Ausangate, Salkantay and Machu Picchu
A trekking adventure in the remote Cordillera Vilcanota and Vilcabamba range – finishing at Machu Picchu.
Both trips are around 80km in length and offer spectacular and contrasting hiking opportunities.
You end the holiday at the Lost City of the Incas – Machu Picchu – having trekked the Inca Trail.
Trek 1 - Cordillera Vilcanota
The focus of the first trek is Mount Ausangate (6,384m). For most of it, we walk above the tree line, crossing passes as high as 5000 metres.
Conditions are tough but the scenery superb; emerald green lakes, creeping glaciers, ice caves and hot springs abound.
There are good opportunities to observe Andean fauna such as the vicuna, viscacha and condor.
Ancient Quechua culture
Because this is a remote area, historically isolated from external influence, it has preserved many pre-colonial customs.
The native inhabitants are Quechua Indians. They wear traditional dress and their livelihood depends on tending herds of alpaca and llama and cultivating potatoes.
We return to Cuzco to rest and prepare for our second trek.
Trek 2 – Salkantay and Machu Picchu
The second trek crosses the Vilcabamba Range past Mount Salkantay. At 6,271 metres this is the range's highest and most revered peak.
From Mollepata, we walk through low rolling hills into a spectacular high mountain environment.
Our highest pass (4900 metres) is crossed on the second day of the trek. We then descend and join the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Inca Trail
For three days we follow this masterpiece of engineering, passing remote Inca sites as we traverse four contrasting vegetation zones.
On the final day of our trek we set off to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate). We have plenty of time to explore the lost city of Machu Picchu, before making our return to Cuzco by train.
End of tour extensions
We have a final day in Cuzco before flying back down to Lima.
You could extend your holiday with trip into the Amazon rainforest.
See our extensions sections for more information.
Check our Books and Maps section where you will find range of books and maps to help you get the most out of your South American adventure.
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Itinerary |
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Day 1 |
Arrive Lima. |
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2 |
Fly Cuzco. |
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3 |
In Cuzco. |
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4-10 |
7-day trek, final day return to Cuzco. |
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11 |
In Cuzco. |
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12-18 |
7 day trek, final day return by train to Cuzco. |
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19 |
Free day. |
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20 |
Fly to Lima. Tour ends. |
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Included
All meals and water on trek, all breakfasts elsewhere, domestic transportation, guide, hotels 7 nights, camping 12 nights, camping equipment (tents, cutlery etc)
Not included
International flights (we can look for prices for you), other meals, snacks and drinks, any equipment hire (crampons, harness and ice axe for Maparaju and Ishinca ascent), personal expenses, airport taxes, optional excursions (i.e. rafting), extra entrance fees, tips, alcoholic or soft drinks, laundry and sleeping bag
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