Cordillera Vilconata

This great trek southeast of Cusco will take you to the remote highland savannahs of southern Peru. Loop around the great peaks of Ausangate, Colquecruz and Jampa in a region populated only by herders, weavers and alpacas—a truly spectacular hike.

In order to provide you with the best in-depth experience, we have designed this trip itinerary around the trek to include acclimatization time, and visits to the nearby important archaeological and cultural sites in and around Cusco and Machu Picchu.

2007 Departure Dates: Apr 10-22; May 1-May 13; May 15-27; May 29-June 10; June 12-24; Jun 26-Jul 8; July 10-22; July 31-August 12; August 14-26; Aug 28-Sep 9; Sept 11-23; Oct 2-14; Oct 16-28

All trips depart on Tuesdays, and return on the following Sunday (or Saturday night, depending on your flight preference)

2007 Prices:

• $2115 per person based on double occupancy
• $2565 per person based on single occupancy (sharing while on trek, for a private tent, add $35)

Above rate includes Inca Trail Fees

** DUE TO RECENT TRAIL REGULATIONS, TO RESERVE SPACE ON THIS PROGRAM, WE MUST HAVE YOUR FULL PASSPORT NAME, PASSPORT #, BIRTH-DATE AND NATIONALITY ALONG WITH YOUR DEPOSIT TO REQUEST AND CONFIRM SPACE**

Itinerary

Day 1/Tues: On arrival to Lima , you will need to clear customs and immigration. As you exit the airport, you are met by our local representative, and transferred to the hotel Grand Faraona or similar for a one-night stay.

Day 2/Wed: Early morning flight to Cusco (not included in cost). Transfer to Hotel San Agustin International, Plaza de Armas or similar. Morning free to rest and acclimatize to the 11,600' altitude. Afternoon tour of city and the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko and Tambomachay will give you a good background of the incredible history and culture of the region. (B)

Day 3/Thu: Full day guided tour to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the colorful Indian market in Pisac, full of textiles, and handicrafts. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before you head won the valley to visit Ollantaytambo--a small town surrounded by Incan ruins. Tour the adjacent great fortress for a spectacular view of the Urubamba Valley. Spend tonight at a charming inn located in the valley. (B, L)

Day 4/Fri: You will be transferred by local taxi to the train station at Ollantaytambo, where you will meet the tourist train as it travels from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Meet your guide on board. Transfer to ruins + entrance fee + guided tour + lunch are all included. Be sure to note the time for the last bus down to Aguas Calientes, which is usually around 5:00 PM. Spend the night in this town, conveniently located to restaurants & the bus stop for Machu Picchu, and the train station back to Cusco. (B, L)

Day 5/Sat: Entrance fee to ruins, transportation and breakfast are included to use at your leisure. Plenty of time for hiking options in the area. Late afternoon return by train to Cusco. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where you stay for one night. Tonight you’ll have a briefing by your guide for your upcoming trek. (B)

Day 6/Sun:CUSCO/OCONGATE/TINKI . Pick-up at your hotel in Cusco. Leaving by vehicle southwards we arrive at Huambutio and start our winding ascent to the village of Huancarane. From here we continue over a rolling landscape and at the pass we view the Cordillera Vilcanota on the horizon for the first time. Descend past the village of Ccatca and outlying communities to finally reach Ocongate and a chance for last minute purchases. Continue to Tinki where we set our first camp at 3,800 m. (12,464ft.) near Qoñamuro. (B, L, D)

Day 7/Mon:QOÑAMURO TINKI/UPIS. Start the day visiting a local family and their way of life at the community of Q'oñamuro and then continue across the wide open places above the tree line past small settlements of herders and weavers - their crafts will be on sale. As we slowly approach the northern face of Mt. Ausangate we will run into herds of alpacas. A crew of packhorses and llamas will accompany us along the way. Camp at Upis, with snow capped mountains around us at 4,400 m. (14,432 ft.(Trekking: 5-6 hours, Distance: 9KM/5.4 miles). (B, L, D)

