational materials, and funding projects, we make it a mission to build a brighter future for kids in the Cusco region. Every trek you take with us contributes to this mission. When you book with us, you’re not just exploring Peru; you’re investing in it and setting a standard for all other tourism companies and tourists.
Our Reputation is Built on Trust
Year after year, Eco Andes Trekking has earned top ratings on TripAdvisor and the prestigious Certificate of Excellence. We’ve worked hard for these awards and are proud to see our hard work recognized. Even prouder to know our travelers leave with unforgettable memories and stories worth sharing.
We Travel Sustainably & Responsibly
Peru’s landscapes are magnificent. That’s why we work so hard to protect them. We prioritize sustainable traveling by working with our local communities and employing indigenous guides––thus promoting economic empowerment and preserving cultural heritage. Along the journey, we’ll always encourage travelers to embrace responsible practices as advocates for the environment.
