Active Peru: The Ausangate Trek
11 days from £2,920
Explore the tour day by day, from the highlights to the quieter moments in between. Here’s how each day unfolds and what to expect along the way.
You will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel in the cliff-side Pacific residential and commercial district of Miraflores. The half-hour drive to the hotel through Lima’s outskirts and along the coast encapsulates the invigorating buzz of a modern-day Latin American capital.
The modern and welcoming small El Tambo Hotel is in the attractive district of Miraflores; the oceanfront residential and commercial centre of Lima. It has the advantage of being in a quiet central location yet close to the city’s seaside promenade, the Malecón, and within easy walking distance of many of the city’s best restaurants and bars.
There is nothing especially Peruvian about the contemporary décor but the guestrooms are spacious, bright and decorated with local handicrafts and pictures. The hotel has some pleasant outdoor areas including an attractive front garden with a lawn. There’s a restaurant and bar, and a good range of services and facilities.
On your transfer to the airport you’ll be taken on a whistle-stop tour of Lima’s principal attractions, including the vast Plaza de Armas flanked by the imposing cathedral and government palace.
It’s a 1-hour flight to Cusco. It is said that the city was originally built in the shape of a puma; its position atop the precipitous foothills of the Andes is without doubt a commanding one. Capital of the Inca Empire and latterly a stronghold to the Spanish conquistadors, Cusco is not so much a blend of architectures as a defiant mix.
Today its many impressive original Inca walls display extraordinary craftsmanship, while the bustling squares are dotted with ornate baroque colonial churches. It’s a vivacious city, where shoeshine boys and postcard sellers jostle for your attention in cobbled streets lined with handicraft shops and cafés. In the evening, the town centre fills with people flocking to the many restaurants, bars and cafés.
The mid-range, independently run Hotel Ruinas is situated just three blocks from Cusco’s central Plaza de Armas. You can easily walk to the main attractions and to and from the city’s bars and restaurants, making it a very convenient base.
The hotel’s wooden balconies, interior courtyard and cool marble flooring create a colonial effect belying its 20-odd years. Contemporary touches are also thrown into the mix, resulting in an attractive blend.
Rooms are simply decorated; some have small balconies and fireplace. We recommend the rooms with a window facing the street, as there are some great views. The hotel also has its own bar and restaurant, and you’ll get a warm welcome from the enthusiastic staff.
Today you’ll have a guided walking tour of the city, the centre of which is compact and easy to get around on foot. Beyond the city, its squares, museums, churches and markets, you’ll visit some impressive ruins on the outskirts at Tambomachay, Puca-Pucara and the monumental Sacsayhuamán, with its foreboding cyclopean fortress.
While the edges of Cusco are dominated by Inca dwellings, temples and fortresses, the historic heart (with the Plaza de Armas flanked by the cathedral and the church of La Compañia) reveal the indelible mark of the Spanish conquistadores.
The mid-range, independently run Hotel Ruinas is situated just three blocks from Cusco’s central Plaza de Armas. You can easily walk to the main attractions and to and from the city’s bars and restaurants, making it a very convenient base.
The hotel’s wooden balconies, interior courtyard and cool marble flooring create a colonial effect belying its 20-odd years. Contemporary touches are also thrown into the mix, resulting in an attractive blend.
Rooms are simply decorated; some have small balconies and fireplace. We recommend the rooms with a window facing the street, as there are some great views. The hotel also has its own bar and restaurant, and you’ll get a warm welcome from the enthusiastic staff.
Drive through stunning countryside, against a backdrop of the snow-capped Andes to the high plains of Chinchero. On market days the neat colonial plaza of the eponymous village is awash with colour and noise.
The nearby ruins – the country estate of one of the last emperors, Tupac Inca – overlook the Royal Inca Road which stretches as far as Chile in the south and Ecuador in the north.
Visit the agricultural terraces of Moray, an Inca site used as an experimental agricultural centre to develop complex farming techniques in order to increase their crop yields. It comprises numerous terraces carved into a large, natural amphitheatre, each one with a different microclimate from those above and below.
Continue to the Maras saltpans, a series of terraces where a natural source of saline water is evaporated by the strong Andean sun. In use since Inca times, the saltpans continue to be worked by the local community and present a unique sight, with their flat, white surfaces contrasting with the tawny and green landscape surrounding them.
