Sacred Valley Tour & Ausangate Trek
Sacred Valley Tour & Ausangate Trek
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey with the Sacred Valley Tour & Ausangate Trek, a perfect blend of cultural exploration and high-altitude adventure. Begin by visiting traditional herding villages and soaking in the hot springs of Upis and Pachanta. Summit the impressive 5,050m Campa pass and spot endemic wildlife such as vizcachas and Andean foxes. Trek around the majestic Apu of Ausangate and explore the cultural richness of the Sacred Valley, culminating in a visit to the iconic Incan Citadel of Machu Picchu. This tour offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and historical significance of Peru. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Sacsayhuaman - Calca
Location: Cusco
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Starting by collecting you from the airport or your hotel and driving straight to the impressive archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman, which translates as the 'sacred falcon' and was thought to guard the city of Cusco. Walking around the site to understand the importance of it to Cusco & its people, you'll take your time before moving on for a great picnic. This will feature local food native to the area, which is organic and unique, and not available in other parts of Peru. A really delicious lunch option. In the afternoon we'll arrive into Calca, a beautiful town in the heart of the Valley, with plenty of time to relax and enjoy your surroundings before the next few days. ...more ...less
Day 2 : Exploration Of The Towns Pisac & Ollantaytambo
Location: Pisac
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Casa Don David
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
You'll leave your hotel early and arrive at the village of Pisac, known for its traditional market and archaeological complex built onto the mountainside. Its views, balconies, tunnels, crop terraces and irrigation canals are some of the finest. After exploring and trekking around the ancient town of Pisaq, you can spend some time walking around its unique artisanal market, where you can appreciate or buy the different crafts that are handmade in this town. You'll walk around the Inca Fortress and ceremonial site of Ollantaytambo, marveling at these extraordinarily well-preserved ruins. Set around a tranquil plaza, renowned for its peaceful charm. The little-altered layout of the town offers an unprecedented peek into the way of life of its past peoples, the Incas. Even the street names are the original ones from ancient times.
Day 3 - 4: Lares Valley Trek - 2 Days
Location: Lares Valley
Accommodation Name: mountain lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Setting off from Ollantaytambo at arounf 8-9am, you’ll weave through the mountain routes of the sacred valley towards Lares town arriving in time for some lunch. After lunch you’ll begin trekking from the ‘Bano Termales’ of Lares & following an old Inca trail along the Rio Huacahuasi. The rustic towns and children help you along the way. On arriving in Huacahuasi you’ll overnight in a beautiful little mountain lodge, in this welcoming Quechuan valley community. On leaving Huacahuasi the route weaves through more local ‘poblados’, with glimpses of the Apu Pitusiray Nevada always in the background. Potatoes being cooked using traditional methods out in the open countryside. Herds of Llamas graze the slopes with valley girls shepherding them high on the mountainsides. Quechua is the native language in these parts of the Andes. Passing 4,800m the descent then weaves via Ipsaycocha lake, winding down the Setting off from Ollantaytambo at arounf 8-9am, you’ll weave through the mountain routes of the sacred valley towards Lares town arriving in time for some lunch. After lunch you’ll begin trekking from the ‘Bano Termales’ of Lares & following an old Inca trail along the Rio Huacahuasi. The rustic towns and children help you along the way. On arriving in Huacahuasi you’ll overnight in a beautiful little mountain lodge, in this welcoming Quechuan valley community. On leaving Huacahuasi the route weaves through more loc valley below heading towards Pataccancha. Crop fields here are being harvested by local families. Pathways carved into the hillsides show the way down to Pataccancha where dinner will be prepared. You'll stay in Ollantaytambo before catching a train in the morning to Aguas Calientes. From here, it’s onwards to Machu Picchu.
