Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
Activities: Trekking
Average Group Size: 12
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Tour Language: English, Spanish
Starts/Ends: Cusco/Cusco (Hotel to hotel)
The Ausangate route is considered one of the most impressive and remote in Peru. This majestic nature reserve contains crystal clear blue lakes, vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, viscachas and condors. Approach the 6,000-metre Ausangate Mountain, the highest peak in the Cuzco region. In the final part of this incredible EsPeru, you will reach the Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu.
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4.30 am and drive for 3 hours to the community of Tinki – arriving around 8:00 am. After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will begin your Ausangate trek with a 4 hour uphill hike to our lunch spot at the base of Ausangate Mountain – the highest peak in the Cusco region at 20,926 feet. After lunch, we will continue for two more hours downhill to the community of UPIS – located at 14458 feet. Tonight we will camp near the medicinal hot springs. Take time to relax and enjoy the warm waters in the cool mountain weather in the evening.
Distance: 13 km / 8 m
Altitude: 14,458 ft
Hiking time: 6h
Meals: Breakfast, afternoon snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
We will wake you up with a hot cup of coca tea or coffee in your tent and offer you a delicious breakfast. The hike begins with a gentle climb up to Pucacocha Lake, where we will enjoy lunch on the shores of the beautiful lake. Along the way, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains, herds of llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and local farmers.
After lunch, we will hike for 2 hours to the Alpaca Pass 4989 m (16,567 ft). After enjoying the incredible views of the Ausangate mountain hike, we will descend for another 1 hour to Ananta camp, where the mountains will surround us! This camp is beautiful, with stunning views of the lake and amazing sunsets. If you are lucky enough to camp on a clear night, this is the perfect place to stargaze!
Distance: 12 km
Altitude: 4,300m
Walking time: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, afternoon snack, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Camping
After an early breakfast, the trek begins with a 3-hour ascent to Vinicunca Mountain (16,466ft/5,020m). Along the way, we will observe llamas and alpacas, traditional houses and the breathtaking scenery of Ausangate Mountain (6398m/20991ft). The Rainbow Mountain (or Vinicunca) is located in the southern region of Cusco. This spectacular place will impress even the most demanding hikers. The high altitude allows for some of the most incredible views in the region, and here one feels completely detached from modern civilization. Rainbow Mountain is considered one of the most beautiful day hikes in the world. We will start descending again when we reach the top, exploring and enjoying this extraordinary place. After lunch, we will board the van for a 4-hour drive to Ollantaytambo, where we will take the 7 p.m. train to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hotel.
Maximum altitude: 5,020 m / 16,466 ft.
Distance: 3.7 miles ascent (6 km) / 2 miles descent (3 km)
Duration: Approximate duration: 3 hours ascent / 2 hours descent
Difficulty level: Moderate
On the last day, we have to get up very early and get ready to experience Machu Picchu to the fullest. We will go straight to the queue and wait for the first buses to Machu Picchu at 5:30 in the morning. As the sky lights up, we will enjoy incredible views of the city along the way.
On a clear day, you will be able to watch the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu; this is certainly an unforgettable sight. Your guide will take you on a full 2 to 3 hour tour of the city before dropping you off at Machu Picchu to explore on your own or climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (tickets should be booked in advance if possible). Your guide will explain how to take the bus from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and then return to Cusco by train and bus. The EsPeru team will meet you at the train and return you safely to your hotel.
Duration of the excursion: 3 – 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
Difficulty: Easy
798.USD for adults
750.USD for children and students
To book the Ausangate & Machu Picchu Trek, it is necessary to make a down payment of 200.USD per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or Cusco with any credit card with no booking fees at all.
40$ discount per person
All travellers under 17 years of age will receive a $40 discount.
If you are 25 years old or younger when you travel, you can get a $40 discount with your student card. Please notify us by email to give you a code for the discount.
Valid Student Card for Machu Picchu
To obtain the student discount, travellers must have a valid ID with the following:
25 years of age or younger at the time of entry to Machu Picchu. Over 25 years of age cannot enter as a student.
The ID must have the name of the university, name and photo of the student.
The ID must have a valid expiry date
Student cards do not entitle the traveller to a discount:
The traveller is over 25 years of age
Expired student card
Student card without expiry date.
ISIC cards are not valid.
The Ausangate Trek is a high altitude trekking route through the Vilcanota mountain range in Peru. It is a challenging trek covering approximately 70 kilometres, passing through high mountain passes, glacial lakes and remote Andean communities.
The Ausangate can take between 4 and 7 days, depending on the route you choose and your speed. Most trekkers take around 5 days to complete the trek.
The best time to trek Ausangate is during the dry season, from May to September. At this time, the weather is usually dry and clear, making it easier to hike in the mountains.
I had the pleasure of being guided by Rosel during my trip to Peru, and I must say, the experience was exceptional. Rosel’s depth of knowledge about the country’s history, culture, and landmarks was truly impressive. Not only was Rosel informative, but his sense of humor and easy-going nature made the tour thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend Rosel as a guide for anyone seeking an insightful, entertaining, and memorable journey through the Cusco region.
We had an amazing experience doing the Inca trail with Rossel. Everything was perfectly organized. He knows a lot about the Inca culture and shared all his knowledge with a lot of passion. He was also very attentive of all the group always willing to help.
We originally trekked to Machu Picchu 4d/3n with Rosel and had such an outstanding experience, we went back and booked a private tour to Humantay with him. He is not only an amazing guide, but a wonderful person! Blessed to call him a friend! His experience, knowledge and history
