Wild trek through Ausangate and Callangate

Lima to Cusco by plane, then a short transfer to the hotel. Free day to acclimatize to the new altitude. Meals are at the client's expense.

We travel by vehicle to the ruins of Tambomachay, the starting point of our hike. The trail first leads us through a small hamlet overlooking the site, before crossing a mountain range to reach the vast pastures of the Andean highlands. Along the way, we skirt several lagoons until we reach a ridge offering a breathtaking view of Laguna Coricancha. After a picnic lunch in this majestic setting, a gentle descent takes us to the lake's edge, which we skirt before arriving at the village of Patabamba (3,860 m).

Upon waking, we pass through the village of Patambamba before heading towards the famous terraced crops.

The trail, which forms a magnificent natural balcony overlooking the Sacred Valley, offers exceptional panoramic views of the Urubamba mountain range. On a clear day, the Sahuasiray and Chicon glaciers are visible on the horizon. We then pass through the village of Qquencco before arriving at a small hamlet where we will have lunch.

At the entrance to the LeonPunku canyon, Inca ruins bear witness to ancient history. We will then descend via a magnificent Inca trail that opens onto a narrow, steep-sided valley. After a final traverse along the mountainside, the first terraces of Huchuy Qosqo – “little Cusco” in Quechua – come into view.

The evening takes place at a local's home, in a hamlet located near the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo (3,700 m), where we will have dinner and spend the night.

We begin the day by going up the narrow valley that stretches above the Huchuy Qosqo site.

The trail offers a beautiful view of the ruins, then leads us to a vast area of ​​magnificently preserved Inca agricultural terraces. Gradually, we reach a pass at 4,400 meters above sea level. There, an exceptional panorama unfolds before us: the peaks of the Urubamba mountain range stretch as far as the eye can see, while in the distance, the imposing silhouette of Ausangate, emblem of the Vilcanota mountain range, stands out.

The descent that follows crosses a remote valley leading to a vast glacial cirque, before joining an ancient Inca trail bordered by stone walls and vegetation. At the end of the route, we walk through a wooded area of ​​pines and shrubs, offering a superb view of Laguna Piuray.

We have a picnic near the village of Tauca, before ending the day in a local house located on the edge of the lake.

Dinner and overnight stay with a local family at Laguna Piuray (3,700 m).

We begin the day with a hike through a narrow valley which we follow towards the heights of Chinchero.

Along the way, we join an old Inca trail which descends gently, following the course of small waterfalls.

We stop for a picnic lunch along the way, in a peaceful setting. The descent takes us to the village of Urquillos, nestled at an altitude of 2,900 meters. After wandering through the village streets, we reach the main square where our vehicle awaits us for the return transfer to Cusco.

We arrive in Cusco in the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight stay in the imperial city.

Early in the morning, we will set off to explore a local market in order to familiarize ourselves with Peruvian cuisine.

We will then continue the experience in a restaurant where a culinary workshop will introduce us to the preparation of traditional dishes.

Enjoy a friendly lunch on site.

The afternoon is left free to explore Cusco at your own pace or simply relax.

Dinner and overnight stay in Cusco.

Early departure to reach Tinki (3,800 m) by private vehicle, taking the transoceanic road that connects Peru to Brazil.

Upon arrival, we meet our team of muleteers, who will accompany us throughout the trek.

We then begin our trek, leaving the village along a track that crosses a vast high-altitude plain. The trail leads us across the Andean highlands to the isolated hamlet of Upis. Continuing through a marshy valley facing the imposing Ausangate, we reach the natural hot springs.

It is near these thermal pools, at the foot of the glaciers, that we set up our first camp, at an altitude of approximately 4,400 meters.

We leave our camp in the early morning to begin the ascent towards the Arapa pass, located at an altitude of 4,710 meters.

Along the way, it's not uncommon to spot vicuñas and viscachas, emblematic species of the Andean highlands. Once over the pass, we begin the descent towards the Pucacocha lagoons, which we pass to reach the turquoise waters of Pumacocha.

After lunch, we continue our trek alongside the impressive Ausangate glaciers, whose tongues of ice descend into the valley. A final climb takes us to the Apacheta pass (4,600 m), before descending via a trail to Laguna Ausangatecocha, where we will camp for the night (4,650 m).

Today we will cross the highest point of our route: the Palomani pass, perched at an altitude of 5,100 meters.

From this spectacular viewpoint, a breathtaking panorama unfolds before us, encompassing the imposing Ausangate massif and the region's characteristic red-hued mountains. The descent then leads us to the vast grassy expanses of the Finaya pampa.

We continue with a short climb that takes us into a new high-altitude valley. It is at Jampa, at 4,600 meters, that we will set up camp for two nights, facing the impressive walls of the Tres Picos massif, which dominates the landscape.

This looped day will be dedicated to exploring the heights of the Jampamayo river valley.

This rugged massif of Tres Picos is often frequented by large herds of vicuñas, emblematic of these wild expanses.

We continue our ascent towards the summit of Huayruro Punco Sud, which rises to 5,350 meters. This natural viewpoint offers breathtaking views of the entire mountain range, among the most spectacular of the trek. Although the altitude is significant, the climb remains manageable and presents no technical difficulties.

At the end of the day, we descend slowly back to our camp established at Jampa (4,600 m).

We leave our camp to begin the ascent towards the Jampa pass, located at an altitude of 5,000 meters.

The trail winds its way at the foot of the imposing glaciers of the Callangate massif, offering a magnificent setting throughout the ascent. On the other side of the pass, we begin the descent towards the Comercocha lagoons, nestled in a mountain setting.

We then continue with a long, gradual descent that leads us to the hamlet of Pacchanta (4,320 m). Here, a well-deserved reward awaits us: natural hot springs, ideal for relaxing while enjoying a magnificent view of Ausangate.

We leave the hamlet at dawn to begin the ascent of the first pass at 4,650 meters altitude.

From this high point, a spectacular view opens up over the entire Callangate massif, which we will skirt along its northern slope. Little explored, this remote mountain range marks the last mountain barrier before the vast Amazonian plains that stretch further east.

In the early afternoon, we reach Laguna Armacocha (4,560 m), nestled at the foot of Nevado Callangate, an iconic peak in the area. We then continue our ascent, crossing a final pass at 4,780 meters, before descending into a secluded valley.

This is where you'll find the superb Singrenacocha lagoon (4,340 m), considered one of the most beautiful glacial lagoons in the entire region.

In the morning, we cross the last pass of the trek, located at an altitude of 4,800 meters.

From this point, the landscape changes dramatically as you descend into the valley, dominated by the sacred mountain of Colque Cruz. The proximity of the tropics is felt through the denser vegetation and the characteristic presence of bofedales, the Andean peat bogs essential to the local ecosystem.

In the mid-afternoon, we rejoined the transoceanic route we had left at the start, at Tinqui. From there, a private transfer took us back to Cusco, marking the end of this adventure.

Transfer to Cusco airport. Meals at client's expense

Arrived in France