This is a breathtaking three-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.
Our treks will be accompanied by lamas and horses that will carry our gear, and are owned by shepherds of the community of Chillca, who are proud to share their land with us, as well as the Spirit of their inspiring world.
On our hikes and in our unique “Tambos” or Andean Lodges, daily meals will be prepared by experienced chefs who will introduce you to a great variety of delicious Peruvian dishes and produce, and for our entertainment, authentic, vernacular music, played by local inhabitants, will liven up some of our evenings at the “tambos.”
We leave Cusco in the early morning on a private bus ride along the scenic Vilcanota River valley to the historic town of Checacupe. Following a visit to its colonial-era Church of the Immaculate Conception, we travel through the spectacular Japura Gorge that leads to the town of Chillca. We begin to trek near this Ausangate native community, from which you’ll admire the impressive south face of sacred Mt. Ausangate. We continue hiking towards the red sandstone formations of the snowcapped “Nevado del Inca”. Overnight at cozy Anantapata Lodge.
Following a hearty breakfast, we take the trail to hike over a mountain pass. Dropping down, we’ll hike past Lake Kayrawiri, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks with the great valley below. The hillsides are marked by rock strata of many different colors. We go on to Laya Grande Hill past the massive Glacier of the Inca and arrive at Vinicunca Hill, the world-famous “Rainbow Mountain”, with its strikingly colorful soil strata. We’ll eat lunch surrounded by a breathtaking landscape, with plenty of time for photos. Along the way to Huampococha Lodge, we may see hundreds of Andean geese nesting in the cliffs of Anta. We hike past the flatiron formations of Apu Labrayani to the Lodge, where we’ll spend the night resting in comfort.
After breakfast, we hike the final ascent over Anta Pass, and gradually begin our descent toward the trail’s end. The landscape changes as red sandstone cliffs are followed by a unique Karst limestone stone forest – perfect habitat for vizcacha (a cute squirrel-like species in the chinchilla family). Along this leg, the first native crop fields and homes come into view as we descend the valley. Our bus will be waiting for you at the trail’s end for our return trip to Cusco.