AUSANGATE AND SIBINACOCHA LAGOON INFORMATION

DAY 1: CUSCO - OCONGATE - TINKI COMMUNITY
We leave the city of Cusco in a private transport, in the direction of Tinki (3800m/12464ft). On the way we stop in Urcos, where we may visit a beautiful lake with the same name. We then go on to Cattca, where we can appreciate the region’s spectacular views and finally pass through Ocongate, capital of the district with the same name and only half an hour away from our destination. After an approximated of 6-hour drive, we arrive at Tinki, Tinki will be our first campsite and start the trek the next morning.
DAY 2: TINKI - PACCHANTA - QOMERQOCHA LAGOON
After breakfast, we will spend some time visiting the Tinki public school and will have the chance to meet the children of the neighboring communities that study at this place. Then We then leave Tinki and start a 2,5h walk towards Pacchanta (4100m/13448ft), where we stop for lunch. Pacchanta is a rural community that boasts some well-known hot springs where we can enjoy a nice dip, offering awesome views of Ausangate Mountain. In the afternoon we follow our trek through a slight climb up the Pacchanta valley, having the chance to spot llamas and alpacas, until we reach the beautiful Qomercocha lagoon where we set our camp and have dinner. Our campsite will be set in a spectacular spot with amazing views of Ausangate.
DAY 3: QOMERQOCHA LAGOON TO YANAMAYO
We leave Qomercocha lagoon around at 7.00 am and continue on towards the first mountain pass of our trek, the Abra Q´ampa at 5000m/16400ft, which we will reach after about 4h. then We will descend towards the Ticllaqocha Lagoons, a beautiful group of little turquoise lagoons next to which we have lunch. In the afternoon we continue our hike for an additional 2-3h until we reach Yanamayo where we set our camp in an impressive valley overlooked by the impressive Tres Picos.
DAY 4: YANAMAYO TO CONDORPASO
We leave camp and start a gradual climb up toward Yanaqocha or “Black Lagoon” its name being due to the dark color of its waters. We will go over Yanaqocha mountain pass (5050m/16564ft) to then discover a surprisingly beautiful valley with an explosion of colored mountains, three spectacular lagoons and the presence of llamas and alpacas, which we will cross to head towards our next mountain pass (5100m/16728ft). From this point, an additional hour of hike leads us to Condor pass, our next campsite, located very close to the mountain pass of the same name which will be our challenge for the next day.
DAY 5: CONDOR PASS TO SOURCE OF SIBINACOCHA LAGOON
After breakfast, we continue on a gradual climb up the valley that takes us to the mountain pass Abra del Condor (5200m/17056ft) after an approximated two hour walk. We have spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range and the Sibinacocha Lagoon, our next milestone, where can see wild vicuñas. Immediately. we continue our hike for 3 hours, crossing another mountain pass on the way and then descending into the valley of the Sibinacocha Lagoon’s source. We will camp next to the lagoon and very close from its source. The lagoon boasts a wide bio-diversity, where we can see Andean Coots, “Huallatas” or Andean Geese as well as Andean Ducks from our camp.
DAY 6: SOURCE OF SIBINACOCHA LAGOON TO CCASCANA
Today, we depart early to walk along the shores of the Sibinacocha Lagoon for 3h until we reach the Yayamari community, (5500m/18040ft). We then continue accross a pampa where we will most probably see hundreds of llamas, alpacas and hopefully vicuñas, to then follow towards the Abra Ccascana at 5000m/16400ft, which will lead us to the lagoon of the same name, in where we will set our last camp and we may have the chance to spot ¨Huallatas¨ or Andean geese and maybe even flamingos.
DAY 7: CCASCARA TO PHINAYA VILLAGE AND BACK TO CUSCO
After our breakfast, we leave Ccascara to walk for 3 and 30 minutes towards Phinaya. This is a small Andean community with a beautiful little church, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we meet our private transport that will drive us back to Cusco, where we expect to arrive after nightfall.
AUSANGATE TREK INFORMATION

Read More

MEET THE SACRED MOUNTAIN OF AUSANGATE

Every year, hundreds of climbers visit the mountain region of Peru. However, there are not many who know the existence of Ausangate, one of the Inca divinities of 6410 meters high.

Located in the vicinity of Cusco, the "mountain of the seven colors" is the fifth highest peak in Peru. Its remote existence of the traditional routes means that few tourists approach its walls and glaciers; However, it is worth visiting for its unique beauty.
During the Inca Empire, the Ausangate embodied one of its most important divinities. Distinction that still lasts; since, the inhabitants that live in the surroundings continue considering it as an unattainable and sacred god.
The moderate difficulty of climbing the mountain and the possibility of living a unique outdoor experience, make the visit to Ausangate a relevant option.
How to get?. Ausangate is located about 100 kilometers southeast of the city of Cusco. Leaving the city by car, the estimated travel time is 3 hours. When you arrive in Chilca, you have to continue walking for another 3 hours, approximately, until you reach this formidable Rainbow Mountain.
For tourists who do not own their own vehicle, there is the possibility of hiring a tour from the city of Cusco. MORE INFORMATION OF AUSANGATE TREK

