Ausangate Trek
The Cordillera Vilcanota is an impressive range of mountains that boasts the enormous Nevado de Ausangate (21,000 feet, 6,385 meters) and three others over 19,700 feet, 6000 meters. This range offers everything a hiker could want: spectacular mountain scenery, snow-capped peaks, hot springs, turquoise lakes, glaciers, herds of llamas and alpacas, picturesque villages and traditionally dressed locals. The Ausangate trek is quite high,and cold, so we advise that you spend 2 days in Cusco to acclimatize before taking on this hike. This beautiful 5 day circular trek starts and finishes at the small Andean village of Tinqui and takes you around Ausangate mountain and over three high passes, two of them over 16,400 feet (5,000 meters). This trail was frequently used by the Pachacutec Inca.
Overview
Itinerary
- Day 1: Cusco – Ocongate – Tinqui – Upis
- Day 2: Upis – Pucacocha
- Day 3: Pucacocha – Quinsacocha – Jampa
- Day 4: Jampa – Qomercocha – Pacchanta
- Day 5: PACCHANTA – TINKI – CUSCO
4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Afternoon Snacks and 4 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian
Itinerary
Day 1
Cusco – Ocongate – Tinqui – Upis
We leave from Cusco by private bus to the village of Urcos. Driving past the village of Puerto Maldonado until you reach Tinqui Ocongate. We will start our expedition from the village of Quinsapucyu and will end at Upis Huarmisaya, hiking with sensational views including the spectacular Ausangate. Remain overnight.
Day 2
Upis – Pucacocha
After breakfast we head over to Arapa, which is uphill to 4958 m, then a slight decline to our second camp near Lake Pucacocha. Along the way we will observe different glacier peaks, bubbling streams, rivers, small lakes, alpacas and llamas, of course you will always be with your guide who will be describing the area to you. We will remain overnight at Lake Pucacocha.
Day 3
Pucacocha – Quinsacocha – Jampa
After our breakfast we will visit a group of lagoons in the Quinsacocha sector. We will then climb up to the highest pass of our trip at 5300m called Palomani Pass. You will feel like you are in heaven, higher than all the other mountains. You can observe the great canyons and valleys of the Andes, but watch out because some Condors might be flying nearby. You will be right at the bottom of the Ausangate mountain which is considered to be the gods by the locals. We will then go down hill and arrive to our campsite called Campa.
Day 4
Jampa – Qomercocha – Pacchanta
After an early breakfast, we will start going uphill for about 3 hours in order to get to the last pass at 4900m, spotting many alpacas,vicunas and white tail deer on route. From here we can observe some more glacier peaks and lakes and then we will descend to our lunch spot. After a short siesta, we will walk for 3 hours down hill with great views of many natural lakes and mountain birds. We will arrive to our last campsite located in a little village call Pachanta. There is a beautiful natural hot springs here, so after 4 days of hiking you will get to take a bath in the hot springs and maybe enjoy some beer.
Day 5
PACCHANTA – TINKI – CUSCO
This is our last morning so we have to pack to come back to Cusco. After breakfast we will walk gradually downhill for about 3 hours to get to the end of our hike where our cook and porters are going to make our last lunch. After we say goodbye to them, we will drive back for 3 hours back to Cusco and bring you back to your hotel.
OPTIONAL: Little presents for kids from the communities along the trail such as school supplies, second hand clothes, cookies etc
Included
Includes
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
- Chef and crew
- Mules to carry cooking and camping equipment and 7kg of your personal items.
- Pick-up from your hotel
- Transportation by bus to and from Cachora
- 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Afternoon Snacks and 4 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian
- food please let us know.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- 4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
- Sleeping mattress
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
Not Includes:
Tips for cook, horsemen and guide are much appreciated.
Pictures
Map
Price
Price: us$ 580 per person.
Group Size: 2-8 people
Discounts
if you book for 3 or more people on a trek, we will offer a us$20 discount per person.With this service we use horses and mules to carry all the stuff for us!! For the 5 days Salkantay Trek , we will provide you with a duffel bag to put all of your belongings in. we will ensure that all of your belongings will fit properly on the horses. The duffel bags easily fit 8 Kilograms /16 pounds per person.
Sleeping Bag (4 season) – $20 (Maximum size 1.95m / 6´4″)
Pair of Walking poles – $15
Air matresses – $20
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Ausangate is available to depart any day of the week as long as we have two people. You still need to book in advance. pachacutec expeditions.