Ausangate and the Inca Trail Deluxe Trek

Small Group Adventure | Local Expert Guide – Life Changing Experience

Adventuredesk Community Adventures are more than just trips.
They are transformative experiences.

Trek Ausangate, Rainbow Mountain and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

An 8-Day Deluxe Andes Trekking Adventure in Peru

Step into the high Andes, where snow-capped peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, and ancient Inca trails converge.

The Ausangate region is one of Peru’s best-kept trekking secrets — a remote, high-altitude landscape of 20,000-foot peaks, alpaca-dotted pastures, and the world-famous striped slopes of Rainbow Mountain, all without the crowds of the classic Inca Trail. Over 8 unforgettable days, you’ll trek past the turquoise Pucacocha Lakes and the mineral-streaked Red Valley, watch the sunrise light up Rainbow Mountain before the day-trippers arrive, and hike the legendary Km 104 Inca Trail through cloud forest to the Sun Gate for your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Each night on trek, skip the tents-on-the-ground experience: you’ll sleep in deluxe high-altitude campsites with real beds, hot showers, and upgraded meals, so you wake up ready for the next day’s adventure.

This is a group trek built for hikers who want the real Andes — big elevation, big views, and the kind of remote wilderness most travelers never see — without sacrificing comfort at the end of the day. Guided by our expert local mountain guide, this is high-altitude trekking and Machu Picchu done right.

Peru and the Inca trail to Machu Picchu

PRIMARY AIRPORT

Cusco, Peru

START / FINISH CITY

Cusco, Peru

OPERATING SEASON

April to October

MAX HIKING DISTANCE

12 Kilometres / 7.4 Miles

ACCOMMODATIONS

4 Nights Locally Owned Hotels - 3 Nights Deluxe Campsites w/ Beds

TREKKING

4 Days of Guided Hikes

What People Are Saying...

  • I had the most amazing experience of my life recently on the Camino de Santiago. Matt at Adventure Desk curated the perfect vacation and literally thought of everything. This was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life thanks to Matt. I will be using Adventure Desk for ALL my future vacations! Thanks again Matt… you are the best!

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    Bradley Horner Avatar Bradley
    October 8, 2024

    Adventuredesk has been my go-to partner for all our adventure travel trips. They have helped us with two amazing trips and we have four more on the calendar for 2024. Matt has helped us from brainstorming and planning sessions, building out the trips to sales support to our community. One of the things I value most is his communication and quick response time. He is easy to get a hold of to answer questions and provide us with whatever we need. Matt and Adventuredesk will be planning all our trips moving forward!! Thank you, Matt!!

    Ann Chisholm Avatar Ann
    December 15, 2023

    We had a great experience working with Adventuredesk to help plan our dream wedding trip to Tanzania. From the Mt. Kilimanjaro hike, going on safari, and having a small ceremony in Zanzibar - we cannot thank Adventuredesk enough for their planning, listening to what we wanted, putting together an itinerary that was both adventurous and relaxing, connecting us with guides who were knowledgable, kind, and have since become friends, always being willing to answer questions and very responsive. Special thanks to Matt Kinch who we worked with directly.

    Mackie McDonald Avatar Mackie
    August 15, 2024
  • Costa Rica was an amazing experience and it was all because Matt at Adventuredesk made sure everything was what it needed to be. From the Rio Pacuaro to La Fortuna and ending in Tamarindo we enjoyed the adventures, the food, the culture and the people. Matt was so nice and easy to work with, and I truly feel we left this trip as friends. thanks Matt for everything! It was, as I said, Mucho Mucho!!

