Andean Lodge to Lodge Trek facts
INTRODUCCION
Andean Lodges is an alliance between a local tour operator based in Cusco and two indigenous Andean communities, which have designed a hiking-route with four mountain lodges, to satisfy travelers from all over the world in search of a challenge with comfort and style.
Apumayo Expediciones and Andean Lodges have signed a commercial agreement to promote and put on the market this awesome trek.
The “Camino Del Apu Ausangate” provides a unique trekking experience, off the beaten path, in the Cordillera Vilcanota, a remote and unspoiled high mountain paradise in the Andes department of Cusco. It offers a rare opportunity to enjoy a few days in harmony with nature and isolated Andean shepherds, combined with the comfort of cozy, eco-friendly Andean Lodges.
Location
The Andean Lodges and the “Camino del Apu Ausangate” are located roughly 100 km (65 miles) south-east of Cusco. The access is from the small colonial city of Checacupe, on the Cusco-Puno main-road, in the fertile Vilcanota-Valley. From there a new, unpaved side-branch turns east to the town of Pitumarca (capital of the district with the same name), the road then climbs up to the pastoral community of Osefina and finally ends at the hamlet of Chillca (4,300 m / 14,000 ft), about 3 km (2 miles) away from the first lodge (the Chillca Tambo). The effective travel-time from Cusco to Chillca is about 3 hours (excluding stops and visits).
Location Map
Please click on Link to view map: http://www.andeanlodges.com/mapa.php
FACTS ABOUT THE LODGES
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Our four newly built lodges, also referred to as “Tambos” (a term used by the Incas for the “resting places” located along their amazing highway system that once covered large parts of South America) are comfortable hotels, different from other constructions usually found in isolated high mountain treks. Three of the installations have the same design consisting of a solid two-storey building, made mostly with rocks from local quarries. Eucalyptus-logs and all the wood used in the construction had to be carried a long way from lower elevations of the Cusco region, since there is hardly any vegetation at these altitudes. Burned roof-tiles and other construction material, too, had to be brought in from Cusco and Lima.
The Antanapata Tambo is quite different from the other three lodges, it is a one-storey building with a pre-fabricated wooden structure upon a solid stone base. It was constructed by the Chillca community with a government grant, and is now integrated in the “Camino Del Apu Ausangate” project. The lodges are all built into their natural surroundings and are quite spacious. The constructions are symmetrically laid out; in the center are the reception, a dining-room/bar, and a resting area. 10 double-occupancy bedrooms are equally distributed to the left and to the right, on two levels and are divided I 2 single rooms for Tour Conductors and 8 double rooms for passengers.The individual rooms vary slightly in size and include a separate bathroom. Each guest-room features two individual standard-size beds, all equipped with thermal duvets, and plain, essential furniture (beds, tables, chairs,…) made of local mahogany wood. The walls are painted in warm colors and decorated with native textiles. All rooms have windows with panoramic views of the Vilcanota mountain range, and tiled bathrooms including ceramic toilets, sink, and a shower.
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There is a spacious central area in each “Tambo,” with a bright combined living-room/dining-room (covered with a transparent polycarbonate-roof and a large glass front with spectacular views of great mountain sceneries). These rooms have inviting fireplaces, where clients can gather for social encounters, listening to music, reading, or playing games etc. There is no electricity in the lodges, propane gas is used for the showers and for cooking, and firewood is applied for heating. Candles and lanterns are employed to enhance a special atmosphere that allows one to enjoy the magic of the Andean sky and the myriad of stars and constellations visible on a clear night.
RESTAURANT & BAR
Our restaurants are mainly meant to serve hearty breakfasts for our trekking clients, small tea-breaks after the hikes, and fixed 3-course dinners, offering typical Peruvian dishes made with fresh ingredients from the Andes. (Picnic-style lunches are always held at scenic places during the trek, prepared right on the spot by our professional staff). A part from the national drink “Pisco Sour,” the lobby bar offers cocktails, beer, wine as well as any other kind of common warm and cold drinks.
ECOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
From the beginning of our planning, it was our concern to reduce environmental impact to a minimum, by using alternative and eco-friendly technologies. Bio-degradable detergents are used in bathrooms and restaurants, and all human waste is processed in so-called “bio-digesters.”
Organic residues are collected in the community of Chillca and treated for compost, and all inorganic material is taken out to the recycling plant located near Cusco.
SOCIAL IMPACT
Due to labor contribution, land valuation, and direct investment, the communities of Chillca and Osefina own almost a fifth of the shares of the company. The profits generated will be used to improve education and living conditions in general. Our project has created 24 full-time jobs and 30 or more temporal employment opportunities. Furthermore, it creates a market for alpaca meat and fleece products, as well as traditional woven textiles manufactured by the women of the communities. The direct jobs created the first year will represent some 60,000 dollars in salaries. In five years all professional services should be provided by the community members.
PROPOSED PROGRAM:
Code : TK-1CAA/09.
Duration : 5 Days / 4 Nights.
Locations :Cusco / Chillca /Machracay / Anantapata / Huampococha.
Level : 6 to 7 hours Moderate day hikes / Need good shape and prior experience.
Highest lodge : Machuracay Tambo, 4,800 m /15,800 ft . above sea level.
Highest point : Palomachayoc Pass 16,700 ft/5,100 m. above sea level .
Description : Lodge to Lodge treks above 11,280 ft to 16,700ft in the pristine Andean southern mountains of Cusco.
Minimum :1 Passengers in Fixed departures / A Fixed departure may be converted into a Private group with a minimum of 4 passengers.
Departures : Every Friday from April to Ends of November or Upon Request for Private Services.
Price for fixed departures: US$ 845
Private Groups Net Price:
| N° Passengers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 to + |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per pax in US$ | 3880 | 1690 | 1125 | 845 |
Services included:
- Professional Bilingual Mountain Guide + assistant guide y required by group size.
- Private Transportation from Cusco to Start of Trek and from End of Trek back to Cusco.
- Impermeable Duffle Bags for Luggage carried by llamas.
- Llamas to carry Luggage.
- Muleteers.
- All meals during trek (B= Breakfast / L= Lunch / D= Dinner).
- Water refill during trek when required by passengers.
- First Aid KIT with Oxygen.
- Andean music presentations upon arrival to each lodge.
- 1 pair of Alpaca Sleepers for each visitor.
- 24 hours hot water in each lodge.
- Rooms with private Bathrooms.
- Heaters in Rooms.
Services Not Included:
- Tips
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Extras not mentioned in Itinerary
- Laundry
Things to Bring
- Backpack & daypack.
- Comfortable hiking boots and good socks.
- Tennis shoes or sandals to wear around town and in the lodges.
- Gore-Tex jacket and pants / Rain gear.
- Long underwear / Gloves.
- Sun glasses, sunscreen, lip balm, hats (for sun protection and against the cold).
- Water bottle (or alternate personal hydration system).
- Extra batteries for your camera equipment (they might last less in low temperature and there are no possibilities to recharge them) memory cards and/or film /Binoculars.
- (Small) flashlight / head lamp.
- Pocket knife/Energy bars.
- Toiletries.