Ausangate Trek
“An unforgettable hike to the Apu Ausangate, the most towering and sacred mountain of the Andes”
Ausangate is the fifth highest mountain in Peru and the highest in Cusco with 6384 m.a.s.l. It is hard to get there, but at the same time, is an unforgettable experience. It is the best way to learn about the spirit of the Peruvian Andes.
Ausangate is called the “The water creator and the animal protector”, since its glacial mass gives rise to rivers that pass into the low jungle and many lagoons, the more extension and the second biggest lagoon in Cusco is the Sibinacocha lagoon.
In addition, opposite the Ausangate, it is the Sinakara, where thousands of parishioners from all the cardinal points celebrate the religious festivity of the Lord Qoyllor Riti, and therefore the Ausangate it is considered Apu, Lord Protector.
Places to Visit
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Destination
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DeparturePick up from your hotel / Cusco
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Departure TimeThe time of departure prior coordination.
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Return TimeThe time of return prior coordination.
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Dress CodeCasual, comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat and light jacket.
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IncludedAusangate TrekPersonal Guide
1st Day: Cusco – Tinki – Upis
Early in the morning, we pick you up from your hotel, then we go towards the village of Tinki (3800 m.a.s.l. / 12467 ft).
On our way we visit Urcos and Ocongate towns. Once we reach Tinki town, we start our hike. We descend south from Tinki by a smooth slope which offers an excellent view of the Apu Ausangate snowy peak.
The scenery that surrounds it is typical of the Puna region, where the Ichu (Andean herb) and the wind are our companions until our campsite.
- Campsite: Upis.
- Duration: 08.00 hours.
- Distance. 10 km / 6.21 miles.
- Highest point: 4447 m.a.s.l. / 14.589 ft.
- Lowest point: 3778 m.a.s.l. / 12.395 ft.
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner.
2nd Day: Upis – Abra Arapa – Ausangate Qocha
After our breakfast, we start the hike up under the watchful eye of the most important Andean South Apu. On the way, we see all the beauty and towering of the geographic southern Andes. When we reach the Arapa pass (highest point on the hike), we will have a spectacular view of this mountain range.
After crossing the pass, we head to the charming Andean lagoons of Sonccococha, Pukacocha and Ccomercochas. After lunch, we walk up slightly in order to cross the Ausangate pass and descend towards our campsite for the day.
- Campsite: Ausangate Qocha lake.
- Duration: 09.00 hours.
- Distance. 16 km / 9.94 miles.
- Highest point: 4447 m.a.s.l. / 14.589 ft.
- Lowest point: 3778 m.a.s.l. / 12.395 ft.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
3rd Day: Ausangate Qocha – Abra Palomani – Hatunpampa
After recharging energy with a delicious breakfast, we continue our journey through a steep path that crosses the highest Palomani´s pass.
Today is an important day because we are going to enjoy a unique scenario to 5000 m.a.s.l. Then we walk down to the Huchuy Phinaya village, where we will have lunch. After a short rest, we must continue descending through a smooth slope to the next campsite. From the campsite, we contemplate a high Andean plain surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
- Campsite: Hatunpampa.
- Duration: 09.00 hours.
- Distance: 16km / 9.94 miles.
- Highest point: 5.125 m.a.s.l. / 16.814 ft.
- Lowest point: 4.650 m.a.s.l. / 15.255 ft.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
4th Day: Hatunpampa – Abra Janca – Pacchanta
We began another day of adventure. We have breakfast early in the morning and then we start our hike, which will be a challenge. We will cross the Janca pass, the second highest above the 5000 m.a.s.l. There we will enjoy a beautiful Andean landscape and the andean animals that coexist with the high mountains guarded by the spectacular Colquecruz snowy mountain.
Then continue the path downhill, we have lunch. After lunch, we continue to the Pacchanta village. Here, we will enjoy the relaxing hot springs. It will be a happy ending since it is one of the hardest days of our trek.
- Campsite: Pacchanta village.
- Duration: 08.00 hours.
- Distance: 14km / 8.69 miles.
- Highest point: 5.070 m.a.s.l. / 16.633 ft.
- Lowest point: 4.300 m.a.s.l. / 14.107 ft.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
5th Day: Pacchanta – Tinki – Cusco
This is our last day of this fantastic adventure. We have breakfast in the morning, then we descend to Tinki village, where we will say goodbye to the beauty of this region. After a delicious and typical lunch, we take our transport back towards Cusco, the city of the puma.
- Duration: 05.00 hours.
- Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles.
- Highest point: 3.778 m.a.s.l. / 12.395 ft.
- Meals: Breakfast and lunch.
TOUR LOCATION
An unforgettable walk to the Apu Ausangate, the most powerful and sacred of the Andes.