From the Heart of the Jungle to the Sacred Mountain: A Luxury Expedition Through the Amazon & Ausangate 16d/15n - Peru Tour
This 16-day expedition is a journey into Peru's most powerful destinations. Designed for intrepid adventurers. It’s a sublime expedition with impressive contrasts, uniting the infinite exuberance of the Amazon basin with the stark, multicolored beauty of the Cordillera Vilcanota. The adventure begins with five days of jungle immersion on board the exclusive Zafiro cruise. Then, the tour ascends to the Andean heavens to beat the legendary Ausangate circuit. A challenging luxury camping trek that surrounds one of the most sacred mountains in the Andes and culminates at the iconic Rainbow Mountain. With a perfect guidance of our specialist naturalist guides in the Amazon and an elite mountain team in the Andes. This journey involves a deep connection between two of the world's most impressive ecosystems.
16 Day Peru Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Lima, the Journey's Start
Your grand Peruvian adventure begins with your arrival in the capital, Lima. Upon arrival, a team representative will welcome you and arrange your private transfer to a luxury hotel, where you can rest and recover from your journey.
Day 2: Flight to Iquitos & Start of the Amazon Journey
After breakfast, a guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to Iquitos. A private transfer will take you on a scenic drive to the port of Nauta, where you will board the Zafiro luxury cruise. You will be greeted by the crew and meet your specialist naturalist guide, who will provide you with all the information that you need for the next few days in the amazon.
Day 3: Exploring the Pacaya Samiria Reserve
The day offers a cultural immersion. You will visit an authentic riverbank community, where your guide will facilitate a genuine interaction. Later, you will witness the union of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, the exact spot where the stunning Amazon River is born.
Day 4: Riverbank Culture & the Birth of the Amazon
The day offers a cultural immersion. You will visit an authentic riverbank community, where your guide will facilitate a genuine interaction. Later, you will witness the union of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, the exact spot where the stunning Amazon River is born.
Day 5: Secrets of the Forest Canopy
Your guide will lead you on a walk across an impressive canopy bridge system, which offers a unique perspective of the forest canopy. Here you will comprehend the complex ecosystem that thrives in the treetops, an ecology lesson taught by a professional guide.
Day 6: Disembarkation & Flight to Cusco, Capital of the Incas
After the final breakfast at the Zafiro Cruise, you will disembark to visit the Amazon Rescue Center. Our guides will escort you to the Iquitos airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in the capital of the Inca Empire, you will be greeted and transferred to your luxury hotel. Neccesary to begin the crucial process of acclimatization.
Day 7: Acclimatization and Light Exploration in Cusco
This day is vital for adapting to Cusco's 3,400 m (11,152 ft) altitude. Enjoy a relaxed day. In the afternoon, your guide will take you on a walking tour to the historic center, where you’ll be visiting the Plaza de Armas and the bohemian San Blas neighborhood, explaining the city's history without excessive physical exertion.
Day 8: Preparation & Journey to Ausangate's Start
In the morning, you will have a detailed briefing with your certified mountain guide, who will verify the trekking gear and itinerary. After lunch, a private vehicle will take you south from Cusco, gradually ascending through a charming valley to the community of Chillca. Here, your first luxury campsite awaits, ready to offer a comfortable night before the trek.
Day 9: Trek Start - To Pucacocha Camp
The trekking adventure begins. After a nutritious breakfast, your hiking journey will start. Ascending gently through alpine valleys inhabited by herds of alpacas and llamas. The specialist mountain guide will set a steady pace, allowing you to enjoy the landscape dominated by the imposing snowy face of the "Apu" Ausangate. You will arrive at the campsite on the shores of the red-colored Pucacocha lagoon, where you will spend the night.
Day 10: Crossing Apacheta Pass & Ausangate Base Camp
Today you will face the first major challenge: the ascent to the Apacheta pass (4,850 m / 15,912 ft). The effort is considerable, but your expert guide will manage the pace to ensure your success. The reward is spectacular panoramic views. After the descent, you will arrive at Ausangate base camp, a place of awe-inspiring beauty, where you can relax and recover surrounded by glaciers.
Day 11: The Palomani Pass & Jampa Valley
This is the most demanding and spectacular day of the expedition. You will face the ascent of the highest pass of the route, the Palomani pass (5,200 m / 17,060 ft). The extreme altitude demands great strength, but under the close supervision and leadership of your certified mountain guide, you will reach the summit for a 360-degree view that will leave you breathless. The descent will take you through a valley of incredible beauty to the campsite at Jampa.