The mid-range, independently run Hotel Ruinas is situated just three blocks from Cusco’s central Plaza de Armas. You can easily walk to the main attractions and to and from the city’s bars and restaurants, making it a very convenient base.
The hotel’s wooden balconies, interior courtyard and cool marble flooring create a colonial effect belying its 20-odd years. Contemporary touches are also thrown into the mix, resulting in an attractive blend.
Rooms are simply decorated; some have small balconies and fireplace. We recommend the rooms with a window facing the street, as there are some great views. The hotel also has its own bar and restaurant, and you’ll get a warm welcome from the enthusiastic staff.
Start out on the high-altitude Ausangate Trek. (This is a shared service: there may be a few other trekkers travelling with you).
To the southwest of Cusco, the Vilcanota range is the last barrier between the old Inca Empire and the Amazon basin. Snow-clad Mount Ausangate, at 6,384m, is the undoubted king of this region.
This trek offers a wide array of attractions en route – glaciers, lakes, herds of llamas and alpacas, even vicuñas, picturesque villages and their traditionally dressed inhabitants. The trip takes you around Ausangate Mountain (not to its peak) and over three high passes.
At such high altitudes you may well be glad you are not camping. Instead you will stay at remote, simple but cosy mountain lodges, all of which have a large dining room, kitchen, and lounge by an open fire. Accommodation is in double/twin rooms and hot water bottles are placed in the bed. There’s a warm welcome from the staff and hot, nourishing meals appropriate for trekkers are provided.
Departing Cusco by bus, head south-east following the Vilcanota Valley, stopping to visit the beautiful colonial church of Checacupe, before continuing the ascent of the Japura Valley that leads to the communities of Osefina and Chillca (4,370m) where you we will be met by the local community. It’s an easy day to start off, with only a couple of hours’ walking (3.3km).
After breakfast the trekking begins in earnest as you start the Apu Ausangate Trail. It’s a gentle hike for 3 hours along the glacier valley of Phinaya passing potato fields and herds of alpacas and llamas.
Head towards the glaciers of Santa Catalina, ascend along the trail passing the Pjachaj waterfalls.
After lunch there is the option of a challenging walk or an easier one. The latter involves just 2 hours’ walking at a slow-ish pace. Alternatively, there’s a 3-hour trek past moraine walls, glaciers and lagoons to a warm welcome at Machuracay Tambo (4,600m), right at the foot of the vast, ice-jacketed Mariposa mountain.
Today you cross the first mountain pass at 5,100m. You can climb to a viewpoint a lung-busting 100m higher up, affording other-worldly panoramic views of the surrounding region. Descend through scree alongside the glaciers, arriving at Ausangate Cocha lake for lunch.
In the afternoon, pass through a tapestry of red sandstone sediment formations where vicuñas and sometimes condors can be seen. You get so close to the imperious snow-stifled bulk of Ausangate you feel you can reach out and touch it. After another incredible day of hiking, arrive at your lodge, Anantapata Tambo (4,750m) for the night.
After breakfast, take the trail over another pass before dropping down to hike along the shores of Lake Kayrawiri, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and a vast valley below.
Pass by kaleidoscopic striations of colours varying from bright red to psychedelic green and turquoise imbedded in the hillsides before reaching Cerro Laya Grande via the massive Glaciar del Inca, and the striking colours of the sediments of Yauricuna, a unique setting to enjoy lunch.
Continuing after lunch you will see hundreds of Andean geese nesting in the cliffs of Anta, and the flatiron formations of Apu Labrayani, before arriving at Huampococha Tambo (4,800m) for the night.
Waking up to great views of the mountains, you begin your final ascent over the pass, and from here you descend passing capricious limestone formations to finish the trail at Trapiche in time for lunch.
Return to Cusco by bus, journey time approximately 3 hours.
The mid-range, independently run Hotel Ruinas is situated just three blocks from Cusco’s central Plaza de Armas. You can easily walk to the main attractions and to and from the city’s bars and restaurants, making it a very convenient base.
The hotel’s wooden balconies, interior courtyard and cool marble flooring create a colonial effect belying its 20-odd years. Contemporary touches are also thrown into the mix, resulting in an attractive blend.
Rooms are simply decorated; some have small balconies and fireplace. We recommend the rooms with a window facing the street, as there are some great views. The hotel also has its own bar and restaurant, and you’ll get a warm welcome from the enthusiastic staff.
