Ancascocha Trek 4 Days + Short Inca Trail — The Remote Premium Horseback + Camping Combo 2026
Ready to explore Ancascocha in Machu Picchu, Peru? Take this 4-day trek and admire stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife as you uncover all this area offers.
Most adventurous trekkers wanting the authentic Inca Trail permit experience face a difficult choice: Classic Inca Trail 4-Day (~$722) requires 3 nights camping (physically demanding + crowded route) OR Salkantay 4-Day + Short IT ($511) skips the trekking adventure feel with hotel comfort throughout. And the alternatives — Inca Jungle, Lares — feel like different tours entirely.
The Ancascocha Trek 4 Days + Short Inca Trail Combo is the ONE tour that delivers the perfect balance — the MOST REMOTE off-the-beaten-track authentic trekking adventure with hotel comfort (only 1 night camping) + horseback riding Day 1 + Ministry of Culture Inca Trail permit Day 3.
Five reasons discerning adventurous trekkers choose this specific combo:
1. The MOST REMOTE 4-day + Short IT combo — genuinely off-the-beaten-track. Salkantay, Lares, and Classic Inca Trail all attract heavy tourist volumes. Ancascocha Trek passes through completely different terrain — Chilca, Camicancha, Ancascocha lagoon, Paucarcancha — routes with almost no other tourists. You’ll walk original Inca pathways and camp in remote high-altitude landscape without crowds.
2. HORSEBACK RIDING Day 1 (3h20) — UNIQUE in our catalog. No other multi-day combo in our catalog offers horseback riding as part of the tour. Day 1 includes 3h20 horseback riding through Andean landscape to Ancascocha lagoon — reducing physical demand AND creating a unique cultural experience with local muleteers. Perfect for travelers wanting adventure without extreme hiking on Day 1.
3. Huayanay Pass 4,650m — highest altitude of ALL 4-day + Short IT combos. Compare: Salkantay 4-Day Salkantay Pass 4,630m + Lares 4-Day Ipsay Pass 4,410m + Classic Inca Trail Warmiwañuska 4,215m. This tour tops all of them at Huayanay Pass 4,650m Day 1. Highest achievement in the 4-day + Short IT combo category.
4. Only 1 night camping — the perfect balance. Classic Inca Trail 4-Day requires 3 nights camping (physically demanding + limited comfort). This combo delivers the authentic camping experience for just 1 night at Qesqa (with complete crew: cook + muleteers + kitchen equipment) — then hotel comfort Days 2 + 3 at Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. Adventure with strategic comfort.
5. Ministry of Culture Inca Trail permit + Sun Gate + Guardian’s House 15-20 min. Despite the remote off-the-beaten-track Day 1-2, this combo delivers the FULL Short Inca Trail permit experience Day 3 (Chachabamba + Wiñaywayna + Sun Gate + Guardian’s House 15-20 min classic MP photos + Circuit 3B automatic Day 4). Same permit privilege as premium combos — with UNIQUE remote Day 1-2 approach.
From $864 USD per person · 4 days / 3 nights · Private tour 1-10 travelers · Operating March-January daily (closed February) · Age 12+ with guardian · Horseback Day 1 + Camping Qesqa + Huayanay Pass 4,650m + Paucarcancha + Km 82 + Short Inca Trail permit Day 3 + Machu Picchu Circuit 3B Day 4 + 6 meals INCLUDED + kitchen crew + PeruRail 83P/74P + Consettur.
