ZEALOUS PERU
Ausangate Trek & Machu Picchu
OVERVIEW
Step off the beaten path in Peru for a unique experience in the rugged Andes Mountains. Start your adventure in Cusco, the perfect place for high-altitude acclimation. Climb along a via ferrata in the Sacred Valley, kayak down a glacier-fed river, and explore Machu Picchu, the iconic 15th century Inca Citadel. Venture through the Cordillera Vilcanota on the Ausangate Trek. The mountains are calling.
brookebeyond
Originally from the PNW, Brooke is an Australian immigrant and full-time nomad obsessed with chaotic overseas adventures, long backpacking treks, and the unexpected magical moments discovered only by traveling beyond the ordinary. She’s always keen for off-the-beaten path adventures and is passionate about helping others learn new skills to feel comfortable exploring the outdoors.
EXPLORE MACHU PICCHU
Discover the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site
SACRED VALLEY VIA FERRATA
Epic views of the Sacred Valley from high-above
TREK TO RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
Experience the unique colors in near solitude
25-May-2025
from $2,750
Days
Peru
TRIP DETAILS
YOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1
Welcome to Peru
Meet at the Cusco airport, a vibrant and historically rich city nestled high in the Andes Mountains. Your 10-day adventure starts with a city walking tour, some free time to explore (or nap) before a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers. And might we recommend a Pisco Sour?
Arrive in Cusco (CUZ)
City walking tour & welcome dinner
Locally-owned accommodation in Cusco
DAY 2
Sacred Valley Via Ferrata
After breakfast, head to the Sacred Valley for an adrenaline-filled experience. After a safety briefing, you’ll climb 400m of via ferrata and descend 6 ziplines with unmatched views. Head back to Cusco for an early dinner before tomorrow’s early start.
Via ferrata & zipline adventure
Early dinner at a traditional Peruvian restaurant
Locally-owned accommodation in Cusco
DAY 3
Explore Machu Picchu
Breathtaking — that’s the theme of today’s adventure! Start super early with private transport to the village of Ollantaytambo, where you’ll take the scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes. There, you’ll take a quick bus ride to Machu Picchu for an experience of a lifetime.
Full day of scenic & historical landscapes
English-speaking, local, certified guides.
Locally-owned accommodation in Cusco
DAY 4
Cooking Class & Rest
One more day to acclimate to high elevation before starting the Ausangate Trek tomorrow. After a nice leisurely breakfast, there’s a bit of free time to explore Cusco. After a pre-trek info session with our guides, you’ll learn about local Peruvian cuisine & cocktails at a fun & friendly cooking class hosted by a local chef.
Rest day to acclimate to elevation
Cooking class with local chef
Locally-owned accommodation in Cusco
DAY 5
Start the Ausangate Trek
Today is the day! Private transport takes you to Tinqui to peruse a local market before arriving to Upis Pampa for breakfast. Starting the trek from Quinsapucyu, you’ll soon have sensational views of Mt. Ausangate. After lunch, you’ll can hike to Upis Lake for amazing alpine lake views.
Start the Ausangate Trek
Easier day of trekking
Distance: 9 km / 5.5 mi
Accommodation: Cabins
DAY 6
Lake Pucacocha
Start with hand-delivered coca tea as you pack up before breakfast. You’ll hike up to nearly 5000m at Arapa Pass, and there will be hundreds of adorable alpacas along the way. The campsite is near Lake Pucacocha. The rewarding views of the hanging glaciers is next to none.
Lunch at Lake Pucacocha
Hike to nearly ~5000m
Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi
Accommodation: Tent huts
DAY 7
Two High Passes
After plenty of rest, you’ll embark on the toughest day of the trek. Hike to Puca Cocha Pass at 5051m and then another pass at 4500m after lunch. You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Mt. Ausangate, and if the weather is good, you’ll go to Rainbow Mountain for sunset.
