Ausangate Trek To Machupicchu 4D/3N
4 Days
Overview
The 4-Day Andes Trek to Machu Picchu is an unforgettable off-the-beaten-path adventure through the Peruvian Andes. Hike past snow-capped peaks, glacial landscapes, turquoise lakes, and the colorful slopes of Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), before concluding with a guided visit to Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most iconic wonders. A perfect combination of nature, culture, and high-Andes adventure.
Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – UPIS – PUCA COCHA HIKE & SCENIC VIEWS
Start your Ausangate Trek with a 5:00 AM pickup from Cusco and private transport to Upis (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). Meet your expert horsemen, enjoy breakfast, and begin a scenic hike past glacier peaks, turquoise lakes, waterfalls, and roaming llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas.
Ascend to the first mountain pass (5,000 m / 16,404 ft) for panoramic views, then descend to a scenic lunch spot before continuing to Puca Cocha campsite, nestled at the base of Ausangate along a crystal-clear lake. Enjoy stunning sunsets and watch condors soar overhead.
- Distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi
- Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Tea, and Dinner
DAY 2: AUSANGATE ADVENTURE – PUCA COCHA, CHILLCA & YANA COCHA
After breakfast, ascend to Alpaca Pass (5,100 m / 16,732 ft), passing turquoise lakes, waterfalls, and Ausangate Glacier. At the summit, enjoy panoramic views of Chilca Valley and grazing alpacas. Descend to Chilca Valley for lunch before a gradual climb to Vicuña Pass (5,300 m / 17,388 ft), the trek’s highest point, with chances to spot vicuñas and condors.
End the day at Yanacocha Lake campsite, sipping coca tea, enjoying hot drinks, and stargazing under the crystal-clear Andean sky—a perfect setting to connect with the mystical spirit of the Andes.
- Distance: 15 km / 9.5 mi
- Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Tea, and Dinner
DAY 3: YANA COCHA TO RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES ADVENTURE
After breakfast and a warm coca tea, hike to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley (5,200 m / 17,060 ft), enjoying stunning multicolored peaks and panoramic Andean views. Learn about the unique mineral formations while capturing perfect photos of this iconic natural wonder.
Descend through Llacto Valley, enjoy lunch, and then transfer to Ollantaytambo for a scenic 4-hour drive. Board the 7:00 PM train to Aguas Calientes, check into your hotel, and rest for your Machu Picchu adventure the next day.
- Distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Dinner
DAY 4: DISCOVER MACHU PICCHU – JOURNEY BACK TO CUSCO
Today is the highlight of your adventure: Machu Picchu. After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Aguas Calientes and take the bus up to the iconic Inca citadel. Witness the magical sunrise over this legendary site.
Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour, exploring the most important areas while learning about Machu Picchu’s history, architecture, and cultural significance. Optional add-ons include climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for panoramic views (advance reservation required) or visiting the local museum and thermal baths.
After the tour, return to Aguas Calientes for free time and lunch, then take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where private transport returns you to Cusco, completing your unforgettable journey.
Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain – Enjoy breathtaking views from above the citadel. Advance reservation is mandatory due to limited daily permits and requires an additional cost. Tickets must be requested at the time of booking, as availability sells out weeks in advance
Optional Activities: Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, museum, thermal bath
Inclusions
INCLUDED
- Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Cusco is optional
- Pre-departure briefing.
- Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to Upis, starting point of the Ausangate trek 5 Days 4 nights.
- Upis entrance fee.
- Rainbow Mountain entrance fee
- Campsite fees.
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu Archaeological site
- Bus ticket from aguas calientes to Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks.
- One sleeping pad per person.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs.
- Kitchen tent.
- English speaking professional and official tourist guide (2 guides for groups of over 9 people).
- Chef and cooking equipment.
- Pack animals (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment).
- Pack animals to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 7kg per person (including sleeping bag).
- 1 emergency horse every 8 persons.
- Accommodation for all our staff.
- Meals (04B, 04L, 03D.) – Vegetarian, vegan or special diet meals upon request.
- Filtered boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards.
- Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes.
