This challenge is what many enthusiasts consider to be Peru's most stunning trek: the Ausangate climb. Your adventure begins with a visit to the Imperial City, Cusco, selected as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. On the way to Ausangate, you'll discover several relics of the Inca civilization and will cross paths with a unique people, as well as many alpaca and vicuna herds. Higher up, the undisputed champions of the Andes, the condors, along with the snow-capped mountaintops, the multicoloured lagoons and the thousand-year-old glaciers all combine for a breathtaking spectacle!
Joining of the other participants at Montreal - Trudeau airport and flight to Lima. Overnight flight.
Dinner and overnight in flight
Breakfast on board.
Morning arrival in Lima and continue to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco, private transfer to your hotel. Meeting with your guide and lunch near your hotel, to welcome you to the "navel" of the Andes.
In the afternoon, a private French-speaking tour of the Cusco imperial city, classified such as a world heritage site by UNESCO. It is one of the most beautiful cities in South America. The city built by the Inca is perched at 3,400m altitude.
Visit of the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) built in 1440 by the Incas, then walk about 3 hours to discover the city and the colorful market of San Pedro.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Cusco.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Breakfast at your hotel.
Departure from your hotel to climb the mountains behind the western sector of the Cusco Valley, around the Occopata village.
Walk On the Chinchasuyo Inca road, or the Occopata Inca road. At the time of the Incas, this road was a real highway, composed of porters and chaski, these famous fast messengers of the empire, connecting the capital of the Empire to the sea.
Overnight in Cusco.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Discovery of the Cusco south valley, also very rich in Inca sites going through typical villages as such Saya and Andahuaylillas.
Then visit the Tipon Incas ruins, in tribute to the water, with its fountains carved in the mountains, today this site is used for several inca ceremonies still practiced by a handful of faithful.
In the afternoon, visit the Inca fortress that closed the Valley to the invaders and visit the impressing pre-inca site of the Huari culture, the first that populated the valley.
At the end of the afternoon, we climb, by vehicle, the Ocongate high plateau, in the heart of the Vilcanota mountain range.
Overnight in lodge, bordering the Tinky River with a mountain view.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Breakfast at the lodge.
Departure by vehicle to Tinki, located 15 minutes from the lodge.
From Tinki, preparation and meeting with your muleteers. Far off, Ausangate Mount in all its splendor, which you will discover during this trek from all angles!
The day is all uphill, but a gradual climb of 13km, the well-marked trail climbs slowly between the hills from 3,800m to 4,400m. Around you, fields as far as the eye can see of multiple cultures, and small country houses, children walking towards the school of the village, herds of sheep.
As you progress, houses will become scarce, fields will be replaced by high altitude vegetation, and flocks of llamas will replace the ubiquitous sheep during your andean stay. Finally, you will pass the Upis hamlet to enter the Upismavo quebrada. At the bottom of the quebrada, the Upis rustic hot springs.
Camp near the hot springs.
Elevation: + 700m, - 100m / Distance: 13km
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Breakfast at the lodge.
Gradual and easy climb through a set of pretty lakes at the foot of the north-east face of Ausangate: Comercocha and Murococha lagunas (4,600m), pretty turquoise lakes. Horizontal path then easy descent to the Ticclacocha laguna, also in a very high mountain atmosphere with the sharp tip of the nevado Puca Punta just above our heads.
Overnight in camp.
Elevation: + 990m, - 695m / Distance: 16km
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Breakfast at your camp.
Departure from Jampapampa to go around Ausangate Mount, following its glacier tongues, passing by fabulous landscapes and several small glacial lakes. Crossing the Palomino Pass at 5,100m above sea level, the highest of the trek. The view of the glacial mountains and lakes is sublime. Descent to the beautiful Ausangatecocha lake, not far from which we spend the night.
Overnight in camp.
Elevation: + 830m, - 795m / Distance: 12km
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Breakfast at your camp.
Today, we hike over a pass at 4,800 meters of altitude to get down the other side, to the Jatunpucacocha ("big red lake", 4,580m). The path runs along the south side of the Ausangate (gigantic glacier) following a small river before turning west, moving away from the Ausangate area to approach the famous Vinicunca Mount commonly known as "Rainbow Mountain". Roller coasters in the high altitude hills, to reach the small community of Anantapa.
Overnight in camp.
Elevation: + 250m, - 330m / Distance: 9km
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Breakfast at your camp.
Hike over Huasacocha pass, at 5,000m. Then descent to a valley where it is possible to observe from a distance Vinicunca mount and its explosion of colors. Crossing a second pass to approach the foot of Vinicunca mount (5,050m), the "rainbow mountain". This mountain is the very particular consequence of sediments accumulation over millions of years. It is only the result of the time that has mixed red iron oxide, green copper sulphate and yellow sulfur. Gradual descent from the heights of Vinicunca following a narrow valley to reach the Chilca broad Andean valley.
Overnight in camp in Chilca.
Elevation: + 610m, - 990m / Distance: 16km
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Breakfast at your camp.
Departure from the small village of Chilca to descend into a valley that turns into a canyon, then takes an old Inca road still used today by the shepherds of the region and their herds of llamas. At the end of this path our vehicle is waiting for us. Loading, goodbye to our team and return road to Cusco passing by Checacupe. Festive dinner to finish the trip in style.
Overnight at your hotel in Cusco.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Elevation: + 90m, - 270m / Distance: 6 km
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport to take the domestic flight to Lima. Arrival at Lima airport, your private French-speaking guide and your vehicle will be waiting for you to visit the various districts of Lima's sprawling capital of Peru. Visit the colonial center, Plaza San Martin, the Plaza Mayor with its most important buildings such as the Palace of the Government, the Cathedral of Lima, the Palace Arzobiscal ... etc. Visit of the catacombs of the city, dating from the 17th century. This part of the visit is mostly done by walking. Then pass through the district of San Isidro where lives the elite of the country, and by the charming student district of Barranco.
Last stage, the huge district of Miraflores, a city in the city, now the new center of Lima. Passage to several points of interest including the Parque del Amor, to finish at Larcomar center where there are several terraces overlooking the sea. Free time in Miraflores.
Your vehicle will pick you up and take you back to the airport 3 hours before your international night flight to Montreal.
Breakfast and lunch included.
Arrival in Montreal.
In order to be comfortable throughout your adventure, it's essential to bring the right equipment. The secret is to protect the most vulnerable parts of your body against heat, cold and moisture. Always pack warm clothing and waterproof hiking shoes. You may want to consider bringing along a toque and even a walking stick. Choose a light backpack and carry nothing but the essentials for your journey. Check out our tool box section for more tips and tricks.
Even though the CRS Challenge is a personal experience, it's also a group adventure. Our team of experts will provide you with useful advice and the answers to all of your questions from the moment you register to the moment you return. We have mastered the art of logistics, thanks to our knowledge of the destinations we offer and the fact that we organize several challenges every year, making your overall experience all the more enjoyable.
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