Authentic Andean Journeys

Welcome to

Pachamama Expeditions

Pachamama Expeditions is a return to what is essential, guided by local hands and feet that know every stone upon the trail. We do not measure the quality of our journeys by a hotel’s star rating, but by the clarity of the stars over Salkantay. We are born from a simple conviction: the Andes are not meant to be visited, but to be inhabited.

Authentic Andean Journeys

Welcome to

Pachamama Expeditions

Our Most Requested Expeditions

These are our most requested and walked routes. From deep cultural immersion to brutal, high-pass ridge lines, these treks represent the absolute heart of what we do. If you want the definitive Andean experience, start here.

Along the way, the trail passes through Inca remains that are not isolated sites but part of a wider system—hydraulic channels at Inca Canal, administrative areas like Paucarcancha, and agricultural...

Machu Picchu, Salkantay 5 Days - 4 Nights

While other destinations face the saturation of mass tourism, Choquequirao remains in a state of absolute stillness. Our route connects the domains of Humantay and Salkantay with the strongholds of...

Choquequirao, Salkantay 6 Days - 5 Nights

From there, the path descends into the valley of Wayllabamba, where water, grazing animals, and small farming communities reflect a long-standing relationship with the land. Camps are set with care,...

Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Salkantay 5 Days - 4 Nights

At Lucmabamba, the experience shifts. Coffee is not presented—it is prepared, understood from plant to cup alongside those who cultivate it. This moment anchors the descent, connecting land, knowledge, and...

Machu Picchu, Salkantay 4 Days - 3 Nights

Guests share the path with our trekking team and local communities, engaging in meaningful moments such as preparing traditional Peruvian dishes with our cooks and learning about coffee along the...

Machu Picchu, Salkantay 5 Days - 4 Nights

This is not a designed route. The experience unfolds through continuity—walking within an active landscape where camps are set in open terrain and daily life remains uninterrupted. As the days...

Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley 5 Days - 4 Nights

This is not a trail designed for tourism, but a living landscape. You walk alongside local families, herds of alpacas, and ancient paths still used to connect communities across the...

Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley 4 Days - 3 Nights

From here, the road leads toward Pacchanta, a highland settlement at the base of the Ausangate massif. Along the way, alpacas, llamas, and sheep move across open grazing land, guided...

7 Lakes 1 Day

Each day unfolds at a steady, unforced pace. Camps are set in open terrain, often near water or beneath the presence of the mountains locals understand as Apus. Time is...

7 Lakes, Rainbow Mountain 4 Days - 3 Nights

Choquequirao, Salkantay 6 Days - 5 Nights

This is not a linear journey, but a gradual passage across terrain shaped by distance, altitude, and climate. Along the way, the trail passes through shifting ecosystems where wildlife appears...

Choquequirao, Machu Picchu 7 Days - 6 Nights

The journey unfolds at a steady pace shaped by elevation, heat, and distance. Days are shared with the trekking team and, at times, with families living along the route. Camps...

Choquequirao 4 Days - 3 Nights

Machu Picchu, Salkantay 5 Days - 4 Nights

Choquequirao, Salkantay 6 Days - 5 Nights

Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Salkantay 5 Days - 4 Nights

Machu Picchu, Salkantay 4 Days - 3 Nights

Guests share the path with our trekking team and local communities, engaging in meaningful moments such as preparing traditional Peruvian dishes with our cooks and learning about coffee along the...

Machu Picchu, Salkantay 5 Days - 4 Nights

Machu Picchu, Salkantay 5 Days - 4 Nights

Choquequirao, Salkantay 6 Days - 5 Nights

Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Salkantay 5 Days - 4 Nights

Machu Picchu, Salkantay 4 Days - 3 Nights

Guests share the path with our trekking team and local communities, engaging in meaningful moments such as preparing traditional Peruvian dishes with our cooks and learning about coffee along the...