Travelling by road and train, you travel to the ruins of the Lost City. As the River Urubamba enters its narrow gorge between thickly forested granite hills, there is room only for a single track, which hugs the right bank and passes through hamlets that are no more than a collection of shacks beside the railway. Close to the foot of the mountain on a saddle upon which the citadel was built is the bustling village of Machu Picchu, dedicated to serving the many visitors with artisan markets, bars and restaurants.
The majestic ruined city, reclaimed from tropical cloud forest, is reached by minibus up a sinuous road, or on foot up a near vertical rocky path. The American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered it in 1911, by which time it was completely buried beneath jungle vegetation. It is perhaps the ruins’ location, on a ridge spur amid forested peaks and above a roaring river canyon, that most ignites the imagination. You will have a guided tour of the ruins.
The mid-range, independently run Hotel Ruinas is situated just three blocks from Cusco’s central Plaza de Armas. You can easily walk to the main attractions and to and from the city’s bars and restaurants, making it a very convenient base.
The hotel’s wooden balconies, interior courtyard and cool marble flooring create a colonial effect belying its 20-odd years. Contemporary touches are also thrown into the mix, resulting in an attractive blend.
Rooms are simply decorated; some have small balconies and fireplace. We recommend the rooms with a window facing the street, as there are some great views. The hotel also has its own bar and restaurant, and you’ll get a warm welcome from the enthusiastic staff.
The places you’ll stay and explore on this tour. Here’s a closer look at each one and what makes it worth the trip.
Peru - Lima
Peru’s capital doesn’t get the credit it deserves. In Lima, colonial grandeur, world-class gastronomy and Pacific Ocean views combine to make it one of South America’s most exciting cities. Known as the City of Kings, Lima blends rich colonial heritage with contemporary culture, outstanding museums and some of the best food on the continent.
Peru - Cusco
Surrounded by the Andean mountains, the former capital of the Inca Empire boasts intricate temples and golden-hued colonial architecture. Explore rugged landscapes and fascinating architecture with a Cusco holiday from Journey Latin America.
Peru - Sacred Valley of the Incas
We think of the Sacred Valley as the heartland of the Inca Empire – fertile valleys, snow-capped mountains and ancient stone fortresses make it one of Peru’s most captivating landscapes. Stretching between Cusco and Machu Picchu, it’s home to colourful markets, traditional villages, remarkable archaeological sites and some of the country’s most spectacular scenery.
Peru - Machu Picchu
Few archaeological sites in the world compare to Machu Picchu, where ancient Inca stonework clings to a mountain ridge high above a jungle-clad valley. Nestled among cloud-wreathed Andean peaks at 2,430m, this corner of Machu Picchu Peru combines spectacular scenery, remarkable architecture and fascinating history to create one of South America’s most unforgettable travel experiences.
Ausangate is the highest snow-draped mountain in the region. The trek which visits it is close to Cusco, but little trodden and the Martian landscapes will enhance the feeling of remoteness.
Our five-day trek below its northern face (you don’t climb to the peak) is one of our favourites. You’ll explore part of the Vilcanota range which divides the highland empire of the Incas from the steamy jungles of the Amazon. En route you’ll cross three high-altitude passes, with views of gigantic glaciers, icy lakes and jagged peaks. The area is full of wildlife, isolated farmsteads and traditional indigenous villages.
Yes it’s challenging, but there is a big bonus: you aren’t camping! You’ll be staying in remote, basic but comfortable lodges run by the local communities, members of which you get to meet along the way. There are proper beds, bathrooms and hot food to set you up for the next day’s hike.
Ben Line
All of our experts have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America, so you will receive unrivalled advice based on unique personal experiences.
The practical detail for this tour, all in one place. Transport, accommodation, what’s included and what to pack, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
- Transport
2 flights (approx 1 hour); 2 scenic road journeys.
- Accommodation
On this tour we use good value budget hotels, they are small, friendly establishments, colonial or modern in style with well-equipped rooms, private bathroom and heating. You spend 4 nights in a series of remote basic mountain lodges where there is no electricity but the double/twin rooms have private bathroom. There’s a warm open fire and hot food is served.
- Meals
Breakfast daily, lunch days 3 & 4, full board days 5-8.
- Guides
We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.
- Summary Of Nights
11 days, 10 nights: Lima 1; Cusco 3; Ausangate Trek 4, Cusco 2.
