High Passes of Ausangate |
code: PHPAS12- Duration: 12 Days / 11 Night
- Activity: Hiking/Trekking, Archaeology, Cultural
- Transport: tourist bus, walk, train
- Accommodation: Hotels (6 Nights), Camping (5 Nights)
- Treking Grades: Demanding ?
- Group Size: Minimum 2, Maximum 16
- Type Service: Shared Group Service ?
Highlights:
Lima, Cusco, Andes Mountains, Cusco, Pisaq ruins and market, Ollantaytambo Fortress, the lost city of the Incas Machu Picchu, Ausangate Mountain, remote mountain scenery, High Mountain passes, quieter trails, less tourists, local villages.
Explore Peru's mixture of colonial and Inca architecture
This itinerary offers a variety of trekking conditions from the open meadows of the Puna to slopes of boulders and scree. However, most of the walking is on fairly well-defined tracks. Overall, the trekking is straightforward and not very sustained. A remote location and 3 high passes have influenced us in our choice of the demanding grade. During our stay in this enchanting country, we spend time in colorful Cusco, visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas and make the classic train journey to Machu Picchu.
- Additional Services ?
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Day 1 - International Arrival in Lima
Assistance at your arrival to Lima International airport and transfer to your hotel, there you will receive a briefing on your tour and vouchers covering all the services included in your tour and additional information on the organization of your Peru tripMeal Include: NoneDay 2 - Flight to Cusco / Sightseeing Tour
Breakfast at the hotel; transfer to Lima airport for your flight to Cusco, upon arrival reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel, free morning to get acclimatized
At 13:30 pick up from the Hotel; guided sightseeing tour in Cusco like Q'oricancha temple of Sun the most important shrines during the Incas time. Visit the Cathedral the most imposing church at the main square. The tour keeps going to Sacsayhuaman, this site is a megalithic work made by the Incas; it stands on a hill looming over the city to the north-yet even these enormous stones are filled with that extraordinary Inca perfection. The next sightseeing is named Q'enqo, it shows a singular limestone outcrop, which was used to religious cult. The tour finishes visiting Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. Overnight at Cusco Hotel
Meal Include: BreakfastDay 3 - Moray & Maras Terraces of Salt Hike
Breakfast at the hotel; pick you up from the Hotel at 09:00 and transfer direction to the Sacred Valley; we start across the fertile plain of Chinchero rich with grain, potatoes & beans. Start walking in the little town of Maras; we arrive at the circular Inca ruins of Moray. In nearby Moray you find “the Inca laboratory” then we drop down into the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the salt pans of Salineras. Here more than 5000 terraces are still in production and many families of Maras bring their salt to the market of Urubamba on mules. These salt-pans were mentioned in conquering Spanish’s chronicles. We finally meet our vehicle again beside the Urubamba River for the drive back to Cusco.Meal Include: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 4 - Cusco / Tinqui to Upis
Pick up from your Hotel at 06:00; we depart from Cusco to Tinqui (3815m/12513ft) in our private transportation and travel about 3 hours to reach the small Andean village of Tinqui at the foot of the Vilcanota range. Driving through the beautiful countryside, we pass several traditional villages including Urcos, Ccatcca, Ocongate finally we will arrive to Tinqui, where we can stop for rests and meet with our horsemen and horses also we’ll put all our things on the horses. Our trek begins around 10:00 crossing the bridge we walk a pampa of grassy meadows below the jagged stone flanks of Ausangate Mountain (6350m/20828ft), the highest snow peak in Southern Peru. After trekking approximately 6 hours, we arrive to the hot springs of Upis (4400m/14432ft). Here we spent the night at a lovely campsite in Upis.Meal Include: L (box-lunch), DinnerDay 5 - Upis / Arapa Pass to Pucacocha Lagoon
Breakfast; on the next day, we hike around 2 hours to get our first pass, Arapa Pass (4750m/ 15580ft). To be in the pass we will have to walk up the valley along the right slope before climbing a rock-strewn area. A hut and a few corrals form the last settlement we will come across before you climb toward the mountain. Throughout all the passage we will see the majestic Ausangate Mountain. Finally we arrive to the Arapa Pass; from the pass we enjoy wonderful views not only of Ausangate itself. Follow the fence line and cross the ridge by walking to the left of the steep hill between it and Nevado Ausangate. We continue down we have the opportunity to see beautiful lakes, multi-colored lagoons until we reach the larger Yanacocha lake (black lake) where we have our lunch, after the lunch one hour more to the camping site near the Pucacocha Lagoon (4500m/14760ft), We will set up camp here.Meal Include: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 6 - Pucacocha / Palomani Pass to Pampacancha
In the morning, we make a short ascent to our second pass of Apacheta, (4850m/15908ft) then down until Ausangatecocha lagoon below where we will have our lunch. After the lunch climb for two hours towards the third mountain pass, the Abra de Palomani (5200m/17056ft). This is the highest part of the entire hike, from which we then descend for another 2 hours through an area of llamas, alpacas and “vizcachas” to reach Pampacancha. We can enjoy fantastic views of Ausangate and the Vilcanota range from this point. Then we walk down into a valley, we arrive to our incredibly beautiful campsite at Pampacancha (4050m/13284ft)Meal Include: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 7 - Pampacancha / Qampa Pass to Qomercocha
After breakfast; we climb gently up the Qampa side valley, criss-crossing a stream, and passing ancient rock falls where Andean vizcachas large rabbit-like rodents leap among the boulders. On this less-populous southern side of the mountain our chances of seeing wildlife are heightened. Condors skim along the slopes, and elusive herds of rare vicuñas may appear on the ridge tops, while keeping a safe distance. Beyond the tiny hamlet of Qampa we traverse a huge, grassy shoulder of Ausangate with the icy crags of Collque Cruz (Silver Cross) and Tres Picos (Three Peaks) to our right, as we ascend to Qampa pass (5000m/16400ft), our fourth and final crossing. The high point is marked by tall cairns (apachetas) built by generations of foot travellers making the north-south traverse of the Vilcanota range. We descend with the broad, rolling plains of the upper Mapacho basin spread out far below us, reaching our camp at the cluster of lakes known Qomercocha, as evening draws near.Meal Include: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 8 - Qomercocha to Pacchanta
