The Ausangate trek is a high altitude 70km hike in Peruvian mountains near Cusco with an average altitude of over 4000m. Unlike most other hikes in the region Ausangate is not about Inca ruins, it's all about beautiful scenery; snow peaks, glaciers, colorful mountain lakes, and the Rainbow Mountain.
The Ausangate (6398m/20991f) is considered one of the most beautiful snow-capped mountains of the Andes.
The areas surrounding this mountain offer extraordinary sceneries of mountains, glaciers and lagoons. Moreover, the Andean people are very welcoming and friendly and preserve the respect for the nature. They also have an excellent knowledge of farming vicuñas, alpacas and lamas, being the first two appreciated for their fine quality of wool and alpaca for its meat. We will drive for 4 hours from Cusco and get prepared for a cold temperature and high altitude.
Altitude: 4050 – 5100 m. / 13287ft – 16732ft
Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours approx.
Overnight Accommodations: Camping facilities
Lowest Point: 3.815 m / 12513 ft.
Highest Point: 4,600 m / 15,088 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, afternoon tea time and dinner
Our trekking expert guide will pick you up at 5 am from your hotel in Cusco and then, we head out in our private vehicle for roughly 3 hours to the trailhead of Ausangate trek 5 days. Along the journey, you will pass through different colorful villages following the highway to Puerto Maldonado. After driving 2.5 hours, we stop at Tinque (3815 m. 12513 ft.) to use a bathroom and buy something that we forgot to buy in Cusco and then we continue driving for 30 minutes by dirt road to get to the trailhead. Upon arrival, you will have time to organize your daypack and duffel bags while your trekking cook prepares the breakfast.
We will enjoy breakfast with spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range and Apu Ausangate peak (sacred mountain) located right ahead of your trail, while our horsemen (muleteers) get the gear organized and packed for the hike. Then, the hiking guide will introduce the staff of the company who will be on Ausangate Circuit where you before began the hike.
We begin hiking on a small path that wind through the field of potato and Andean grains. The first three hours of hiking run over hilly pampa crossing some streaming and slight rise where you see some Andean row of houses built like in their ancestor’s time. While you hike through the spiky ichu grass of the pampa, you will have a chance to see some Andean gulls hovering on the wind, also we hike nearby of small ponds around Upis which is a perfect habitat for the Andean bird.
Just before Upis community (4,600 m / 15,088 ft.), you will enter by broad valley heading towards the glacier where you´ll enjoy your lunch just right at the base of Ausangate Mountain (6,372 m. 20,900 ft.). After lunch, you will continue hiking for 1.5 hours to get to the first campsite through slight rise trail. Once you get to the camp, you will have free time to take a rest or walk around the campsite before the happy hours (afternoon tea), followed by dinner. Durant the dinner, the guide will tell you the scheduled wake time for the next day.
Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles
Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours approx.
Overnight Accommodations: Camping facilities
Lowest Point: 4,550 m / 14,924 ft.
Highest Point: 5,000 m / 16,400 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, afternoon tea time and dinner
Our staff will wake you up and then, you will enjoy the breakfast. The path then starts to climb gently and consistently through the beautiful valley and rock-strewn area until the first pass, known as Arapa Pass (4760 m. / 15,595 ft.). Along the way, we may have an opportunity to view some wildlife. Vicuña (one of the South American camelids) usually are abundant along the way with Condor (the largest flying land bird). Additionally, we hike nearby beautiful and colorful lakes, known as Yana Qocha (black lake) and Puca Qocha (red lake) that are harbor a variety of birds (waterfowl such as Andean geese, giant coots, and ducks paddle about upon the water’s surface).
Lunch break while we enjoy a fantastic meal.
Following the lunch, we will hike 3 hours to the second camp, the first 1.5 hours the trail is uphill with stunning views of the mountain ranges of the Andes and also we see a pile of stones that were made by hikers as offering to Apu Ausangate (Holy Mountain). From the pass, we descend for 1.5 hours to get to the camp, hiking close to some llamas and alpacas grazing free. At the camp, we enjoy our afternoon tea and dinner and then to go to sleep, because the next day wake up will be early.
Hiking Distance: 14 km / 8.69 miles
Hiking Time: 9 – 10 hours approx.
Overnight Accommodations: Camping facilities
Lowest Point: 4,600 m / 15,088 ft.
Highest Point: 5,000 m / 16,400 ft.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, afternoon tea time and dinner
This morning, the wake-up time will very early to go to explore the painted hill or Vinicunca “Rainbow Mountain Peru”. Will only bring what we need. Typically, the sky is clear and is filled with stars. The hiking path is uphill for about one hour to Ananta Pass which is over 5,000m / 16,400ft. From here, the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain can be seen so far, after a short break, we descent and hike for about 1.5 hours to get the Rainbow Mountain.
Upon arrival, we will soak up amazing views of the painted hill or Vinicunca on Vilcanota mountain range and will receive information from your guide, why those mountains are unique!
After exploring, we back to our camp by the same path that we took, along the way, we will have a chance to see some peasant that are still using the llamas as in the Incas time. Once we get to the camp, we have time to take rest and enjoy the delicious lunch.
In the Afternoon, we will hike for 3 hours to the Ausangate Qocha camp where we follow the path along the skirt of colorful mountains. At the third camp will have afternoon tea before being served an amazing dinner
Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
Overnight Accommodations: camping facilities
Lowest Point: 4,600 m / 15,088 ft.
Highest Point: 5,130 m / 16,826 ft.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner
Level of difficulty: Challenging
This morning we have a wonderful breakfast and depart Ausangate Qocha and ascend to the highest point pass of the Ausangate Circuit, known as Palomani Pass that is over 5,100 m. / 15,010 ft. the trail ascends between the red bluffs of apacheta (mound of stones) and peaceful mountains. Where we´ll hike with our goal to reach the highest point. At the Ausangate Highest Point Pass, we´ll snap the unique pictures and soak up the gratification of our achievement.
Looking down the stunning valleys and Peruvian Andes (The Andes Mountain Range). After having photos at the Pass, we will begin our descent following the trail as it loops across the steep slope passing corrals and herds of llamas and alpacas.
After having lunch, we climb over the hilly terrain surrounding the peak of Ausangate, toward a marshy area to reach the upper level of the valley where is our basecamp. Upon arrival at basecamp of Qampa camp (4,750 m / 15,580 ft.), we will rest and have hot drinks.
Likewise, around the camp amid these rocks and bounders, you will have an opportunity to see viscachas muted brown in color (rodent in extension danger like rabbit with a long tail). At dinner time, your guide will provide the plan for the next day.
Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.83 miles
Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
Lowest Point: 4,300 m / 14,104 ft.
Highest Point: 5,030 m / 16,498 ft.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast, this morning we leave Qampa basecamp with beautiful views of Huayna Ausangate Mountain through the Andean typical houses ascending step by step for about 2.5 hours towards Qampa Pass that is an altitude of 5,020 m. / 16,380 ft. Along the way, we will be amazed by snow-capped peaks and also is possible to see an ice-cape in the ravine below. From the Qampa Pass, we continue descending to gorgeous Qomercocha (green lake) located in the skirt of the Puka Moqo (Red Mountain).
Finally, we reach to Paqchanta village to have the last lunch prepared by our chef; furthermore, at Paqchanta you will have a chance to soak the natural hots spring before or after lunch, before taking transportation to Cusco.
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