Ausangate Trek (5 days)

This high-altitude experience takes you closer to the highest and the sacred Andean peak of Ausangate Mountain.

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Duration: 5 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Recommended age: 16 years
Language: Spanish, English, Portuguese
Max Height: 6372 msnm
Group: 2 people minimum

Apu Ausangate Trek or Ausangate Tour in Peru is one of the best experiences in Cusco. This high-altitude experience takes you closer to the highest and the sacred Andean peak of Ausangate Mountain.

Ausangate peak is a sacred mountain. It dominates the southern skyline of Cusco city. It rises 6372 meters above sea level. Locally known as Apus, this trek offers captivating views of the Peruvian highland from start to end.

Most part of the trek takes you through high passes. You will be rewarded with sights of turquoise lakes. You will have the opportunity of meeting and interacting with locals from the region who have maintained and preserved their age-old traditions and customs.

Ausangate Peru is a lifetime experience. Dotted with many snow-capped peaks you will feel extremely closer to nature.

The trek involves hikes through many high mountain passes. The highest point of the Ausangate Peru Trek is Palomani pass at 5200 meters above sea level. We highly recommend you to spend at least 4 days in Cusco before the trek to avoid altitude sickness.

Ausangate Peru is a part of the Peruvian Andes. It is subject to two seasons, wet season and dry season. During the rainy season, the trail is often wet and slippery. It is best to experience Ausangate Trek in the dry season – between March and November.

Please note that the hiking times could vary on how fast or slow you prefer to hike.

Do take a moment to check our reviews on Trip Advisor.

Day 1: Cusco - Tinqui - Upis

We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco in the morning. Then in our private transport, we will be driving you through the South Valley of Cusco to Tinqui. This is the gateway to Ausangate.

At Tinqui, we will be meeting our crew – muleteers and chef. Here we will be serving you a local meal for lunch. After lunch, we will start the Apu Ausangate Trek with a gradual uphill hike.

The first three hours of the trek offers a beautiful introduction to the Vilcanota Mountain range and the Peruvian Highland.

We will be hiking to Upis. It is a remote village at 4400 metres above sea level. It is also home to hot springs. We will be camping in Upis for the night.

You will be waking up to the pristine views of the mighty Ausangate peak. After relishing a typical breakfast, we will be hiking to the first mountain pass – Arapa Pass at 4850 metres above sea level. From the top, you will get an enchanting view of the valley below.

After a brief stop, we will be hiking down the hill for some three and a half hours. We will be hiking through some beautiful lakes. We will be crossing Puqa Q’ocha which is a green lagoon and continue to Hatun Puqa Q’ocha which is a turquoise lake. Here we will be stopping for lunch.

After lunch, we will be hiking to Apacheta Pass. It is the second pass at 4900 metres. From here you will get a panoramic view of the valley below.

You will also get to see Ausangate Q’occha. It is a turquoise lake on the foothills of Ausangate Mountain.

It gets its name from the mountain as the melting glaciers of the mountain feed the lake. We will be camping here for the night.

We will begin the day quite early in the morning with a hike up the hill to the highest point of the Ausangate Trek, Palomani Pass at 5200 metres above sea level. From here we will be descending to the valley below where we will be stopping for lunch.

After relishing a typical meal for lunch, we will be relaxing with a sight of the iconic three peaks – Tres Picos. From here we will be hiking through a lush green valley – Pampa Jutunpata. We will be hiking to Soraypampa where we will be camping for the night.

After a typical breakfast, we will be hiking through Q’ampa. It is an Andean community. We will be hiking to Q’ampa pass. It is the last pass on the trek.

Here you will be able to see different coloured lagoons. For lunch, we will be stopping on the shores of Nina Parayoc.

We will then hike through some different Andean farms and villages. Here you will be able to see different Andean Camelids – Alpacas and Llamas. Then we will reach Pacchanta. It is a small Andean village and home to natural hot springs.

For the night we will be camping here.

After a typical breakfast, we will be hiking back to Tinqui. Here we will be meeting our driver for our journey back to Cusco. We will be reaching Cusco at around 03:00 p.m.

Departure & Return Location
Cusco Hotel Transfer

Departure Time
8:00 a.m.

Price Includes

  • Round trip transport
  • Local Tour Guide (English and Spanish)
  • Tent with an extra capacity
  • Mattress, Cook and all meals as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Mules and Muleteers
  • First aid kit

Price Excludes

  • Breakfast in the first morning
  • Lunch and Dinner on the last day
  • Travel Insurance
  • Sleeping Bags
  • Any Private Expenses

Packing list

  • Original Passport (same as used at time of booking for permits/ tickets)
  • Protect & hydrate sunscreen lotion (factor 60 or 70+ is recommendable)

     

  • A light day pack
  • Different season clothes
  • Good hiking shoes and extra pairs of socks
  • Sandals or flip flops for evening
  • Sleeping bag
  • Flash Light
Ready to Experience This Adventure?

From:

$

640

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