
5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour worth booking?
5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour is a 120-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $1,180 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 7 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 53 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (7)
- Duration
- 120 hours
- From
- $1,180 per person
The Ancascocha + Short Inca Trail offers a rare combination of remote adventure, cultural immersion, and the iconic journey to Machu Picchu, all in just five days. What truly sets this experience apart is the route. You’ll explore the Ancascocha trek, one of the most dreamed of hikes in the world, far from the crowds. Along the way, you’ll cross high mountain passes, glaciers, turquoise lagoons, and hidden Andean valleys rarely visited by others. You’ll also connect with traditional Andean communities that preserve their ancestral way of life, adding a deeper cultural dimension to the journey. Unlike most alternative routes, this trek continues onto the Short Inca Trail, allowing you to walk original Inca paths and arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). With altitudes over 4,600 meters (15,091 ft), this is a true adventure, designed for travelers seeking something beyond the ordinary.
What you get
About this experience
The Ancascocha + Short Inca Trail offers a rare combination of remote adventure, cultural immersion, and the iconic journey to Machu Picchu, all in just five days. What truly sets this experience apart is the route. You’ll explore the Ancascocha trek, one of the most dreamed of hikes in the world, far from the crowds. Along the way, you’ll cross high mountain passes, glaciers, turquoise lagoons, and hidden Andean valleys rarely visited by others. You’ll also connect with traditional Andean communities that preserve their ancestral way of life, adding a deeper cultural dimension to the journey. Unlike most alternative routes, this trek continues onto the Short Inca Trail, allowing you to walk original Inca paths and arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). With altitudes over 4,600 meters (15,091 ft), this is a true adventure, designed for travelers seeking something beyond the ordinary.
What's included
Included
- Pre-departure briefing
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Inca Trail permits and entrance tickets.
- Experienced Mountain Guide
- Inflatable mattress and portable travel toilet.
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- All private transport and transfers during the tour
- Round-trip bus tickets (from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu).
- Hygiene products (small towel and soap).
- Personal duffel bag (up to 5 kg / 11 lb) for your travel gear.
- Water, Tea Time, and daily snacks on the trail
- Transfer from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco.
- Personal Belongings Transport
- Tourist train round-trip tickets (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes).
- Transportation from Piscacucho (KM 82) to Ollantaytambo
- Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu (Circuit 1 Route C and Circuit 3 Route B).
- Expert chef, porters, and horsemen
- Walkie-talkies, satellite phone, oxygen, and first aid kit available at all times.
- Private Camping Facilities & Equipment (tents, tables, chairs, cooking utensils).
- Pickup and return to your hotel in the historic center of Cusco as part of the itinerary.
- Backpack cover.
Not included
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes and dinner in Cusco (Day 5)
- Clothing and personal hiking equipment
- Gear: Sleeping Bag & Trekking Poles
- Travel Insurance (Recommended)
- Gratuities for the staff (Optional)
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
With Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain Tickets Pickup included
With Huchuy Picchu Mountain
Huchuy Picchu Mountain Ticket Pickup included
With Huayna Picchu Mountain
Huayna Picchu Mountain Ticket Pickup included
Ancascocha & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 5 Days / 4 Nights
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Salkantay Trekking
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.
- The Inca Trail is highly demanded, specially in high season (May to September). Book this trip at least five months in advance to secure a spot.
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
- Please ensure your passport is up to date and ready for use on your travel day
- Children aged 12 and over may participate and must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
- Keep in mind this hike is a challenging trek. travellers have to be in good health and physical shape to fully enjoy every moment of this adventure.
- Vegetarian or, vegan options are available, please advise at time of booking if required
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Salkantay Trail
Excellent trip. Everything very organized, great structure and an experience that will be remembered.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Machu Picchu Trek Review
Fredy Apaza was a very knowledgeable and experienced guide. Friendly attitude and very supportive to our group. He made the trip as good as it was.
via Tripadvisor
Great adventure!
This is the funny adventure. Sometimes it wasn’t easy, maybe too hard, but it was worth it!!!
via Tripadvisor
I do not recommend it
During my trip i had 2 guides, Joel and Franklin. Franklin was very helpful. He helped me with my breathing and my pace and was very empathetic throughtout the entire time. However, Joel was completely the opposite. He was very dismissive especially when we will ask him questions about how long will it take for us to get to our destination. he claimed to have done the trail for 450 times. Someone with that experience gives me the impression that they know what they're doing and especially know how to treat/deal with people. There was one incident where he had chewed a lot of coca leaves, so much that it affected his behavior. His speech also sounded very strange. I had to listen to him have a very vulgar conversation with another guide for an hour to an hour and a half. He also had alcohol odor. Another issue that I had, not in relation to the guides was about some duffel bags. We were given duffel bags to put our stuff inside, but we were never told that we will give it back. Anyway, before we headed to the hotel in the middle of the dirt road they gave us trash bags so we may take out all of our belongings from the duffel bag. We were asked to do this out in the open. We had personal items like dirty clothes inside those duffel bags. I felt very disrispected and humiliated. I dont recommend this trip to anyone.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Experience With A Very Knowledgeable Guide
Excellence experience, the trip was amazing, day 2 was very tough but we all made it. The accommodation was cool, 3 different pods with amazing views, the final night in a hotel. Our guide Carlos "The Mountain King", was exceptional, patient, knowledgeable and fun, his love for his culture was palpable,we definitely got the best guide!! I 100% recommend this trip, it's exhausting, everyday we were up at the crack of dawn, but feels like a great achievement to finish it.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 120 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $1,180 to $1,280
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 53
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour cost?
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Prices start at $1,180 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cusco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour take?
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Plan for about 120 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cusco is not rushed.
Is 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 120-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cusco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cusco and add a light layer if any part of the 120-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cusco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cusco?
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On Outty we rank every Cusco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sacred Valley Full Day Tour, Full-Day Humantay Lake Trek (Meals Included), Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cusco?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour?
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Included: Pre-departure briefing; Hotel pickup and drop-off; Inca Trail permits and entrance tickets; Experienced Mountain Guide; and Inflatable mattress and portable travel toilet. Not included: Lunch in Aguas Calientes and dinner in Cusco (Day 5); Clothing and personal hiking equipment; Gear: Sleeping Bag & Trekking Poles; and Travel Insurance (Recommended). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 393 listed pickup locations in and around Cusco. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour?
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Across 7 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for 5 Days Ancascocha and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour?
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There are 4 options to choose from, including With Machu Picchu Mountain, With Huchuy Picchu Mountain, With Huayna Picchu Mountain, Ancascocha & Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 5 Days / 4 Nights. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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