This is a spectacular option for seasoned trekkers who love a true outdoor adventure. In this stunning trek you will encounter unique wildlife, turquoise lakes inhabited by numerous bird species, and walk among herds of llamas and alpacas in remote native Quechua villages. We will visit the beautifully striped Rainbow Mountain, and hike on the short Inca Trail to one of the 7 man-made wonders of the world, Machupicchu!
- Pre-Trek briefing the night before the trek
- Collection from your hotel
- Private bus transport to starting point of the trek
- 7kg Personal luggage allowance to put on the horses –extra clothes, sleeping bag (you just need to carry a small daypack with everything you will need during the day).
- Entry ticket to Ausangate and Rainbow mountain
- Personal Duffle Bags for your extra luggage to put on the horses
- Spacious tents / Thermarest Inflatable Mattress and pillow
- Toilet tent with portable toilet
- English speaking professional guide
- Full meals on the trek (3 meals per day, tea time every afternoon, snacks on the trail)
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank and emergency horse
- Dining tent with tables and stools
- Cook, cooking tent, and cooking equipment
- Horsemen and horses (to carry tents/food/cooking equipment)
- Emergency horse in case we need it
- Hot water every morning/evening for hand washing purposes
- Boiled water to fill in water bottles every morning/afternoon
- Roundtrip train tickets on InkaRail/Expedition Train
- 3x Bus Tickets to / from Machupicchu
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Private Transport back to hotel in Cusco
- Entrance permits into the Inca Trail and Machupicchu
- One-night accommodation in a nice and comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
- 1 Box lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast
Sleeping Bag (can be rented from us)
- Day 6 lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Hiking poles (can be rented from us)
- Climb up Huaynapicchu Mnt or Machupicchu Mnt – $25 payable in advance for permit
- Gratuities
- Optional Rentals
- Hiking poles – US$20.00 (pair)
- Sleeping bag – US$25.00
- Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
- Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, warm underwear, light long pants, gloves, rain jacket)
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ recommended
- Head lamp
- Sunglasses
- Camera with spare batteries (batteries run down faster at high altitudes)
- Binoculars
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
- Insect repellent.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01: Cusco - Ocongate – Tinqui – Upis (Hot Springs)
We set off early from Cusco traveling by private bus to the small town of Tinqui. On the way we will pass through the town of Andahuaylillas where we will visit its church, the famous «Sistine Chapel» of the Andes. We will continue to Cattca, an agricultural and livestock community. After a 4-hour drive, we arrive in Tinki, where we meet our wranglers and pack-horses. We begin our hike with a slight climb that crosses through the puna (dry and high area with little vegetation). After a three-hour walk we will have lunch. From here we can see the sacred Ausangate mountain (6,372 m / 20,900 ft.). After lunch we will continue walking for another 1.5 hours to reach the hot springs at Upis. We spend the night here.
❊ Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
❊ Accommodation: Camping.
❊ Max altitude: 4,435 m/14,550 ft.
❊ Min altitude: 4,125 m/13,533 ft.
❊ Total distance to walk: 8 km/5 miles
❊ Estimated time: 4 hours
❊ Level of Difficulty: moderate
Day 02: Upis ‐ arapa pass – Pucacocha
After a big breakfast, we are ready to start the climb to the Arapa Pass (4,850 m / 15,908 ft.). From this vantage point we will enjoy the contrast between dry desert-like hills and breathtaking snowcapped peaks of Mt. Ausangate and Pucacocha. This area also boasts three beautiful lakes with tones of reds, greens, and turquoises (Pucacocha, Hatun Pucacocha, and Qomercocha). Our second campsite is close to the Ausangate glacier.
❊ Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
❊ Accommodation: Camping
❊ Max altitude: 4,744 m/15,564 ft.
❊ Min altitude: 4,435 m/14,550 ft.
