One day trip Sacred Valley
The trip is Sacred Valley, the daily trip is wonderful, the guide Grobert and the driver are nice. We enjoyed the full trip.
Ausangate Trekking 2 Days with Upis and 7 Lakes
- Duration 2 Days
- Type Group or private
- Group Size Up to 8 people
- Languages English, Spanish
From $297.00 / Person
Overview
Step beyond your limits and explore the breathtaking wilderness of Ausangate on an unforgettable 2-day trekking adventure. Journey through spectacular valleys, towering snow-covered mountains, and remarkable high-altitude landscapes. Along the trail, admire the vibrant colors of the glacial lakes that make this region of the Peruvian Andes so unique. Join us and experience the incredible natural beauty of the Vilcanota Mountain Range.
Trip Details
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Pacchanta – 7 Lakes of Ausangate
Early Pickup & Breakfast at Pacchanta
We collect you from your hotel early in the morning for a 3-hour drive to the Andean village of Pacchanta. On arrival, a hearty breakfast awaits at our exclusive campsite, set beneath the snowy peaks of Ausangate.
Hike to the 7 Lakes of Ausangate
After breakfast, we set out to explore the 7 Lakes of Ausangate, a chain of glacial lagoons famous for their vivid, ever-changing colors that reflect the surrounding mountains like mirrors. Along the trail, you will visit:
- The Male and Female Otorongo Lakes
- Azulqocha
- Alqaqocha
- Pukaqocha
- Qomerqocha
- Orqoqocha
Hot Springs & a Night in the Sky Domes
Once you have explored the lakes, we head back to camp for lunch. In the late afternoon, unwind in the natural hot springs located just below our exclusive Sky Dome Camps, then enjoy dinner and a cozy night in your dome.
- Distance: 11.2 km / 7 miles
- Highest Point: 4,547 m / 14,918 ft
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Exclusive Sky Dome Camps at Pacchanta with beds, private bathrooms, and hot showers
- Day Highlights: Explore the lakes at a relaxed pace and spend the night in our private Sky Domes
Day 2: Pacchanta – Upis – Upis Lake – Cusco
Through Remote Andean Villages
Your guide wakes you early with a warm cup of tea. After breakfast, the trek continues through a series of small, remote villages where life still follows ancient Andean traditions, crossing several streams along the way until we reach the small community of Upis, where lunch is served.
Upis Lake & Return to Cusco
After lunch, we hike uphill for about an hour to Upis Lake, where you can explore the shoreline and admire the glaciers that surround it. We then walk back down to Upis, where our van is waiting to take you back to Cusco.
- Distance: 13.2 km / 8.2 miles
- Highest Point: 4,547 m / 14,918 ft
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day Highlights: Discover the daily life of remote highland communities that keep their culture alive, and explore Upis Lake
Inclusions
What Is Included in the 2-Day Ausangate Trek?
- Private Transport: From Cusco to Pacchanta at the start of the trek, and from Upis back to Cusco at the end.
- Professional Guide: Experienced guide who speaks fluent English.
- Meals: All meals listed in the itinerary.
- Exclusive Sky Dome Camps: One night in our unique Sky Domes at Pacchanta, equipped with real beds, private bathrooms, and hot showers, an experience you will not find with other operators.
- Personal Luggage: A duffel bag for your extra belongings, with up to 7 kg (15 lbs) carried by our horses.
- Pack Horses: Horses to carry all group equipment, including food, tents, and tables.
- Safety Equipment: First-aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.
What Is Not Included?
- Dinner on Day 2: After you return to Cusco.
- Trekking Poles: $10 USD per pair for the whole trek (professional, adjustable poles).
- Tips: Optional gratuities for your guide, cook, and horsemen.
Price
Ausangate Trek 2 Days Price 2026
The 2-Day Ausangate Trek runs on almost any date that fits your plans, with a minimum of 2 trekkers.
| Service Option | Price per Person (USD) | Details |
| Ausangate Trek 2 Days | $297 USD | Includes 1 night in the exclusive Sky Domes at Pacchanta |
Optional Extra
- Trekking Poles: $10 USD per pair for the whole trek.
Packing List
What to Pack for the 2-Day Ausangate Trek
Essentials
- Original Passport: It must be the same passport you used to book.
- Daypack: A comfortable, compact backpack (the smaller, the better).
- Water Bottles: 2 to 3 liters of capacity in reusable bottles (please avoid disposable plastic).
- Hiking Boots: Comfortable boots with good ankle support.
- Headlamp: Essential.
- Toilet Paper
Your Duffel Bag (Max 7 kg / 15 lbs)
We give you a duffel bag at your briefing, and an extra pack horse carries up to 7 kg (15 lbs) of your personal items, such as clothing. Peruvian law limits each duffel to 7 kg to protect the health of porters and animals, and every bag is weighed before the trek. Anything over the limit must go in your daypack.
- 2 t-shirts
- At least 2 pairs of hiking pants
- Underwear and 2 to 3 pairs of hiking socks
- Swimsuit for the hot springs
- Fleece or thermal layers
- Warm clothing and a down jacket (night temperatures at camp drop to around 3°C / 37°F)
- Waterproof gloves (ski gloves work well)
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Quick-dry towel (we provide small ones, but you may prefer a larger one)
- Power bank (there is no electricity on the trail)
- Large plastic bags to line your duffel (available at our office)
Toiletries
- Moisturizer
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medication
- First-aid kit with adhesive bandages, moleskin, and similar items
Your Daypack
A small 30L to 40L backpack is ideal for daytime hiking. Everything else stays in your duffel bag, which the horses carry to camp.
