Please read carefully the following information; it will help with your questions about our services and the Ausangate Trek. 

WELCOME TO CUSCO

You will be greeted at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look for our representative holding an orange Machupicchu Hiking Perú board at the exit from the arrival terminal.

THE BRIEFING

Your briefing will take place the night before your trek. It will be held at our office at 6 or 6:30pm, depending on your confirmation email details.  The office is located at Calle Pavitos 527.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Of course! During the Ausangate Trek your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.

HOW TO BOOK THE AUSANGATE TREK

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot purchase an Ausangate Trek entrance tickets without the following information:

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
• Gender
• Passport number
• D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
• Nationality

SECOND, we require a deposit of US$211.00 per person in order to purchase a permit for the Ausangate Trek.  You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page or click here on the payment of your choice, either VISA or PAYPAL.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL.  To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address paypal@machupicchuhikingperu.com. 

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

Yes, but with some restrictions.  Please contact the office as soon as possible if you need to change your date.

*** If you cancel your Ausangate Trekking, the deposit is not refundable at all!

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE AUSANGATE TREK?

The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee.  BUT you will have many different seasons as you pass through the numerous microclimates and will depend on the altitude. With the Ausangate Trek, we highly recommend you bring some very warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack.  It can be very cold at the high altitudes of this trek.

WHAT ABOUT ALTITUDE SICKNESS ON AUSANGATE TREK?

In general if you exercise regularly and spend  3 days in Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley for acclimatization to the altitude, you may be just fine.

The recommended medicine for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you  for Altitude Sickness. For more detailed information on Altitude Sickness click this link: Altitude Sickness.

We offer the Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tours that you can book while you are acclimatizing.  Check out our day tours on our Main Page.

HIKING THE AUSANGATE TREK 

The evening before you start your Ausangate Trek, you will be given a SMALL DUFFEL BAG to pack your clothes for the next four days. Your weight allowance is up to 7kg/14p. Your team of pack horses will carry your duffel bag for you, together with the food and camping gear. It’s important to be aware that you will not have access to your items in the duffel bag until the end of each day, as the horses will always be ahead of the group. During the Ausangate Trek, you need a day backpack big enough to carry your personal belongings such as a warm jacket, a rain jacket, your camera, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. Usually a 30 to 40 litre backpack is sufficient.

IS THE TREK DIFFICULT, DO I NEED TO BE FIT?

Yes, it is a challenging trek with most of the trail over 4ooo meters or 13123 feet.  You need to be in good physical condition and used to hiking.

In preparation: try walking 15kms in a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatised to the altitude. Try to spend at least 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the Ausangate trekking .

WHAT ABOUT TOILETS ON THE AUSANGATE TREK?

This has been highly appreciated by most of our clients, especially by our trekkers, who want a private, clean and sanitary toilet! Machupicchu Hiking Perú toilet facilities have an individual tent and a camping toilet with a seat. Check out the picture, which illustrates how we set up our camping toilet on the trek by using this link: picture of toilet tent. Our toilet is always set up a comfortable distance from our campsite.  At night if you need to use the toilet it is readily accessible and clean, unlike the dirty facilities supplied by the government.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM UNABLE TO FINISH THE AUSANGATE TREK?

In the unlikely scenario that you are unable to finish the Ausangate trekking due to a health issue, Machupicchu Hiking Perú will assist you to the nearest town for help with transportation. We always carry oxygen on the trek for any respiratory problems. In extreme cases, a helicopter pick up can be arranged at your own expense. (Travel insurance required). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the Ausangate trekking .

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Machupicchu Hiking Perú destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

ARE WE SUSTAINABLE? 

Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU FOR THE AUSANGATE TREK?

• Original Passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
• Comfortable daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage:  2-3 litre reusalbe bottles (please do not bring disposable bottles)
• Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
• Sleeping bag (can be rented from Machupicchu Hiking Perú)
• Headlamp: essential
• Toilet paper

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR DUFFEL BAG FOR THE AUSANGATE TREK?

As a Professional Direct Local Tour operator we provide you with a duffel bag at your briefing and  INCLUDE an extra pack horse who will carry up to 7 kgs or 15 pounds including your 2.5kg sleeping bag, mattress and extra clothing. By Peruvian law, a duffel bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (15lbs). This limit is set to protect the health of the porters or horses. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack. In this 7 kilos, please count 2 kilos for your sleeping bag and 1 kilo for your sleeping pad. This leaves you about 4 kilos for your personal gear.

• 2 t-shirts
• 2 hiking pants at least
• 4 sets of undergarments
• 3 sets of hiking socks
• Bathing suit for the thermal waters
• Fleece/ Thermals
• Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite temp around 3º Celsius.
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to wash.
• Battery Charger: No electricity along the trek
• Large plastic bags will be provided at the office to line your duffel
• Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC – This can be rented from us.

TOILETRIES

• Face moisturizer
• Hand sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Personal medications
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK

We highly recommend a small backpack 30 to 40Litres for hiking in the day. A big backpack will not be allowed into Machu Picchu. The remainder of your belongings will be in your duffel bag at camp.

• Water: Please supply your own water until the first lunch spot, then we will provide you with cold boiled water  at every meal time. Please bring your canteens.
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Headlamp: essential
• Wool hat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruits
• Rain plastic poncho (provided by Machupicchu Hiking Perú)
• Gloves
• Camera
• Hand sanitiser
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
• Valuable items