Moderate Climbing Peaks Near Machu Picchu

Headed to Machu Picchu next June and we're planning on staying an extra 5 days for the purpose of climbing one of the nearby peaks.  But I've not been able to find much climbing (vs trekking) info on this area.  Please send PM if you have info on any route info on moderate peaks (Mt Rainier- DC, Tahoma Glacier, etc. like route), of if you know the title of a good guide book that might cover this specific area.  Thx!

The range outside Cusco is called the Cordillera Vilcanota. Nevado Ausangate is the biggest/most climbed peak in the range, but it's more difficult than the DC/Tahoma, more akin to the North ridge of baker (but topping out at 21000'), in that there's some ice steps along the route. There's a fairly popular trekking loop around it that looks pretty awesome. Decent maps and route descriptions are hard to come by in this corner of the Andes, so for either trekking or climbing it will probably be worth hiring an arriero (mule driver) to at least show you the approach.

I don't have any info on the lesser peaks in the Vilcanota. In general, there is not nearly as much climbing happening around Cusco as in other areas of Peru, so I'm not even sure how much info you could get out of local guiding companies. Lots more options and info in the Cordillera Blanca, as well as easier access. There are some high, easy volcanoes to climb out of Arequipa as well (plus it's a beautiful city, my favorite in south america). Arequipa/Cusco is not too bad of a bus ride, but Cusco/Lima is painful. I'd fly that leg if I had to do it again.

Used climbing and camping gear sell for at least 150% retail in the US. White gas burning stoves are especially in demand, so you may be able to finance a gear upgrade if you sell your stuff before leaving the country.

Thanks Andy... OK, it wasn't my search skills that failed me! There isn't a lot of info as you say, but will keep looking. The peaks in this area are not as high as some of the adjacent areas, but they look to be challenging for sure. And thanks for the beta... may write something up after the trip.

The area around Ausengate is extraordinarily beautiful and there are plenty of high peaks with technical climbs on them. Also very beautiful and surrounded by snowy peaks is the nearby Lake Sibinacocha. Yes, the trek is awesome. There are hot springs on both the way in and the way out. Macchu Picchu itself is in the Cordillera Urubamba and not the Vilcanota. The highest peak there, Salcantay, is another very high, snow covered, technical peak, but I don't know the details. I think it can be reached by a good trek from the town of Mollepata. I have a map of the Vilcanota. Send me a PM and I can try to send you a copy. Or maybe it's easy to find on the internet nowadays.

It's definitely worth hiring a arriero and animals for your trek. Not only do they transport your goods, and translate Quechua to Spanish for you, but they protect your camp, which otherwise will disappear while you are climbing.