Day 5 : Machu Picchu Exploration
Location: Machu Picchu
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Leaving Ollantaytambo train station in the mid-morning (9am) you'll take a stunning train journey through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes where you'll meet up with your guide once more. Stopping for lunch in Aguas Calientes, then you'll catch the bus up to Machu Picchu. It is a 25minute bus ride to the sanctuary (2400 m). As other people begin leaving Machu Picchu, you'll start exploring the ruins and visit some of the most important places in the archeological site. Our guide will lead us in our exploration and discovery of the many corners of this enigmatic citadel. The guided tour will have an average duration of 2 hours. There will be plenty of time for pictures, after which we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to catch our train back to Ollantaytambo where our private transportation will be waiting for us to drive us back to Calca. If you feel like an uphill challenge, you have the option to climb the infamous mountain of Huayna Picchu. It is important to know that to climb this mountain, you need to buy a separate ticket in advance.
Day 6 : Rainbow Mountain (Mount Vinicunca) - Vilcanota Cordillera
Location: Rainbow Mountain
Accommodation: Homestay
Accommodation Name: Camp or Dairy farm
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Leaving around 7:30 a.m, we begin our final journey to Rainbow Mountain. The hike starts from Hanchipata-Quesuno at 3,700 m elevation above sea level. From here, it´s a three hour, uphill hike to reach the famous pass Rainbow Mountain. Once we arrive at the top of Rainbow Mountain, there is enough time to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. It is also possible to view Ausangate Glacier Peak from this point. There are a couple of options here for accommodation. You can camp in a small community Chacco Huayllasca. Located at the bottom of the rocks you'll climb, which is very picturesque, that can also be quite cold, however the best equipment combats the elements. The other option is an overnight stay on a small dairy farm (Tambo Queque Norte) where you can experience a nice warm bed, dinner and farm life.
Day 7 : Rock Climbing - South Cusco (Pitumarca Valley)
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Homestay
Accommodation Name: Camp or Dairy farm
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rock climbing here, in one of Cusco's southernmost valleys, is a great experience due to the unique and beautiful landscape. It's a special place because you can do this in the Andes at 4,000 m altitude. The climbing is designed to be fun and to improve your level and ability. It includes a pre-experience briefing and all the necessary climbing equipment (helmet, harnesses, ropes, billets, etc). There are a couple of options here for accommodation. We can camp in a small community, Chacco Huayllasca. Located at the bottom of the rocks you'll climb, which is very picturesque, that also be quite cold, however the best equipment combats the elements. The other option is an overnight stay on a small dairy farm (Tambo Queque Norte) where you can experience a nice warm bed, dinner and farm life.
Day 8 : Ausangate Trek - Cusco To Tinqui - Upis
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Homestay, Camp, Homestay
Accommodation Name: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our private transport leaves Cusco early in the morning. Taking a three hour drive through the beautiful countryside and small towns in route to the Andean village of Tinqui, which is at the foot of the Vilcanota mountain range. This is where you’ll meet your team, the mules and where our expedition will begin. On our first afternoon you’ll walk the plains below the mountain, giving us our first taste of what’s to come, with the ever present Apu Ausangate (guardian mountain) in view. Not an item usually found on a trek packing list, but bring your bathers! Our campsite tonight is in Upis, where you can bathe in the natural thermal springs.
Day 9 : Ausangate Trek - Upis To Ausangate Cocha
Location: Ausangate
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Now well and truly into the trek, there are two high passes to summit today. After walking approximately 2.5 hours we reach our first pass, Arapa at 4,850m (15255ft). We begin our circuit around the glacier, passing Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha. From here you'll ascend again until you summit your second pass, Apechata at 4900m (16,076ft). You'll move through a landscape dotted with turquoise lagoons which are fed from glacial waters. Today you truly enter the quiet simplicity and awe inspiring beauty of the area. After an easier downhill, you'll arrive at your campsite, near the turquoise Laguna Ausangate Q'ocha, which is close to tomorrow’s mountain pass.