Machu Picchu, Salkantay 5 Days - 4 Nights

We Don’t Follow the Crowds. We Never Will.

Ancestral Routes by Pachamama Expeditions

5 Routes created by us and the local people — Other Inca roads to Machu Picchu

These are not alternative routes or detours around a crowded trail. They are the original roads — the ones our grandparents walked for generations: around the slopes of Salkantay and Waqaywillka, past Choquequirao, and down through the coffee farms that lead toward Machu Picchu. You will walk in silence, with people who have walked these paths all their lives. You will cross passes where tour groups don’t go, sleep under skies with no city lights, and descend toward the citadel that waits at the end of each of these five journeys.

Choquequirao, Salkantay 6 Days - 5 Nights

S/.5

From this point, the landscape opens wide. Inti Punku was not a passage, but a place of observation and ceremony, aligned with the surrounding mountains (apus). What remains is not only structure, but orientation—toward the peaks, the light, and the...

Machu Picchu 4 Days - 3 Nights

S/.5

The ascent leads to Intipunku, a sun gate positioned along the ridge, where the terrain opens toward the Veronica Glacier. From here, the relationship between mountains becomes clear. This was a place used for passage and ceremony, where the Incas...

Machu Picchu, Pisac 3 Days - 2 Nights

S/.5

This is a journey defined by territorial continuity, moving from the verticality of the high glaciers to the dense humidity of the cloud forest.

Machu Picchu, Salkantay 8 Days - 7 Nights

S/.5

Machu Picchu, Salkantay 5 Days - 4 Nights

S/.5

Who we are

We trade tourism
for presence

Pachamama Expeditions is a return to the essential. Founded by Zugar Rey Leonar Quispe Cusi, who was raised in the heart of the Sacred Valley, we bridge ancestral Quechua wisdom with high-performance professional excellence.

Our mission is to reconnect the human spirit with the Earth — through technical safety and deep environmental harmony.

Our Values

Why Explore With Us?

Organic Presence

Strategic Schedules

High-Altitude Equipment

Collective Safety

100% Local Team

The Pachamama Andean Taste

Flexible Departures, Shared Journeys.

Our calendar is completely dynamic and driven by you: You choose any route and any date. When you propose a date, you lay the foundation for a new journey.

Once a specific route is requested, it is published to our shared calendar.

Explore the dates that have already been triggered by other trekkers and claim your spot in the group. By adding your name to an existing request, you bring the entire team one step closer to the mountains.

OUR WAY OF LIFE

Allin Kausay

LIVING IN HARMONY • QUECHUA WISDOM

Allin Kausay is not a concept we read in a book. It is how we were raised. Harmony — not only between people, but between every living being, every mountain, every river, every seed that grows from this sacred earth.

This is why we carry only what we need. Why we use only organic, portable equipment on every expedition. Why we leave nothing behind — no trace, no scar — only the silent gratitude of those who walked through it.

We don’t seek unnecessary permanent camping places. We adapt to the land. We protect the people and the earth as one — because in Allin Kausay, they always were.

We carry only what we need.

We leave only footprints.

We take only memories.

passed by

0 km

Guiding Experience

0 + years

Trash Collected

0 kg

Local Team

0 %

∞

Respect for the Land

Trace left Behind

More Tours search by Categories

Culture

Day Trip

THE FULL EXPERIENCE

Everything That Matters on the Trail

Our Food on the Trail

Every meal prepared fresh using local, organic ingredients from the communities we walk through. We cook what the Andes gives us.

Hot meals cooked fresh every day on trail
Local Andean grains — quinoa, kiwicha, cañihua
Seasonal vegetables from local families
Traditional Peruvian soups and stews at altitude
Coca tea wake up every morning
Vegetarian, vegan and dietary adaptations available

Our Equipment

We carry only what is truly needed. Every item is organic, portable and designed to leave the land untouched.

