This is an impressive trek around the snow-capped Ausangate mountains (6,372m) which can be done by horse or walking. You will pass over 5,200 m where it is possible to see some vicunas and also many alpaca herds, which is the main income for the Andean people on this area. You can bathe in hot springs and see red and green lakes with Ducks, Pintails, Andean Coots, Puna Ibis, Andean Goose.and much more. An unforgettable and challenging hike for lovers of mountain treks. The nights are cold but during the day it can be very hot. The APU AUSANGATE as it is called by the andean people, is a holy mountain, which still these days people prey on it asking for good agriculture, good life for their animals and good health for themselves. Every year in june there is an expedition of catolic religious people to the Senor of Qóylloriti which is a temple made up at 5200 masl to celebrate the catholic cross, the sun and the Apu Ausangate of the Inkas.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco-Tinki-Upis
Early morning pickup from your hotel in a private van, our four-hour drive takes us to Tinki, where we will begin our trek.
We will see alpaca, llamas and communities of Indigenous people, wearing their colorful clothing, after a four-hour hike, we will have lunch at Upis.
We will continue hiking another three hours to our campsite, in the pampas of Upis, you can enjoy the hot springs near the campsite with a spectacular view.
Day 2: Upis-Abra Arapa-Ausangateqocha
After breakfast we begin our hiking, which will take approximately three hours, uphill to Abra Arapa, once we reach the abra (high-mountain pass) of Arapa, you will have a magnificent view of the mountain chain.
After crossing the pass we walk towards the high Andean lakes of Sonccococha, Pukacocha, Ccomercochas to our lunch spot, after lunch we climb uphill to cross the Ausangate pass and descend to our campsite, we will have dinner and camp on the shores of beautiful Ausangatecocha lake.
Day 3: Ausangatecocha-Abra Palomani-Hatunpampa
Today we will reach the first of two high passes, Abra Palomani, It is a short uphill walk from our campsite to the highest pass of our trek, enjoying unique scenery at 5,000 meters above sea level.
The descent takes us to the Huchuy Phinaya settlement where we will have lunch. You will be able to see Rainbow Mountain from there, after a short rest, we continue the trek on a gentle grade towards our campsite at Hatunpampa.
Once there we will experience a high Andean plateau surrounded by snow-capped peaks where we will stay overnight.
Day 4: Hatun Pampa- Abra Janca-Pacchanta
After breakfast in Hatun Pampa, Today is another challenging day as we ascend to our second high pass, walking across a glacier over 5,000m, the Janca abra.
We follow the trail downhill to the lunch spot, after lunch we continue on to the town of Pacchanta with its relaxing thermal baths.
Outside of Pacchanta we will have dinner and set up our camp for the night.
Day 5: Pacchanta-Cusco
Our last day, after breakfast, we can continue to enjoy the thermal baths, we will take the van back to Cusco before lunchtime.
Include / No include
Included
- Round trip pick-up and return to your hotel in Cusco by private van
- Pre-departure briefing (the evening before)
- Experienced, knowledgeable tour guides
- First-aid kit
- Oxygen (for emergency use)
- Boiled water (from second day on)
- Delicious meals for the entire tour (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners) + snacks (Special diets accommodated with advance notice)
- Horses to carry 6Kg of personal items including sleeping bag
- Horses to carry camping equipment, tents, table, stools and cooking gear
- Dining and kitchen tent, camping tables and stools
- Two people per tent (spacious 4-person tents)
- Thick, inflatable sleeping mattress, sleeping bags (-10 degrees) and pillows
- Entrance tickets to Ausangate
NOT INCLUDED
- Trekking poles – renting option US$25 for entire trek
- Tips for your staff, guides, cooks, horseman
- Single Tent Supplement (US$50)
- Day 1 breakfast, Day 5 lunch and dinner
- Water on the first day
