Explore the Ausangate Trek & Short Inca Trail Hike 6 Days
The Ausangate Trek tour to Machu Picchu is one of the most spectacular circuits, due to its scenic beauty. This tour is located in Cusco, one of the most visited cities in South America.
The Ausangate trekking circuit is rarely visited, but it is worth doing it since you will be rewarded by the great diversity of snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes of blue, green, turquoise colors. Towns full of ancient culture, with a profound wisdom of the Andean religion inherited from the Incas.
You can also enjoy an incomparable sunrise in the Vinicunca mountain of colors, surrounded by the largest Apus or sacred mountains for the Andean peoples.
And to continue our journey, you will explore the route of the short Inca trail to the citadel of Machu Picchu; This trail is very special due to its most famous archaeological attractions, such as the royal palace of Wiñaywaya, a place where the most powerful families of the Inca empire spent their days, within the exuberant cloud forest, with a view of the Veronica mountain and the great vilcanota river. Finally, to complete this great trip, you will visit the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu, where you will be able to explore the greatest wonders of engineering and architecture left by the splendid culture of the Incas.
Trip Highlights
- Share unique experiences with the last descendants of the Incas, you will learn their ancestral rites and traditions, hold a ceremony to Mother Earth with the sacred coca leaves
- Explore the impressive high mountain circuit of Ausangate together with the best local guides, visit glacial lakes of turquoise, red, blue colors, dazzle yourself with the colored Vinicunca mountain just for you.
- Get to know the textile tradition of the Andes of Cusco, learn the process of dyeing, warping and making ponchos, chullos and sweaters with alpaca wool, where the Quechuas embody their sacred symbolism.
- Immerse your knowledge about the agriculture of the Incas, in these towns it is possible to see this activity, where they grow the most delicious and colorful potatoes in the world.
- Walk along the ancient Inca trail, passing waterfalls and cloud forests full of beautiful orchids, enjoy beautiful views of the Wiñaywayna palace. Visit the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu and enjoy the best attraction in South America.
- Travel on one of the most beautiful train journeys in Peru, from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes the landscape offers you an infinite number of beautiful agricultural landscapes, snow mountains and typical villages of the Andes.
- Connect your senses with nature in the short inca trail, and enjoy the beautiful flowers of orchids, waterfalls and the aroma of pure air.
Inclusions of this tour
CUSCO – COMMUNITY OF TINKI - COMMUNITY OF UPIS
The pick-up will be from your hotel at 5:45 am, then we leave Cusco around 6:00 am for our private transport, in the direction of Urcos, Ocongate and then to the town of Tinki, where we start the Ausangate Trek. Our chef will prepare a succulent Andean breakfast. Then we hike to the base of the impressive Ausangate Mountain. This day we will pass through the local villages of indigenous communities, who speak Quechuam, and are dedicated to grazing llamas, alpacas, until reaching the small settlement of Upis, this site is well known for its sources of thermal baths you can take a dip, The cost is (10 soles). Today we will spend the night here and you will have the opportunity to enjoy the picturesque backdrop of the mountain while the sun sets in the mountains. So here we will have lunch and dinner with a spectacular sky full of stars and the fabulous milky way. The nights are very cold, wear warm clothes.
Camping Tent
UPIS COMMUNITY – PUCACOCHA LAKE
Today we will get up at 5:30 am, then we will have the super nutritious breakfast since the day will be very hard due to the ascent to the Arapa Pass (4950 m), from where you can see the mountain chains of the Vilcanota mountain range, whose highest point is the Ausangate (6384 m), then we will have a slight descent to our place for lunch. After lunch we continue towards Lake Pucacocha, a deep turquoise lake and a perfect stop for a rest. On the way you will see local shepherds and llamas, and your expert guide will explain the history of the locals and the landscape in the Ausangate Trek. Our camp tonight is located just below the imposing Ausangate Mountain. You will enjoy a true outdoor adventure experience, surrounded by mountains and fresh air. Your evening will be enjoyed with dinner in our cozy dining tents, here you will be surrounded by views of the Ausangate mountain and its very impressive glaciers.
Camping Tent
ANANTAPATA - WARMISAYA - YANACOCHA (SUNSET HIKE TO THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN)
There’s nothing better for your body than waking up to a hot herbal tea of coca leaves. Get up early to start one of the most beautiful days of the entire excursion. Be amazed by the stunning views of the snow-capped mountains and deep green valleys. After a hearty breakfast, we will go up to Abra Puca. Feel the impressive presence of the Apu Ausangate and take photos of its beautiful turquoise lagoons. Once you reach the top, you’ll feel that you have the giant face of the Apu Ausangate right in front of you. In addition, you’ll be able to observe the extended beauty of the Chilca Valley where llamas and alpacas will be passing quietly. From this open you can already see the beginning of the Rainbow Mountain range with its striking stripes of colors.
