Machu Picchu and the Ausangate Trek

Spend your time relaxing and exploring the incredible scenery of the Sacred Valley. It's a great place to experience the culture of Peru and the landscape is breathtaking.

Visit the Inca fortress town of Ollantaytambo. The site was built just as the Spaniards arrived and is one of the most important if not visible vestiges of how the Incas inhabited and functioned in their cities making it a fascinating place to explore. There is a fortress at the top of the hill (and quite a few steps) which is particularly interesting to investigate for the techniques used in its construction.

Explore the fascinating and beautiful sites of Maras and Moray. Maras is an open system of terraces that has been used for centuries to harvest salt from a stream of mineral rich water that comes from within the mountain. Moray is an ancient system of Inca terraces which they used to acclimatise new plants to the high altitude environment.

Your guide will meet you in the morning and bring you to the Pisac Market. You will continue your immersion into the heart of Andean culture with a visit to the charming Amaru community and its wonderful people. Straight from the hands of local craftspeople, you will learn about textiles and the weaving process. The vivid colors of the Amaru villagers' clothing are derived from natural dyes made from plants and other organic elements with which they decorate wool. Today, your learn about 'cochineal' red and the secret properties of some other medicinal plants in the area, plus other activities the community runs.

Your private guide will take you on a comprehensive tour of the Machu Picchu citadel, really bringing it to life by detailing the history, significance and myths surrounding it as well as taking you to the hidden corners and best viewpoints. After your tour, you'll descend to Aguas Calientes for a delicious lunch at the rustically elegant Inkaterra hotel, before an afternoon at leisure. You can explore the areas around Machu Picchu or carry on exploring the ruins.

Return in the evening to overnight at your chosen hotel in the Machu Picchu area.

You have the morning free to explore the famous site on your own.

Enjoy this beautiful city and UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll have our list of recommendations as well as private guides on hand to enjoy the best of this beautiful city. We can arrange a number of private, interest-led tours to booking fine restaurants for you. Your personal travel designer will be able to recommend activities that are most suitable to your interests.

Your local expert guide will collect you from your hotel for a private tour of the city, starting out at the Santo Domingo convent monastery. This former colonial monastery was previously the Koricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to the worship of the sun. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Your next stop will be the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral.

You will be driven by private vehicle to the countryside just outside Cusco to visit some of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area such as the cult centre of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara.

Your guide will collect you from your hotel to begin your day with a visit to Cusco’s central market, a wonderful way to discover the Andean culture and daily life. This vibrant spot, with its dazzling displays of fresh produce and fascinating local products, could keep you entertained for hours.

Next, chefs at the acclaimed Limo restaurant will provide a crash course on local ingredients, native products and Peru’s renowned culinary culture. Learn how to prepare ceviche with fresh fish and lime juice, taste staple Peruvian spices, grains and fruits, make ‘Papa Rellena’ stuffed potatoes and Lomo Saltado, then mix a classic Pisco Sour before sitting down to enjoy the meal.

The Incas believed that the mountain of Ausangate had a special sprit, nurturing life in the Andes. Today, the locals hail it as ‘The Omnipotent Shepherd’ on which their flocks and livelihoods depend. Reaching an epic 6,372 m (20,905 feet) above sea level, it's one of the highest peaks in Southern Peru and clad in unearthly looking red, it's not hard to see why the Andeans have accorded it a mighty, divine soul.

Channel the spirit of Ausangate on this high altitude lodge-to-lodge trek. You'll walk in the footsteps of the ancients across unimaginable terrain changing from vibrant red to lush green to snow-laden slopes, passing tranquil lakes, hanging glaciers and herds of llamas and alpacas.

Each night you'll rest at a comfortable lodge, seeing a new perspective of the mountain with every stay. We've selected lodges that have been built in harmony with their natural surroundings, taking into account strict ecological criteria, so you needn't fear incurring the sacred mountain's wrath.