Lightweight organic-certified portable tents
Natural fibre sleeping mats and liners
Biodegradable hygiene and cleaning products only
No permanent fixtures on any route
All waste carried out — zero left behind
Emergency oxygen and first aid on every expedition

Our Team

Our guides, cooks and porters come from the communities we walk through. They know these routes not because they studied them — but because they grew up on them, with families who still live along the same paths.

Certified, licensed local mountain guides
Native Quechua speakers
Wilderness first aid trained
Fairly paid community member porters
Never more than 12 travelers per guide
Everyone on the team eats the same food and uses the same equipment as our travelers

Our Commitment

Every expedition we run puts money directly into the communities along the route — through fair wages, local sourcing and long-term partnerships with Quechua families.

Direct investment in communities along every route
Partnerships with Quechua families, not agencies
Annual land-care ceremonies with community elders
100% of our team is from the Cusco region
Advocacy for indigenous land rights
No collaboration with exploitative operators

Safety — Our Priority

On every expedition, safety is not a feature — it is the foundation everything else is built on. For our travelers and for our team, without exception.

Certified wilderness first aid on every expedition
Emergency oxygen carried on all high-altitude routes
Daily briefings on terrain, weather and altitude
Evacuation protocol in place for every route
24/7 contact with our base team throughout
Insurance guidance provided before every booking

Get to Know All Our Tours

Our most loved adventures combine the raw beauty of the Andes with the vibrant soul of Peru’s historic towns. From the cobblestone streets of Cusco to the remote heights of the mountains, these popular tours are curated to give you the full experience.

7 Lakes of Ausangate

The 7 Lakes of Ausangate route moves through a high-altitude landscape shaped by glacial water, seasonal grazing, and long-standing pastoral life. The journey begins south of Cusco, passing through Pitumarca and continuing across Ocongate, where multiple Andean communities remain active along the route.

Ausangate trek

The Ausangate trek moves through a part of the Andes where life remains closely tied to land, altitude, and seasonal cycles. Communities here continue to rely on herding, weaving, and long-standing knowledge passed across generations. The route does not isolate these elements—it moves through them.

Huchuy Qosqo to Machu Picchu

This route follows a quieter line into the Sacred Valley, connecting lesser-visited Inca paths with living Andean landscapes. Huchuy Qosqo is not approached as a monument, but as part of a system still tied to surrounding communities and land use.

Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

Often referred to as the sister of Machu Picchu, Choquequirao is reached by crossing the Apurímac Canyon—a sustained descent and ascent through one of the deepest canyons in the Andes—before the route reconnects with the cloud forest paths leading toward Machu Picchu. Above, Padreyoc Peak remains present, marking the scale of the landscape.

Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley is not approached as a sequence of sites, but as a continuous landscape shaped by water, agriculture, and movement. From the eastern terraces of Pisac to the circular formations of Moray and the highland community of Chinchero, the route follows the natural direction of the valley itself.

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

The Lares route moves through high-altitude valleys where life continues on its own terms — shaped by seasons, livestock, and the natural cycles of the Andes.
This is not a trail designed for tourism, but a living landscape. You walk alongside local families, herds of alpacas, and ancient paths still used to connect communities across the mountains.

The Living Valley Path

This route moves beyond a standard visit to the Sacred Valley by combining daily life, highland walking, and a gradual approach toward Machu Picchu. It begins within active communities—where agriculture, exchange, and local traditions continue without interruption—before transitioning into a quieter mountain path above Ollantaytambo.

Salkantay Trail

This journey is defined not only by the route, but by how it is experienced. Along the Salkantay trail, it becomes a true Andean expedition, offering a deeper connection to a way of life shaped by enduring traditions. Guests share the path with our trekking team and local communities.

Salkantay-Short Inka Trail

Salkantay Trek to the Inca Trail follows a natural progression through the Andes, where each shift in landscape carries its own rhythm and meaning. It begins near the high-altitude lagoons beneath Salkantay Mountain, in a terrain shaped by ice and silence, where movement feels deliberate and grounded.