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    Daniel Byrne Avatar Daniel
    December 15, 2023

    I’ve had the pleasure of traveling with Tropos Gym through Adventure Desk twice now, and both experiences were nothing short of amazing! Adventure Desk truly knows how to turn a trip into an unforgettable adventure. From the seamless planning to the exciting activities, everything was handled with exceptional professionalism and a great sense of fun. The trips were packed with thrilling experiences and well-organized itineraries that kept us engaged and entertained from start to finish. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and always ready to go the extra mile to ensure we had the best time possible. What stood out the most was the attention to detail and the genuine passion for adventure that Adventure Desk brings to every trip. They took care of everything, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the journey and enjoy every moment. I can't recommend Adventure Desk enough for anyone looking to embark on a thrilling and well-organized adventure. I’m already looking forward to my next trip with them! ????????✨

    Katrina Leighton Avatar Katrina
    July 15, 2024

    Matt is an excellent, detailed and caring agent through Adventuredesk! He helped me out with planning a trip to Morocco through Intrepid Travel in April 2023. He provided great suggestions and advice regarding flights and how to be cost effective and save. I would definitely recommend Matt for my next vacation and trip!

    Husayn Hirji Avatar Husayn
    November 15, 2023
  • The team at Adventuredesk helped me to organise a trip to Qubec for a Spartan Race for myself and clients at the gym. Their service was quick and efficient, organising both accomodation and additional activities around the race such as whitewater rafting and a Scandinavian Spa day. Assistance was provided whenever needed also. Overall I cannot recommend Adventuredesk enough for any of your travel needs.

    Tom Richardson Avatar Tom
    July 15, 2024

    I’ve had the best experience with AdventureDesk! Prior to working with them I was planning all the logistics for our trips and I’m glad to have this off my plate and in the capable hands of Matt and his team. Excellent service, follow through and communication. They went above and beyond to make sure my group had an unforgettable experience!

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    Kyle Depiesse Avatar Kyle
    April 15, 2024

    Overall a great trip, however there were some excursions that could have been omitted and the itinerary was too jam packed, there was no downtime for people to rest and do their own thing. Also there was some minsformation communicated before the trip. It was indicated that there would be banks/atms and places would accept credit/debit but it turned out 95% of the places only took cash and if you did not bring enough cash, it would've been difficult to buy food/tip and purchase other goods. Very few atm's took canadian debit cards. The spa was a waste of a day, more time could've been spent in Quito.

    Viren Parmar Avatar Viren
    September 15, 2024

Trip Highlights

  • Guided Inca Trail Trek with Local Experts – Hike the world-renowned Inca Trail with licensed Peruvian guides who bring the history, ecology, and stories of the Andes to life.
  • Deluxe High Altitude Campsites– No sleeping on the ground, enjoy oversized tents with real beds and mattresses, hot showers, espresso coffee stations and upgraded meals.
  • Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Skip the campsites and hike from KM 104 a full day hike to the Inca Trail passing through ruins on the way to the sungate and Machu Picchu.
  • Unique Meals & Cultural Immersion – Savor handcrafted trail meals and enjoy locally inspired food experiences before the trek, including traditional Andean dishes and community-hosted gatherings.
  • Trek the Rainbow Mountain – Get there before the crowds as we hike in early morning
  • All-Inclusive Logistics, No Hidden Costs – We handle permits, porters, meals, trekking gear, transportation, and top-tier gear. You focus on hiking, connection, and the adventure of a lifetime.
  • Pre-Hike Prep & Community Support – Get trail-ready with virtual group sessions, curated training plans, and direct access to your hosts before departure — so you feel confident, connected, and prepared.

Ready for Your Own Peru Hiking Adventure?

Whether you’re bringing a group of friends, planning a corporate retreat, or simply want to be first in line for our next departure, we’d love to help you get there.

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Legendary Adventures Only

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 - Arrive Cusco

Upon arrival in Cusco, one of our representatives will pick you up and drive you to the hotel. Cusco is perched at 11.154 feet above sea level, so we will lead an acclimatization walk for those who want to start getting used to altitude and move their legs a little after the flight.

Day 2 - Sacred Valley

Today we're heading into the Sacred Valley, one of Peru's gems! With a quick transfer you make it to Chinchero, where you can enjoy an easy walk exploring the main viewpoints, terraces and plazas. If you want to walk a little bit more, choose to join an easy stroll at the turquoise Piuray Lagoon.