Day 8/Tues: UPIS/AUSANGATECOCHA . Our campsite is left below us as we slowly ascend up Upispampa, getting closer to the north face of Ausangate. An ascent up the Inkapampa valley brings us to the Arapa Pass at 4,670 m. (15,318 ft.). We border and traverse the arid rolling landscape to then slowly descend to the small lakes past the valley of Samacancha to arrive at Lake Pucacocha below one of the Ausangate glaciers - a beautiful blue lake at 4,575m (15,006 ft). If we are lucky, we will hear and see ice falling. Above the lake the rock spire Mt. Sorimana will stand guard. A slow ascent will bring us to the Alcatani pass at 4,650 m. (15,252 ft.). Here we begin our descent to Ausangatecocha - a beautiful campsite with a view of the southern face covered with glacial formations. (Time: 8-9 hours, Distance: 12 KM/7.2 miles) (B, L, D)

Day 9/Wed:AUSANGATECOCHA/PALOMANI/WANUWANU . From Ausangatecocha we start a steep ascent to the Palomani pass at 5,050 m. (16,564 ft.). As we cross into the valley of Machuraqay we will see beautiful views of Mt. Mariposa with its cone peak. We descend to Chillcaphinaya at 4,400 m. (14,432 ft.), a valley filled with grazing Alpacas. The surrounding ridges of the Cordillera Vilcanota have varying hues of rock, sand and reddish earth - a unique Andean panorama. We ascend to the large pampa of Wanu Wanu where we camp at 4,450 m. (14,596 ft.) (Time: 7-8 hrs Distance: 9KM/5.4 miles) (B, L, D)

Day 10/Thu:WANU WANU/NINAPARAYOC/PACCHANTA Walking to the headwaters of WanuWanu, with Mt. Acero looming above us (also known as Huamantilla) we reach the run off from the glacier. As we begin our ascent to the pass of Jampa, Mt. Callangate, with its jagged spires covered in ice, dominates our trek as we edge our way over the pass at 4,950m. (16,236 ft) with its retreating glacier and ice-fields beckoning us closer. We have lunch at Pachapata. The ridge above offers a view of the Lake Qomercocha and Hamacocha. We traverse the ridge and enter the waterhead of Mt. Ninaparayoc with its lake below. A nice walk down this valley with Mt. Ausangate behind us - we have now completed almost a full circle around the mountain. Rolling hills now extend below us as we hike into Pacchanta for a chance to visit the hot springs. (Time: 8 hrs Distance: 11KM/6.6 miles) (B, L, D)

Day 11/Fri: PACCHANTA/TINKI/CUSCO. Leaving our community camp-site with a chance to buy local textiles, we head down to Tinki crossing the vast hills and fields that are occupied by local peasants, until we reach Tinki at midday. After lunch we get in our vehicle returning to Cusco the way we came. Check in to your Cusco hotel for a one night stay. (B)

Day 12/Sat: Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Lima (flights not included in cost). You will be met and transferred to your hotel (day room for those departing on late night flights) with the remainder of the day free to explore Lima on your own. (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

Included: Hotel accommodations as specified, all meals while on the trek, excursions and land transfers as specified, guiding, porters, and common camping equipment.

Not included: Flights and airline taxes of any kind, (flights are required between Lima and Cusco round-trip--approximate price is $240-$280) departure taxes, insurance, and items of a personal nature, such as laundry, phone, personal beverages, excess baggage charges, and gratuities. Additional expenses caused by the delay or extension of a trip due to weather, political disputes, or other causes beyond our control.

Trip Notes:

• The Cordillera Vilcanota is considered a moderate to mostly strenuous trek, including consistent uphill hiking at altitudes of 10-14,000 feet (the highest pass is 16,136’), and campsites mostly over 14,000’ elevation. Participants should be in good physical condition, and maintain a regular exercise program at for at least 3 months prior to their trip. Previous high altitude hiking experience, as well as a pair of broken-in hiking boots are also required!
• This trip requires an addition of domestic flights Lima-Cusco and Cusco-Lima. Our office in Lima will make these arrangements. Ticket prices average between $240 to $280 round-trip, and will be confirmed once we have your trip deposit.
• This trip begins and ends in Lima, Peru, which can be reach by daily flights on a wide variety of airlines. We offer excellent discounted international airfares!
• Additional days can be added in the Cusco/Sacred Valley area for rafting, mountain biking, more hiking, or days at leisure in Cusco. You can also join the group one or two days early in Lima to allow time to explore the museums and historical sites of the city. Please specify any of these preferred options at time of booking
• Extend your stay in Peru with a 4 day package to the Amazon rainforest. Prices start at just $315 per person. See our “Taste of the Amazon” itinerary for details.

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Note Special restrictions apply to Peru departures:

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.