Andean Lodges — The Trail of the Apu Trek 2026
The Trail of the Apu · Cusco, Peru

The Trail of the Apu

5 days through the Cordillera Vilcanota near Apu Ausangate — sleeping in traditional tambo lodges with hot showers, not a tent. Two fixed departures left in 2026.

50% Off — Limited Time $967 $1,935 Per person · covers the entire 5-day, 4-lodge trek
5
Days on the trail
4
Mountain lodges
0
Nights in a tent
2
Departures left in 2026
Shepherds of the Chillca community, Cusco
Built with local communities

Run in alliance with the shepherd community of Chillca

We're a Cusco-based company founded in alliance with the shepherd community of Chillca, whose llamas and horses carry your gear along the Camino del Apu Ausangate. Every stay in our traditional tambo lodges supports them directly — with home-cooked meals and, some evenings, live vernacular music.

2026 fixed departures

Two dates. Two very different reasons to book now.

Every departure runs with a bilingual guide, pack horses, and a small group. No minimum group size required.

50% Off — Limited Time
$1,935 $967
Per person · covers the entire 5-day, 4-lodge trek
Confirmed · Featured

September Departure

Sept 18 – 22, 2026

This group is already forming — book now and you're guaranteed to trek with company, not alone.

CUSCOAUSANGATE
SEP · 18–22
Last call · Season finale

November Departure

Nov 13 – 17, 2026

The last fixed date of the year. Fewer crowds, clearer skies — after this, the season closes until 2027.

CUSCOAUSANGATE
NOV · 13–17
Why this trek

Comfort most high-altitude treks in Peru don't offer

No tent, ever

Down duvets and hot showers at four mountain lodges, even above 4,000m.

Small groups

No mass day-tours or overcrowded buses — a small, private group all the way.

Bilingual guides

English and Spanish-speaking guides raised in communities along this exact route.

Community-run

Every lodge is co-owned by local Andean families — your trip funds them directly.

The route

Five days, one trail, through the Cordillera Vilcanota

31.1 mi (50 km) · up to 17,060 ft (5,200 m)
01

Cusco → Chillca

Private transport from Cusco to Chillca, home to the shepherd community whose llamas and horses carry your gear for the rest of the trek.

02

Chillca → Machuracay

Trek deeper into the Cordillera Vilcanota toward Machuracay, escorted by llamas and horses along land shared by the Chillca community.

03

Machuracay → Anantapata

Rest each night in a traditional tambo lodge, with meals prepared by our trek chefs and, some evenings, live vernacular music.

04

Anantapata → Huampococha

Walk within close range of Apu Ausangate, the sacred guardian mountain of the Cusco region.

05

Huampococha → Cusco

Final trekking day back toward Cusco, closing out five unforgettable days in the Cordillera Vilcanota.

The difference

Same mountains. Very different nights.

Standard camping trek

  • Sleep in a tent, every night
  • No hot showers on the trail
  • Carry or rent your own sleeping bag
  • Cold nights above 4,000m

Andean Lodges trek

  • A real bed, every night
  • Hot showers at every lodge
  • Nothing to rent — it's all set up
  • Down duvets for cold altitude nights
From past trekkers

What five days on this trail actually feels like

★★★★★

"Best trek I've done in 15 years of traveling. The lodges made all the difference — we actually rested at night."

— Traveler from Germany
★★★★★

"We booked this as our honeymoon adventure and it exceeded every expectation. Worth flying across the world for."

— Travelers from the United States
★★★★★

"Nothing compares to sleeping in a real bed at 4,200m after a day like that. Worth every mile."

— 2025 season trekker
Before you book

Questions trekkers ask us most

Reserve your spot

Tell us a bit about your trip

Fill this in and we'll open WhatsApp with your details already filled in — just hit send.

Send via WhatsApp
No payment now — this just opens a WhatsApp chat with your details, so we can confirm pricing and availability with you directly.
© 2026 Andean Lodges — Cusco, Peru
andeanlodges.com · +51 952 714 952