Day 10 : Ausangate Trek - Ausangate Cocha To Qampa
Location: Ausangate
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You'll awake to the silence of man and the sounds of nature, surrounded by views of the mountains bathed in early morning light. Today you'll conquer the Palomani pass, at a considerable 5200m (17,060ft), it is the highest on the expedition. The ascent is relatively steep and the altitude can affect the pace. On reaching the summit, spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains of Puka Punta and Tres Picos are a gracious reward for our strenuous efforts. Descending through the valley of Finaya Pampa makes for a long downhill day leading us to our next camp at Jampa. Today we should walk amongst free roaming alpacas and llamas grazing on the mountainside. You could see the local farmers as we pass by their stone houses, which may be refreshing after our first two days almost total in isolation.
Day 11 : Ausangate Trek - Jampa To Pacchanta
Location: Ausangate
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we walk into the sun, trailing a mountain stream with strikingly bright glaciers ahead of us. Before the Q’ampa Pass the terrain gets very rocky, providing the perfect environment for a game of ‘spot the Viscacha’ (animals similar to chinchillas and from the raccoon family). Our route passes through the small community of Q’ampa before reaching Q’ampa Pass, not quite as high as Palomani but still a respectable 5,000m (16,404ft). Once we reach the summit the landscape alters and from the pass, if the sky is clear, you can see Apu Salkantay, a sight to behold. Gradually entering back into civilization, we walk to the quaint village of Pacchanta for our final campsite. Again your bathers will come in useful for a fabulously hot and well deserved soak in yet more thermal springs.
Day 12 : Ausangate Trek - Pacchanta To Tinqui To Cusco
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Casa Andina Plaza
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After yet another delicious breakfast in the mountains, we have about a 3 or 4 hour walk downhill, back into the village of Tinqui, thus completing the circuit. On arrival we say good bye to our trek team, meet up with our driver and with a scrumptious boxed lunch we head back to Cusco.
Day 13 : Free Day In Cusco
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Casa Andina Plaza
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take a final day in Cusco, to relax, enjoy, taste the local life here and the incredible food.
Day 14 : Transfer To Cusco Airport
Location: Cusco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Casa Andina Plaza
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we'll transfer you to the airport in time to make your connecting flight out to Lima for your onward international departure. It's never goodbye, only until the next time!
What's Included
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Breakfast x 10
Enjoy 10 breakfasts during the tour.
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Lunch x 9
Savor 9 lunches throughout the journey.
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Dinner x 4
Relish 4 dinners included in the package.
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Private Transport - collection & drop-off
Private transport for collection and drop-off is provided.
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Professional bilingual guide
A professional bilingual guide will accompany you.
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Mountain Cook
A mountain cook will prepare meals during the trek.
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Muleteer & Mules
Muleteer and mules are included for carrying equipment.
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All camping equipment (Sleeping bags to hire + Trekking Poles)
All necessary camping equipment, including sleeping bags and trekking poles, is provided.
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Hotel Accommodation in Cusco & Sacred Valley x 7 Nights
Hotel accommodation for 7 nights in Cusco and Sacred Valley.
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All tours and meals as outlined in the itinerary
All tours and meals as specified in the itinerary are included.
What's Not Included
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International Airfare
International airfare is not included.
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Hotels before & after (can be organised as part of trip)
Hotels before and after the tour are not included but can be organized as part of the trip.
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Tips for crew
Tips for the crew are not included.
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Any additional extras
Any additional extras are not included.
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Domestic flights (can be organised as part of trip)
Domestic flights are not included but can be organized as part of the trip.
Mode of Transport
Private transport is provided for collection and drop-off, along with return domestic flights from Lima to Cusco, and airport transfers. Additionally, a stunning train journey through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes is included.
Accommodation
Enjoy a mix of hotel accommodations in Cusco and the Sacred Valley for 7 nights, along with beautiful mountain lodges and campsites during the trek, providing a comfortable and immersive experience in the Andes.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the highest point reached during the Ausangate Trek?