- Currency
The unit of currency in Peru is the sol.
- How To Take It
Cash machines are available in all major cities and towns including Lima and Cusco, and so taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip, and in most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds.
We recommend that additionally you take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. You can take sterling, but the exchange rate is not always competitive or even available, restricting the number of places where you can change money.
When you are on the treks you will not be spending money but you might carry a reasonable amount of cash for tips, ad hoc or local purchases.
- Daily Spend
It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but a budget of around US$35 per day should cover the cost of the few meals not included in the holiday itinerary, drinks and the odd souvenir. Eat at the best restaurants and you will pay considerably more.
- Tipping
Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.
Tipping guidelines can be found in our Briefing Dossier.
- Insurance
Travel insurance is essential. Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.
- Airport Taxes
If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax and taxes on internal flights are usually included in the ticket.
- Trip Suitability
This holiday is suitable for all able-bodied, fit visitors with hiking or hill-walking experience. The trekking is at high altitude (reaching over 5,000m) which will affect breathing and pace. You should be able to walk over undulating rocky terrain for several hours. The last couple of days particularly are definitely challenging and may justifiably be classified as “severe”. A detailed trek document will be sent to you upon confirmation of your booking.
- Visas
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
- Climate
The rainy season in the Andes runs between November and April. The dry season is in June, July and August when the sun is strong during the day, but at night the temperature drops dramatically. May, September and October are less predictable, with both rainy and sunny spells.
Lima is covered in a dull grey mist for much of the year. It almost never rains in Lima, and temperatures are moderate.
- Altitude
Your treks are at high altitude (up to over 5,000m). Because you have a couple of days in the Cusco area (3,600m approx) before starting the trek you should be only mildly affected. Drink plenty of water and allow your body to acclimatise (don’t exert yourself or drink alcohol for the first couple of days at altitude). Symptoms vary: most common are mild headaches, slight nausea and breathlessness. If you don’t recover in a day or two speak to our representatives; in very rare instances it is necessary to descend to lower altitudes.
Please refer to our Briefing Dossier for further information.
- Clothing And Special Equipment
For day-to-day wear in town or on day trips you should go prepared to encounter all seasons. Both warm clothing and a sun hat are essential at altitude; a light fleece jacket and a waterproof/breathable outer shell makes a good combination. Trousers, shorts or even a skirt made from light, quick-drying synthetic materials work well.
For the trekking you should have a small back pack to carry the personal effects you will need while walking. Bring comfortable and adequate clothing to protect you from cold (and possibly wet) weather. We recommend you layer with synthetic fabric clothing as theses are the most effective barriers against the cold. We discourage the use of cotton garments in cold or wet mountain conditions. The innermost layer should be long underwear. The middle layer can be a synthetic turtleneck or woollen shirt, and shorts or trousers. The outermost layer should be a synthetic or down jacket, and/or a good quality Gore-Tex wind/rain parka and over-trousers. You will also need a bag in which to store the gear you aren’t taking on the trek. Strong, comfortable hiking boots are essential, as is a hat to protect you from the strong sun and sunglasses. Bring sun block and insect repellant.
Trekking poles are an excellent aid, again you can hire them locally but they may not be very high tech.
Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in South America.
- Vaccinations
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements.
You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.
- Do I need a visa to visit Peru?
Holders of a full British passport don’t need a visa for visits of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive, and you may be asked to show proof of onward travel. If you’re travelling via the US, you’ll also need an ESTA. For the latest entry requirements, check the FCDO travel pages or contact us.
- How do I get to Peru from the UK?
There are no direct flights from the UK to Peru. Most routes connect through a European or US hub – common connections include Madrid, Amsterdam and Miami. Flights land at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, around 45 minutes from the city centre.
Flight time is typically 12 to 15 hours depending on routing. We’re happy to quote international flights separately based on your dates and preferences.
- How do I get around Peru?
Distances are large, so domestic flights are the most practical way to move between regions. The flight from Lima to Cusco takes around 1 hour 20 minutes.
From Cusco, we arrange private transfers to the Sacred Valley and train connections to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu. Cusco to Puno, for Lake Titicaca, is around six to seven hours by road across the high Altiplano, or you can take the scenic PeruRail Titicaca train.
Reaching the Amazon means a short flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado or from Lima to Iquitos.
- What currency is used in Peru?
