The snow of Ausangate is one of the highest peaks of Peru located in the Vilcanota mountain range at 130 kilometers from Cusco and reaches an altitude of (6,372 MASL) has several lagoons of a bright green / blue color, presents a landscape natural of great beauty. To this chain of mountains covered with perpetual snow several walks are made one of them the fervent pilgrimage to the snow of Ocongate that is made only once a year, it is located the Lord of Qoyllur Rity that attracts every year to thousands of pilgrims, but the Nevado de Ausangate can be visited frequently by all those who love adventure and like to be in contact with pure nature.
Ausangate is undoubtedly an adventure trip recommended for people who like to walk, feel the nature, tranquility, spirit, energy of the Pachamama and mountains like: the God Ausangate is the protector and the highest mountain in the city of Cusco, and the most important thing about this trip is that you will know the real Peru. Peru from the Andes to its people with their typical costumes, their ancestral customs and so learn from their lifestyle that is magnificent and interesting without the presence of many tourists.
Day 1: Cusco - Upis
Day 2: Upis - Ausangate Lagoon
Day 3: Ausangate Lagoon - Pinaya
Day 4: Pinaya - Pacchanta
Day 5: Pacchanta - Cusco
Modality: Adventure, landscape and Cultural
Departure days: daily departures
Accommodation: 4 nights of camping
Travel duration: 5 days - 4 nights
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Group Size: minimum 2 People
We will pick you up at your hotel at 6:00 am and begin our 3-hour trip to the small Andean town of Tinqui (2,513 MASL). The nobility will take you through the beautiful countryside and we will pass through many traditional towns such as Urcos, Ccatcca and Ocongate. We will rest for a while after arriving at Tinqui while our luggage is being prepared, with our supplies for the trek that will start around 10:00. We will start the walk crossing the bridge and green meadows below the irregular stone flanks of the Ausangate mountain. We will reach the thermal waters of Upis (1, 4432 MASL) after 6 hours, a wonderful place to camp at night.
After our breakfast we leave Upis to begin an ascent of approximately 3 hours of walk until we reach Abra Arapa, from where we will have a splendid view of the mountains, in the course of our way we will stop to take our food. During our way we will be able to appreciate lagoons surrounded by rock formations and the typical landscape of the puna, we will arrive at our second camp Ausangate Cocha after 6 hours of walk approximately.
After our breakfast we will continue with our journey following a path that goes up for 3 hours, we will continue in descent, this time very close to the snowy ones until reaching 5,200 MASL, the panoramic view is really impressive where we will appreciate a wide chain of snow, after marveling, we will begin the descent to the Pinaya valley, which will be our third camp.
After taking our breakfast we left early. This day we will go again very close to the snowy peaks, the second Abra Qampa at 5,000 MASL, we will enjoy a landscape without equal. We will continue our journey descending through the Lagunas Valley as: Qomercocha, Pacacocha and Azul Cocha, until we reach the Pachanta hamlet. Dinner and overnight.
After breakfast 6:30 am. we will start the four hour walk to the town of Tinki. This will be an easy, beautiful and interesting day because we will see in the tour more presence of people and small towns with their typical costumes, customs and learn more about the culture of this wonderful region to finally reach the town of Tinki where we will be waiting our transport to return to the City of Cusco.
Guardian of the Cusco region, Ausangate is the fifth highest mountain in Peru with its 6,384 meters high, it is located in the district of Pitumarca, in the province of Canchis, in Cusco
The best time to hike is from May to October during the dry season.
The trek is a somewhat demanding, high mountain trek off the beaten path. Therefore, you should be in good health and physical condition. The difficulties are mostly related to the altitude, ranging from 13,000 ft./4,000 m to 16,700 ft./5,100 m at the highest pass. Be prepared to climb up and down with significant altitude changes throughout the course of each day of your trek.
Before you leave for the trek, allow yourself at least 3 to 4 days in higher altitude. Cusco and its surrounding areas – the Sacred Valley (Urubamba) and Machu Picchu – are ideal places for acclimatization.
The highest point of the trip occurs the 3rd day on the Palomachayoc-Pass at approximately 16,700 ft./5,100 m. The highest lodge, the Machuracay Tambo, lies at 15,700 ft./4,800 m.
The daily distances on the trail vary from around 6 to 11 miles/10 to 16 km per day. Upon arrival from Cusco, by bus, on the first day, there is a short hike of about 2 miles/3 km to the Chillca Tambo.
While on the trail, hikers will need to carry a day pack (camera equipment, water bottle, extra layers, rain gear, and other accessories you might need on the trail). Horses and llamas will carry your duffle bag to the next lodge.
There are only two seasons in this latitude, a dry one and a wet one— with plenty of rain (and snow at high altitude) that lasts approximately from November to March. We normally only operate from April to October, when there are good chances for excellent weather. Occasional rain-showers can occur at any time of the year.
| Days | 5 |
| Code | AUSA |
Activity level |
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