Ausangate Trek 05 Days / 04 Nights
Peru is famous for being home to many exhilarating treks. Though not as popular as some of the other trails accessible from Cusco, the Ausangate trek is just as worthwhile. In fact, being less crowded with tourists is part of its charm. It guarantees travelers who venture on this remote journey a more unique experience. While you won’t come across Incan ruins, it makes up for it with breathtaking natural scenery and spiritual significance.
Reaching altitudes of up to 5,200 m / 17,060 ft, the Ausangate trail offers an “off the beaten track” experience boasting turquoise glacier lakes, snow-capped peaks, rainbow mountains, hot water springs and much more. The centerpiece of the trek is the mighty Apu Ausangate, one of the tallest mountains in Peru.
The Ausangate trek passes through remote areas untouched by mass tourism. This has preserved it as a habitat for many wildlife species found in Andean mountains. Come face to face with llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and vizcachas (South American rabbit-like rodents). There are also various types of birds, such as Andean condors, black-chested buzzard eagles, and hummingbirds.
This is a remote region to trek in, but close enough to Cusco to be accessible. If you like hiking in the wilderness and staying in a tent surrounded by turquoise lakes and glaciers you might enjoy this trek.
Day 1: Cusco – Tinki – Upis
Day one of the Ausangate Trek begins with an early hotel pick-up from Cusco (3,400 m / 11,154 ft) for an approximately four-hour drive to a small village called Tinki, which is the starting point of the Ausangate Trek.
When you arrive in Tinki (3,800 m / 12,467 ft) you’ll meet the horsemen and your guide will pump you up with a motivational speech and before you know it, you’ll be off along the trailhead towards Ausangate mountain.
The first part of the Ausangate circuit trail eases in along a path that gently ascends as it leads away from civilization and into the mountains. You’ll come around a bend to see the lunch tents already set up by the porters.
After a three-course meal, you’ll continue hiking for another two hours or so through vast fields of green, passing by scattered stone houses and herds of alpacas.
Our campsite is located in a place called Upis (4,400 m / 14,435 ft) for the night and you’ll arrive just in time to take some photos of a flowing river with the almighty Ausangate peak in the backdrop. There are also hot springs here if you wish to take a hot dip.
Dinner will be served shortly after sunset, which is absolutely delicious, and then our porters will offer you hot water bottles to take inside your tents for extra warmth during the night.
- Meals included: lunch & dinner
- Maximum altitude: 4,400 m / 14,435 ft
- Minimum altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft
- Campsite altitude: 4,400 m / 14,435 ft
- Distance hiked: 10.00 km / 6.21 ml
- Approximate walking time: 4 – 5 hours
Day 2: Upis – Arapa Pass – Ausangate Cocha
Day two of the Ausangate trek begins bright and early for breakfast before continuing on the Ausangate circuit trail. You’ll start a three-hour hike up to Arapa Pass (4,850 m / 15,912 ft) and incredible views of Maria Huamantilla mountain and Ausangate mountain can be seen from there.
From the Arapa Pass, you’ll descend across some epic trails through the valley and down to our lunch spot which is set up beside one of the glacier lakes, boasting a small waterfall at one end.
After lunch, you’ll hike for a further two hours over the green lake of Pucacocha (4,550 m / 14,927 ft) and the turquoise lake of Hatun Pucacocha which was formed by a melting glacier. Then you’ll continue on a long and slow ascent to the second pass of the day, Ausangate Pass (4,900 m / 16,076 ft) overlooking the impressive Ausangate Cocha lake (4,650 m / 15,255 ft) and its turquoise blue waters formed by a melted glacier. Luckily you’ll have a good excuse to stop at the top to enjoy the scenery and then start descending into the valley to our camp close to this lake.
The camp will be already set up by the time you have all arrived and again, another three-course dinner will be dished up and very much appreciated.
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Maximum altitude: 4,900 m / 16,076 ft
- Minimum altitude: 4,550 m / 14,927 ft
- Campsite altitude: 4,650 m / 15,255 ft
- Distance hiked: 16.00 km / 9.94 ml
- Approximate walking time: 8 – 9 hours
Day 3: Ausangate Cocha – Palomani Pass – Qampa
You awake to the silence of man and the sounds of nature, surrounded by views of the mountains bathed in early morning light. After breakfast, you’ll begin a steep climb for two hours to the Palomani Pass (5,200 m / 17,060 ft) which is the highest pass of the Ausangate trek. The ascent is relatively steep and the altitude can affect the pace. Don’t push up yourself and walk at your own pace.
A panoramic viewpoint awaits at the top with extensive views of countless mountain peaks in the Cordillera Vilcanota region and a birds-eye perspective of Ausangate Cocha Lake.
