Ancascocha Trek - An Inca Trail Alternative
Most people think of the classic Inca Trail or Salkantay treks when considering trekking to Machu Picchu. Although they are the most well-known routes that depart from the sacred city of Cusco, there’s a lesser-known and equally wondrous trail—with zero crowds. The Ancascocha Trek offers inspiring natural beauty, high mountain passes that rise up as high as 4,650 m/15,255 ft., and sacred ancient ruins. Of all the treks I’ve done in Perú over the past 4 years, this was definitely one of my favorites for a number of reasons. I had not heard about this trek until I was invited along by a local Cusco agency, Action Perú Treks, to make a video to highlight the experience of the trail. The usual pace is 4D/3N, but we completed the trail in 3D/2N, hiking approximately 9-12 hours each day from camp to camp at a moderate pace. Each day had its own unique features, which kept things interesting from start to finish.
Plenty of information online outlines the daily itinerary and what to expect on the trek—but as a photographer and filmmaker, I’m here to show you the adventure, day by day, through a visual journey of photographs that bring the experience to life.
The highest point from day 1, Kuychiccasa Pass, with breathtaking views of Apu Verónica and the Sacred Valley
Sunset views of mountains with two trekkers and our guide in the distance before descending from the pass, without another group in sight
Starting day 2 with soft light and scattered clouds in the sky, making for a mystic scene
Moody hiking scenes with clouds filling in the lush terrain as we descended into the Chancachuco Valley
Day 3 presented us with more mountainous landscapes and a small unnamed lake, perfect for this adventurous shot
INCREDIBLE, right?
The Ancascocha Trek has everything that I look for in a multi-day adventure: sublime landscapes, zero crowds, a plethora of photo opportunities, and an off-the-beaten-path feel. Something to note is that if you want to capture the terrain while it is still lush and green, you will want to go in the early shoulder season around the end of March–May while it is still raining a bit. You’ll still enjoy it in the high season, but if you want to capture the most interesting scenes like I did, then early season is the best time to go!
I’m fortunate to live in the Sacred Valley as a full-time resident. If you find yourself here doing a trek and want to hire a professional adventure photographer to capture you among these majestic Andean landscapes, please contact me via email at andesadventurevisuals@gmail.com or on WhatsApp at +1 847-732-5383. I hope this visual adventure inspires you to try something different, explore a new trail, and capture images of your own. Stay tuned for more visual stories about my adventures here in Perú and beyond.
