Looking for an epic adventure that takes you through some of the most stunning landscapes in Peru? Look no further than our trek through Cusco, Pitumarca, Kayrawiry Lake, Mount Ausanagte, Jampa, and Machu Picchu. This tour offers a diverse range of experiences that will take you off the beaten path and give you a deeper understanding of the rich history and culture of the region. You’ll explore the charming Inca capital of Cusco, journey through breathtaking Andean landscape, stunning lakes, snow capped peaks, and diverse wildlife. Witness and hike the vibrant colors of the recently discovered Raimnbow Mountain. Along the way you’ll visit the traditional village of Jampa, where you can learn about the locals unique way of life. Explore beautiful Aguas Calientes and its colorful markets. Of course, no trip would be complete without a visit to the 7th Wonder of the World: Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour of the iconic archealogical site, learning about its fascinating history and significance. With spectacular glacial views, uninterrupted beauty, and diverse flora and fauna, this is a spectacular trip for experienced trekkers who love a true outdoor adventure. Book your tour now to explore marvelous Peru and make unforgettable memories.
Cusco
Group Size 8 person(s)
Group
Adventure, hike
moderate
departure every day
With this unique Ausangate trek to Machu Picchu, you will hike to the Rainbow mountain, the RED Valley, hike through the Ausangate Mt, explore the turquoise lakes and enjoy the natural hot springs at Pachanta.
To start of this incredible trek, the guide will pick you up from the hotel in Cusco at 4:00am. Drive for 2 hours until we reach the Pitumarca Village where we will stop to explore a market and get some fresh, local produce and then continue for 1 more hour to Qesuno community. Along the way, we view amazing canyons, ancient Inca terraces, rugged mountains and some isolated communities. Upon arrival, we meet our horsemen and horses. We begin our hike and gradually start heading up to the Kayrawiry community where we have lunch.
After enjoying lunch and a little rest, we continue our hike towards the iconic and vibrant Rainbow Mountain. Once there, enjoy the striking stripes of natural colors, in the beautiful mountain. We will also see condors, Cara Cara falcons and picturesque lakes. Finally, we hike downhill to Kayrawiry Lake, where our camping tents will be ready. It is time to enjoy afternoon tea and appetizers before a delectable dinner prepared by our experienced chef.
We wake up early with a hot cup of tea or coffee before breakfast, then start one of the most beautiful days of the trek! You will appreciate the majestic views of some of the highest peaks in the Andes and the depths of the most beautiful valleys. Start with a 2-hour steep climb to the Condor’s Pass at (5,100m/ 16,732ft). Along the way, hike alongside gorgeous views of the turquoise lakes and views of Ausangate Glacier Peaks. With any luck, see avalanches from the glacial hills with ice crashing into the lakes below.
Once you reach the summit, be located right in front of the sacred Apu Ausangate. There, you can enjoy a majestic view of the herds of alpaca peacefully grazing in the hills. Take plenty of time for memorable photos! After some time to enjoy the amazing views, head downhill and reach our lunch spot. After another delicious lunch and a little rest, continue with our hike for 3 more hours to Ausangate Lake, enjoy hot drinks and settle into our campsite for the night. Enjoy a hot meal to finish our very adventurous day.
After a delicious and nutritious breakfast, we prepare for the third day of the hike. Today, hike even closer to the wonderful views of the Ausangate Glacier Peaks, experiencing amazing views of lakes and waterfalls. You may even see some llamas and alpacas peacefully grazing. Be sure to keep some eyes on the sky to witness condors and falcons soaring above. We will have a 3-hour climb to reach the Abra Campo Pass, (5,000m/16,404ft) where you will discover unbelievable views of the surrounding areas. It is possible that in some months of the year, there may be some snow on the trail, but mostly in the dry season. The trail will be dry and you will be graced with an amazing view.
There is a good chance you will see wild vicuñas, which are the rarest animals still living wild in Peru. They produce the finest and most expensive wool in the world. After taking a few amazing pictures, continue to our lunch spot, with a gradual descent for another 1.5 hours to a beautiful area where you will enjoy your lunch. After lunch, it will be another 2.5-hour hike to arrive at our campsite in Jampa. Our team of porters, have our tents and the chef has a scrumptious dinner waiting for us.
Day 4 brings another adventure! We have an early breakfast and begin our hike for approximately 1 hour from the base of the glacier to the top of the mountain! After enjoying the spectacular views of the Vilcanota Range, descend back down to enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, travel towards the Qomerqocha Lake just before arriving at Pacchanta after a 5-hour walk. Pacchanta is a little community with attractive hot springs where we can enjoy a relaxing dip. Rejuvenate in the warm water and reflect on the journey you have conquered.
Now we take a 4-hour drive to Ollantaytambo where you’ll have some dinner (not included) before catching the 7 p.m. train to Aguas Calientes. Later, have the opportunity to take a nice hot shower and sleep in a comfortable bed in a local hotel.
Today’s highlight is the amazing Machu Picchu!
After an early breakfast at your hotel, take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you a tour that usually lasts about two hours. See many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel, learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious. When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.
The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. If you look up high on the steep canyon wall you might catch a glimpse of Wiñay Wayna! Back at Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.
***IMPORTANT:
This trek is available to depart any day of the week as long as we have two people!
| No. OF PEOPLE | PRICE |
| 2 to 8 people | US$ 777 per person |
***This price includes the extra pack horse which will carry your belongings up to 7kgs. We provide you a duffel bag, in which to put your things.