❊ Total distance to walk: 11 km/6.8 miles
❊ Estimated time: 5.5 hours
❊ Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Day 03: Pucaccocha – Puca pass – Anantapata – Warmisaya – Surinecocha
Wake up early to start one of the most beautiful days of the trek. The day begins with a 2-hour steep climb to the Puca Pass at. Along the way we will see turquoise lakes and the Ausangate glacier. Once you reach the summit, you will be located right in front of the Ausangate Mountain, and you can enjoy the alpaca grazing in the Chillca Valley. From this pass you will see the beginning of the Rainbow Mountain range. We will continue a gradual descent for another 2 hours until we reach our lunch spot located at Anantapata. After lunch we will gradually hike uphill for 1.5 hours until we reach the the Warmisaya Pass. After we enjoy the pass, we descend for 45 minutes until we reach the Surinecocha Lake where we set up camp for the night.
❊ Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
❊ Accommodation: Camping
❊ Maximum altitude: 4,985 m/16,354 ft.
❊ Minimum altitude: 4,400 m/14,435 ft.
❊ Total distance to walk: 17.5 km/10.8 miles
❊ Estimated time: 7 – 8 hours
❊ Level of Difficulty: moderate
Day 04:Surine Cocha – Rainbow Mountain – Llactovillage – Cusco
After breakfast we will gradually hike uphill for 1 hour to the Rainbow Mountain, also known as “The Mountain of Seven Colors” or “Vinicunca.” Once we arrive we will have time to enjoy the panorama, take pictures, rest, and eat snacks. Next we will hike along the right side of Rainbow Mountain to the Red Valley Pass where you will see the beautiful deep red hues located in this area. We will hike back about 1 hour the way we came arriving at the trailhead to have a hot buffet lunch, and then you will take our private transport back to your hotel in Cusco.
❇︎ Meals: Breakfast / Box Lunch /Dinner
❇︎ Accommodation: Camping
❇︎ Maximum altitude: 5,030 m/14,107 ft.
❇︎ Minimum Altitude: 4,638 m/15,216 ft.
❇︎ Distance to walk: 9 km/5.6 miles
❇︎ Approximate walking time: 3 hours
❇︎ Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Day 05: Ollantaytambo – Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Today we start by taking you to the train station to board the train that will take us to Km 104 on the Cusco – Machu Picchu railroad (starting point of the hike). The first stop on the hike is the Chachabamba Archaeological Complex (2,150m / 7,052ft), located very close to the trail control point. Then we embark upon an 8km (5 miles) ascending trail, which after 4 hours takes us to the impressive archaeological complex of Winaywayna (2,650m / 8,692ft). We eat a box lunch here.
We then continue to climb to Intipunku. This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, we may gaze at the sacred citadel of Machupicchu. From Intipunku we descend to Machu Picchu and then by bus to Aguas Calientes where you will check into your hotel. Dinner will be at a great local restaurant. We spend the night in Aguas Calientes.
❇︎ Meals: Breakfast / Box Lunch /Dinner
❇︎ Accommodation: Hotel
❇︎ Maximum altitude: 2,745 m/9,005 ft.
❇︎ Minimum Altitude: 2,040 m/6,691 ft.
❇︎ Distance to walk:13 km/8 miles
❇︎ Approximate walking time: 5 hours
❇︎ Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Day 06: Machu Picchu – Cusco
it is an early start to Macchupicchu to see the sunrise over this magnificent ancient city! We wil take the first bus up to Machupicchu and have a fully guided tour of around 2 hours. After the tour you will have plenty of time to explore the citadel on your own, and maybe even climb Huayna Picchu or Inca Bridge. Afterwards, you can come back down to the town for lunch. Your extra time in the citadel is dependent on your return train time. In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco.
❇︎ Meals: Breakfast
❇︎ Minimum altitude: 2,040 m/6,691 ft.
❇︎ Maximum altitude: 2,430 m/7,972 ft.
