Trekking Peru by Walking Softly Adventures. A five day classic trek around the ice-clad peak of Ausangate in the Vilcanota Range of Peru. Visits to the principal Inca sites around Cusco and a visit to Machu Picchu are included.

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5 The Peruvian Andes (Photo by J. Osaki).

NEW TRIP!
July 11-20, 2009
Plan your arrival in Lima, Peru for July 10 at the latest
Plan your departure from Lima, Peru for July 21 at the earliest

Join us on this classic trek in the Peruvian Andes and complete the circuit of Ausangate, a 20,945-foot peak revered by the Inca and their Quechua-speaking descendents. On the six-day fully supported trek, revel in the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcanota, the second largest glaciated mountain range in Peru. Each day on the trek will provide a wealth of magnificent vistas! Stand in the shadow of soaring peaks, and wander across meadows grazed by herds of alpacas. Clamber over high passes and descend past cobalt lakes that reflect the majesty of the surrounding ice-clad peaks. After the trek, revel in the tropical splendor of Machu Picchu, whose ridge-top ruins are adorned with orchids and are a fitting crescendo to your experience in Peru.

Day 1
Overnight in Cusco
Dinner included
This morning, fly from Lima to Cusco. Situated at 11,480 feet above sea level, Cusco, the “navel of the world,” was the capital of the Inca Empire, and an excellent place to acclimate to the elevation before beginning your trek. Its central streets are lined with Inca-built stone walls which form the foundations of colonial and modern buildings. The streets are often steep and narrow, filled with Quechua-speaking descendants of the Incas. In the afternoon, hike at Sacsayhuaman, an Inca “fortress” above Cusco featuring a zigzagging double wall built of massive stones.

5 Sacsayhuaman.

5 Tambo Machay

Day 2
Overnight in Cusco
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Take some time this morning to explore central Cusco whose original Quechua name was “Qusqu.” Notable sights include the city’s central square (Plaza de Armas), the Calle Loreto (a street lined with Inca masonry) and the Santo Domingo Church built over the site of Koricancha (“Temple of the Sun”), once the most important place of worship in the Inca Empire. Later, travel by vehicle to Puka Pukara, an Inca fortress whose pink-stone ramparts once guarded the road between Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas (El Valle Sagrado de los Incas). The nearby site of Tambo Machay features a series of aqueducts and was once a bathing site for Inca royalty. About five miles from Sacsayhuaman is the Inca shrine of Qenko with its circular amphitheater and water channels hewn out of a limestone outcrop. Return to Cusco and overnight.

Day 3
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight camp near Tinqui
Depart Cusco this morning by vehicle and travel southwards, arriving at Huambutio and start to ascend into the mountains. From here continue over a rolling landscape and at the pass catch your first view of the Cordillera Vilcanota. Descend past the village of Cattca and its neighboring communities to finally reach Ocongate and a chance for last minute purchases. Continue to Tinqui where we set our first camp at 3,800 meters (12,464 feet) near Qoñamuro.

Day 4
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight at camp at Upis
Start the day visiting a local family and their way of life at the community of Qoñamuro and then continue across the wide open pampas above the tree line past small settlements of herders and weavers. Approaching the northern face of Mount Ausangate we may encounter herds of alpacas. A crew of packhorses and llamas will accompany us along the way. Camp at Upis at 14,432 feet surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Today's hike will involve about five to six hours on the trail covering approximately six miles with an elevation change of about two thousand feet.

Day 5
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight at camp at Ausangatecoche
Leaving the Upis campsite behind, ascend up Upispampa which brings you even closer to the north face of Ausangate. The route ascends the Inkapampa valley to reach the Arapa Pass at 15,318 feet. Continue through a dry, rolling landscape before descending past some small lakes to arrive at beautiful, blue Lake Pucacocha at just over 15,000 feet. The lake nestles below one of Ausangate's glaciers with the rock spire of Mount Sorimana punctuating the Andean sky. Another ascent will bring you to the Alcatani pass at 15,252 feet from where you descend to Ausangatecocha, a beautiful campsite with a view of Ausangate's ice-clad southern face. The estimated time for today's hike is eight to nine hours covering about eight miles with an elevation change of about twelve hundred feet.