Breakfast; we leave this spectacular camp reluctantly, with many a glance back. These lonely lakes, some deep and crystal clear, others shallow and bubbling with exotic algae, lie beneath sharp, towering peaks. Powerful yet peaceful, it is easy to understand how this became a place of ceremony for the Quechua shamans of the Region. We follow a series of rolling ridges across open grassland, encountering child shepherds and women hand-spinning wool as we approach the village of Pacchanta (4100m/13448ft), the biggest settlement on our trek. Here delightful hot springs offer us a sublime soak, with the entire panorama of snow-capped Ausangate filling the southern horizon.Meal Include: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 9 - Pacchanta to Tinqui / Cusco
Breakfast; we leave Pacchanta and start to walk our way back to Tinqui, which will take approximately 2 hours. Once in Tinqui, we board a private transportation that will take us back to the city of Cusco, where we estimate to arrive after nightfall. Overnight in Cusco HotelMeal Include: Breakfast, LunchDay 10 – Train to Aguas Calientes / Hike to Putucusi or Mandor Valley Bird watching
Breakfast at the hotel; Pick from the Hotel for your Excursion to Machu Picchu 2 days, early transfer to the nearby train station to Poroy for the train journey to the mysterious lost city of Machu Picchu, the train ride to Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful journeys that visitors can experience in our country. The trip offers a great natural, so many staggering views of the Andes and a jungle atmosphere after descending to the (2000m/6560ft). After around 3 ½ hours, we will have arrived in Aguas Calientes, transfer to the Hotel after a nice lunch, we have two options to visit (you can choose just only one option).
First option: Mandor Valley Bird watching; we walk along the Vilcanota River following the railroad tracks into the Mandor Valley to visit its waterfall. The valley is inhabited by varied and fascinating birdlife, including Speckle-faced Parrots and Green Jays, and we have opportunity to find Cock-of-the-Rock. We will relax and perhaps bathe under the waterfall before walking back to the hotel in the shadow of Machu Picchu.
Second option: Hike Putucusi; Hike up an exhilarating mountain that culminates in a spectacular view of the Machu Picchu citadel from the far side of the Vilcanota valley. On ascent appreciate the stark contrast between the mountain cloud forest and the elfin forest, as well as the interesting variation in trees, orchids and birds. Considered among the faster non professional ascent in the world
Overnight at the selected hotel in Aguas Calientes and enjoy a delicious dinnerMeal Include: Breakfast, LunchDay 11 - Machu Picchu / Back to Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel; full day Excursion to Machu Picchu, early transfer to the Bus Stop for the short ride (25 minutes) up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour you'll have time to stroll around the Archaeological Site at your leisure.
Opportunity to walk (approx 1 hour) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) or climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, with a magnificent view of the whole Sanctuary, return in the afternoon by train to Cusco and transfer to your hotelMeal Include: BreakfastDay 12 - Depart Cusco / Lima International departure
Breakfast at the hotel; transfer to the airport for departure flight to Lima and then take your connecting flight at homeMeal Include: Breakfast -
Ask for our private prices
Optional Services:
- Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class: add US$ 60 per person
- Sleeping bag during the trek ( -15°C): add US$ 36
Hotels to use for this trek:
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What is included?
All mentioned transport, double or single room in the selected hotel with breakfast, entrance to parks and cultural sights, guided visits and mentioned excursions, English/Spanish speaking guide to accompany visits and excursions, all transfers, meals as indicated in the itinerary, Train tickets Backpacker Class.
Not included in the fee:International airfares, domestic flights, airport departure (US$ 30 per person for international flights and US$ 6.5 for national flights) taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of flights and items of personal nature, personal equipment, obligatory personal insurance and meals which are not mentioned, sleeping bag.
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Equipment List / Check List:
- Travel documents: original passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, vouchers
- Health requirements arranged
- Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card
- A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
- Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
- Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
- Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold, Sun block
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
- Handkerchiefs and Toilet paper
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water -sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
- Small towel
- Cash in soles and/or US$
- Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
- Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites)
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Book now with Sun Gate Tours
Step 1
Before make any booking, you must read carefully our Booking Terms & ConditionsStep 2: Check your personal information
The following client information is requested for any Trip booking:- Complete names and surnames
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Student with ISIC card: Yes/No
Details should be filled in for each group member. Please do not make a reservation until you have all the details below. We cannot accept a booking without all the names, nationalities, passport numbers, ages, etc
Also you have to check if you need any additional service like:
- Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class
- Sleeping bag during the tour ( -10°C)
- Extra night at Aguas Calientes after the trek
Step 3: Check the availability on the calendar
As soon you have all the information above, please check the availability and click on Check Availability CalendarStep 4: Deposit to secure the trip
To secure a booking with Sun Gate Tours, the client must deposit minimum US$ 200 per person. The deposit is non-refundable.