Day 12: Towards the Rainbow Mountain
Today's hike leads you towards one of Peru's most famous natural phenomena. After crossing the final pass, Jampa, the trail descends towards the ravine that shelters the famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). You will have time to explore and photograph this geological wonder before heading to your final campsite, strategically located to enjoy the tranquility of the area.
Day 13: End of Trek & Return to Cusco
Enjoy your last breakfast in the Andes. A short final walk will take you to the point where your private vehicle awaits. You will bid farewell to your team of muleteers and begin the journey back to Cusco. You will arrive at your hotel in the afternoon, with time for a well-deserved hot shower and a celebratory dinner to commemorate your incredible achievement.
Day 14: Recovery Day in Cusco
After the intensity of the trek, this day is entirely dedicated to rest and recovery. You can opt for a therapeutic massage, explore the shops and galleries of Cusco at a comfortable pace, or simply relax in the ease of your luxury hotel.
Day 15: Flight to Lima & International Connection
Enjoy your final morning in the imperial capital. At the appropriate time, a guide will escort you to the Cusco airport for your flight to Lima, where you will connect with your flight back home.
Day 16: Arrive Home
Arrive in your home city.
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16 Day Peru Itinerary Includes
- Services of our team of experts
- All land and air transport specified in the itinerary
- Accommodation as specified
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Excursions as specified in the itinerary
- Entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
16 Day Peru Itinerary Does not Include
- Meals other than specified
- Domestic and International flights
- Tips and gratuities
- Meals as specified
- Airport taxes, when not included in the tickets
- Optional excursions
16 Day Peru Itinerary Highlights
- Deep Jungle Expedition: Immerse yourself for 5 days in the biodiversity of the Amazon aboard the Zafiro luxury cruise, with excursions led by your specialist naturalist guide.
- Sacred Ausangate Circuit: Complete one of the most beautiful high-altitude treks in the world, circumnavigating the sacred "Apu," under the supervision and safety of a certified mountain guide.
- The Rainbow Mountain: Witness the geological wonder of Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain, as the culmination of a demanding Andean traverse.
Travel Tips
This is a journey of extremes: High-quality gear is essential, from lightweight clothing for the jungle to a -10°C (14°F) sleeping bag and thermal wear for the nights in Ausangate.
Physical preparation is essential: Regular cardiovascular training and long-distance hiking experience are necessary to enjoy this trek and avoid any problems.
Acclimatization is key: Follow your guide's recommendations on hydration, diet, and pacing from the moment you arrive in Cusco
Physical preparation is essential: Regular cardiovascular training and long-distance hiking experience are necessary to enjoy this trek and avoid any problems.
Acclimatization is key: Follow your guide's recommendations on hydration, diet, and pacing from the moment you arrive in Cusco
Fitness Requirements
This is a highly strenuous itinerary suited for experienced mountaineers with great cardiovascular fitness who are used to multi-day, high-alpine trekking. It requires that you walk 6-8 hours daily and do high passes above 5,000 meters (16,400 ft).
Weather Preparedness
Amazon (Iquitos): Hot and humid tropical climate (82-95°F).
Andes (Ausangate Trek): Very Extreme and Unpredictable Weather. Intense sun and strong winds during the day, and freezing nights reaching temperatures as low as -10 °C (14°F). Snow can occur on high passes
Andes (Ausangate Trek): Very Extreme and Unpredictable Weather. Intense sun and strong winds during the day, and freezing nights reaching temperatures as low as -10 °C (14°F). Snow can occur on high passes
Accomodation
Based on a DBL accommodations.
Frecuently Asked Questions
What type of comfort will I find at the campsites on the Ausangate trek?
Our luxury camping service maximizes comfort in what will be a remote, high-altitude setting. Spoiling you with roomy luxury tents, a proper sleeping bag, dining tent for enjoying your meals prepared by our camp chef. But this is camping, not staying in lodges.
Is the Ausangate trek better than the other, more famous treks in Cusco?
Not “better”, it is different and a lot more strenuous. The Ausangate circuit, instead of concentrating on Inca ruins, focuses on overpowering natural beauty, the spiritual nature of mountains, and physical challenge. It is a route for true nature lovers, with fewer crowds and a greater sense of being in the wilderness.
What is the key challenge of this trip?
The altitude, for sure! The Ausangate circuit is nearly 100% above 4,000 meters and goes over passes near, and perhaps over, 5,000 meters. Energy management and acclimatization, under the professional supervision of your expert mountain guide, is the most important aspect to a successful trip.
Why travel with us?
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