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Highlights
Spend three days trekking through Peru’s epic mountains on the Palomino Pass trekking tour
Spend three days totally immersed in the mountain culture of the Camino de Apu Ausangate.
Test your hiking chops but skip the technical climbs as you explore.
Climb to passes at over 5000m of elevation, challenging your body and increasing your skills.
Rest up in authentic mountain tambos, the trekking lodges that serve hikers in this region.
The Lodge-Based Palomani High Pass Trek takes you up into the mountains of Peru. This three-day trek in the Vilcanota´s Cordillera follows a route called the “Camino del Apu Ausangate.” This route takes you in close proximity to the highest Sacred Mountain in the vicinity of Cusco. The views will be unlike anything you’ve experienced before!
Your treks will be accompanied by llamas and horses that will carry your gear. These are owned by shepherds of the community of Chillca who are proud to share their land with you. On your hikes and in the 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. At night after your hikes, you’ll enjoy authentic vernacular music played by locals and the chance to admire the stars over your mountain paradise.
The Lodge-Based Palomani High Pass Trek takes you up into the mountains of Peru. This three-day trek in the Vilcanota´s Cordillera follows a route called the “Camino del Apu Ausangate.” This route takes you in close proximity to the highest Sacred Mountain in the vicinity of Cusco. The views will be unlike anything you’ve experienced before!
Your treks will be accompanied by llamas and horses that will carry your gear. These are owned by shepherds of the community of Chillca who are proud to share their land with you. On your hikes and in the 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. At night after your hikes, you’ll enjoy authentic vernacular music played by locals and the chance to admire the stars over your mountain paradise.
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The Lodge-Based Palomani High Pass Trek Itinerary
Day 1 Cusco – Chillca
This adventure begins with an early morning departure from Cusco along the lusg Vilcanota Valley to the village of Checacupe. After a brief visit to its colonial Church of the Immaculate Conception, you will travel through the Pitumarca Valley and the spectacular Japura Gorge to arrive at the town of Chillca, where you’re greeted by the community. From here, it’s a short, easy walk to your first lodge.
Once settled, you’ll have time to relax and enjoy music provided by Chillca’s traditional musicians.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Chillca (4,369m/14,334ft)
Distance: 2 hrs, 3.3km
Meals: Lunch, dinner, snacks
Day 2 Chillca – Machuracay
Get an early start hiking through the wide valley of Upis where impressive glaciated mountains loom above the valley, offering majestic views. The trail narrows as you make your way towards the waterfalls descending from Santa Catalina Mountain. This path is mostly used by the wandering llamas of the area.
Once you reach the small Paloma Lagoon, the countryside will be dotted with llamas as well as plenty of alpacas. After hiking along a second lagoon and crossing a long series of moraines you will reach Machuracay Tambo Lodge, located right at the bottom of Apu Ausangate.
Overnight Location: Lodge at Apu Ausangate (4,850m/15,846ft)
Distance: 6 hrs, 9.9km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
Day 3 Machuracay – Cusco
After a demanding ascent of the Palomani Pass at an elevation of 5,200m, you will descend to Ausangatecocha. Breathtaking views of the glaciated south face of the Apu will inspire you as you continue towards the red sandstone formations of the Nevado Del Inca.
By the time you get down into the valley, your bus will be waiting for the return trip to Cusco.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 4 hrs, 7.2km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodge-Based Palomani High Pass Trek Price and Dates
This guided tour is run either as a mixed group on a scheduled departure. Private departures are available on request. Prices below are per person:Accommodation on the Lodge-Based Palomani High Pass Trek
This trek is based in lodges with spectacular views. The rooms in the lodges are double occupancy.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Standard rooms are of double occupancy and those wishing to have single rooms can pay a supplement of USD262.
What’s Included in the Lodge-Based Palomani High Pass Trek?
Meals
2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, and snacks are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 2 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes private transport for you to Chillca and back to Cusco. It does not include flights to and from Peru. While on the trail, hikers will need to carry a daypack (camera equipment, water bottle, extra layers, rain gear, and other accessories you might need on the trail.) Horses and llamas will carry your duffle bag to the next lodge.
Also Included
- English-speaking guide
- Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- Waterproof bags for the baggage carried by llamas
- First aid kit and oxygen
Not included
- Flights to and from Peru/Cusco, or any kind of transport before or after completion of the program
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Travel insurance
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the trek
- Single occupnacu upgrades
- How hard is the Lodge-Based Palomani High Pass Trek?
- How can I prepare to hike at high elevation?
- When is the best time to travel to Peru for this tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Peru?
- Are meals included on the Lodge-Based Palomani High Pass Trek?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Cusco to start this tour?
- Is the Lodge-Based Palomani High Pass Trek in English?
- Where does the Lodge-Based Palomani High Pass Trek end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Peru?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Peru?
We rate this tour as a 5/5. You will be hiking up to mountain passes at altitudes of about 5,000 meters. We strongly recommend an acclimatization stage of 2-3 days prior to starting the tour and previous hiking experience, especially at high altitudes, is recommended.
There are a few things you can do to make hiking at high elevation more comfortable: arrive at the tour starting point early for an initial acclimatization stage. The recommended length of this stage depends on the altitude you’re used to, but generally 2-3 days is recommended. Drink lots of water while hiking. If you start to experience a headache, nausea, dizziness, or confusion, let your guide know right away. They will be equipped to handle any signs of altitude sickness as required.
The best time to do this tour is between April and November when the weather is most favourable for hiking.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, and snacks are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport (CUZ) from where you will be picked up and taken to Chillca.
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
The trekking ends in Chillca from where you’ll be transported back to Cusco.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Customer Ratings
Andean Lodges is a Cusco-based company, founded in 2006 in association with the people of the peasant communities of Chillca and Osefina. The company’s goal is to offer unique trekking and lodging experiences on the Apu Ausangate Route, with a focus on community-based rural tourism, and to promote the development of these communities.