The highest point reached during the Ausangate Trek is the Palomani pass, which stands at a considerable 5200m (17,060ft).
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Are there any thermal springs included in the itinerary?
Yes, there are opportunities to bathe in natural thermal springs at Upis and Pacchanta during the trek.
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Is rock climbing included in the tour?
Yes, rock climbing is included on Day 7 in the Pitumarca Valley, one of Cusco's southernmost valleys. The activity includes a pre-experience briefing and all necessary climbing equipment.
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What kind of wildlife might I see during the Ausangate Trek?
During the Ausangate Trek, you might spot endemic wildlife such as vizcachas and Andean foxes. Additionally, you may see herds of llamas and alpacas grazing on the mountainsides.
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Is there an option to climb Huayna Picchu during the Machu Picchu visit?
Yes, there is an option to climb the infamous mountain of Huayna Picchu during the Machu Picchu visit. However, you need to buy a separate ticket in advance for this activity.
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What kind of meals are provided during the tour?
The tour includes 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 4 dinners. Meals are often local and organic, featuring food native to the area.
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Are there any special activities included in the Sacred Valley Tour?
Yes, the Sacred Valley Tour includes visits to traditional herding villages, soaking in the hot springs of Upis and Pachanta, and exploring the famous Incan Citadel of Machu Picchu. You will also have the opportunity to trek around the Apu of Ausangate and explore the cultural Sacred Valley.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the trek?
Accommodation during the trek includes camping in picturesque locations and staying in small community lodges or dairy farms. For example, you can camp in a small community like Chacco Huayllasca or stay on a small dairy farm like Tambo Queque Norte.
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What kind of transport is included in the tour?
The tour includes private transport for collection and drop-off, return domestic flights from Lima to Cusco, and airport transfers.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For 3 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Always
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
This depends on the type of tour you've booked. If there is paperwork to be sent (i.e. domestic flights etc.) we will forward these to you ahead of time.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It can be possible in instances, a lot depends on the type of tour being run and it's accessibility
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
We don't fund charities directly but we work with local communities where we can to support them and provide resources whenever possible. We utilise local resources with all of our trips so in that respect you are contributing to the local economy and the welfare of it's people.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Unu Raymi Expeditions; we’ll always keep our commitment to deliver the best customised experience created from your own personal & group requirements. We’ll provide as many available options for planning your ideal trip; operating & incorporating many off-the-beaten path experiences for your trip or expedition. Before your trip begins we’ll work with you to ensure you are fully prepared and ha
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes, if you wold like to share facilities with someone this can be organised
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are working with the latest protocols issued by the Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health) to ensure our operations are safe and compliant for the future. All hygiene standards that are being developed will be adhered to in compliance with state legislation and protocols.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We have the flexibility to alter trips as necessary if there are travel restrictions in place. For all other changes please refer to our terms and conditions.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
This will depend if you have booked a private or group tour
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Free Date Changes
Unu Raymi Tour Operator & Lodges allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Unu Raymi Tour Operator & Lodges allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform unu raymi tour operator & lodges, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Unu Raymi Tour Operator & Lodges requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 44 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of unu raymi tour operator & lodges charges.
Up to 50 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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COVID-19
We are working with the latest protocols issued by the Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health) to ensure our operations are safe and compliant for the future. All hygiene standards that are being developed will be adhered to in compliance with state legislation and protocols.
Alongside this we have our own on-call health service available in Cusco and the Sacred Valley to care for you during your time with us. For high-altitude expeditions there will also be medical assistance available on these trips for your own health & safety. ...more ...less
Sacred Valley Tour & Ausangate Trek
14 Days Starting and ending in Cusco, Peru
Visiting: Cusco, Pisac, Lares Valley, Lares, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Ausangate
Tour operator:
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 15
Age range:
18-65
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
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