Peru uses the Peruvian sol (PEN). ATMs are widely available in cities and larger towns, and credit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants.
US dollars are accepted in many tourist areas, but you’ll get a better deal paying in sol. Carry cash for markets, smaller restaurants and remote areas. Peru is five hours behind GMT.
- How long should I spend in Peru?
Two weeks is ideal for a full tour covering Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and either Colca Canyon or the Amazon. Ten days comfortably cover the main highlights.
With three weeks, you can add the Amazon, the Nazca Lines, or a crossing into Bolivia. Peru also combines well with Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, or with Argentina and Patagonia as part of a wider trip.
- What’s the best time of year to visit Peru?
The dry season from May to October is best for the Andes, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca – warm days, cold nights and clear skies. The Inca Trail closes in February.
Lima’s coast is warmest from December to April, and the Amazon can be visited year-round, with different advantages in each season. We can advise on the best timing for your itinerary.
- What countries combine well with Peru?
Peru pairs naturally with Bolivia – many of our holidays cross from Lake Titicaca into La Paz and the Uyuni salt flats. Ecuador is a short flight from Lima, and a Peru–Ecuador–Galápagos Islands itinerary is one of our most popular.
For a broader South America trip, you can add Argentina and Buenos Aires, Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, Chile or Colombia. Our Travel Experts can design a multi-country tour around you.
- What vaccinations do I need for Peru?
Please check current health recommendations for Peru before you travel. A yellow fever vaccination is recommended if you’re visiting the Amazon, and you may need a certificate if travelling on to certain other countries.
Altitude sickness is a consideration in Cusco (3,400m) and at Lake Titicaca (3,812m) – we build acclimatisation time into all our itineraries. For up-to-date advice, check the FCDO travel pages or contact us.
- Is Peru safe to visit?
The main tourist areas – Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon lodges – are well visited and generally safe.
As anywhere, take sensible precautions, particularly in Lima and Cusco. We plan every itinerary carefully using trusted local partners and established routes. Check the FCDO travel pages for current government advice, and our Travel Experts will flag anything relevant to your trip.
- What is the food like in Peru?
The food is one of the highlights of any trip. Lima ranks among South America’s best places to eat – ceviche made with fresh fish cured in lime juice, lomo saltado (a stir-fried beef dish with Chinese-Peruvian roots), and ají de gallina (shredded chicken in a creamy, mildly spiced sauce).
Try a pisco sour, Peru’s national cocktail, in a rooftop bar overlooking the Pacific. In the Andes, the traditional dishes include hearty soups, roasted guinea pig (cuy), and quinoa; in the Amazon, freshwater fish and tropical fruit. Wherever you go, our local restaurants of choice are ones we’ll happily point you to.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Explore spectacular Andean scenery on a challenging high-altitude route, an alternative trek in the Cusco region.
Explore the world-famous Lost City of the Incas: the undisputed jewel in Peru’s crown.
Take a guided stroll through the historic Inca capital with its extraordinary mix of ancient stonework and colonial architecture.
Get out and about around Cusco to discover its most important Inca temples on foot.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation. Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you will relax in utter comfort
Welcoming modern hotel in a quiet yet central location, offering a good range of services and facilities.
Independent mid-range hotel with a convenient location, mixing colonial and contemporary style.
If there’s somewhere you particularly want to go that isn’t included in this tour, we can add on an extension to take you there.
Nazca Lines + Paracas
Travel to the Paracas Peninsula and explore the bird-smothered Ballestas Islands by boat. Fly over the Nazca Lines for a bird’s eye view of the giant symbols and lines carved into skeletal desert rock by the pre-Columbian Nazca people. Day 1: From Lima, travel by public coach south to Paracas (3.5hrs) on the Panamerican Highway,…
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Papagaio
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
Featured Articles
To round the corner of a mountain and see the lost citadel of Machu Picchu unfold beneath you remains one of the most awe-inspiring experiences in Latin America, one of those dreamlike experiences that makes travelling here truly extraordinary.
The Pantanal wetlands cover an area almost the size of the British Isles and offers better wildlife opportunities than the Amazon. Writer and photographer Alex Bellos discovers them.
Small, breathtakingly beautiful Costa Rica is a treasure trove for the nature lover. Trees laden with orchids are home to quetzals and hummingbirds, while the Caribbean shore hosts volcanic beaches and palm-sheltered coves.
