This is a breathtaking six-day trek in the Vilcanota’s Cordillera, on a route we call the “Camino del Apu Ausangate” located in close proximity of the highest Sacred Mountain in the Department of Cusco. The “Apu” is the Bearer of Life and Guardian of one of the most pristine mountain ecosystems in the world. 

The Route to Ausangate offers you the perfect surroundings for high mountain adventure sports, discovering the unique local wildlife and flora , and connecting with the ancestral traditions of the local people.

Our company, created in association with the local rural communities of Chilca y Osefina, was founded with the vision of generating sustainable and responsible tourism, promoting and ensuring the preservation of natural richness and cultural traditions of the zone.

If you’re planning a trip to Cusco or the most important destinations in Peru , we can help you to create your perfect trip with Andean Excursions , the first community-based travel agency in the region.

Contact us to start living a life-changing experience. Welcome!

Visiting the most impressive landscapes in the Andes Mountains and experiencing a challenging hike at over 4,300 meters above sea level requires a lot of energy, although of course the experience is well worth the effort. That’s why, in considering our hikers’ rest and comfort, we’ve built the four highest altitude lodges in the world along the Ausangate Route.Each of our lodges has an extraordinary view toward the different faces of the Apu Ausangate and has been built under ecological guidelines, in harmony with the surroundings and Andean cultural aesthetic values, but without sacrificing the comfort and quality expected by even the most demanding traveler.Each of our lodges is equipped with:

• Accommodations for 16 guest.
• 8 double room.
• Beds with down comforters, private baths with hot water, and lighting by candlelight and solar lamps.

In addition, our chefs are natives from the local communities, and are highly trained to prepare exquisite dishes with local food products, designed especially for the delight of our hikers. 

Our first eco-lodge is located on the Pampa Uyuni plain at 4,369 m. in a valley irrigated by the purest glacial waters. From this lodge you’ll have a privileged view of snowcapped Mt. Jatun Jampa at the end of the valley.   

Located at 4,815 m., our second lodge is the closest to Apu Ausangate and is situated along the moraine and climbing route. Machurracay not only offers a spectacular view of the peak but is also surrounded by rock formations home to numerous wild vizcachas (long-eared Andean squirrels), which you’ll be able to observe in the mornings during your stay.   

 The Huampococha lodge is located at one of the most beautiful and impressive locations of the route. From the foot of Apu Callecalle , at an altitude of 4,800 meters, this lodge offers you a magically panoramic view of Lake Huampococha and the Nevado del Inca peak.

Huampococha and its extraordinary nighttime skies make it perfect setting for skywatching , as you listen to the alpaca herders’ myths of Andean apus and deities.

 Anantapata is situated at an altitude of 4,750 m. at the top of the Alcatauri Gorge, a striking area of wetlands, traditionally utilized as a herding area for alpacas, surrounded by the snowcapped peaks of Mts. Tacusiri and Ausangate.

This unique lodge’s construction was financed by the community of Chillca. That’s why Anantapata is a most important accomplishment for Andean Lodges, as demonstration of the motivation and efforts of the communities to share their culture and land, as well as proof of successful sustainable tourism in this high Andean region  

We will be leaving around 8 a.m , when we will arive to pick you up at your hotel . Then we will travel by private bus about 3 hours  . In a comfortable coach we head along the Vilcanota River to visit the temple of Checacupe,where we will visit its beautiful colonial church , which is one of the oldest in Latin America  then the upper valley of Pitumarca. At Japura, we'll trek a short distance to Chillca. Locals and musicians playing Andean instruments greet us in your first “Andean Lodge”, as we sip coca tea. Hot showers and full bathrooms as well as 8 double and matrimonial bedrooms are available. We emphasize tasty and nutritious local cuisine (such as Alpaca meat) but vegetarian and other preferences are welcome.   

After breakfast, led by our guide, we begin the ascent to Yanacocha Lake. Following our picnic lunch, we’ll return to the Lodge over the Vista Trail, which features some of the most spectacular views of the Vilcanota Range. We arrive at the lodge in time for a hot shower and a delicious Andean dinner, before enjoying a restful night. 

After a hearty breakfast, we trek along the glacier valley of Phinaya, seeing hundreds of alpacas and llamas. On the way to the glaciers at Mt. Santa Catalina, the trail climbs past the breathtaking Pjachaj waterfall. Our picnic lunch awaits us above. Then, surrounded by moraine walls, glaciers and lakes, we walk about 5 hours to Machuracay Lodge.  At the lodge, we’re met by the native family that manages it.  

Today we take on our first mountain pass (16,587 ft./ 5,100 m.) enjoying spectacular panoramic views. Descending alongside the glaciers, we hike to Ausangate Cocha Lake where we’ll have lunch. Here, the landscape shifts dramatically, with red sandstone formations where we’ll see vicuñas and occasional condors. 

After a great day of hiking we arrive at the third Andean Lodge to relax, take in the splendid views and enjoy a restful night.  

 We hike the trail up to the next mountain pass. Dropping down, we hike past Lake Kayrawiri, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and the great valley below. Colorful bands of soil adorn the hillsides. Then, we continue on to Laya Grande Hill via massive Glacier del Inca, to encounter the amazing colors of soil strata at Mt. Vinicunca (the world-renowned “Rainbow Mountain”). We have lunch there, with time for photos and a rest stop in this spectacular landscape. 

On our way to our fourth Andean Lodge we might see hundreds of Andean geese nesting in the cliffs of Anta. Hiking past the flatiron formations of Mt. Apu Labrayani, we arrive at Huampococha Lodge, where we’ll spend the night in comfort.  

 We hike up enjoying an outstanding view of the mountains to reach the top of the last pass. It’s an easy downhill from here. We hike past the strange shapes of a Karst limestone rock forest and continue to the end of the trail at Trapiche. There, we have lunch and return by bus to Cusco, reminiscing about the unforgettable experiences we’ve shared in the Andes.