- Water (bring your own until the first lunch stop; after that, we refill your bottles with cooled boiled water at every meal)
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Headlamp
- Wool hat and gloves
- Rain jacket and plastic poncho
- Fleece
- Snacks such as chocolate, cereal bars, or dried fruit
- Camera
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and a small bag for your trash
- Cash for souvenirs, drinks, and tips
- Your valuables
What You'll Experience on the Trail
From the terraces of Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate, every step brings you closer to the lost city of the Incas.
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Stop 01 / 03Wiñay Wayna
Its agricultural terraces cover half the mountainside, making it a trail favorite. Its name means "Eternally Young" in Quechua.
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Stop 02 / 03Inti Punku
The "Gate of the Sun" was the main entrance to Machu Picchu and gives you your first view of the citadel, a view you can only earn on the Inca Trail.
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Stop 03 / 03Machu Picchu
By far the most well known UNESCO world heritage site in Peru and the pinnacle of many people's visits to South America. This is where you wanted to be.
Lovely Words From Our Travelers
Real reviews from travelers who explored Machu Picchu and Cusco with us, straight from Tripadvisor, Google and Trustpilot.
Tripadvisor Reviews
Read all on Tripadvisor
Amazing experience with Sam travels
I had the best experience with Sam travels, we had an amazing time doing the 4d Salkantay trek, we had the best weather. Specifically want to mention Josep what an amazing cool guy he was. A real leader, great story teller, motivator and made you feel like you were taking on something special. Secondly another special mention for Andres and his catering team. The food was amazing, real nutritious and energising for the long trekking days.
Finally the horse man Donato, he managed to get all of our fresh clothing to the next camp very efficiently. Highly recommend a trip with this company.
Great experience at short Inca trail
We did the 2-day Short Inca Trail and it was a fantastic experience! Our guide, Fredy Zapata, was excellent. He told us so much about the history of the Incas and the region, and was able to answer every question we had. He did a great job and made the whole experience really enjoyable.
The highlight was definitely arriving at the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu for the first time. An unforgettable experience that we would highly recommend!
Great experience because of the team!
Amazing trip! What a great experience, so well organized. Our guide Josep was a guiding star who knows so much and shared a lot of information. Very kind and helpful in every way. The cooking team of Andres was amazing and we had wonderful and a great variety of meals every evening. Donato the horseman made sure we got our stuff safe and in time to every stop. I could not ask for a better experience to be honest. Especially Josep, thank you for being so flexible, organized and sharing your knowledge.
Unforgettable Salkantay Experience with Sam Travel
We did the Salkantay Trek with SAM Travel and couldn’t have been happier with our choice! Our guide, Josep, was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and passionate. He answered every single one of our questions about nature, history and Peruvian culture honestly, even better than ChatGPT! ;) We especially loved being in such a small group. It made the whole experience feel much more personal, relaxed and authentic.. The accommodations throughout the trek were excellent, and the food prepared by Andrés was absolutely outstanding. We were honestly surprised by the quality and variety of the meals, especially considering we were in the middle of the mountains. We spent a long time researching different companies before booking the Salkantay Trek, and choosing SAM Travel was definitely the right decision. Everything was extremely well organized, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations. We would 100% recommend SAM Travel, and especially Josep and Andrés, to anyone planning to do the Salkantay Trek!
SAM travel
Great trip. Great people. Loved my time with Joseph, Andres, Donato.and Elvis. Amazing world to explore made extra special with great people. Shout to my fellow travellers
Best trek ever!
It was amazing. We had the best Guide with Josep who is Sperling really good English and explaining so many things to us as well as introducing us perfectly to the altitude and the landscape. The Pick Up, accomodation and especially the food was so well organized and delicious. I highly recommend doing this trek, it was spectacular. 😍
Google Reviews
Read all on Google
We had an amazing experience on the 4 day/3 night Salkantay Trek with Sam Travel Peru. Everything was seamless from beginning to end.…
I joined the 2-day, 1-night tour to Cusco and Machu Picchu with SAM TRAVEL, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish.…
We had an incredible time on the 3D/2N Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour and would highly recommend it. It was fantastic to visit some of the highlights of the Sacred Valley, including Pisac, the Maras Salt Mines and Moray on the first…
We did the 4-day Inca Trail with Sam's Travel, and it was an absolutely unforgettable experience. It's something we will cherish for the rest of our lives.…
We had a great time on our 3d/2n tour of the sacred valley and short inca trail. The sacred valley prepared us very well for Macchu Picchu and the information provided was great. Our guide Rolando was very knowledgeable about the inca…
We’ve just done the 4-Days Inca trail with SAM travel. Our main guide Josep was very professional, knowledgeable and considerate. He really made sure that we enjoy the journey and our needs are addressed. Jimmy, our assistant guide, helped…
We had a great experience with Sam Travel Peru. Always felt well taken care of and safe. Our guide, Israel, was friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. The office staff were always quick to reply to emails.…
Trustpilot Reviews
Read all on Trustpilot
Awesome trip with Josef as our guide…
Awesome trip with Josef as our guide Mario the chef with amazing food and porters who were our hero’s.
We booked a day tour for the Rainbow…
We booked a day tour for the Rainbow Mountain and it had been just perfect. Fernando, our guide, was really kind and attentive. All the staff is professional and friendly, totally recommended!
Incredible Salkantay Trek with Exceptional Guide Jhordy
We recently completed the Salkantay Trail trek with Sam Travel, and we couldn't be happier with our experience. Our guide, Jhordy, was exceptional. He was highly professional, providing great insights, facts, and stories that enriched our journey. Jhordy was very patient with us and demonstrated remarkable flexibility, adjusting the itinerary when we weren't feeling our best. We highly recommend Sam Travel, especially Jhordy, for making our trek an incredible time.
