Day 2: Seven Lakes – Upis – Arapa Pass – Puka Qocha (4,650 m / 15,255 ft)
Drive time: ~3.5 hours
Trek time: 3–4 hours (easy to moderate)
Altitude: 4,200–4,600 m (13,780–15,090 ft)
We begin our journey early from Cusco, heading toward the remote Andean village of Pacchanta, a quiet highland community nestled at the foot of the mighty Ausangate Mountain. The drive itself offers plenty of chances to photograph timeless Andean landscapes—rolling valleys, ancient terraces, and herds of alpacas roaming free.
Upon arrival in Pacchanta, we start our photographic trek through the 7 Lakes, a collection of glacial lagoons scattered like jewels around the base of Ausangate. Each lake--Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, China Otorongo, Azulcocha, Pucacocha, Patacocha, and Alqacocha—has its own unique color and personality, shifting from emerald green to deep turquoise depending on the light.
Landscape Photography Highlights:
Reflections of Ausangate mirrored in still, high-altitude waters
Layered glacier textures in the background with colorful lakes in the foreground
Vibrant color contrasts between turquoise lakes, golden puna grass, and snowy peaks
Dynamic clouds and changing light for moody wide-angle landscapes
Bring your wide-angle lens and ND filters—you’ll want to capture the sheer scale of the environment. The lakes provide endless composition options: from minimalist reflections to dramatic foreground elements like boulders, flowers, and animal tracks.
Day 1 – Cusco – Pacchanta – 7 Lakes of Ausangate
Machu Picchu (twice!) ✓ Rainbow Mountain ✓ Inca Trail ✓ Ausangate Mountain ✓ Red Valley ✓
Photography Tour Ausangate Astrophotography Rainbow Mountain & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 6D/5N
Discover the ultimate fusion of adventure, landscape, and night-sky photography on the Ausangate Rainbow Mountain astrophotography tour. This 6-day journey combines the iconic Rainbow Mountain & Ausangate photo expedition with high-altitude trekking, Andean cultural immersion, and breathtaking astrophotography experiences in Peru’s remote Andes.
High-Altitude Trekking & Landscape Photography
Experience the Ausangate Rainbow Mountain trekking photography as you traverse stunning landscapes, including glaciers, high-altitude lakes, and the vibrant strata of Rainbow Mountain. Capture panoramic views and pristine Andean mountain lake photography Peru amidst the towering peaks of the Cordillera Vilcanota.
Astrophotography in the Andes
Participate in the Ausangate astro‑trek Peru and High Andes star photography trek, photographing the Milky Way, star trails, and night skies over some of the most remote highland regions in the world. The tour emphasizes long-exposure night photography in a low-light, high-altitude environment — perfect for both amateur and professional photographers.Ausangate 7 Lakes & Glacier Photography
Visit the spectacular Ausangate 7 Lakes photography tour, capturing reflections, mountain glaciers, and highland ecosystems. The Ausangate glacier & lake photography segments allow for dramatic shots of ice-capped peaks mirrored in turquoise alpine lakes.Inca Heritage & Sacred Valley Experience
Combine trekking with cultural photography on the Inca Trail & Ausangate astrophotography route, connecting ancient paths with modern exploration. The Sacred Valley, Ausangate & Rainbow Mountain photo journey offers opportunities to photograph Andean communities, traditional lifestyles, and historic Inca sites along the way.Remote High-Andes Adventure
This remote high‑Andes photography adventure immerses you in Peru’s most unspoiled regions, providing unique perspectives on landscape, culture, and night-sky phenomena. The combination of trekking and photography ensures every participant captures epic scenery and authentic experiences.
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Trek time: 6–7 hours
Photography Focus: Glacial lakes, layered mountainscapes, cloud drama, and high-altitude textures
We begin the day immersed in the vivid colors of the Seven Lakes near Upis—each one a different hue of blue and green, scattered like jewels beneath the Ausangate glacier. This area is a landscape photographer’s dream: the soft morning light reflecting off glassy water, the jagged ice peaks above, and the occasional silhouette of grazing alpacas.
As we hike toward Arapa Pass, the terrain changes dramatically—from lush wetlands to wide-open highlands. The climb offers panoramic views where the landscape stretches endlessly, layered with ridges, valleys, and shifting light.
At the pass (approx. 4,800 m), you’ll have an incredible vantage point for photographing the powerful contrast between snow-dusted peaks, colorful mineral-rich slopes, and deep sky drama—perfect for wide-angle shots and time-lapses.