Day 3 - Ausangate Trek: Upis trailhead

Get your shoes ready, we're leaving the luxury of our hotel behind and hitting the trail! After an energising breakfast arrive in Upis, your starting point for the trek ahead. Today's hike is about 4-6 miles, traversing through vast pastures and uphills and enjoying some alpaca encounters, probably. Once you reach camp, a hot drink will be waiting - the best way to wrap up your first trekking day. Do some stretching and, if the sky's clear, take in the views of the starlit sky. Meals Included: B, L, D

Day 4 - Pucacocha Lakes & Red Valley Circuits

We keep going higher, our goal today is at 15.255 feet above sea level. The trek will be slightly longer, but with unique views that make it truly memorable. The Red Valley bands, glacial moraines and the turquoise Pucacocha chain will leave you in complete awe. After this long day, there's option to do a light yoga session or some stretching at camp. You probably won't want to move any more, but trust us, your body will appreciate it! Meals Included: B, L, D

Day 5 - Rainbow Mountain

An early rise ensures you have one of the most memorable days! Wake up early and start hiking to Rainbow Mountain, only 30 min away from camp. Arriving there at 6:30 am will be absolutely worth it, no crowds, no noise and the best light. Weather permitting, the snow-covered peaks of Ausangate, Mariposa, and Jatunhuma will make themselves visible. Enjoy the peace of having the mountains all to yourself and get some incredible pictures. Afterwards, we descend for 1 hour approx, reach our car and start driving to the Sacred Valley. There'll be a stop at a restaurant to have some lunch, and we arrive at the hotel by midday. Great views, a swimming pool and even a spa are at your disposal in this unique property. The day closes with a quick briefing on the Inca Trail hike that starts on the following day. Meals Included: B, L

DAY 6 - Inca Trail Km 104

Board an early morning train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104, the trailhead for the legendary one-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. From here, hike through lush Andean cloud forest along original Inca stonework, climbing toward the remarkable archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna — one of the best-preserved ruins on the trail and a highlight for photographers and history lovers alike. Continue on to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where the trail delivers its reward: your first unforgettable panoramic view of Machu Picchu framed by the Andes below. From the Sun Gate, descend into the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and down to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you'll spend the night before exploring the ruins in full the next day. Meals Included: B, L

Day 7: Machu Picchu and Cusco

Rise early for a guided tour of Machu Picchu, exploring the Inca citadel's temples, terraces, and plazas with an expert local guide who brings the history and mystery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site to life. Afterward, enjoy free time to wander the ruins independently, snap your own photos, and soak in the atmosphere before the crowds build. Head down to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then board the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a private transfer to Cusco. Cap off the adventure with a farewell dinner in Cusco, celebrating the journey with your group before saying goodbye. Meals Included: B, D

Day 8: Depart Cusco

This morning enjoy a final included breakfast. Transfer back to the airport for your onward flight home. Meals Included: B

Meet Your Host

Angel is a Licensed Inca Trail Mountain Guide and our local partner in Peru - he makes every adventure fun, unique and exciting sharing his knowledge and introducing you to all of his local connections throughout peru.
angel - Expert Mountain Guide and destination Partner

Angel, Guide and Trip Leader
Angel In his Element hiking in the Andes Mountains

Trip Extensions and Add-Ons

Transfer Package

Airport transfers in Peru

Save the hassle and have airport pickup and dropoff settled before you arrive.

Upgraded Accommodation

Accommodation Upgrade in Cusco Peru

From small locally owned hotels and guesthouses to handpicked boutique accommodations, there is a level of accommodation for each taste.

Lima City Break Add On

Lima City Extension Peru

Extend your stay and enjoy the beautiful city of Lima and it’s culinary delights.  Upgraded accommodation, a tour of the city and a local food experience make this a great way to finish off your adventure.

Group Hiking in Southern Spain

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