Can you imagine hiking the most beautiful snow-capped mountains of the Andes while camping near deep blue lagoons, enjoying hot spring baths, going through passion fruit plantations, and watching flocks of red-headed parrots? You can experience this and much more in Peru thanks to the luxury adventure travel tours offered by Terra Explorer.
Si deseas alejarte del ritmo agitado de la ciudad y conectar con la calma de la naturaleza, no hay nada mejor que explorar los nevados Salkantay y Ausangate, consideradas en la cosmovisión andina como dioses o montañas sagradas.
Are you interested in enjoying adventure tourism exploring unique routes? We invite you to learn more about these remote destinations in the Andes.
A dramatic and imposing mountain, the fifth-highest in Peru and located about 100 kilometers southeast of the city of Cusco, at the height of 6,372 meters above sea level in the Vilcanota mountain range. From high above, it protects the imperial city.
The source of the Vilcanota river is very close to Ausangate. For this reason, it is believed that from this mountain, masculine water originates, fertilizing mother earth, the “Pachamama.”
At 6,271 meters above sea level, in the Vilcabamba mountain range is Salkantay mountain. Its name comes from native Quechua language; Salqa, which means wild and Antay, which means to create avalanches. Like Ausangate, this is a sacred mountain, and Apu or a God.
According to the National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine, the hike to this glacier is one of the 25 best treks in the world.
According to the legend told by the inhabitants of the area, Salkantay and Ausangate were two brothers who lived in the city of Cusco, and a time came when they both had to take different paths.
The town where they lived suffered a long season of drought, so they decided to venture into strange lands to find a way to save theirs. Salkantay went towards the Amazon, where he meets Veronica, who becomes his forbidden love.
While Ausangate headed south, towards the Altiplano, finding a great variety of food production. From there, he decides to send products such as meat, corn, and potatoes, thus saving his people.
Today, the only witnesses to this legend are both mountains. Sacred since the beginning of time, they continue to protect their surrounding villages.
Our team of adventure travel experts has designed fabulous itineraries, including uncrowded and hidden trails to awe-inspiring destinations. If you are looking for a trek through the snow-capped mountains of Salkantay or Ausangate, we invite you to try some of our exclusive routes:
It is the perfect hike for people who want to explore the beauty of the mountains of Peru without having to cover long distances every day.
You will have the opportunity to have lunch with stunning views of the snowy Ausangate; camping surrounded by sceneries that are out of this world, hike an ascent towards a viewpoint that has outstanding view of the mountains; enjoy a bath in hot springs; and for two nights, camp in total comfort at Azulcocha, a turquoise and blue lagoon perched at the foot of Ausangate; among other activities throughout the four days of exploring these highlands.
For 4 days, you will cross mountain passes going over 4600 meters while enjoying the view of the mighty Salkantay and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. The landscape will change drastically as it descends into a cloud forest, leaving aside the arid highlands and entering into areas of coffee and tropical species plantations.
Hike through banana, passion fruit, and avocado farmlands while observing flocks of red-headed parrots.
During the fifth day, you will have the opportunity to have an exceptional tour of Machu Picchu and climb the summit of Huaynapicchu, from where you can appreciate the Inca citadel differently.
Would you like to find out all of the exclusive trails we have designed for Salkantay and Ausangate? We invite you to check out our itineraries. Remember that we also create trips according to your needs and interests.
Now that you know more about the snow-capped mountains of Salkantay and Ausangate, would you like to see them? In Terra Explorer, we have several itineraries for you. If you want to be part of our adventures and know Peru in an authentic and spectacular way, get in touch with us, and we will help you design the trip of your dreams!
To ensure the well-being and safety of our travelers and staff throughout our operational chain, Terra Explorer will comply with the health and safety measures and protocols established by the Peruvian Association of Adventure Tourism and Ecotourism (APTAE), and implement the Covid-19 health and safety guidelines for adventure tourism developed by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).
Our experiences are designed considering the least possible exposure, where the final destinations are usually remote places. By their very nature, our adventure activities are considered to be low risk, mainly because they are performed outdoors where ventilation is constant and making it easy to achieve social distancing.
During these times we are working together with a small staff of honorable people who have been part of the Terra Explorer family for many years. They and their families are aligned with the established health and safety measures. Employing these staff members also seeks to reactivate the local economy.
We guarantee a safe, soul-fulfilling trip to all our travelers for whom we make these adventures possible.
Terra Explorer will strictly comply with the safety, cleaning, and hygiene protocols during our internal processes, third parties, and throughout your trip. This involves:
Follow the instructions related to health and safety given by the Terra Explorer team and your guide, before and during your trip.
Stay home if:
With the intention of delivering the most flexibility at the time of confirming your trip, we will determine the amount of the initial deposit individually and according to your itinerary characteristics.
Secure your trip with a deposit and pay the rest in one or more payments, at a time that suits you best. Please make sure you adhere to our policy and pay in full at least 31 days prior to your trip date.
If you need to cancel your trip, we will apply the following flexible policies.
For more detailed information on our terms and conditions and Covid-19 policies, please contact us at [email protected]