We then descend to the ethereal Puka Qocha Lake, whose name means “Red Lake” in Quechua. Its earthy red and ochre tones contrast beautifully with the blue of the sky and the white glaciers behind it.
Golden Hour Tip: Capture the lake from a low angle to include reflections and foreground textures like wild grasses or rock formations. In the late afternoon, the warm light brings out the deep reds and golden browns of the landscape.
Day 3: Pukaqocha – Yanaqocha
Trek time: 5–6 hours
Altitude Range: ~4,300 m to 4,600 m (14,100 – 15,100 ft)
Photography Focus: Glacial lakes, rugged peaks, layered valleys, wild textures, and dramatic skies
Today’s journey is a true landscape photographer’s dream—a visual feast of high alpine drama, crystal-clear lakes, and powerful Andean backdrops.
We start by tracing the shores of Laguna Pukaqocha, where early light brings out the deep reds and copper tones that gave this lake its name (“Puka” means red in Quechua). Look for striking reflections of snow-dusted ridges mirrored on still water, and play with wide angles to capture both sky and lake in perfect balance.
As we ascend deeper into the Huayhuash wilderness, the landscapes shift from open valleys to more rugged, rocky terrain. The towering silhouettes of distant peaks contrast beautifully with the delicate textures of high-altitude grasslands and colorful mineral-rich soils.
Midway through the trek, we pass smaller hidden lagoons and glacier-fed streams—perfect spots for detail shots or minimalist compositions. You'll encounter wild patterns in the land shaped by wind, water, and time.
Finally, we arrive at Yanaqocha, the “Black Lake,” nestled beneath jagged mountain ridges. The dark, inky water contrasts with the surrounding pale rock, creating a moody, almost surreal setting that begs for contrast-rich images and low-light experiments.
Golden Hour Tip:
Yanaqocha’s basin holds light beautifully—look for sidelight hitting the ridgelines for strong shadows and definition in your compositions. It’s a place where silence and scale come together, and your images can tell that story.
Suggested Gear for the Day:
Wide-angle lens for sweeping landscapes
Polarizer to manage glare on water surfaces
ND filter for slow-shutter lake reflections
Lightweight tripod for golden hour and night shots
Day 4: Yana Cocha – Rainbow Mountain – Ollantaytambo
Trek Time: 2–3 hours
Drive Time: 4–5 hours
Photography Focus: High-altitude color palettes, dramatic ridgelines, wide-angle vistas, and cultural contrast
We rise early for the most anticipated moment of the trek: sunrise at Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). Departing from our remote Yana Cocha camp before dawn, we hike in the quiet of the morning toward one of nature’s most surreal landscapes.
As the first light touches the horizon, the mineral-rich hills of Rainbow Mountain begin to glow—bands of red, ochre, turquoise, and gold stretch across the landscape like brushstrokes on a canvas. This is where wide-angle lenses shine: capture sweeping views of the colorful ridgelines set against the snow-capped Andes.
Golden Hour Tip: Position yourself just before the main viewpoint for layered compositions—leading lines from the ridges guide the eye toward Ausangate in the background. Low-angle morning light enhances texture and contrast in the mountain’s vibrant streaks.
Bonus Landscape Moments
Watch for wandering vicuñas—their golden coats add a perfect subject in the colorful terrain.
A few steps off the main trail offer quieter compositions without crowds.
Zoom in on abstract patterns in the rock for creative detail shots.
Descent & Journey to OllantaytamboAfter plenty of time to explore and shoot, we descend to our waiting transport and begin the drive toward the Sacred Valley. The scenery shifts dramatically—from the wild highlands to the lush green valleys of Ollantaytambo. As we approach, the changing light paints the terraces and ancient Inca walls in rich gold tones.
📸 Final Frames: Shoot the late-afternoon light over the Urubamba River and the fortress of Ollantaytambo—your final contrast between raw natural wonder and ancient Inca civilization.
DAY 5 – OLLANTAYTAMBO – INCA TRAIL – AGUAS CALIENTES.
We’ll grab breakfast in your hotel before heading down to the Ollantaytambo train station around 7:30am. We’ll take this picturesque train ride along the river for just over an hour to our stop on the famous Inca Trail – KM104. Your duffel bags will continue on with our staff and you will just get off the train with your day pack.
•From the checkpoint, we’ll visit the first Inca site called Chachabamba before beginning the most challenging part of our trek.
