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10 DAYS
FROM $ 975
Expedition Type
Activity Level
Service Level
CASUAL
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This challenging Expedition will take you on an unforgettable pilgrimage to Ausangate mountain. More than just beautiful natural wonders, the mountains, called Apus, are sacred beings at the center of ancient Andean spirituality. The Ausangate is one of the most revered of the land. Visit remote Andean towns, enjoy relaxing hot springs and, photograph the turquoise glow of beautiful crystalline lagoons dotted through the route. If you are passionate about hiking in the mountains, learning about Andean traditions, and are looking for an intense experience in remote areas of Peru, then, this Expedition is perfect for you.
Arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, the gateway to Peru’s Inca heartland. Settle into your hotel and take the rest of the day to relax or explore Cusco’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Embark on a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of Cusco this morning with your Local Specialist, admiring the 16th century Spanish colonial buildings that stand on the foundations of former Inca temples and palaces. See the baroque Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and 17th century Church of Santo Domingo. Visit the site of the Sacsayhuaman fortress and see nearby warehouses where the Incas once stored their grain. In the afternoon, explore this captivating city further at your leisure.
Follow the Sacred Valley’s most scenic roads, passing through a patchwork of verdant fields set beneath snowcapped peaks. At a weaving center supported by The Center of Traditional Textiles of Cusco, attend a private demonstration on the production of Andean textiles. Traditional weaving and wool-dying practices have been recently revived thanks to the efforts of local women. See the terraced remains of impressive Inca agriculture systems at Chinchero and Moray. Then visit the white salt mines stacked on the slopes of Maras.
Today, we set out to explore an adventurer side of Peru! Board on your private van to Ocongate, then continue to Upis, the first campsite located right in front of Ausangate Peak. Explore the Andes hiking along the picturesque valley, keeping an eye out for wildlife that decorate the entire area, such as llamas and alpacas. Have a picnic lunch on the way overlooking the mountains and, upon arrival settle into your cozy tent.
Rise and shine! After breakfast, start your second day hike to the first pass of your trek, Arapa at 4,800 m (15,700 ft). Enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains as you make your way up the rugged terrain full of native vegetation, and aim to reach our camp by early afternoon. Savor the panorama over a picnic lunch, before you continue and be rewarded with outstanding views of the entire mountain chain from the second pass, Ausangatecocha. Enjoy an aromatic hot coffee overlooking the Ausangate Peak before your dinner.
Set off on a breathtaking hike through the highest pass of our entire trek, Palomani. Peaceful, beautiful, astonishing and sacred. Experience this otherworldly glacier landscape from different angles before you continue to the picturesque valley of Phinaya for lunch. Settle into your tent, and sit down to dinner with sweeping views of mountain country.
Starting out for another challenging day, the trail rises immediately towards the second highest pass of the trek, Q´ampa, dominated by the peak of Colquecruz. From here it’s a gentle descent towards your lunch spot before you reach the town of Pacchanta where you’ll be rewarded with a dip in the town’s mineral rich thermal baths – a perfect chance to relax after a long, demanding days of hiking.
Following the trail from Pacchanta, drive back to the town of Tinki and cap off your adventure with a farewell traditional lunch, The Pachamanca, a unique and ancient style of Andean cooking. After enjoying your hard-earned celebratory lunch, take your private transport back to the historic capital of Peru, Cusco.
Drive to Ollantaytambo Inca town, then hop aboard a train for the journey through the Urubamba Valley to the end of the line: Aguas Calientes, a frontier town nestled beneath Machu Picchu. Take a guided tour through the ceremonial rooms and terraces of this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site before catching a bus to the frontier town of Aguas Calientes, where we’ll have free time for lunch. Continue by train to Cusco. This evening we join our travel companions for a farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant.
After breakfast, transfer to the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport and connect with your flight home or consider extending your holiday.
We will be traveling at high elevations while in Ausangate, Cusco and Machu Picchu. Cusco is at an altitude of 3350m – 10,990 feet, the highest pass in Ausangate is at 5,125m – 16,814 feet and Machu Picchu, 2,400m – 7,974 feet. Participants should be physically fit. This expedition is not suitable for anyone who suffers from a respiratory disorder, a circulatory ailment, or a disability that limits mobility.
Expedition Team
A Natventure expert hiker will accompany this Expedition, and local guides join us along the way.
MY OWN ROOM
During your expedition, sometimes it´s just more convenient and comfortable to have your own room (only for hotel stay). That´s why we offer the «My own room» option – a single room all to yourself.
My own room option: from $ 1,350