After taking some photos we continue with a gradual descent for 2 hours to our lunch point located in Anantapata (4,400 masl / 14,435 fasl). Once we have filled our stomachs, we’ll take the opportunity to rest and relax before continuing with an ascent to the Warmisaya or Pitumarca pass (5,050 masl / 16,568 fasl). From there you’ll feel like you are a bird and you’ll observe the vastness of the horizon. We only have to descend for 20 minutes to the Yanacocha lagoon where the camp will be waiting for you. Before stopping, we’ll continue our 1 hour walk to the Rainbow Mountain pass to see the majestic sunset show over the Rainbow Valley. Once we have rejoiced in the sunset, we’ll return to the camp in 45 minutes to enjoy happy hour (drinks and snacks) and then a dinner that will surprise you.
Camping Tent
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN (SUNRISE WALK) - LLACTO COMMUNITY - CUSCO HOTEL
After a tasty breakfast at 5:00 am we will return to the Rainbow Mountain to contemplate this colourful valley lit by the lights of dawn. You’ll have time to enjoy this paradise for 1 hour before the tourist crowd begins to arrive. Our expert guide will take you directly to the key places so you can get the best pictures.
Your guide will explain in detail why this mountain has such unique colours. It’s one of the most amazing places in South America and one of the main natural attractions in Peru. The only other coloured mountains can be found in China.
After enjoying this gem from the Peruvian Andes, we’ll begin our trek towards the spectacular Red Valley. A place that seems to be taken from another planet and that’s visited by very few tourists. You’ll be surprised not only by its amazing beauty but also by the immense tranquillity that’ll surround you. Breathe and feel the joy of being alive. It only takes 30 minutes of walking to reach the viewpoint from where you will get the best views of the valley.
Finally, we’ll make a 1-hour descent between ancient Andean communities and herds of llamas. After the delicious final lunch, a bus will wait for you that will take you back to the doors of your hotel in the city of Cusco.
2 DAY INCA TRAIL HIKE: WIÑAYHUAYNA – AGUAS CALIENTES
We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 am, in our private transport, then we descend to the Ollantaytambo station, this first stretch lasts 2 hours. Then we will travel by train, our train leaves at 6:40 in the morning. We will travel to the side of the Vilcanota River until km 104 to begin our short inca trail hike. At 8:00 am we will start the trek the first archeological site to visit is Chachabamba (2270 meters). We continue our ascent to Wiñayhuayna, during the journey you will have beautiful views of the Urubamba River. We can observe different species of orchids. After 2 hours, you will reach the ruins of WIÑAYHUAYNA (2,650 meters), this fabulous archaeological site is located on a rocky promontory that dominates the Urubamba Valley and is dominated by a large set of terraces, this place was built by Pachaquteq, the emperor most powerful of the Incas empire. After eating our box lunch, we continue with the walk to Sun gate, where it will arrive at 2:00 pm. From this place we have the first view of Machu Picchu, also you can enjoy an exceptional sunset. Then we descend to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu (2400 meters), where we can only take some panoramic views, in the afternoon we will go down by bus to the town of Aguas Calientes, so we will end the first day of the short inca trail hike, in a confortable Hotel.
Retama Machu Picchu
2 DAY INCA TRAIL HIKE: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
This day the tour in Machu Picchu will take place early in the morning, after getting ready at the hotel, we will take the bus at 5:30 am. After a trip along the road surrounded by vegetation and impressive views of the Putukusi mountain, we will arrive at the access point for the sacred sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
First, before passing the control, those who wish to use the toilets will be able to do so. Since there are no bathrooms inside Machu Picchu, if you are going to go outside once inside, unfortunately you will not be able to re-enter.
Our visit to the wonder of Machu Picchu will be through circuit number 2, since it is one of the most complete. On this tour you will be able to go up to the famous guardian’s house from where the postcard photo of Machu Picchu will be taken, then you will pass through the main gate, the ceremonial plaza, the Inca’s house, the ceremonial fountains, you will see the temple of the sun, but not up close; You can also access the pyramid where the sundial is located.
Continuing with the circuit you will arrive at the sector of the sacred rock, and finally you will visit the urban area where the royal houses of the Inca nobles were, and also the room of mirrors. After 3 hours of travel we will retire with our guide, and once outside you can have a drink or food. Because inside the complex is prohibited.
Then you can take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have enough time to have your lunch. At 2:30 p.m. it will be the time of the return train to the Ollantaytambo station, where your return transportation to Cusco awaits you, arriving at approximately 7:00 p.m.
Best season to travel
The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season, between May and November, when the weather is dry and bright, with more frequent rainfall occurring between November and April.
Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountains & Short Inca Trail 6 Days
Price $ USD 780 PP or Reserve now with $ USD 200 PPChoose your preferred departure date to proceed
A unique adventure in Ausangate Trek & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 6 Days
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Essential Trip Information
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View Essential Trip InformationInca Trail Tours
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