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
- 3* One night accommodation in Aguas Calientes (hot shower, bathroom, private room and breakfast included)
- Expedition Tourist Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and private transportation to Cusco (in our company van)
- Private transport from Rainbow mountain to Cusco.
- Private transport from Rainbow mountain to Cusco.
- All local taxes
NOT INCLUDED
- Sleeping bag.
- Walking Stick.
- Energy snacks which can very useful such as chocolate and granola bars and dried fruits.
- Spending money – allow approximately US$ 35-50 per day to cover meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, tips and any extras.
- Tips for Guide, Cook and horsemen.
- Huayna Picchu Mountain entrance fee
Packing Check List
WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU ?
- Original passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: 2-3L, please bring reusable, not disposable, bottles
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from MACHUPICCHU CONDOR TREK)
- Headlamp: essential
- Toilet paper
WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR DUFFLE BAG (Carried by the horse)
DUFFEL BAG INCLUDED – Travel light and hassle-free! We provide you with a 7 kg / 15 lbs duffel bag, carried by our pack horses. This covers your sleeping bag, pad, and still leaves about 4 kg / 9 lbs for your personal gear. Just focus on enjoying the trek—your essentials are taken care of!
Important: By Peruvian law, no duffel bag may exceed 7 kg (15 lbs). This rule protects the welfare of the pack horses and ensures responsible trekking. All bags will be weighed before departure.
- 4 t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants at least
- 3 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- Fleece/ thermals
- Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º C
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger
- Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash
- Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
- Large plastic bags will be provided at the office to line your duffel
- Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DAY BACKPACK
We highly recommend bringing a small daypack (30–40 liters) to carry your daily essentials. the rest of your belongings will be transported in your duffel bag and available at camp.
water: please bring enough water for the first morning. from the first lunch stop onward, we will provide you with freshly boiled and cooled water at every meal. don’t forget your refillable canteen or water bottle.
recommended packing list:
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Insect repellent
- Headlamp: essential
- Wool hat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
- Rain plastic poncho
- Gloves
- Camera
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
Price
AUSANGATE TREK & MACHUPICCHU 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS PRICE & BOOKINGS
THIS PREMIUM AND EXCLUSIVE AUSANGATE & MACHUPICCHU is available all year round, with flexible departures designed around your travel plans. Enjoy the freedom of a fully personalized journey—confirmed with just 2 participants.
PRIVATE SERVICE (PREMIUM): CUSTOMIZED PRICE PER PERSON
USD 730 per person
These rates include the dedicated service of a pack horse to carry up to 7 kg (15 lbs) of your personal belongings, making your trek lighter and more enjoyable. To keep everything organized, we’ll also provide a durable duffel bag for your gear—so you can simply focus on the adventure ahead!
PLEASE NOTE:
Pricing is determined by the number of participants, as this trek is more exclusive and typically operates with smaller groups of just 2 to 4 people — offering a more personalized and intimate experience compared to the popular 4-day Lares Trek.
*Your rate includes an extra pack horse to carry up to 7 kg of your personal belongings. For your convenience, we’ll provide a durable duffel bag where you can safely pack your items.
AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS:
Students (18–25 years): USD 30 off
A valid student ID is required, showing: university name, student name, photo, and expiration date. A copy must be provided at the time of booking and approved by the government for the discount to apply.Under 18 years old: USD 30 off
Send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.Under 11 years old: USD 40 off
Send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.Groups of 5 or more: USD 30 discount per person – simply book the trek together at the same time.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
Sleeping Bag: USD 20 per person per trek (clean and warm!)
Inflatable Mattress: USD 20 per person per trek (Therm-a-Rest quality)
Professional Trekking Poles: USD 15 per pair per trek (adjustable & lightweight)
Single Tent: USD 30 (for solo travelers only)
Extra Night in Aguas Calientes: From USD 55 per person (subject to availability)
Vistadome Train Upgrade: USD 67 per person (return to Cusco at 4:43 pm)
Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: USD 75 per person (must request at time of booking)
ABOUT HUAYNA PICCHU
Climbing Huayna Picchu is an optional hike inside Machu Picchu. This hike is normally done on your own after the guided tour of the citadel. If you prefer to do it with a private guide, please request it in advance—an additional fee applies.
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