***We provide large Eureka 4 person tents for each 2 trekkers.
**Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional hikes within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. You usually do the climb on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like your extra hike to be guided, please request it in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
Please read the following information carefully; it will help with your questions about our services and the Ausangate trek to Machu Picchu 5 days
We will pick you up from the Cusco airport and take you to your hotel in Cusco. Please let us know your flight details at least 14 days before arrival. Our friendly representative will be holding an orange sign reading “SAM CORPORATIONS” outside the arrivals terminal. You must exit the terminal to find our representative as they cannot enter. (Please let us know if your hotel is in the Sacred Valley so we can make the necessary arrangments).
The Briefing takes place in our office the night before the trek at 6pm at our office which is located at Garcilaso Street 210 , Office Nº:213 (2and Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
Absolutely! During the Ausangate Trek to Machu Picchu your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both are for free.
FIRST, to book your Ausangate Trek to Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click the link here: BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FOR EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase Ausangate Trek to Machu Picchu entrance tickets without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person ,in order,to purchase a permit for the Ausangate Trek. You can make you deposit by clicking on the PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many ATMs within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of samtravelperu@gmail.com.
Yes, but with some restrictions.
Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.
If you cancel your Ausangate Trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!
The expected weather in the area of Ausangate Mountain Peru usually is divided in two big seasons: dry and wet. As the zone of Ausangate forms part of the Cordillera Vilcanota in the Peruvian Andes, the dry season is considered from May to November and consists of mostly sunny days, with minimum percentage of rain or bad days.. But the rainy season usually is from December to April with hail storms, snowy, cloudy days and not much visibility on the mountains. (not ideal hiking season) During the winter season (June- August) the places in the proximity of the Mountain have warmer days but colder nights; Summer season (December- March) usually the trail gets wet, muddy and difficult to walk.
Travelers visiting Ausangate should be prepared for the quick change of temperatures and it is recommended (all seasons) to bring layered clothing. Due to the global warming the weather conditions in the Andes are becoming very changeable and very unstable. It can be very cold at the high altitudes of this trek.
For some visitors, the first couple hours in Cusco can be summarized as: shortness of breath, a discomfort in the body, dizziness, headaches, stomachaches, even vomiting. As great connoisseurs of natural medicine, the Incas used coca leaves to counteract these ailments of high-altitude sickness.
If you travel from Lima to Cusco, the effect can be immediate. This lack of oxygen, scientifically known as hypoxia, begins to manifest itself at 7,874 ft (2,399 m) above sea level. That’s why right after landing in Cusco, visitors can feel fatigued and have difficulty walking. It is advisable to take it really easy on the first day and, if possible, rest the first few hours to help the body acclimatize to the altitude.
How do people feel after a night of drinking? Thirsty. That’s how you’ll feel when you arrive in Cusco. As already stated, the body dehydrates quickly in high altitudes. It is recommended you drink lots of water before and during your trip to Cusco. Also, avoid heavy meals since your stomach takes longer to digest food at high altitudes. A diet of low proteins and high carbs is advisable.
No one knew the effects of high altitude better than indigenous peoples. Coca is the best natural medicine to combat altitude sickness. It was even considered sacred because of its curative powers and is still used in the same way now as it was in the time of the Incas. It contains iron, vitamins A, B1, B2 and calcium, and other nutrients. Coca makes it easier for your bloodstream to absorb oxygen, suppresses hunger, combats fatigue, headaches and can ease your stomach. Try drinking coca tea, which is found in the lobbies of most hotels in Cusco.
The maximum group size is 8 people. Our groups are usually between 2-6 people. SAM CORPORATIONS specializes in small and private groups. This allows us to provide a more tailored and personalized service.
The evening before you start your trek, you will be given a small duffel bag to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/14lbs. Your team of pack horses will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to note that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the pack horses will always be ahead of the group. During the Ausangate trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc that you may need during the day. A 30 to 50L backpack is sufficient.
Yes, it is a challenging trek with most of it being over 4,000 meters or 13,123 feet. You need to be in good physical condition and used to hiking.
In preparation: try walking 15kms a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatised to the altitude. Try to spend at least 3 days in Cusco (3,350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the trek due to a health issue, SAM CORPORATIONS will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Of course!! Included in the package and on the last day we will drop you at your hotel in Cusco! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too!
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Corporations Peru destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip.
Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.
As a Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and include an extra porter who will carry up to 7 kgs or 14lbs including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing.
We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40L for hiking in the day. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.
Cusco
Ausangate Lake
Machu Picchu
Cusco
Sam Corporations
Our company is 100% locally owned. We directly contribute to economic development and environmental sustainability in Peru.
The quality of our service is one of our most important values which demands all our effort, determination, and courage to be successful in what we are doing and the services we provide
We aim to have a positive impact in all the areas that we visit. Through our training sessions and social projects, we empower women, indigenous communities and children
Our groups never exceed 10 people, giving you a personalized tour in our small comfortable vans
Interested in visiting only specific destinations? No problem, all our packages can be fully customized to suit your budget and schedule. Contact our travel advisors to plan the most comprehensive trip of a lifetime.
We commit socially and culturally to the community and adapt our business strategies to the preservation of the environment
Quality
Contact our travel advisors to plan the most complete trip of your life.
Simplified ease of communication, text us on WhatsApp, email or call us.
Our guides are local and have vast knowledge in Peruvian culture and history.
100% local company. Development and environmental sustainability
Our groups never exceed 10 people, giving you an unforgettable experience
Discover an exceptional journey where perfection meets adventure.
