Overview
Peru by Locals is the only company that offers you this trek supported by llamas. Our goal is to bring back these animals since the number of llamas in Peru is getting lower because the mountain people don’t give them much use anymore. In the Incan times, llamas were used for transporting loads, but the use of wool and meat was very small, the reason mountain people prefer alpacas over llamas. Since we started our operations in Ausangate, the families did not have llamas but alpacas. Then Paulo’s family got 8 llamas; until now, these are the llamas that come on this spectacular journey with our guests. Being part of this journey with llamas will be a unique, lifetime experience.
Peru by Locals is always putting amazing adventures together for you. Now you have the chance to experience both together: Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain in Southern Cusco. It is the true paradise filled with cool mountain streams, blue-green lakes, picturesque villages, llamas and alpacas everywhere, snow-capped mountains, the colorful Rainbow Mountain with its painted hills that is a must-see place when traveling, one of the most breathtaking places on earth and, most importantly, a trek in Southern Cusco.
Highlights of the Llama Trek
- Hike with llamas and get the full experience of the Andes
- Trek with our passionate local guides who love what they do and have guided treks hundreds of times
- Enjoy our premier camping equipment
- Savor the Peruvian cuisine brought by our chefs to the mountains
- Hike around the tallest mountain, Ausangate, and finish your adventure at the iconic Rainbow Mountain
Details
- Type of tour: Hiking, camping, scenic
- Distance covered: 37 km (22.9 miles)
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
- Lowest elevation: 3900 m (12,795 feet)
- Highest elevation: 5,010 m (16,437 feet)
- Level of difficulty: Challenging, but your guide will be there encouraging you and helping you enjoy as much as you deserve.
- Group size: Our hiking group sizes are very important to guarantee the quality of our service by providing you with a personalized experience. That is why we operate with an average of 7 hikers per group.
- Could you imagine trying to hike silently along an isolated trail, carefully not disturbing shy wildlife, with 10 or 20 other travelers? Or walking in a remote area to explore the pristine wilderness with dozens of other tourists at your side? We know meaningful nature encounters must be undertaken in small groups. That’s why our trips come with an average of just four travelers, by far the smallest groups in the tourism industry across the country. This not only guarantees you a more personal close-up wildlife experience, but a less impactful presence on the earth’s fragile natural places we love.
- Accommodation: Camping. We use three-season roomy tents for two people. If you are a solo traveler, let us know so we can accommodate you with another traveler or we will just bring a private tent just for you upon request.
Our guides: PERU BY LOCALS was a dream that came true in 2015 for Jose Condor, who has been guiding treks since 2014 and has been to Machu Picchu over 1,000 times. Now, Peru by Locals has a group of top guides, both men and women, who have professional degrees and receive refresher training every year. These guides have trained in the USA with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) and are certified Wilderness First Responders, as our treks take you into the wilderness and your health is our priority during our trips. Our guides are trained to assist with any of your needs while you are on vacation. We invest in our guides because we believe they are the main ingredient in any trip.
Location: This trip starts in Cusco City or the Sacred Valley upon your request. You will need to fly to Lima, which is the capital of Peru, then to Velasco Astete Cusco Airport, which is a small domestic airport.
Departures: This hike is operated 100% by PERU BY LOCALS. When you book your hike or take any tour package, you go with us; we don’t rearrange tours. We depart every day year-round, and the size of the groups ranges from 2 to 5 people on average, which allows us to give you personalized service.
We take bookings year-round, and this hike does not need to be booked long in advance. So, anytime you are ready, join us and reach us for any questions you have at our 24/7 number +51 989585967 or email us at info@perubylocals.com
Itinerary
Day 1. Cusco – Upis Bajo – Upis Hot Springs
We depart Cusco by 5 am for a journey of 3 hours to the trailhead at Upis Bajo. Here, we will meet our horse riders to load all equipment and enjoy our first camping breakfast. Our adventure starts with a gradual uphill in the direction of Ausangate Mountain through llama and alpaca herds. It will be a gentle hike, sometimes challenging because of the elevation, but don’t worry about it; our passionate guides will be there to encourage you every step of the way to make it to camp with complete happiness.
