A breathtaking five day trek in the Vilcanota's Cordillera, on a route called the Camino del Apu Ausangate. Along the way, you'll stay in comfortable lodges known as "Tambos" - that are manged by the shepherding communities of the high Andes. You'll hike past pristine waterfalls and glaciers, stunning mountain passes (as high as 16,500 feet!) and natural wonders like the famous "Rainbow Mountain." After days of strenuous hiking, you'll get treated to chef-prepared meals of traditional Peruvian cuisine, private rooms and hot showers. It's a fantastic trip to experience the culture and natural beauty of the Andes.
In a comfortable coach, head along the Vilcanota River to visit the temple of Checacupe, then the upper valley of Pitumarca. At Japura, you'll trek a short distance to Chillca. Locals and musicians playing Andean instruments greet you in your first “Andean Lodge”, as you sip coca tea. Hot showers and full bathrooms, as well as 8 double and matrimonial bedrooms, are available. The chefs emphasize tasty and nutritious local cuisine (such as Alpaca meat) but vegetarian or other preferences are welcome.
Time in transport: 4 hours in car/van
Time hiking: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Low
Elevation: 14,330 ft.
After breakfast, trek alongside thousands of alpacas and llamas in the glacier valley of Phinaya. On the way to more glaciers at Santa Catalina, climb by the inspiring Pjachaj waterfalls. Above, our picnic lunch await us. Then, surrounded by moraine walls, glaciers and lagoons you will walk about 5 hours to Machuracay Tambo. Your bags, carried by a llama caravan, meet you there and the family that runs the lodge will welcome you
Time hiking: 8 hours
Difficulty: High
Elevation: 15,900 ft. .
On Day 3, take in your first mountain pass (16,587 ft.) with its panoramic, spectacular views. Descending alongside the glaciers, hike to the Ausangate Cocha Lake for lunch. Then, submerge yourself in the red sandstone sediment formations, a wonderful experience. Here, you see vicuñas and sometimes condors. After a day of great hiking arrive at the third “Andean Lodge” ready to relax and enjoy.
Time hiking: 8 hours
Difficulty: High
Elevation: 17,060 ft.
After breakfast, you take the trail to another mountain pass. Dropping down, you will hike by Lake Kayrawiri, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and the great valley below. Striations of color are imbedded in the hillsides. Then, go on to Cerro Laya Grande via massive glacier del Inca, and the most striking colors in the sediments of Yauricunca. Lunch will be served here in this unique landscape. On the way to the fourth “Andean Lodge”, you will see hundreds of Andean geese nesting in the cliffs of Anta, and the flatiron formations of Apu Labrayani near Huampococha Tambo, where you will spend the night at the Camino del Apu Ausangate.
Time hiking: 7 hours
Difficulty: High
Elevation: 16,732 ft.
To go on the "Andean Lodges" Apu Ausangate´s Trail Trek, one must be in good physical condition, and we recommend a preliminary 3 to 4 day acclimatization stage, for your body to react better during the trek, as you will be hiking up to mountain passes at altitudes of about 5,000 meters. It's also important to drink plenty of water and/or coca leaf tea!
To go on the "Andean Lodges" Apu Ausangate´s Trail Trek, one must be in good physical condition, and we recommend a preliminary 3 to 4 day acclimatization stage, for your body to react better during the trek, as you will be hiking up to mountain passes at altitudes of about 5,000 meters. It's also important to drink plenty of water and/or coca leaf tea!
Local/Foreign Owned Tour Operator
Andean Lodges offers lodge-to-lodge trekking and mountain biking adventures in the Southern Andes region of Peru. These trips are co-owned and operated by a group of entrepreneurs in tourism and the altitude shepherding communities of Chillca and Osefin, and o