The Last Path of the Inkas

This expedition follows the ancestral arteries of the Andes, utilizing original Inka trails that once served as the primary connection between the city of Cusco and the sanctuary of Machu Picchu. This is a journey defined by territorial continuity, moving from the verticality of the high glaciers to the dense humidity of the cloud forest.

Salkantay To Choquequirao: The Trail Of The Lost City

This expedition was engineered to open the gates of Choquequirao, the “sister city of Machu Picchu”—a sprawling complex of which only 30% has been revealed to the world. While other destinations face the saturation of mass tourism, Choquequirao remains in a state of absolute stillness.

Salkantay Mountain Passage

This route follows an older logic of movement across the Andes, connecting high mountain terrain with the Sacred Valley through less frequented paths. It begins below the glaciers of Humantay and Salkantay, where the landscape is open and exposed, then gradually descends toward warmer valleys shaped by water, agriculture, and settlement. Along the way, the trail passes through Inca remains that are not isolated sites but part of a wider system.

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

The Salkantay route unfolds as a sequence of lived transitions rather than defined stages. It begins beneath the glaciated presence of Salkantay, where the air is thin and movement becomes deliberate, before crossing into valleys where the landscape softens and life gathers closer to the trail.

Inti Punku (Sun Gate) Trek To Machu Picchu

This route moves away from the conventional paths and enters a quieter section of the Andes, where movement is defined by terrain rather than expectation. The trail connects a sequence of lesser-visited sites—Ñaupa Iglesia, Perolniyoc, Raqaypata—before reaching Inti Punku, a high-altitude sun gate facing the glacier of Verónica

Lares Trek

The Lares route moves across inhabited highlands where life continues through seasonal cycles, livestock, and long-standing connections between valleys. The journey begins in remote Andean territory, crossing open landscapes before descending toward the Sacred Valley and linking with the original Inca network that leads to Machu Picchu.

Huchuy Qosqo Short Inca Trail

This route connects two distinct layers of the Andes: the highland plateaus above the Sacred Valley and the original Inca pathways leading toward Machu Picchu. The journey begins away from main roads, crossing open terrain shaped by herding routes and small communities, before gradually linking with the stonework of the Inca Trail. Huchuy Qosqo appears first—set above the valley—before the path continues toward the forested sections that lead to Machu Picchu.

Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain

Vinicunca sits within a high-altitude corridor where terrain and daily life remain closely connected. The route passes through Pitumarca, a small Andean town known for its tradition of musicians and textile work, where weaving and sound remain part of everyday life rather than presentation. From here, the road continues through smaller settlements such as Japura and Pampachiri, where herding routes define the landscape.

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain

Palcoyo offers a quieter approach to the colored mountains of the Andes, where the landscape opens gradually rather than all at once. Instead of a single peak, the route reveals a series of mineral formations spread across a high-altitude plateau, shaped by wind, exposure, and time.

Choquequirao Trek

Often referred to as the sister of Machu Picchu, Choquequirao is reached through movement rather than access. The route descends into the depth of the Apurímac Canyon before rising again toward a site that remains partially concealed within the mountain. Above, Padreyoc stands present but distant, reinforcing the scale of the terrain.

Waqrapukara

Waqrapukara stands above the Apurímac Canyon, positioned along a ridge where the landscape opens in multiple directions. Reaching it requires leaving the main routes and moving through highland terrain where communities remain dispersed and the pace is defined by distance and altitude.

Made in the Mountains by Pachamama Expeditions

We believe that unique life milestones deserve a different kind of energy on the trail. Our special editions—like our high-altitude honeymoons and women-only departures—are crafted to elevate the human spirit. These itineraries blend the rich, living traditions of the Cusco markets with absolute mountain isolation. It’s the perfect balance of vibrant culture and raw nature, tailored for moments you will never forget.

