Lodge to Lodge Trek to Palomani Pass

Early in the morning, you'll leave Cusco on a bus ride along the fertile Vilcanota River Valley, and on to the town of Checacupe. After a visit to its Colonial Church of the Immaculate Conception, the ascending journey to the Pitumarca Valley begins. After going through the spectacular Japura Gorge that leads to Chillca, you will will be greeted by community members. From there, it will only be a short and easy walk to the first “Tambo”, and once at the lodge, you will have time to relax and enjoy the music provided by local inhabitants of Chillca.

Today, the hike will begin at 8:30 a.m., in the open valley of Upis, where impressive ice-covered mountains tower high into the sky, offering majestic views. Then, the trail becomes narrower, as you make your way towards the waterfalls that rush down from Mount Santa Catalina. This path is mainly used by the area's freely wandering lamas, and once you reach the small Paloma Lagoon, the landscape will be dotted with these animals, as well as by large numbers of alpacas. After hiking alongside a second lagoon and crossing a long series of moraines, you will reach the Machuracay Tambo, located right at the foot of the Apu Ausangate.

After a demanding ascent to the Palomani Mountain Pass, at 17,000 ft. above sea level, you will descend to Ausangatecocha, accompanied by fantastic views of the ice-covered Southern face of the “Apu”, which is inspiring. Then, you'll continue along the red sandstone formations, to the community of Ausangate. By the time you get down the valley, the bus will be waiting to return you to Cusco.