| ⏱️ Duration | 4 days / 3 nights |
| 🎯 Category | REMOTE + HORSEBACK + CAMPING + PREMIUM |
| 📅 Day 1 | Cusco → Camicancha → Ancascocha lagoon → Huayanay Pass → Camping Qesqa |
| 📅 Day 2 | Qesqa → Wayllabamba → Paucarcancha → Km 82 → Ollantaytambo |
| 📅 Day 3 | Ollantaytambo → Short Inca Trail Km 104 → Sun Gate → Aguas Calientes |
| 📅 Day 4 | Machu Picchu Circuit 3B guided tour + return Cusco |
| 🕐 Day 1 pickup | 05:30 AM Cusco hotel |
| 🕐 Day 2 start | 06:00 AM from Qesqa camp |
| 🕐 Day 3 pickup | 06:50 AM Ollantaytambo hotel |
| 📍 Pickup location | Cusco hotels ONLY (NOT airport) |
| 🐎 Day 1 horseback | 3h20 horseback riding UNIQUE |
| 🏞️ Ancascocha lagoon | 4,150m sacred glacial lake |
| ⛰️ Day 1 Huayanay Pass | 4,650m (MAX tour + highest 4-day + Short IT) |
| ⛺ Day 1 camping | Qesqa camp 3,650m INCLUDED |
| 🍽️ Day 1 meals | Breakfast + box lunch + dinner INCLUDED |
| 👨🍳 Day 1 crew | Cook + muleteers + pack horses INCLUDED |
| 🥾 Day 2 distance | 15 km / 7-8 hours |
| 🏛️ Day 2 Paucarcancha | Original Inca pathways |
| 🚐 Day 2 Km 82 | Vehicle to Ollantaytambo |
| 🍽️ Day 2 meals | Breakfast + lunch INCLUDED |
| 🌙 Overnight Day 2 | Ollantaytambo (hotel NOT included) |
| 🚂 Train Day 3 outbound | PeruRail Expedition 83P · 07:45 → 08:55 |
| 🥾 Day 3 Short Inca Trail | 12 km / 5h + 2h stops = ~7h total |
| 🏛️ Day 3 Inca ruins | Chachabamba + Wiñaywayna (permit-only) |
| 🍽️ Day 3 lunch | Box lunch INCLUDED during hike |
| ⛰️ Day 3 Sun Gate | 2,715m Inti Punku |
| 📸 Guardian’s House Day 3 | 15-20 min classic MP photos |
| 🌙 Overnight Day 3 | Aguas Calientes (hotel NOT included) |
| 🎫 Day 4 MP entry | 08:00 AM recommended (flexible 06:00-11:00 AM) |
| 🎫 Circuit | Circuit 3B automatic (Inca Trail ticket) |
| 🎓 Day 4 guided tour | 2 hours private specialist |
| 🚂 Train Day 4 return | PeruRail Expedition 74P · 14:55 → 16:31 |
| 🚐 Cusco arrival | ~18:30-19:00 PM |
| 🎫 MP ticket | INCLUDED (Circuit 3B + SERNANP 2026) |
| 🎫 Inca Trail permit | INCLUDED (Ministry of Culture in your name) |
| 🎫 Camping equipment | INCLUDED (tents + sleeping bags + mats) |
| 🎯 Format | PRIVATE TOUR |
| 👥 Group size | 1-10 travelers (+10 contact) |
| 🎓 Age minimum | 12 years with guardian |
| 📅 Operating | March 1 to January 31 — Daily |
| 🚫 CLOSED | February (Inca Trail maintenance) |
| 💪 Difficulty | Demanding (Huayanay Pass 4,650m + camping + Short IT) |
| 💲 From | $864 USD per person — PREMIUM tier |
The ONLY 4-Day Ancascocha Trek + Short Inca Trail combo in our catalog — the MOST REMOTE off-the-beaten-track alternative to the Classic Inca Trail, featuring horseback riding on Day 1 (3h20), Huayanay Pass (4,650m) — the highest point of any 4-day + Short Inca Trail combo — plus camping at Qesqa with a professional cook, muleteers, and pack horses included. Continue along the original Inca pathways of Paucarcancha, connect at Km 82, hike the Short Inca Trail on Day 3, and finish with Machu Picchu Circuit 3B on Day 4.
Day 1 – Ancascocha & Horseback Adventure: 05:30 AM pickup in Cusco followed by a 2-hour drive to Camicancha (3,024m). Ride on horseback for approximately 3 hours 20 minutes to Ancascocha Lagoon (4,150m), then hike 40 minutes to Huayanay Pass (4,650m). Descend to Qesqa campsite (3,650m), where tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, kitchen crew, breakfast, box lunch, and dinner are all included.
Day 2 – Paucarcancha Connection: Begin at 06:00 AM with a 15 km trek (7–8 hours) through Wayllabamba, Tarayoc, Llactapata, and the original Inca pathways of Paucarcancha, continuing to Kanamarca and Km 82. Private transportation takes you to Ollantaytambo. Breakfast and lunch are included. Overnight in Ollantaytambo (hotel not included).
Day 3 – Short Inca Trail: 06:50 AM pickup, followed by the PeruRail Expedition 83P (07:45–08:55) to Km 104. Hike the 12 km Short Inca Trail through Chachabamba and Wiñaywayna, enjoy an included box lunch, reach the Sun Gate (2,715m), and spend 15–20 minutes at the Guardian’s House before descending to Aguas Calientes. Overnight hotel not included.
Day 4 – Machu Picchu: Breakfast, Consettur shuttle bus, and entry to Machu Picchu Circuit 3B at 08:00 AM (flexible entry between 06:00–11:00 AM). Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour before boarding the PeruRail Expedition 74P (14:55–16:31). Private transportation returns you to Cusco, arriving approximately between 6:30 and 7:00 PM.
PRIVATE PREMIUM tour from $864 USD · Operating daily from March through January (closed in February) · Recommended for ages 12+ accompanied by a guardian.
