Ausangate Trek in 6 Days

Ausangate trek is a high altitude 70km hike in Peruvian mountains near Cusco with an average altitude 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. If you like beautiful nature, going off the beaten track and hiking this trek is for you. Ausangate is one of the most challenging hikes around Cusco but at the same time one of the most rewarding in sense of scenery. If you have any doubts about Ausangate Trek please contact with our Travel Agent

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Tinqui.

To Begin the Ausangate Trek, we leave early from Cusco traveling by private bus to the small town of Tinqui. We will see the impressive mountain range of the Vilcanota passing through various traditional Andean villages and take time to stop and take some photos.

On arrival we meet our horsemen and organize our packages for the walk. We began by farming communities and enjoy the stunning views of the mountains. Let’s walk for 3 hours and then it is time to stop for lunch. After we continue for another 2 hours approximately to reach the hot springs in Upis, where we spend the night.

Day 2: Upis – Pucaqocha.

After of a big breakfast, we are ready to leave camp and start our hike for the day. Let’s climb to the highest pass of Arapa (4,850 m).

From this vantage point we can see the contrast of landscapes: dry desert-like hills near the glaciers of Mt. Ausangate, the most importantly, while below in the valley is bright green vegetation. If we’re lucky we might even see a condor in the sky! We will enjoy the stunning views of snow-covered mountain.

Ausangate and Pucaqocha. This place has three beautiful lakes with tones of reds, greens and turquoises (Pukacocha, Hatun Pukacocha, and Qomerqocha). Therefore the second camp is located near a glacier.

Day 3: Pucaqocha – Huchuy Pinay.

Early in the morning after breakfast we begin the ascent of approximately 2 to 3 hours over the second mountain pass Apuchata (4,900 msn).

From here we descend for around of 1.5 hours to the campsite at Ausangate Qocha where a delicious lunch awaits us. This is the time to pause and enjoy the stunning scenery. After the lunch we have the second climb of two hours until pass of the third Palomani mountain (5,100 meters).

Then we descend in the small community of Huchuy Pinaya where we spend the night.

Day 4: Huchuy Pinaya – Jampa.

Today we climb to the highest point of the trek: Jampa (5,150 meters). The silence of this remote wilderness is inspiring! From here we have an excellent view of Mount Tampa.

After of the pass we descend for 2 hours through an area of llamas, alpacas and vicunas to reach Pampacancha (4,050 meters). From here we follow an uphill trail for approximately 3 hours and takes us to the camp at Jampa (4,300 meters).

Day 5 : Jampa – Pacchanta.

After walking and acclimatise on Day 4, we’re ready for another adventure! We take breakfast early and then begin the hike of approximately 1 hour to reach the glacier base and then to the top of the mountain!

After enjoying the spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range we descend back down to take a delicious lunch. In the afternoon we descend to the Qomerqocha lagoon before reaching at Pacchanta after a walk approximated 5 hours.

Pacchanta is a small community with attractive hot springs where we can enjoy a relaxing dip. Camp and spend the night here.

Day 6: Pacchanta – Tinqui – Cusco.

In the morning we leave the village of Pacchanta and start to walk back to the village of Tinqui; the trek takes approximately 2 hours. Once in Tinki, we have lunch besides that time to visit the village and speak with the people.

Then we board the transportation that will take us back to Cusco, arriving after nightfall

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