Once arriving at camp, you will have time to enjoy the views as well as the chance to jump in the hot springs while you watch the sunset over the mountains.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner made by our amazing chef
- Hiking Time: Approximately 3 hours
- Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
- Lowest elevation: 3,900 m (12,795 ft)
- Highest elevation: 4,500 m (14,763 ft)
Day 2. Upis – Arapa Pass – Puka Cocha
Waking up with our signature coffee or coca tea in your tent by one of our chefs, followed by a delicious breakfast – what a way to start the day! We will then start our trek towards the first pass, called Arapa, which was and still is a sacred spot for our Quechua people. Here, we will perform a small ceremony to honor the mountains as our ancestors did, especially as we will be very close to the most sacred mountain for the Incas, Ausangate Mountain. After this meaningful moment, we head down to a lunch spot next to the beautiful Yanacocha Lake. After our lunch, followed by a proper nap, we will continue our journey to the next camp at Puka Cocha, located right at the base of Ausangate Mountain, a spectacular place to spend the night.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner made by our amazing chef
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
- Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.83 miles
- Lowest elevation: 4,500 m (14,763 ft)
- Highest elevation: 4,800 m (15,748 ft)
Day 3. Puka Cocha – Ananta Pass – Huarmisaya
You will be woken up by our cooks with a nice cup of coffee or tea in the tents, followed by a nutritious breakfast to make us ready for the day. After packing, we will start hiking up a steep switchback trail towards the second pass, where we will find a large pile of stones made by the Incas long ago, called Apacheta, marking the trails. This area also offers more snow-capped mountain views, red mountains, glassy lands, and perhaps the wild vicuñas (similar to llamas). After a good rest here, we start descending to camp for a couple of hours where our lunch awaits us.
The afternoon hike is towards Huarmisaya Pass, from where we will have the first view of the magnificent Rainbow Mountain. From here, we have only a 25-minute walk down to camp next to Huarmisaya Lake.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner made by our amazing chef
- Hiking Time: 7 hours
- Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.5 miles
- Lowest elevation: 4,500 m (14,763 ft)
- Highest elevation: 5,000 m (16,404 ft)
Day 4. Huarmisaya – Rainbow Mountains – Cusco
Very early morning hike to the Rainbow Mountain. We will be among the first hikers arriving there to enjoy the place before the day hikers arrive, because then the place gets too busy.
After spending all our time here, we head down to the spectacular Red Valley and Spectacular Valley, which do not have many hikers either. Our day will end by 11 am with the last camping meal prepared by our chef.
From here, we have only a 3-hour drive back to Cusco.
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch made by our amazing chef
- Hiking Time: 4 hours
- Hiking Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
- Lowest elevation: 4,300 m (14,107 ft)
- Highest elevation: 5,010 m (16,437 ft)
Services
SERVICES INCLUDED
- Transport to and from your hotel in Cusco
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners
- Llamas: Since llamas can’t carry heavy loads, our llamas will be carrying only your belongings or your duffle bags. Also, you will have the chance to hold a llama and hike with your llama.
- Horses to carry the heavy equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc.)
- Chef
- Boiled drinking water every day, so we recommend you bring water bottles or camel bags
- Trekking guide, knowledgeable in history, tradition, fauna, flora, etc.
- First aid kit including oxygen tank carried by your guide
- Equipment (sleeping tent, dining tent, kitchen tent, table, chairs, air mattresses)
- Duffle bag to put your belongings to load on the llamas
- Eight kilos (17.6 pounds) free bag to be carried by llamas
- Sleeping pads
- Pillow
SERVICES EXCLUDED
- Appreciations for the crew (10% of the total cost recommended to all the crew)
- Sleeping bags (can be rented from us for $20 for the entire trek)
- Trekking poles (can be rented from us for $10)
Packing list
- Original passport.
- Down sleeping bag: You should consider bringing a sleeping bag rated at least to -4°F. If you don’t have one, you can rent one from us for USD 20 (they are washed after each use).
- Trekking boots: Trekking boots should be broken in. If you have acquired new ones, make sure to break them in before you come. They should be comfortable for your feet and, if possible, have good ankle support.
- Warm fleece jacket: It has to be warm enough for the nights, and a windbreaker or rain jacket is recommended.
- A few t-shirts: Since you will sweat while hiking, you may consider bringing at least 3 or 4 t-shirts – one for the hike, one for the night, and one clean for Machu Picchu.
- Socks: Bring at least 3 pairs.
- Sun hat: Some days can be hot and sunny. We recommend bringing a sun hat that can keep the sun off your face.
- Clothes for sleeping: Warm long underwear and you can use your fleece to sleep with. You may consider bringing gloves, especially for the campsites.
- Light long pants and trekking pants: These are the best ones. You can zip off the legs, and they dry fast.
- Sunscreen: SPF 35+ recommended.
- Headlamp: All the camps are dark, so you will need to bring a headlamp for organizing your gear in your tent or going to the bathroom at night.
- Sunglasses:
- Camera: With spare batteries (batteries run down faster at high altitudes).
- Book to read: You will have some spare time at every camp to read your favorite book or those that are about Machu Picchu, which may make your journey more interesting (the following books are recommended by us: Last Days of the Incas by Kim MacQuarrie, Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time by Mark Adams,
- Trekking poles: They are highly recommended for uphill and hills. According to experts, they can take up to 30% of your body weight.
- Toiletries: Toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel.
- Sunscreen: SPF 35+ recommended.
