Ascend Travel Trekking Packages

The Inca Trail (“The Royal Highway” of the Incas) to Machu Picchu was built with the purpose of reaching renowned site for religious pilgrimage. The Incas built many of the ruins on the trail for religious worship of the enormous snowcapped peaks of the Vilcanota Range. The trail was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1915, four years after he found Machu Picchu - and was built at the height of the Incan Empire in the early to mid-fifteenth century. Today it brings trekkers from around the world as one of Peru’s most renowned tourist destinations. In this trek, we will pass through the incredibly unique and bio-diverse environments of the Andes such as alpine tundra and cloud forests, Marvel at the natural tunnels crossing through the mountains, explore ancient ruins, learn the importance of the ancient Tawantinsuyo settlements and emerge into the Lost Incan City of Machu Picchu through the famous Intipunku "Sun Gate."

 

The Inca Trail "Short" Version is a great alternative for those who have a limited time to visit or don't have the energy for the full 4-day Inca Trail.  The first day consists of climbing up from the Urubamba River Valley along a beautiful stone-trail - passing by Incan Ruins, waterfalls, and highland jungle.  We will get our first look at Machu Picchu when we arrive at the famous Intipunku ("Sun Gate") and descend into the ruins along the same path used by the ancient Incas.  We will spend the night in Aguas Calientes in a hotel. The 2nd day, we will enjoy a guided tour of the ruins and then have free time to explore the ruins on our own and climb the amazing Wayna Picchu.

 

 

 

The Salkantay Trek is an amazing, off-the-beaten-path alternative to the Inca Trail. It is the second tallest mountain in the Cusco region, reaching a breathtaking 6,271 meters or 20,568 feet. In this trek, you will admire the gorgeous snow-capped peak of Mt. Salkantay, observe the high Andean glacial lakes of Soraypampa, take in the scenery of the exotic mountainous jungle zone, swim in the natural hot springs at Collpapampa, and end with a guided tour of The Lost Incan City of Machu Picchu. This trek catalogues the bio-diversity of the Andes and offers not only an alternative to the Inca Trail, but a trip unique in its own. 

 

 

Choquequirao (“The Cradle of Gold” in Quecha) is an ancient Inca city known by many as the “other” Machu Picchu.  Built by Tupac Inca Yupanqui and Huayna Capac (1471-1527), it is one of the lost Incan cities rediscovered by Juan Arias Díaz in 1710. Although receiving little attention until once again rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in the early 1900’s, it is a great alternative to the crowded Inca Trail and leads to an area that has no road access. It was one of the last cities that the Incan Empire withheld from Spanish control (from 1535-1571) and was most likely an entrance to the City of Vilcacamba. It is located in between the Salkantay mountain range and above the Apurimac River, in the heart of the Cusco region.

 

 

This off-the-beaten-path trek takes you through many different bioregions of the Andes (as well as local village communities) on the way to the Lost Incan city of Machu Picchu. We will pass through beautiful glacial lakes, the high “punas” (treeless grasslands), secluded waterfalls, farmlands, lagoons, and subtropical regions. Observe native Andean waterfowls, ibis, and herds of llamas, alpacas, and sheep as we hike along this remote trail. Trek to the marvelous Lares Hot Springs to enjoy the medicinal baths before exploring the glorious ruins of Machu Picchu. This adventure is ideally suite for those looking to see Machu Picchu without the crowd on the Inca Trail.

 

 

The highest mountain in the Vilcanota Mountain Range, Ausangate stands at an impressive 6385 meters (20,950 feet). It is considered sacred by the local peoples as one of the ancient Incan “Apus” and is a central pilgrimage destination for the Quechua people. In this amazing trekking circuit, you will enjoy spectacular mountain scenery, snow-capped peaks, expansive glaciers, hot springs, pristine glacier lakes, herds of llamas and alpacas, picturesque villages, and traditional Quechua people. This moderate to challenging trek takes you all the way around the massif of Mt. Ausangate and over several high passes above 5000 meters (16,400 feet) – with no climbing required.

 

Lying between the Urubamba River and Apurimac River, the mountains of the Cordillera Vilcabamba are a magnificent display of Peru’s biodiversity and beauty. On this journey we will pass through Salkantay towards Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail. The first half of the trip will bring you through tropical cloud forests and snowcapped peaks while the second half connects you with the classic Inca Trail. Arrive at Machu Picchu the sixth night to explore and enjoy the sunset before heading back to Aguas Calientes for the night. We conclude the trek with a guided tour of Machu Picchu and free time to better explore the ruins. Don’t miss out on this exceptional gem of the Andes.

 

 

In this trek we will get up close and personal with the Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon in the world. In this exciting adventure, we will descend deep into the canyon, pass through native towns, emerge upon a lush desert oasis, soak in steamy hot springs, observe incredible geological formations, – all the while accompanied by splendid views of the colossal peaks lining the canyon. On the last day, we will ascend out of the canyon to the “Cruz del Condor,” where we will see the famed flight of the condor.

 

 

 

The Volcano “El Misti” is a glorious sight to behold when visiting the City of Arequipa, the 2nd largest city in Peru.  Looming at an incredible 5830 meters (19,101 feet), this magnificent stratovolcano, whose name means “Gentleman” in Quechua, stands guard over the inhabitants of Arequipa. Although technically still an active volcano, Misti has only erupted four times in the past 500 years with the last major occurrence in 1870. This unforgettable two-day climb takes you to the top of the volcano and into the crater, and then back again – all the while accompanied by splendid views of the surrounding desert terrain.