Depart early from Cusco along the fertile Vilcanota Valley to the town of Checacupe. After a visit to the colonial temple of the Immaculate, jump back into the van and start ascending the Pitumarca Valley, along the spectacular Japura Gorge that leads to Chillca. Be greeted by the community before setting off on a short and easy walk to the first lodge, Chillca Tambo. Located at an altitude of 4,368 m (14,331 feet), it is surrounded by the stunning Andean landscape, in the middle of a valley surrounded by meadows - a favourite grazing spot for the local alpacas

Once at the lodge there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy the surroundings to the backdrop of music provided by the local musicians.

Wake early for breakfast then hike up in the wide valley of Upis. Here impressive glaciated mountains loom above the valley, offering majestic views.

The trail narrows towards the waterfalls that tumble from the Santa Catalina mountain. This path is mostly used by the wandering llamas of the area. When we reach the small Paloma Lagoon, the countryside is dotted with these animals, along with a large number of alpacas.

After hiking past a second lagoon and crossing a series of moraines, reach Machuracay Tambo. Located right at the bottom of Apu Ausangate, Machuraccay Tambo is amongst highest lodges in the world at a breathtaking 4,814 m (15,797 feet). The lodge has a spectacular view towards the snow capped sacred mountain. It is also surrounded by rocks, which are inhabited by adorable wild vizcachas (a member of the chinchilla family), who have become accustomed to human presence.

After breakfast, venture across the demanding Palomani Pass at an elevation of 5,200 m (17,000 feet). From here, head down to Ausangatecocha for tremendous views of the glaciated south face of the apu. Continue towards the striking red sandstone formations of the Nevado del Inca.

Your Tambo for the night is Anantapata, spectacularly situated at the top of the Alcatauri Gorge at an altitude of 4,750 m (15,584 feet). What sets this lodge apart from the others on the expedition is that it was built with the Chilca community’s own funds and is thus a testimony to their effort to share their culture and landscape, as well as being a wonderful example of sustainable tourism in the region.

Today hike between mountains with red, ochre, and blue strata, a geological wonder of outstanding natural beauty. The fauna doesn’t disappoint either, so be on the lookout for groups of gracious vicuñas as they are frequently spotted in this isolated area.

End the day with a fitting finale for the Ausangate Trek, Huampococha Tambo. Sitting in a magical location at an altitude of 4800 m (15,748 feet) , the lodge commands a panoramic view across a beautiful landscape of stunted grasses, bright lagoons and surrounding mountains. To its rear, the jagged red-rock peak of Apu Callecalle contrasts with the deep blue sky beyond. A fitting location to reflect upon the Andean adventure so far, listen to local mythology and legends, and observe the stars.

Your last day sees a climb over the Anta Pass and gradual descent from the mountains, seeing the landscape quickly change before transferring back to Cusco.

Enjoy the Capital of Peru, known particularly for its excellent cuisine and good museums, as well as the historic down-town areas.

Drive to the Historical Center of Lima and the Plaza Mayor, where the Government Palace, City Hall, the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace are located. Move along to the San Francisco Monastery and step inside Casa Aliaga, one of America’s best-preserved colonial mansions. Located across from the Presidential Palace in colonial Lima, Casa Aliaga was built in 1535 by Don Jeronimo de Aliaga, a member of Pizarro's conquering forces. Seventeen generations later, Casa Aliaga is still inhabited by the Aliaga family, whose heirlooms include beautiful original furniture.

Continue to the district of Pueblo Libre, to visit the Larco Herrera Museum, housed in an 18th century colonial mansion. The museum holds the most extensive collection of pre-Columbian art in Peru, featuring many fine examples of textile work. Also found in the museum are the materials and tools used by ancient Peruvians to produce their work in ceramics and metal, huaco pottery, gold and silver pieces with semiprecious stones and erotic art pieces.

Enjoy a guided tour around one the most impressive collections of pre Colombian art and artefacts in the world. Privately owned and housed in a pretty 18th century building, this museum showcases chronological galleries that provide a thorough overview of 4,000 years of Peruvian pre-Columbian history.