The Ancascocha Trek 4 Days + Short Inca Trail Permit Combo is the MOST REMOTE 4-day + Short Inca Trail combo in our catalog — the ONLY combo combining horseback riding Day 1 + camping + Short Inca Trail permit + Machu Picchu Circuit 3B.
This is NOT the tour for:
This IS the tour for:
Standard 4-day tourist volume by tour:
Ancascocha Trek:
Experience quality: this is the most REMOTE authentic Andean trekking experience with Ministry of Culture Inca Trail permit inclusion.
Early start — 05:30 AM sharp.
Pre-tour preparation (night before):
Vehicle: private van with first-aid kit + portable oxygen.
Scenic drive to Chilca (3,024m) — starting point of Ancascocha trek.
Landscape transitions:
Meet muleteers + horses for Day 1 horseback riding.
Briefing:
3h20 horseback riding — UNIQUE experience in our catalog.
Landscape:
Cultural experience: local muleteers share traditional knowledge + Andean cosmology.
Sacred glacial lagoon — unique Andean beauty.
Photography opportunity:
Box lunch INCLUIDO at scenic Ancascocha lagoon viewpoint.
40-min ascent — steep final climb.
Highest point of the tour — highest 4-day + Short IT combo altitude.
Views:
Cultural activity:
1h30 descent through remote Andean landscape.
Landscape transitions:
Camping Qesqa INCLUDED — remote camp with complete crew.
What’s INCLUDED:
Camp activities:
Dinner INCLUDED — hot professional trekking meal:
Suggestions:
Overnight: Qesqa Camp, 3,650m, in tents (INCLUDED: complete equipment).
1BL, 1D
Challenging
A short walk More BY HORSE
By Horse 3 Hrs. & by Foot 2 Hrs.
Ancacocha Lagoon: 4,090m (13,418 ft)
Qesqa Camp: 3,650m (11,910 ft)
Huayanay Pass: 4,650m (15,298 ft)
Breakfast INCLUDED: fresh fruit + Peruvian bread + eggs + coffee/coca tea + juice.
06:00 AM start for long hiking day.
1h30 descent through Andean landscape.
Landscape: high-altitude → cloud forest transition.
4-hour walk through original Inca pathways.
Cultural stops:
Peak archaeological moment Day 2 — Paucarcancha preserved Inca routes.
Historical significance:
Lunch INCLUDED at scenic Paucarcancha area.
Descent to Km 82 — connection point with Short Inca Trail area.
Private van transfer to Ollantaytambo.
Ollantaytambo hotel — client books independently (NOT included).
Recommendations:
Advantage: Ollantaytambo station 10-minute walk from most hotels — Day 3 pickup advantage.
Total Day 2: 15 km / 7-8 hours / hot shower + hotel comfort after camping.
Overnight: Ollantaytambo hotel (client books).
1B, 1L.
Intense
15km (9.3 miles)
7-8 Hrs.
Qesqa: 3,650m (11,910 ft)
KM 82: 2,750m (9,000 ft)
None
10-min walk to the station advantage.
Bring in a day pack:
Overnight bag: transported to Aguas Calientes.
Ministry of Culture ranger station:
Cloud forest hiking.
🏛️ Chachabamba ruins (~09:30 AM): ceremonial site (permit-only, 20-30 min).
Agricultural terraces + ceremonial complex (permit-only, 45-60 min).
Steepest section — 1h15-1h30 climb.
Peak moment Day 3 — first panoramic view of Machu Picchu.
Time: ~20-30 min at Sun Gate.
40-min descent with continuous MP views.
Classic Machu Picchu photos — exclusive privilege for Inca Trail permit holders.
Overnight: Aguas Calientes hotel (client books independently).
1BL.
Moderate
11km (6.1 miles)
5 Hrs.
KM 104: 2,000m (6,560 ft)
Machu Picchu Ruins: 2,400m (7,874 ft)
Inti Pinku: 2,720m (8,920 ft)
Not included.
25-minute scenic ride.
⚠️ Flexible entry: Inca Trail tickets allow entry between 06:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
Circuit 3B is automatically included with your Inca Trail permit.
Highlights:
Approximately 4 hours for lunch and personal exploration.
Total tour completed — 4 unforgettable days of remote trekking, horseback riding, camping, and the Short Inca Trail experience.
Easy
A light walk
2-hour guided tour
Machu Picchu Pueblo: 2,065m (6,774 ft)
Machu Picchu Ruins: 2,400m (7,874 ft)
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
Transport
Horseback + Camping Crew Day 1
Camping Equipment Day 1 INCLUDED
Guides
Entrance Fees + Permits — ALL INCLUDED
Meals — 6 INCLUDED
Safety Equipment
Other
Hotels NOT included (Days 2 + 3):
Meals NOT included:
Other:
Reason: 05:30 AM Day 1 pickup + train punctuality + logistics.