Day 6
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight at camp at Wanu Wanu
From Ausangatecocha the route ascends steeply to the Palomani pass at 16,564 feet, the highest pass on the trek! Crossing into the Machuraqay Valley, the conical peak of Mount Mariposa comes into view. Descend into the valley of Chillcaphinaya at an elevation of 14,432 feet. Grazing alpacas are typically seen in this area. Around you rise the "technicolor" hued ridges of the Cordillera Vilcanota. Ascend to the large pampa of Wanu Wanu where you'll camp for the night at 14,596 feet. The estimated time for today's hike is seven to eight hours covering about six miles with an elevation change of almost four thousand feet.

Day 7
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight at camp at Pacchanta
With Mount Acero rising above, cross the Wanu Wanu pampa and begin the ascent to the Jampa Pass. Mount Callangate's ice-covered pinnacles dominate the view as you attain the Jampa Pass at 16,236 feet. Note the numerous cairns (apachetas) which mark this important north-south crossing of the Vilcanota Range. From the pass, descend toward rolling hills and the lakes of Ninaparayoc. Ausangate now lies behind you; your circuit of the mountain is nearly complete. Continue hiking to reach the village of Pacchanta. Here you'll have a chance to visit the hot springs as you gaze back southward toward the snowy mass of Ausangate. Today's hike is about eight hours long covering about seven miles with an elevation change of approximately seventeen hundred feet.

Day 8
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight at hotel in Cusco
Before departing Pacchanta, take advantage of the opportunity to peruse the local textiles. Travel by vehicle toward Tinqui crossing a vast rural landscape of hills and fields. Continue to Cusco and check into the hotel and enjoy dinner together.

5 Machu Picchu, Peru. The distinctive peak of Huayna Picchu dominates the scene.

Day 9
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight at Machu Picchu
Journey by rail through the Andes to Machu Picchu, the fabled “Lost City of the Incas,” and one of the best known and most spectacular archaeological sites on the continent. Apart from the local population, no one knew of its existence until the American archaeologist, Hiriam Bingham, stumbled on it almost by accident on July 24, 1911. Built along a mountain ridge in the 15th century, Machu Picchu retains its air of grandeur and mystery despite the tourist influx. Upon arrival at the Machu Picchu, enjoy a tour visiting the principal sites within the complex. Optional hike along the Inca Trail to the Intipunku, the “Gate of the Sun,” from where you’ll enjoy a sweeping view of Machu Picchu almost lost in the immensity of its mountain setting. Overnight at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.

Day 10
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight in Cusco
This morning you’ll have an opportunity to hike to the top of the namesake peak of the site, Machu Picchu, or to the Inca bridge, or possibly to the summit of Huayna Picchu. Or, you can spend a leisurely morning exploring more of the ruins or re-visiting your favorite sites from the previous day or enjoying the hotel’s orchid garden. In the afternoon, travel by “Vistadome” rail service back to Cusco where you’ll spend the evening. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening to celebrate the conclusion of your adventure in the Peruvian Andes!

Note that breakfast tomorrow morning (July 21) as well as a transfer to Cusco Airport for your flight back to Lima is included in the trip price. Since most flights bound for the U.S. depart Lima in the evening, we can arrange an optional tour of the National Archaeological Museum or the Larco Herrera Museum in Lima. Transfers from Lima back to the airport for evening flight departures can also be arranged.

5 The flowers of Machu Picchu.

Other Details about this Trip
Dates: July 11-20, 2009
Price: TBA
Single room for entire trip: TBA
Lodging: Six nights in hotels and inns; five nights in supported backcountry camps. Note: Your hotel in Lima on the evening of July 10 is included in the trip price.
Meals: Eleven breakfasts, nine lunches, ten dinners are included.
Trip Begins in Lima, Peru
Trip Ends Cusco, Peru
Airfare (international and Peruvian domestic flights) is not included in the trip price. We will gladly help you to find and purchase the best airfares available from your U.S. gateway. The estimated cost for flights needed within Peru (Lima to Cusco on July 11 and Cusco to Lima on July 21) is approximately $450.

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