Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Tours, Peru Tours

The mountain chain of the Ausangate is situated in the Cordillera Vilcanota in the department of Cusco. It is one of the most remote high Andean zones of Peru and it offers a spectacular trekking circuit along snowcapped peaks, lagoons, ice caverns & thermal waters. Furthermore, it represents a thousand-year-old culture.

* Duration: 4 days/3 nights.
* Starting point: Cusco/Ocongate/Mallma.
* Ending point: Mawallani/Tinqui/Cusco.            
* Physical Demands Rating: Moderate/Challenge.
* Age Restriction: 12 years old.
* Trip Code: MTS - 008.
* Tour Type: Trekking, Cultural, Adventure.
* Accommodation: Camping/3 nights.
* Service Level: Standard - Deluxe.
* Guarantee: Departure is Guaranteed.
* Style: Personalized.
* Carbon Emissions: 350 CO2-E.
* Group Size: 2 Minimum, 10 Maximum.
* Transport: Horse, walk, Mini-Van.
* Price From: US$

Ausangate trek, 4-day itinerary:

1st Day: Cusco – Mallma – Singrenacocha

Our journey starts early in the morning by heading towards Mallma (4,100/13,395ft) a village situated southeast Cusco, where we will meet the rest of the team. During our bus ride, we will pass several little Andean farms and will enjoy the nice views. In Mallma we will start hiking for approximately 2 hours towards our campingsite at the shores of the Singrenacocha lagoon (4,200m/13,780ft).

Transport time: 5 hours.    
Walking time: 2 hours.

2nd Day: Singrenacocha – Tarapata Pass – Añasñiyucpampa

The sunrise over the Cordillera Vilcanota is spectacular and offers a beautiful view of the glaciers and the lagoons around us. Although we are high up in the Andes, the region offers a great variety of flowers & plants, such as the Andean Cactus. Furthermore, this area is the home area of camelids; the chinchilla, the condor & the puma. After having passed the Tarapata Pass (4,600m/15,092ft) we will descend to the Añasñiyucpampa Valley (4,200m/13,780ft) our camping place.

Hiking time: 7 hours.

3rd Day: Añasñiyucpampa – Pupusayoc Pass – Pacchanta

The day starts with a walk towards the Pupusayoc Pass (4,900m/16,076ft) from where we will have an impressive view of several mountains, such as the Callangati and the Ausangate. Thereafter, we will descend to our campingsite in the native Quechua community of Pacchanta (4,300m/14,108ft). In the afternoon, we will relax in the hot springs and at night we will have a typical dinner of the region called "Pachamanca".

Hiking time: 6 hours.

4th Day: Pacchanta – Tinqui – Cusco

After breakfast, we will head for Tinqui (3,850m/12,631ft). From here, we will take the bus back to Cusco.

Hiking time: 3 hours. 
Transport time: 5 hours.

Included:

• Transportation.
• Private transport from the hotel to Mallma.
• Return by private transport from Tinqui to your hotel in Cusco.
• Entrance to the Ausangate Park.
• Professional bilingual guide (Spanish & English).
• High-quality camping equipment (Pro tents: Doite Cima 4, extralight-4,5kgs for 2 people), mattresses, eating tent with table & chairs, bathroom tent.
• Meals during the excursion (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & snacks/Vegetarian option).
• Cook and cooking equipment.
• Horseman & mules, for all our personnel & camping equipment.
• Emergency horse.
• First-aid kit, including Oxygen bottle and safety rope.

Not included:

• Sleeping bag (if you don't have a sleeping bag, there is the possibility of renting one).
• Lodging in Cusco.

Notes

During our journey, we will climb up to 4,900m/16,076ft. Combined with extreme weather, this trek can be hard work. We want you to remember this trek with a smile on you face, therefore; please ensure that you are well-acclimatized, in a good shape and healthy.

We recommend that trekkers have a good physical health and a taste for adventure. The level of enjoyment that clients get out of an alternative trek depends on numerous facts, such as the amount of time you have had to properly acclimatize to high altitudes before departing, your age, your general fitness level and your trekking experience.

How far in advance should we reserve our trekking tours ?

We recommend that you make a reservation for the Inca Trail treks as far in advance as possible. We suggest booking 4-6 weeks in advance.

