The best part of the day: Get to know the beautiful Ausangate glacier
Today we will present ourselves before the highest glacier in the Cusco region. We will leave with all the equipment prepared for the hike. We will arrive in three hours to the Upis community, where we will have breakfast and then head to our campsite.
Beginning the trek, we will have the first view of the Apu Ausangate (6,732 m / 20,905 ft). According to the Andean cosmovision, this is a living mountain with magical characteristics, such as its height, its perennial snow, and its radiant energy. This Apu, which fertilizes the Pachamama or Mother Earth, possesses masculine energy and is therefore directly responsible for the vital cycles in the region.
We will walk for about three hours until we reach the Upis Campsite, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our talented chef. In the afternoon, we will visit the Huayna Ausangate lake back and forth for a couple of hours. On the way back, a hot mate and a delicious dinner will be waiting for us.
Today, we will be in front of the highest glacier in Cusco, Ausangate. We will head to the Upis community to have a good breakfast and start the tour. We will arrive at our camp for lunch and, in the afternoon, we can visit the Huayna Ausangate lake. We will return to the camp to drink a comforting hot mate and enjoy dinner. We will rest quietly near the lake.
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Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
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Easy to Moderate
Difficulty
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10 km / 6.21 mi
Walking distance
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5 hours
Walking time
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4,250 m / 13,944 ft.
Starting elevation
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4,250 m / 13,944 ft.
Minimum height
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4,480 m / 14,698 ft.
Highest elevation
The best part of the day: Camp near the crystal clear lakes.
We will wake you up with a hot coca tea that will be propitious to start the day. Then, we will enjoy an excellent breakfast that will help us to start with all the necessary strength. Today we ascend for a couple of hours to reach the Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). On the way, we will see some apachetas and stones piled up like a pyramid, symbolizing the respect of the trekkers to the sacred mountains.
Then, we will descend for an hour and a half until we reach the Yanacocha lake, where we will have lunch with a beautiful view of the place. We only have two more hours of descent to reach our camp known as Hatun Pucacocha, and as the lakes that surround us are beautiful, we can walk around to know them and appreciate them closely. On the way back and after a refreshing dinner, we will finish studying the Andean constellations.
We will wake up early to drink a hot mate and warm up. Afterwards, we will enjoy our breakfast. Once we are ready, we will ascend for a couple of hours until we reach the Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). As we walk, we will be able to observe some apachetas (stones piled up like a pyramid). Then, we will descend for an hour and a half until we reach the Yanacocha lake, where we will have lunch. Later, we will follow the trail until we reach the camp at Hatun Pucacocha.
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Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Meals
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Moderate
Difficulty
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11 km / 6.83 mi
Walking distance
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6 hours
Walking time
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4,400 m / 14,436 ft
Starting elevation
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4,400 m / 14,436 ft
Minimum height
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4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Highest elevation
The best part of the day: A panoramic view of the horizon adorned with colorful mountains.
Today we have a lot to see. First, we will energize ourselves with breakfast made with the expert hands of our cook. Then, by way of warming up, we will begin the ascent to reach the first objective of the day, the Pucca Pass (4,870 m / 15,978 ft). From this point, we will have an incredible view of Ausangate, the Anantapata valley, and the lakes we left behind.
We will descend for an hour and a half; then, we will enjoy the delicious lunch that awaits us in Anantapata. Afterwards, we will have a brief rest as a two-hour ascent awaits us to reach the second pass, Warmisaya (4,985 m / 16,355 ft), from where we can see Surine, Takusiri, and the Rainbow Mountain in the distance. After a descent of 30 to 45 minutes, we will arrive at our camp, and, if time permits, we will go to contemplate the Rainbow Mountain to watch the sunset and return satisfied after the end of the day.
After having a good breakfast, we will start ascending until we reach Pucca Pass (4,870 m / 15,978 ft); from here, you will have an incredible panorama of the snow-capped Ausangate, the Anantapata valley, and the lakes around it. We will descend for an hour and a half to reach Anantapata and have lunch in this place. We will rest after our hike to regain strength and climb to reach the Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m / 16,355 ft). Finally, we will descend again for about 45 minutes to reach the camp and, optionally, contemplate the Rainbow Mountain to see the sunset.
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Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Meals
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Moderate
Difficulty
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10 km / 6.20 mi
Walking distance
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6.5 hours
Walking time
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4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Starting elevation
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4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Minimum height
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4,985 m / 16,355 ft
Highest elevation
The best part of the day: Sunrise at the Rainbow Mountain and appreciate the sunset at Huacarpay lake.
