Most likely you have already hiked in one or more beautiful parts of the world, enjoying excellent professional services. But let’s be honest: how many times, after an arduous hike have you dreamt of a pleasant hot shower, or a comfortable warm bed instead of a sleeping bag in a cold tent? Dreams become a reality at our incredible “Camino del Apu Ausangate” where travelers will rest each night in one of our four newly constructed Andean Lodges, the highest of their kind in the world.

The word “tambo” or “tampu” signified to the Incas their “resting places” located along an amazing highway system that once covered large parts of South America. They offered lodging to the famous “Chaskis”, the fast Inca runners who sprinted unbelievable distances to deliver messages across their huge empire.
 
Today there is no such need to hurry. While hiking on the “Road of the Apu Ausangate” travelers will have ample time to admire the splendor of surreal mountain scenery. Our four lodges are all within daily walking distances, reachable approximately in seven hours. The buildings are located between 4,000 and 4600 m (13000 and 15000 ft.), all facing impressive snow-covered peaks, glaciers of the Vilcanota range, and the mighty Ausangate itself.

Our tambos are eco-friendly, solid stone-constructions with local materials; fully integrated into the breathtaking landscapes of the towering Andes. Each lodge houses 10 cozy double occupancy bedrooms, tastefully decorated with native textiles and local mahogany furniture. All rooms are equipped with thermal duvets and a private bathroom with running cold and hot water, tapped from nearby springs.

There is no electricity in the lodges (propane gas is used for cooking and firewood for heating) natural light sources such as candles and lanterns contribute to the ambience. There is nothing more invigorating than the magic of the Andean sky and the myriad of stars and constellations visible on a clear night. After a long day’s journey, hikers will be warmed with a delicious local meal in our inviting restaurant while enjoying spectacular views of the Apu Ausangate and other peaks in the Cordillera Vilcanota.

Chillca Tambo.-
The starting-point of the “Camino del Apu Ausangate” trek. It is nestled less than 3 miles from the end of the Cusco-Chillca road in the large glacier valley of Quencomayo. At over 4,000 m. / 13000 ft. you can enjoy beautiful views of the Cayangates mountain. It is a great place to acclimatize, to immerse oneself in a high Andean valley and to appreciate the highest potato cultivations in the world.

Machuracay Tambo.-
This highest lodging installation in the world is located at 4,600 m. / 15,792 ft., at the bottom of the Ausangate, the most sacred mountain of the Incas. It can also be used as a base-lodge to climb the highest peak in the Cordillera Vilcanota (see our special section for the optional accent of the Apu Ausangate).

Anantapata Tambo.-
This building is different from the other three “Tambos,” with its pre-fabricated wooden structure upon a solid stone base. Constucted by the Chillca community with a government grant, it is now integrated in the operation of the “Camino del Apu Ausangate” project.

Huampococha Tambo.-
The last of the four “tambo” lies within the community of Osefina. Together with their far away neighbors from Chillca they also participate in the Andean Lodges project. They are expert weavers and here we will have the opportunity to enjoy their art.