Will we need any documentation in order to get on the trail ?

Yes, the documents which you used to book the trip can be made with personal IDs such as original passports (preferred).

What is the situation with drinking water during the trek ?

The water is collected from local streams and is boiled throughout the trip. You can also buy water purification tablets. Another option would be to buy mineral water for the trek in Cusco and bring it with you (but that will add some weight to your luggage) or buy mineral water on the trail, that will be a little more expensive.

Is there a toilet tent and shower ?

Yes, there is a toilet tent for all alternative Inca Trail routes but on the Classic Inca Trail, at all campsites there are public toilets that you can use. All campsites have cold shower with only the last campsite at Wiñaywayna having warm showers for a small additional cost.

How much luggage can I bring on the trek ?

For the trekking tours you should only take the items you are willing to carry during the hike. Other belongings can be left in storage in your hotel in Cusco. Horses will carry the provided equipment such as the tent, while you are responsible for your sleeping bag, clothing & other personal items. You are able to hire an extra horse to carry your belongings up to the weight of 20kg.

How many other travelers can we expect will be on the Inca Trail with us ?  How many support people (porters, cooks, guide) in total ?
The maximum number of people in a group on the Inca Trail is 10. There is one guide & assistant for every group and 1 cook, 5 horses. The majority of the people on the trail are not trekkers, but the support team of guides, porters, horsemen & cooks.

Is it customary to tip the guides & porters ?  If so, how much is recommended ?

Again, it depends on the number of people that are going to be on the Inca Trail and it is also very hard to estimate the proper tip that you could give. On the last night of your trek, there is a tipping custom: all the hikers put their tips together and give them to the guide. The guide will then distribute that money between all the Inca Trail personnel. We advise anything from $10 to $40 per hiker but you should only tip according to the level of service you believe you have received.

I was going to bring just a small backpack for my 5 days in Peru. Please let me know the minimum amount of clothing & items I can bring.  I don't want to overpack ?

You are able to leave the majority of your personal belongings in storage at your Cusco hotel, so you only need to carry what you need for the trail. If you only have a suitcase, you can rent a backpack for the trail.

List of recommended Inca Trail treks clothing items:

Head: a hat to protect you from the sun, a knitted hat for the cold nights & mornings, sunglasses, sunblock, lip cream (Chap Stick).
Upper Body: 3-4 T-shirts (1 for hiking, 1 for sleeping, 1 for emergency), 1 good warm all-terrain sweater/jacket for cold weather, 1 thick sweater for sleeping, insect repellent, gloves/mittens for your hands.
Lower Body: 1 pair of hiking pants (old comfortable jeans are fine, the lighter the better), 1 pair of shorts (not necessary but comfortable), 1 pair of sweatpants for sleeping, socks (important; 4 pairs of socks, always try to keep dry, clean socks for sleeping), Band-aids (or special blister aids) for your feet (better safe than sorry), comfortable sneakers or hiking boots.

How much does it cost to rent equipment ?

There are two types of sleeping bags for rent:

A feathered type costing $ 5,00 per day.
There are two types of backpacks available for rent, a 35-liter & a 40-liter available for $4,00 per day.

You can also hire an extra horse for the duration of the trek for $20 per day to carry your bag up to the weight of 20kg.

Rentals can be arranged by your travel advisor. Other equipment you might want to rent such as boots, flashlights & coats can be arranged in Cusco.

Is it possible to walk from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes instead of the bus ?  If there is a road, how far is it ?

Yes, it's possible; you can follow the same road as the bus and it will take you about 40 minutes to go down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.

What are the restrictions on access to Huayna Picchu ?

Only 400 people a day are allowed on the short trail, with access from inside Machu Picchu itself. From 7AM to 9AM, 200 people can enter and then another 200 at 10AM. Entrance is on a first come-first serve basis.

Are there any ATMs ?

Yes. It is best to get the money you want from Cusco and you'll find them around Plaza de Armas inside some stores & shops. ATMs are widely available in Peru and most hotels & restaurants accept payment by credit card as long as you can also show your passport/ID.

What sort of food can I expect on the trail ?

Each tour is accompanied by a chef who will prepare all your meals for you. The food is hearty, plentiful & filling to keep you energized for the journey. Please notify us if you have any special requirements. Below find an example menu for the trek :