Ancascocha Trek 4 Days + Short Inca Trail
Ancascocha’s horseback high country combined with an official Short Inca Trail permit to the Sun Gate.
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 along original Inca pathways and camp in a 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 of horseback riding through the 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.
| ⏱️ 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 to 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 |
| 🍽️ Day 1 meals | Breakfast + box lunch + dinner |
| 👨🍳 Day 1 crew | Cook + muleteers + pack horses |
| 🥾 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 |
| 🌙 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 | (Circuit 3B + SERNANP 2026) |
| 🎫 Inca Trail permit | (Ministry of Culture in your name) |
| 🎫 Camping equipment | (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 | $651 USD per person — PREMIUM tier |
The Ancascocha Trek 4 Days + Short Inca Trail packs 4 days full of history and landscape. – HORSEBACK RIDING Day 1 — 3h20 UNIQUE in catalog – CAMPING Qesqa Day 1 INCLUDED — only 4-day + Short IT with camping – Huayanay Pass 4,650m — highest 4-day + Short IT combo – MOST REMOTE — off-the-beaten-track. The Ancascocha Trek 4 Days + Short Inca Trail, distilled into its best moments.
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 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.
This 4-day version combines the horseback ascent to Ancascocha Lagoon and Huayanay Pass (4,650 m) with an added day on the official Short Inca Trail, arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate rather than by train alone. It’s built for travelers who want Ancascocha’s remote high country and the classic Inca Trail’s most photogenic final stretch, without the full multi-day commitment of either route on its own.
The trek’s toughest climb comes first: Day 1’s horseback ascent to Huayanay Pass (4,650 m) is the trip’s highest point, tackled while trekkers are fresh from Cusco. The route then descends through Wayllabamba and Paucarcancha toward Ollantaytambo on Day 2, dropping substantially in elevation, which means the Short Inca Trail hike on Day 3 and the walk into Machu Picchu on Day 4 both take place well below the trek’s peak altitude.
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 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 — remote camp with complete crew.
What’s INCLUDED:
Camp activities:
Dinner — 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: 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 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 station advantage.
Bring in 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 MP photos — Inca Trail permit privilege.
Overnight: Aguas Calientes hotel (client books).
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-min scenic ride.
⚠️ Flexible entry: Inca Trail tickets allow 06:00-11:00 AM.
Circuit 3B is automatic with an Inca Trail permit.
Highlights:
~4 hours for lunch + exploration.
Total tour completed — 4 days of REMOTE + HORSEBACK + CAMPING + PREMIUM adventure.
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 INCLUDED + tents + sleeping bags + mats INCLUDED + breakfast + box lunch +
dinner INCLUDED) + Paucarcancha original Inca pathways Day 2 (15 km / 7-8h through Wayllabamba + Tarayoc + Llactapata + Kanamarca + Paucarcancha + Km 82 vehicle to Ollantaytambo + breakfast + lunch INCLUDED) + Short Inca Trail permit Day 3 (PeruRail Expedition 83P + 12 km hike + Chachabamba
PRIVATE PREMIUM tour from $651 USD · Operating March-January daily (closed February) · Age 12+ with guardian.
Simple math — this combo includes MORE:
6 meals INCLUDED
Cost breakdown reasoning:
Result: $651 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 (~$755, age 12+):
— lower altitude
This Ancascocha 4-Day ($651, 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
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 1 | $ 1 873.00 USD | |
| 2 | $ 1 187.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 960.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 835.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 786.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 748.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 713.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 682.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 673.00 USD | |
| 10 | $ 651.00 USD |