Day Tour

Local Life

Alpaca Meeting Experience

The ancient captial, alive in every stone and every street.

Cusco is not just a starting point – it is a destination in itself. Our local city tour goes beneath the surface: the Inca stonework under the Spanish cathedral, the market families who have traded in the same spot for generations, the barno of San Blas where our ow community lives.

1 Day

Special Experience

Private

Honeymoon Experience to Machu Picchu

Where the Mountains Become Part of the Vow

The Andes have been receiving what people bring to them — grief, gratitude, intention, prayer — for longer than any written record reaches. The Q’ero spiritual tradition, which guides the ceremony here, understands a wedding not as a declaration made to other people, but as a commitment made in the presence of something much larger: Pachamama, the Apus, the four elements that hold this landscape together.

2 Days

Special Experience

Tradition

Coffee und Cacao Experience to Machu Picchu

A Living Tradition, not a Wellness Product

The ceremony at Santa Ana community in Maras is led by a shaman guide whose practice is rooted in that tradition, not in the wellness tourism that has borrowed its vocabulary. What happens in that space is not performed for visitors. It is conducted the way it has always been conducted — and you are invited to be present for it.

Halfday

Feedback from our Travellers

Placeholder

Contact Us

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to explore Peru?

The best time for trekking in the Peruvian Andes is during the dry season from May to September. You can expect clear blue skies and sunny days, which are perfect for mountain photography. However, nights at high altitudes (like Ausangate) are freezing and can drop below 0°C.

What should I pack for the Trekking Tours?

The secret to the Andes is the layering system (the “onion principle”), as temperatures fluctuate wildly between sun and shade. Thermal base layers, a fleece or down jacket, and a waterproof/windproof shell. Don’t forget a warm hat (Chullo), gloves, and thick hiking socks.

How fit do I need to be for the Tours?

Fitness is important, but acclimatization is the real key. You should be in good cardio shape and able to walk for 6–8 hours a day on uneven terrain. Even the fittest athletes can get altitude sickness (Soroche). We strictly recommend spending at least 2–3 days in Cusco (3,400m) before starting any trek.

What is Altitude Sickness and how can I prevent it?

It’s caused by lower oxygen levels at high altitudes. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, and fatigue. To prevent it: drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and heavy meals on your first day, and try local remedies like Coca tea. If symptoms persist, the only cure is descending to a lower altitude.

Welcome to

Pachamama Expeditions

Welcome to

Pachamama Expeditions

Our Most Requested Expeditions

We Don’t Follow the Crowds. We Never Will.

Ancestral Routes by Pachamama Expeditions

5 Routes created by us and the local people — Other Inca roads to Machu Picchu

We trade tourismfor presence

Why Explore With Us?

Flexible Departures, Shared Journeys.

Allin Kausay

More Tours search by Categories

Everything That Matters on the Trail

Get to Know All Our Tours

7 Lakes of Ausangate

Ausangate trek

Huchuy Qosqo to Machu Picchu

Choquequirao to Machu Picchu

Sacred Valley

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

The Living Valley Path

Salkantay Trail

Salkantay-Short Inka Trail

The Last Path of the Inkas

Salkantay To Choquequirao: The Trail Of The Lost City

Salkantay Mountain Passage

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

Inti Punku (Sun Gate) Trek To Machu Picchu

Lares Trek

Huchuy Qosqo Short Inca Trail

Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain

Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain

Choquequirao Trek

Waqrapukara

Made in the Mountains by Pachamama Expeditions

Alpaca Meeting Experience

Honeymoon Experience to Machu Picchu

Coffee und Cacao Experience to Machu Picchu

Feedback from our Travellers

Contact Us

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to explore Peru?

What should I pack for the Trekking Tours?

How fit do I need to be for the Tours?

What is Altitude Sickness and how can I prevent it?

We trade tourism
for presence