We’ll need to depart very early if we want to reach Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca, in time to witness the sunrise. Weather will be the main factor of the day, but with guidance from our expert guide, we’ll always make the best decision. Once at the summit, with the first rays of sunlight illuminating the horizon and the mountain, we’ll be able to admire the vibrant colors gifted by Mother Earth.
After enjoying the mountain in peace and privacy, equipped with fresh knowledge and memorable photos, we’ll head to the Red Valley viewpoint, where the landscape will make us feel as if we've landed on the planet Mars. Later, we’ll descend to meet our transport, which will take us to the town of Andahuaylillas, famous for its stunning church, whose richly decorated walls and frescoes seem to vividly depict Dante’s Divine Comedy.
Finally, we’ll end the day with lunch by the shores of Huacarpay Lagoon, a protected wetland of great ecological value and the main birdwatching site near the city of Cusco.
We will start our day early to reach the Rainbow Mountain and admire it in private with the first rays of the sun; then, we will go to the Red Valley viewpoint. Later, we will descend to meet the private transportation that will take us to the town of Andahuaylillas to see its temple and beautiful art paintings. Finally, we will head to the Huacarpay lake for lunch before returning to Cusco.
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Breakfast, and Lunch
Meals:
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Moderate
Difficulty
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6.5 km / 4.03 mi
Walking distance
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4 hours
Walking time
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4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Starting elevation
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3,050 m / 10,006 ft
Minimum height
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5,100 m / 16,732 ft
Highest elevation
The best part of the day: Travel through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
On this day, we will enter the Sacred Valley of the Incas and visit the picturesque village of Chinchero, located 45 minutes from the city of Cusco. We will learn all about Andean textiles: dyeing, spinning, designs, and their significance. Later we will go to Moray, known as the Inca agricultural laboratory; thanks to its circular terraces, the scenery is very beautiful, and you can be in harmony with the environment.
Next, we will visit Maras, which in colonial times was an important point due to the extraction of salt. Currently, there are more than 5,000 salt ponds; the villagers take advantage of this production and sell it in the market. We will enjoy a delicious buffet before continuing to the Inca town of Ollantaytambo, a living citadel that preserves its Inca structures all around the town. We will finish with a train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes. You will enjoy dinner, and we will have a briefing to plan the most important details of the next day.
Today we will tour the Sacred Valley of the Incas. First, we will start exploring the picturesque village of Chinchero; then, we will visit the agricultural laboratory of Moray and witness its incredible circular terraces with different microclimates. Next, we will head to Maras, which has 5,000 natural salt pools. We will enjoy a delicious buffet before continuing to the living Inca village of Ollantaytambo. After this beautiful experience, we will board the train. In Aguas Calientes we will have dinner, and our guide will give us an informative talk before going to rest in a comfortable hotel.
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Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Meals
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Easy
Difficulty
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1 km / 0.62 mi
Walking distance
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1.5 hours
Walking time
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3,762 m / 12,342 ft
Starting elevation
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2,040 m / 6,693 ft
Minimum height
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3,762 m / 12,342 ft
Highest elevation
The best part of the day: Activate your sixth sense in Machu Picchu.
A wonderful adventure awaits us. This will be a day filled with unforgettable memories, as we will finally visit the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu—a sacred site that perfectly showcases the way of life during the Inca Empire. After enjoying a hearty breakfast at our hotel, we’ll take a bus for approximately half an hour to reach the entrance of the majestic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
As we walk through its streets, small plazas, viewpoints, and sacred temples dedicated to Andean deities, we’ll see Machu Picchu with new eyes and gain a deeper understanding of the greatness of this civilization. Our guide will always be attentive and ready to assist us—whether it’s taking a photo, answering a spontaneous question, or sharing an insightful comment. Keep in mind that the rules at Machu Picchu are quite strict, so our expert guide will act as a liaison between the park rangers and the group, ensuring we follow the regulations while still enjoying the experience.
Finally, we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes to enjoy a well-deserved lunch and relax before beginning our journey back to Cusco.
We will have many memories of this day because we will finally know the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. After having a good breakfast at our hotel, we will go up to the Inca citadel by bus for half an hour. Once in the citadel, you will visit its streets, small squares, and sacred precincts. Have your camera ready at all times because the tour will be unique. After this unforgettable experience, we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes, board the train to Ollantaytambo and board private transportation to return to Cusco.
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Breakfast
Meals
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Easy
Difficulty
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3 km / 1.86 mi
Walking distance
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2 hours
Walking time
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2,400 m / 6,693 ft
Starting elevation
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2,040 m / 6,693 ft
Minimum height
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2,430 m / 7,972 ft
Highest elevation
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