Recommended: fly Cusco 2-3 days before + acclimatize (crucial for Huayanay Pass 4,650m).
Ancascocha Trek is DEMANDING — for adult adventurous trekkers:
Physical preparation (2-3 months before):
Altitude preparation:
Camping preparation:
During tour:
Train upgrades Day 4:
MP extras:
Camping upgrades:
Discounts:
Primary premium adventure audience:
Honest disclosure:
The ONLY 4-day Ancascocha Trek + Short Inca Trail combo combining horseback riding Day 1 (3h20 to Ancascocha lagoon 4,150m + hike to Huayanay Pass 4,650m + camping Qesqa 3,650m with cook + muleteers + pack horses INCLUIDOS + tents + sleeping bags + mats INCLUIDOS + breakfast + box lunch + dinner INCLUIDOS) + Paucarcancha original Inca pathways Day 2 (15 km / 7-8h through Wayllabamba + Tarayoc + Llactapata + Kanamarca + Paucarcancha + Km 82 vehicle to Ollantaytambo + breakfast + lunch INCLUIDOS).
+ Short Inca Trail permit Day 3 (PeruRail Expedition 83P + 12 km hike + Chachabamba + Wiñaywayna + Sun Gate 2,715m + 15-20 min Guardian’s House + box lunch INCLUIDO) + MP Circuit 3B Day 4 (2h guided tour + PeruRail Expedition 74P return + Cusco ~18:30-19:00 PM). PRIVATE PREMIUM tour from $864 USD · Operating March-January daily (closed February) · Age 12+ with guardian.
Simple math — this combo includes MORE:
Cost breakdown reasoning:
Result: $864 vs $465-518 alternatives — the PREMIUM pricing reflects the horseback + camping crew + remote route.
Value comparison: cheaper than Classic Inca Trail 4 Days (~$722 requires 3 nights camping) by delivering only 1 night camping + hotel comfort Days 2+3 + horseback riding + more remote route.
Both 4-day Ancascocha + Inca Trail permit combos but very different logistics:
Classic Inca Trail 4 Days (~$722, age 12+):
This Ancascocha 4-Day ($864, age 12+):
Choose Classic Inca Trail if: full 43 km + 3 nights camping purist + standard route. Choose this Ancascocha if: remote + horseback + only 1 night camping + hotel comfort.
Altitude comparison of 4-day + Short IT combos:
| Tour | Max altitude | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Inca Jungle + Short IT 4 Days | 2,814m | Lucmabamba Pass |
| Salkantay 4-Day + Short IT | 4,630m | Salkantay Pass |
| Lares + Rainbow 4 Day | 4,410m | Ipsay Pass |
| Classic Inca Trail 4 Days | 4,215m | Warmiwañuska Pass |
| This Ancascocha 4-Day | 4,650m | Huayanay Pass ⭐ |
This tour’s Huayanay Pass 4,650m is the highest altitude in the 4-day + Short IT combo category — a genuine high-altitude achievement.
3h20 horseback riding to Ancascocha lagoon:
Experience details:
No experience required — horses are gentle and trained for tourists.
For horseback-uncomfortable travelers: alternative hiking option available (contact at booking).
Camping Qesqa 3,650m INCLUDED with complete crew:
What’s INCLUDED:
What to bring:
Camping experience:
Yes — same Ministry of Culture Inca Trail permit process:
3 nights:
Hotel recommendations available at booking.
Circuit 3B automatic (Inca Trail permit).
DEMANDING — adult adventurous trekkers only:
Total: ~40 km hiking + 3h20 horseback + 1 night camping + Huayanay Pass 4,650m.
Preparation:
Not suitable for: sedentary travelers, altitude-sensitive travelers, mobility-limited travelers, children under 12.
No — 05:30 AM Day 1 pickup + logistics.
Recommended: fly Cusco 3-4 days before (crucial for Huayanay Pass 4,650m acclimatization).
Prevention:
During tour:
Huayanay Pass 4,650m warning: this is EXTREME altitude. Proper acclimatization is CRITICAL.
Travel insurance STRONGLY recommended.
Yes — PRIVATE tour:
Advanced customizations: contact at booking.
No — March-January daily, CLOSED February.
Best months:
Note: camping quality is significantly better in the dry season (May-September).
Ancascocha Trek 4 Days New Map
PRIVATE TOUR pricing based on group size.
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 2 | $ 1 074.00 USD |
| Number of persons | Price (p/p) | |
| $ 864.00 USD |
Larger groups (+10): contact us for custom pricing.
Booking:
Booking timeline (permit-dependent):
Explore the remote valleys, mountain passes, original Inca pathways, and trekking landscapes of the Ancascocha expedition to Machu Picchu.