Read More

ALL TOURS IN CUSCO TO MACHU PICCHU

CITY TOUR CUSCO

The tour starts at the impressive COLONIAL CATHEDRAL in Cusco that contains over 400 paintings from the Cusquenian School, several altars.
Qoricancha:
Qoricancha is the inkas's main temple , this is a nice place to start learning about inka culture, inkas call this place (golden place), Santo Domingo conventis next to qoricancha, Here is a perfect example of the fusion of Inca and Christian culture.
Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Site:
After your tour in the city, we will take the bus and drive to the impresive Inca Sacsayhuaman, where you will be amazed by the rocks used for construction, some of them weigh more than 300 tons and beautiful view of cusco city,
Qenqo Archaeological Site:
The tour continues with the discovery of the underground temple of Qenqo, (labyrinth) with impressive rock carvings and tunnels carved into the solid rock. This religious temple is dedicated to the worship of mother earth and mystical gods..
Puka Pucara Archaeological Site:
After a few minutes ride we will see a small fortress of Puka Pucara (red fortress) used as military control entrance gate to Cusco (inka's capital) .
Tambomachay Archaeological Site:
Walking for few minutes we will arrive at Tambomachay (water temple), temple dedicated to worship the water, fertility and eternal youth.after this amazing tour ,We return to Cusco city at the end of the day around 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

SACRED VALLEY

We will go to Pisac where you can see impressive agricultural terraces all over the place. After we will go back to the town of Pisac, where there is a peculiar market that deserves to be visited. At the market you will have free time to walk around and do some shopping. Afterwards we will go to the Urubamba where we have Our Lunch.
After We will go along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo. In there. we will visit the archeological site of Ollantaytambo, an important Inca construction built during the Inca's heydays. This is an extraordinary Inca place where besides the ruins you may also see an amazing rock formation representing the Inca god Wiracocha. On the way to Cusco we’ll visit the picturesque town of Chinchero where we will see the remains of the royal house of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, the beautiful colonial temple with interesting frescoes on the front gate (this place was built on the foundations of an Inca construction). We can also admire the well-preserved Inca walls in the main square of the town.
Finally, we return to the city of Cusco, arriving at around 18:30 h.

Machu Picchu

We will pick up you in the early morning from your hotel and then transfered to the train station in Ollantaytambo, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes, enjoy the train, the landscapes. Then we will arrive to Aguas Calientes, where a representative from our agency will welcome you and then will escort you to the local bus station to catch the bus that goes up to Machu Picchu.
Bus ride to Machu Picchu lasts approx. 30 minutes and it follows a steep winding path, offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Upon our arrival, we will get into the archaeological zone of Machu Picchu and our guide will show us the most important sectors of this great Inka City, such as the great Intiwatana, The Sun Temple, the urban sector, the agricultural sector among others. Machu Picchu was long thought to be legendary.
The guided tour in Machu Picchu will last about 2 hours, and afterwards you will have free time to explore the ruins on your own. MACHU PICCHU TOUR
If you want to climb Huayna Picchu, a very popular climb with spectacular views, we recommend you to book preferably three months beforehand. (There is daily limit of 400 persons per day allowed to climb, so pre-book if you don’t want to miss out. Cost: $25) The round trip walking to the peak of Huayna Picchu is about an hour and a half. It is definitely worth it for the stunning views from the top! As an alternative to the Huayna Picchu climb you can choose to visit Machu Picchu mountain which gives the ancient Inka townsite its name. This is a new option that lets you see Machu Picchu archeological site from the highest peak. It is less crowded so you don’t have to book early. Cost: $25)
After visit this wonder. Depend of your time train tickets, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time for lunch and also to explore this colorful town that utterly filled with souvenirs shops, restaurants, bars, internet cafes etc.
In the night, you will take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. According the time in your train tickets, return to Ollantaytambo, in Ollantaytambo the transfer is going to pick up you at the bus to return to Cusco.

Read More

MORAY TOUR: experimental laboratory of the Incas

MARAS, MORAY AND SALT MINES FULL DAY

We pick up you from your hotel at 8:00 am, we are going to go Village of Maras, happening through very typical populations and beautiful landscapes that we will be able to enjoy in our route, arrival and visits the following places
Village of Maras :
Located in the province of Urubamba to 3300 m.a.s.l.We will be able appreciates the snow-covered mountain range of the Vilcanota and summits: “The Chikón” (5530 m.a.s.l.), “Putukisi” “the Veronica” (5682 m.a.s.l.). At the east present time attractive colorful town guard of the pre-Hispanic, colonial and republican period, emphasizing in the town colonial streets and covers with shields of the noble and caciques of centuries XVII and XVIII.
Moray Archaeological Site:
One is to about 7 km to the southwest of Maras; it is unique archaeological group in its sort in the region. It is about enormous terraces that are superposed concentrically in a gigantic hole, these beautiful terraces that served at the Inca time like an agricultural laboratory “Prototype as Conservatory” in which old quechuas experienced and obtained improvements. Place where incredible advances in agriculture were obtained.
Salt Mines of Maras:
Located to the northwest of the town of Maras are constituted for about 2000 small wells with an area average of about 5 mts², operated from the time Inca, Colonial time and that even continues being exploded by the villagers. They indicate that the mountain has in its interior salt mines, a manante of salt water that arise from this mountain, serves during the time of drought to fill to the wells in form of “irrigation” every 3 days with salt water during a month, so that it is solidified gradually, then has the process for the consumption of the region.
After our visit, we will return to Cusco.

Read More