•Today, you’ll start with a 2-hour steady incline through thick vegetation until you reach the infamous Inca Steps. You’ll spend the next 2 hours climbing and descending through a series of stairs until you finally reach the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Don’t be afraid! It’s not all bad! While you’re completing this stone step maze, you’ll see huge waterfalls, rivers, beautiful flowers, and all the unique animals and Inca sites you can only find in the Peruvian Cloudy Forest. It’s going to be a tough challenge, but we know you can do it, we’ll support you every step of the way, and you will love it in the end!
•Once we get to Wiñay Wayna, we’ll take a well-deserved rest and enjoy our boxed lunch.
•We still have 2 more hours today, but it’s smooth sailing with a level, easy path to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) – the Inca Trail entrance to Machu Picchu.
•We’ll spend a little time resting and taking photos at the Sun Gate before descending into Machu Picchu and doing a quick walk through. Unlike most other tourists, you have the unique opportunity with this hike to come back to Machu Picchu and explore tomorrow, so for now, we’ll take the shuttle down to Aguas Calientes where you’ll have a comfy bed, hot shower, and a last dinner together with us.
Bonus Tip: The weather today is going to be totally different than the weather you’ve been experiencing the last few days. You’ll be in the rainforest at this point to it will be hot and muggy, but we still recommend you wear pants and long sleeves if possible, to prevent against bug bites and the strong sun.
•Walking distance: 14KM/8.7miles (6.5 hours)
•Elevation: 2100m/6,889ft to 2700m/8,858ft
•Difficulty: Challenging
•Weather: Hot with a good chance of a little rain. Watch out for mosquitos.
•Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 – MACHU PICCHU- CUSCO.
Today is the well-deserved cherry on top of the cake! After catching the 30-minute shuttle, you will enter Machu Picchu for a two-hour guided tour of the most important sites in the city.
•At the end of the tour, you will return to Aguas Calientes to pick up your duffel bags from the hotel and return to the train station for your ride back to Ollantaytambo. A private van will take you back to your hotel in Cusco from the train station.
•Walking distance: varied! The walking tour takes 2 hours, but you may walk more if you added on one of the additional, optional climbs.
•Elevation: 2400m/7874ft
•Difficulty: Moderate. Machu Picchu city is large and requires many trips up and down stairs to see it all.
Difficulty
Very difficult: Long hikes and camping at high altitude
Price per person:2026
DOES NOT INCLUDED
INCLUDED
EXTRAS. Confort package usd 120.00
Sleeping Bag –per trek (It will be clean and warm)
Air Mattress –per trek (Therma rest mattresses)
Walking Poles - per pair per trek (Professional poles that can be extended)
Pillow per trek:
X Gratuity for staff (Guide, chef, porters, horsemens)
X Accommodation in Cusco
X Airfare
X Travel insurance
X Lunch & Dinner Day 6
X Walking sticks (available for rent for $20)
X Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb (can be reserved in advance available for additional fee of $8O per person)
•Weather: Hot and humid (bring water and rain gear)
•Includes: Breakfast
Add-Ons & Upgrades
Upgrades you can include in this trip:
•Huayna Picchu Mountain $80 USD
•Machu Picchu Mountain $80 USD
•Huchuy Picchu Mountain (small Picchu M) $80 USD
•Single supplement (hotel Aguas Calientes) – $45 USD
•Single supplement (camping tent) $35 USD
Additional items you can rent for this trip:
1 people US$2050 per person
2 people US$1550 per person
3 people US$1500 per person
4 people US$1450 per person
5 people US$1400 per person
6 people US$1350 per person
7+ people US$1300 per person.
✓ Transportation from end to end in Cusco (van + Expedition Train train)
✓ English speaking guide
✓ All meals as listed (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners) + (can accommodate dietary restrictions with proper notice)
✓ One Duffle bag per clients for items to be carried by porters (up to 22lbs/10kilos per person).
✓ Clean water for drinking provided at every meal stop + daily Snack.
✓ 1 Night 3* hotel in Ollantaytambo and in Aguas Calientes & 3 nights camping in the wilderness.
✓ All entrance fees and permits (permits for Ausangate, short Inca trail & Machu Picchu + Bus & train tickets)
✓ Camping equipment (dining-kitchen tents, tents – 2 people/tent) (single occupancy available for additional charge)
✓ Portable toilet (Ecological toilet for our clients only)
✓ Professional Chef
✓ Pack animals to carry duffle + equipment (horse)
✓Emergency horse available for anyone who needs to take a break from hiking due to illness or injury
✓ Sleeping Mattress
✓ Basic First aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
