Dominating the horizon south of Cuzco, the magnificent peak of Ausangate (6,333 meters) is the highest and most sacred mountain in Southern Peru. For centuries it has been central to the religious beliefs of the Andean people and pilgrimages to its icy slopes - which since the Spanish conquest have become a hybrid of indigenous and Catholic rites - are still made by local people. The scenery of Ausangate is a spectacular with it's snow capped peaks and glaciers that look down impassively on seemingly endless grasslands studded with turquoise lakes and thermal pools. In the area you can see herds of llamas and alpacas that graze under the watchful eyes of their owners, who live in the same isolated and picturesque villages that their ancestors founded countless generations ago. This trip is culturally enriched and as well a hearty trek for the avid outdoors person.

Day 1 - Cuzco - Ocongate - Tinki
Morning you will be met by our guide and transferred by private bus heading southeast of Cuzco, passing interesting sights like Pikillacta, Andahuaylillas, Qatca and Ocongate, where we will make brief stops. The landscape will begin to change gradually as we climb from the green Vilcanota valley up to the dry arid mountains inhabited by thousands of people who live from livestock herding and agriculture when the rainy season transforms the area. In the afternoon we will get our first view of the majestic Vilcanota mountain range, including the peaks of Ausangate and Colqe Cruz. We will camp that night close to the village of Tinki. ( B/L/D )

Day 2 - Tinki - Upis
An easy first day. We will cross the Mapocho River, which is one of the principal sources of the Amazon, and walk across the plains of ichu, a coarse grass which is abundant in this area, which the American cameloids graze on and local people use to thatch their roofs. Along the way we will see a number of homes that will be of interest to photographers as we approach the Ausangate massif, a 6,372 meter peak which has been considered sacred since time immemorial. We will camp that night close to the thermal baths at Upis, where we will have the opportunity to bathe in the medicinal waters. ( B/L/D )

Day 3 - Upis - Pucacocha
Accompanied by our own personnel and beasts of burden that will carry our equipment and food we will conquer the first pass at 4500 meters. From there we will head to the Pucacocha lagoon at 4400 meters which lies close to our next campsite. ( B/L/D )

Day 4 - Pucacocha - Palomani - Chilca
Today we will cross the highest pass at Palomani (4800m). We will leave early, keeping Ausangate to our left and passing groups of grazing llamas and alpacas. As we cross the pass we will be met by spectacular views of the southeastern mountain range, including the peaks of Mariposa and Caracol. If we are lucky then we may spot a solitary condor, the world's largest bird, flying high above us, and close to the highland lewd will observe many other species of birds and perhaps deer, vicuna and the vizcacha, a rabbit-like rodent. We will then descend towards Pampacancha at 4,650 m along the Jampamayo River to the community of Jampa, before arriving at Chilca, where we will camp. ( B/L/D )

Day 5 - Chilca - Q�omercocha
Around the shores of the Ticllacocha lagoon, our route takes us up to the last pass at 4,650 meters among the mountains of the Vilcanota range, before descending towards the beautiful turquoise and green lagoon at Q'omercocha, where we will establish that night's campsite. ( B/L/D )

Day 6 - Q�omercocha - Pajchanta
We will continue to make a slow descent towards the community of Pajchanta, whose residents live from livestock herding and agriculture. We will also
pass thermal baths where we will be able to stop to rest and bathe in an extraordinarily beautiful place with views of the surrounding mountains. ( B/L/D )

Day 7 - Pajchanta - Tinki - Cuzco
After breakfast we will make the short walk to the village of Tinki,
where our trek began and depart in our private vehicle will back to Cuzco.
After your arrival into the Cuzco you will return to your hotel. ( B/L )