Reach Puca Cocha Pass at 5051m
Potential sunset hike
Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi
Accommodation: Tent huts
DAY 8
Rainbow Mountain
Wake up, wake up. Get up, get up. It’ll be a super early start after breakfast. Hike to Rainbow Mountain from our exclusive campsite before the day hikers arrive. Then explore the Red Valley on the way to the finish line. Celebrate the accomplishment over dinner & drinks!
Super early start to beat the crowds
Trek to Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley
Distance: 3 km / 1.8 mi
Locally-owned accommodation in Cusco
DAY 9
Rio Urubamba Kayaking
Rest your legs because it’s “arms day” — kayak down the Pinipampa section of the Urubamba River. Paddle through gentle class I-II rapids on a duckie, whch is essentially an extremely stable inflatable kayak. There’ll be free time to explore Cusco before our final dinner together!
Kayak down the Urubamba River
Farewell dinner in Cusco
Locally-owned accommodation in Cusco
DAY 10
Hasta Luego Peru!
Pack your bags, it’s time to return to the real world. After breakfast, we take private transport back to the airport in Cusco, where you’ll catch your flight back to Lima and then home. Don’t forget to exchange contact info with your new adventure best friends to stay in touch, share pics, and plan next year’s reunion Zealous trip!
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Day tour ➜ Via ferrata & zipline in the Sacred Valley
Day tour ➜ Machu Picchu
Day tour ➜ Kayaking on the Rio Urubamba
Cooking class & market tour with a local chefI
Certified guides ➜ Awesome local English-speaking guide
Trip leaders ➜ Fun, friendly, logistical Jedi
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9 ➜ Breakfasts
8 ➜ Lunches
9 ➜ Dinners
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6 nights ➜ Locally-owned hotel in Cusco
3 nights ➜ Camping in huts / tents during trek
Single occupancy is unavailable for this particular trip
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All necessary ground transportation is included
Flights ➜ International + Domestic
Travel insurance
Some lunches during free-time
20-32L trekking backpack
Personal & incidental expenses
Tips ➜ for trekking & activity guides
International flights
Home airport ⇄ Lima (LIM)
Must arrive to Lima by TBD (or the night before)
Domestic flights
Lima (LIM) ⇄ Cusco (CUZ)
Must book the same domestic flight to CUZ, tbd.
If you plan to extend your trip or fly elsewhere, please let us know beforehand.
** Guests will receive detailed flight information after booking **
Not Quite Fine Print
Outdoor adventure travel can be quite unpredictable. Our top priority is to provide a rewarding yet safe experience. We’ll do our best to adhere to the intended itinerary, but certain circumstances (i.e. unsafe weather conditions) may result in slight changes. However, spontaneity is often a good thing.
Guests are required to have a travel insurance policy that covers all potential activities for the specific trip. We suggest purchasing travel insurance shortly after booking with Zealous Travel Co. We highly recommend the Tin Leg Adventure policy through Squaremouth.
Guests must have a valid passport with an expiration date at least 6 months after your return flight.
Do not book flights until receiving the go-ahead email from Zealous Travel Co. We are happy to provide flight recommendations.
Payment Policy
Deposit is due at the time of booking.
100% of deposit is refundable for any reason within 7 days of booking.
After 7 days, deposit is transferable to any future trip within 18 months.
Cancelation Policy
120 days or more before trip start date:
100% of payment(s) made to date are refundable
100% of deposit is refundable
90-119 days before trip start date:
80% of payment(s) made to date are refundable
20% of payment(s) made to date are not refundable
100% of deposit is transferable to any future trip within 18 months
60-89 days before trip start date:
60% of paymen(s) made to date are refundable
40% of paymen(s) made to date are not refundable
100% of deposit is transferable to any future trip within 18 months
0-59 days before trip start date:
Payment(s) made to date are not refundable
100% of deposit is transferable to any future trip within 18 months
from $2,750
Peru