4 Days and 3 Nights
TREKKING / ADVENTURE
The Expedition
The 5-day Ausangate trek is an adventure experience that traverses the stunning landscapes of the Andes, offering impressive glaciers, lagoons, and streams. During the journey, we will also have the opportunity to meet the local inhabitants, who have a great respect for nature. This hike is ideal for individuals in good physical condition.
Day by Day
We depart from Cusco at 6:00 am for the 5-day Ausangate journey in a private vehicle towards the town of Urcos. During the route, we travel through the district of Urcos until we reach Tinqui Ocongate. We will begin our expedition from the town of Quinsapucyu and arrive at Upis Huarmisaya, enjoying incredible views, including the impressive Ausangate Mountain. Along the way, we can observe local farmers in their traditional attire. Once we arrive at the campsite, our chef will have a delicious lunch prepared for us. In the afternoon, we will have free time to rest at the campsite.
On the second day, we will wake up early at 5:00 am and coca tea will be brought to your tent. Then, we pack quickly, enjoy a light breakfast, and begin walking towards the Arapa Pass, which is at an altitude of 4958 meters above sea level. We will descend gently until we reach our lunch spot near Pucacocha Lake. After enjoying a delicious meal, we will continue walking uphill towards the second pass called Pucacocha (5000 meters above sea level). Then, we will descend for two more hours until we reach our campsite called Ananta. Along the way, we can appreciate different glacier peaks, rivers, small lakes, alpacas, local shepherds, and llamas. Of course, you will always be accompanied by your guide, who will provide you with information about the area.
On the third day, we will also wake up early at 3:00 am and coca tea will be brought to your tent. Then, we will enjoy breakfast and immediately begin walking towards the Surini Pass, which is at an altitude of 5051 meters above sea level. From this point, we can see the impressive Rainbow Mountain in the distance. Then, we will descend towards the circular lake and continue walking uphill until we reach the rainbow mountain, where we will enjoy the incredible colorful mountains and their surroundings. Afterwards, we will return and descend towards our next campsite called Alqatari, where we will have lunch and have the entire afternoon free to rest and prepare for the following day.
We will wake up at 5:00 am and coca tea will be brought to your tent. Then, we will enjoy a quick breakfast and immediately begin walking towards the highest point of the Ausangate trail on our journey, Palomani Pass, at an altitude of 5300 meters above sea level. You will feel like you are in the sky, higher than any other hike in the entire Cusco region. You can appreciate the impressive canyons and valleys of the Andes, and keep in mind that you might spot condors flying nearby. You will be right at the foot of Ausangate Mountain, considered sacred by the locals. Along the way, we can appreciate different glacier peaks, bubbling streams, rivers, small lakes, chinchillas, alpacas, local shepherds, and llamas. Then, we will descend and pass through the villages of Huchuy Phinaya, where we will have lunch. After lunch, we will continue our hike towards our campsite called Jampa, where we will have dinner and spend the night.
As on every day, we will wake up early at 5:30 am and coca tea will be brought to your tent. Then, we will begin walking uphill for approximately 3 hours to reach the last pass at 4900 meters above sea level. From here, we can appreciate more glacier peaks and lakes, and then we will descend towards the 7 lagoons, where we will enjoy the beautiful landscape offered by the majestic Ausangate. After enjoying the scenery of the 7 lagoons, we will continue walking to our lunch spot called Pacchanta, where our chef and muleteers will prepare our final lunch. Here, there are charming natural hot springs in the middle of the mountain, so after 5 days of hiking, you will love taking a bath in the hot springs and enjoying a beer. You will also have the opportunity to buy handicrafts made by the locals. After saying goodbye to our muleteer, we will take our private vehicle and return for 3 hours to Cusco, where we will take you back to your hotel. We will arrive in Cusco approximately at 7 pm.
Why This Trek
The highest glacier near Cusco (6,372 m), a sacred Andean mountain.
Turquoise and emerald glacial lagoons at high altitude.
High-altitude trek between 4,500 and 5,000 m.
Meet Andean herders and their alpaca flocks.
What's Covered
Before You Go
Good to Know
Demanding due to the sustained altitude. Good fitness and acclimatization are essential.
Yes, nights and mornings are very cold at this altitude. Bring thermal clothing.
Layered thermal clothing, rain jacket, gloves, hat, poles, sunscreen and water.
Yes, we recommend at least 2 days in Cusco before the tour.
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