- Set of clothes: You should consider bringing a set of clean clothes for Machu Picchu, after the night at the hotel.
Important information
OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS
How long before should I book this tour?
This tour does not require booking permits long in advance, but Peru by Locals still needs at least a week’s booking in advance to organize everything.
What is the weather like during the year?
The Cusco area has only two well-defined seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season starts in November and ends in March. During this period, it rains almost every day for three or four hours, but there are also several sunny days. The dry season begins around March and lasts until October. June and July are the coldest months. Paradoxically, at noon the temperatures can reach 23°C (77°F), the annual highest temperature.
Should I tip the guide and driver? If I do, how much should I tip?
Our guides are paid fairly according to Peruvian labor laws – that is why we don’t require our clients to tip the crew. However, most of our clients want to show their appreciation for the work they do and the service they receive. If you feel like showing your appreciation or tipping them, feel free to do so at the end of their work. If that’s the case, we recommend tipping 15% of the total cost.
Is there any age limit?
In this tour, there is no minimum age or limit. Any person can join this tour, including a person in a wheelchair.
Peruvian Currency
The Peruvian sol is the currency of Peru and usually fluctuates between 3.3 to 3.8 sol to 1 US Dollar.
Language
Spanish is the national language of Peru. Additionally, 20% of Peruvians speak Quechua (the Inca language). Our guides are fluent in Spanish and English.
Why Peru by Locals
- Peru by Locals offers tailor-made treks and tours, catering to your interests when planning your tour.
- We are committed to providing world-class tours based on exceptional customer service.
- We are a locally owned and highly experienced travel company based in Cusco, Peru.
- Our staff consists of members who have decades of first-hand experience in the Peruvian tourism sector.
- All the management and staff in Peru by Locals speak English, Spanish, and Quechua (the language of the Incas).
- Our guides and staff members are professionally trained and educated in the history of the Incas, Peruvian history, culture and traditions, first aid in the wilderness, guiding treks and tours, the fauna and flora of the region, and tourism management.
- We are committed to protecting our environment.
- We are committed to creating jobs and empowering local people. We believe in fair labor practices and honor and treat all our employees with dignity.
- We have programs to help with the development of the porters’ families and communities, such as planting trees and buying school books and school equipment for poor local communities.
- We honor native communities that have stewarded the land you visit.
- We have also started an Education Fund to support the education of the children of porters. A percentage of income from every tour and trek goes to the education of those in need.
- Our trips are designed carefully to your needs, and we create diverse, unique itineraries from 1 to 15 days in length. We offer a wide range of tours and treks. We guarantee you the experience of a lifetime!
- Peru By Locals organizes free, worry-free trips for you to enjoy fully.
Peru Small Group Specialists
Our tours are designed for those who love adventure, want to explore new places, experience the local culture, love food, like history, or enjoy photography, suitable for all ages whether you are traveling alone, with friends, as a couple, or with family. At Peru by Locals, we do not operate with large groups.
Small groups are the best, and the average tour or trek group is around 4 to 8 people. Why is this great? Well, have you ever waited in line while 40 other people get a coffee in the morning? Believe it or not, it is not fun. Taking small groups allows us the flexibility to take you on an adventure to places that nobody else goes.
Price
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GROUP SERVICE
Our tour groups are very important. We run tours with usually 2 to 8 people per group and we open any tour dates with 2 guests. This service is considered semi-private for personalized experiences, so you can take advantage of your valuable time.
Accommodations
Costs are based on double bedroom occupancy and US dollars. For single room occupancy, contact us at info@perubylocals.com or our 24/7 number +51 989585967 (WhatsApp).
To assure your booking with us, we will require a 20% deposit as pre-payment of the total cost, and the outstanding remaining balance will be paid 30 days prior to your trip.
Choosing this option
- Once a tour date is opened with 2 guests, the travel date will likely not be changed later.
- This is a great option to meet other travelers and hang out during the trip.
- The quality of service is the same as the private option.
- If for any reason one of you or others can’t continue the tour, the tour will go as planned from beginning to end.
PRIVATE SERVICE
Our private service can start with 1 person and go up to any number you desire, and you can choose your travel date.
Accommodations
We run all our tours with 3-star hotels, but we can customize with 5-star hotels.
Costs are based on double bedroom occupancy and US dollars. For single room occupancy, contact us at info@perubylocals.com or our 24/7 number +51 989585967 (WhatsApp).
To assure your booking with us, we will require a 20% deposit as pre-payment of the total cost, and the outstanding remaining balance will be paid 30 days prior to your trip.
Choosing this option
- We cater this tour to your needs with flexibility.
- Once a tour date is opened, it can still be changed if time allows at your requested time.
- This is a great option to spend time with your parents, family, and friends or travel for special occasions such as a honeymoon.
- The quality of service is the same as other tours.