The trek continues down into Huchuy Finaya valley where you’ll stop for lunch. Descending through the valley of Finaya Pampa (4,500 m / 14,763 ft) makes for a long downhill day leading you to our next camp at Qampa (4,650 m / 15,255 ft). Today you’ll walk amongst free roaming alpacas and llamas grazing on the mountainside. Also you’ll see the local farmers as you pass by their stone houses, which may be refreshing after our first two days almost total in isolation.
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Maximum altitude: 5,200 m / 17,060 ft
- Minimum altitude: 4,500 m / 14,763 ft
- Campsite altitude: 4,650 m / 15,255 ft
- Distance hiked: 16.00 km / 9.94 ml
- Approximate walking time: 7 – 8 hours
Day 4: Qampa – Qampa Pass – Qomercocha - Pacchanta
After having breakfast you’ll leave the camp. Day four is essentially the last big day of trekking through the Qampa Valley along a rocky trail with some of the best mountain views on the Ausangate trek so far. There is also an abundance of wildlife through this valley, so keep your eyes peeled. The last leg of the trek goes up and over the Qampa Pass (5,000 m / 16,404 ft) offering insane views of the Three Peaks and Pacchanta Valley.
From here the final descent begins between Ausangate Mountain and two twin mountains, passing by glacial moraines, vibrant lakes and snow-capped peaks, after a couple of hours you’ll emerge out to our scenic lunch spot at Qomercocha (4,600 m / 15,092 ft)
After enjoying our last lunch you’ll be gradually entering back into civilization, going down to the quaint village of Pacchanta (4,200 m / 13,779 ft) for our final campsite. Once there, you’ll have the option to go for a dip in the hot springs before dinner; if you take it, again your bathers will come in useful for a fabulously hot and well deserved soak in yet more thermal springs, and also you might enjoy some beer.
- Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Maximum altitude: 5,000 m / 16,404 ft
- Minimum altitude: 4,200 m / 13,779 ft
- Campsite altitude: 4,200 m / 13,779 ft
- Distance hiked: 16.00 km / 9.94 ml
- Approximate walking time: 7 – 8 hours
Day 5: Pacchanta – Tinki – Cusco
After yet another delicious breakfast in the mountains, you’ll have about a three-hour walk downhill, back into the village of Tinqui (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), thus completing the circuit. On arrival you’ll say good bye to our trek team, meet up with our driver and with a scrumptious boxed lunch you’ll head back to your hotel in Cusco.
Probably you’lI feel shattered but happy to have been able to enjoy another great trek, with one of the most beautiful landscapes that you have seen in your entire life.
- Meals included: breakfast & boxed lunch
- Maximum altitude: 4,200 m / 13,779 ft
- Minimum altitude: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
- Cusco altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154
- Distance hiked: 10.00 km / 6.21 ml
- Approximate walking time: 3 – 4 hours
Transportation and tickets
- Transfer in from the airport to your hotel in Cusco
- Hotel pick up in Cusco
- Private transport to the trailhead in Tinki
- Entrance fee ticket to the Ausangate trail
- Entrance fee ticket to the hot springs in Upis
- Entrance fee ticket to the hot springs in Pacchanta
- Private transport from Tinki back to Cusco
- Hotel drop off in Cusco
- Transfer out from your hotel to the airport
Camping equipment
- Comfortable 4-season sleeping tent
- Four nights camping
- Foam mattress
- Outdoor dining and cooking tents
- Food and drink utensils
- Portable chemical toilet tent
- Emergency medical first aid kit
- Emergency oxigen bottle
- Duffle bag for your personal items up to 8 Kg / 17 Lb
- Biodegradable soap and hand towels
- Portable transmitter-receiver radio
- Satellite telephone
Team
- Pre-departure Ausangate Trek briefing
- Professional trekking Tour Guide
- Personalized service
- Small tour group max 8 people
- Professional and well trained Trek Chef
- Horsemen and mules to carry provided equipment and food
- Extra horse for emergencies only
- Guaranteed departure
Food
- High quality meals while on the trek 4B, 5L, 4D & snacks
- Drinking water to refill bottles from first day lunch onwards
- Classic afternoon tea before dinner
- This tour offers vegetarian and vegan food options on request simply let us know the food option that you prefer
- First day breakfast and dinner in Cusco
- Meals after arrival to Cusco
- Personal sleeping tent (available for rent)
- Sleeping bag (available for rent)
- Sleeping bag polar liner
- Insulated air sleeping pad (available for rent)
- Hiking poles (available for rent)
- Rain poncho
- Extra expenses
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- International or local airfare
- Hotel in Cusco
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