Peru: Ausangate Lodge Trek To Machu Picchu
You will feel completely enveloped in these Andean giants as you hike more than 25 miles, climbing multple high passes over 16,000ft. On this trek we rarely sleep below 15,000ft, which means cold nights. But nestled in warm beds after a hot shower you will appreciate pristinely clear air with night skies that reveal the stars like never before and panoramas that just won’t quit. With the culmination of your trek you will feel a sense of serene contentment and a closeness with Pachamama- Mother Earth- that you won’t soon forget.
Trip Highlights
- Challenging altitude and spectacular scenery every day in a true lodge-to-lodge format
- Hike more than 25 miles, climbing multple high passes over 16,000ft
- Traveling amongst these immense Andean giant mountains, we find ourselves mostly alone, except for our access to and connection with the indigenous population.
Itinerary
Day 1
Pick up at hotel and private transport to the Sacred Valley, where we will acclimatize in preparation for our trek. Our destination is Chinchero, a picturesque village in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We start our cultural exploration in the home of a textile artisan, where we will learn local weaving techniques the creative process.
Finally, we depart for Ollantaytambo, one of the most representative building complexes of the Inca Empire and the site of one of the Spanish Conquistadors' rare strategic defeats. Famous for its terraced fields, Ollantaytambo was a very effective fortress and a religious center.
Day 2
Our cultural immersion resumes this morning with a visit to the traditional Andean community of Misminay, located in a stunning mountain setting in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. As we travel the valley, magnificent panoramic views envelop us before arriving in the colorful traditional community. Here we get a warm welcome from the locals and a colorful first insight into Andean culture. We will take a small hike to the community’s lookout point, to enjoy a superb view of the Moray ancient agro-archaeological site. Along the way, our local hosts will educate us about their community, the area and some traditional medicinal plants found along the trail.
Day 3
Take a moment to quietly sit and listen to the wind... or to meditate and absorb the mystical energy that envelops you. Your imagination will soar as you contemplate the history of Machu Picchu and its mysterious origins.
Day 4
Today we depart Cusco, headed souteast along the Vilcanota River to visit the temple of Checacupe, then the upper valley of Pitumarca. At Molino Viego, we'll trek a short distance to Chillca- nestled on the ouskirts of the Ausangate mountain range. Locals and musicians playing Andean instruments greet us in your first “Andean Lodge”, as we sip coca tea.
Day 5
fter breakfast we set off, trekking amongst thousands of alpacas and llamas in the glacier valley of Phinaya. We climb up to the inspiring Pjachaj waterfalls as more glaciers unfold before us at Santa Catalina. Above the falls, our picnic lunch await us. Surrounded by moraine walls, glaciers and lagoons we walk about 5 hours to Machuracay Tambo. Our bags, carried by a llama caravan, meet us there and we are welcomed by the family that runs the lodge.
Day 6
Today we take in our first and highest mountain pass at 16,900ft, where we’ll be rewarded with spectacularpanoramic views. We will descend alongside glaciers towards Ausangate Cocha Lake for lunch, after which we’ll see a dramatic shift in the landscape as red sandstone formations come into the picture. After a great day of trekking, Anantapata Tambo awaits or some well-deserved rest.
Day 7
After breakfast, we take the trail to another mountain pass. Dropping down, we'll hike by Lake Kayrawiri, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and the great valley below. Striations of color are imbedded in the hillsides. We then proceed to Cerro Laya Grande via the massive Glacier del Inca. Here we find the most striking colors in the sediments of Vinicunca (“Rainbow Mountain”). We will take advantage of our unique mountain surrounds to eat lunch lunch in this beautiful landscape. If we're lucky we might catch a glimpse of hundreds of Andean geese nesting in the cliffs of Anta, and the flatiron formations of Apu Labrayani. Huampococha Tambo is our fourth mountain lodge and where we will spend the night.
Day 8
Today is our final hiking day. Take your time this morning to drink in the surroundings and contemplate this vast mountain terrain that has enveloped us on our journey. As we ascend, enjoying a great view of the mountains, we reach the top of Huampaccasa - our final pass. It’s all downhill from here! We encounter some of the most capricious shapes of limestone formations from the Cretaceous age and hike until the end of the trail in Trapiche. Here we get to celebrate our achievement with a comprehensive lunch. We'll share food and swap stories with our guides and support team one last time. We return by private transport to Cusco, all the while reminiscing about the amazing views and experiences we shared in the Andes.
Day 9
Leave on your international flight today
Above Costs Include:
- All domestic airport transfers as per the program by private vehicle
- All meals indicated on the daily itinerary
- Hotels in Cusco and the Sacred Valley on a sharing basis
- All meals and accommodations while on trek
- Shuttle bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu entrance tickets (1 day)
- Inca Rail round trip tickets to/from Aguas Calientes
- All meals indicated on the daily itinerary
- Entrance fees to all historic sites and ruins
Cost Does Not Include:
- International flights to/from Peru
- Domestic flights to/from Cusco
- International/domestic airport departure taxes
- Gratuities for support staff
- Activities not listed on the itinerary
- Supplemental overseas travel/medical insurance
- Tickets to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
- Any meals not indicated on the daily itinerary
