This great journey will take you to explore the surroundings of the mighty Ausangate Mountain (6.372m/20900ft), passing throughout beautiful Andean villages, amazing turquoise lagoons and natural hot springs. The Ausangate Trek offers you a real taste of the Andean life as you will visit little communities where the native people still speak the Inca language and where traditional methods of life are still used. So if you are wishing to do a genuine Peruvian trek off of the beaten track then this is the right excursion for you. This is a spectacular trip for seasoned trekkers who love a true outdoor adventure. During our adventure we will be well taken care of by our professional team of English speaking guides, cooks and local wranglers with their mules.

Program 6 days / 5 nights

Day 1: Cusco – Ocongate – Tinqui

We set off early from Cusco travelling by private bus for approximately 6 hours to reach the small village of Tinqui. We pass through several traditional Andean villages and take time to stop enrout to take photos, have lunch and stretch our legs. We will spend the first night in a small hostel in Tinqui. (Lunch, Dinner).

Day 2: Tinqui – Urpis

After breakfast we meet our wranglers and arrange our equipment on mules and horses before setting off on our trek. This begins with a gentle climb, crossing a large open plateau covered with ichu grass, the highland vegetation that is used to thatch roofs. After approximately 3 hours of walking we have lunch. From here we take in the beautiful scenery of the Cordillera Vilcanote, with great views of Mt. Ausangate and its impressive glaciers which inspire the locals to worship this mountain as a Sacred God. We continue walking for a around another hour and a half until we reach the hot springs of Urpis – a great place to camp for the night. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Urpis – Ausangate Cocha

We continue our hike today ascending for around two hours to reach the Arapa Pass (4,850m). From this vantage point we can see the contrast in landscapes – dry desert-like hills reach the glaciers while below, the valley is a bright green. If we are lucky we might even see a condor in the skies! This area also boasts three beautiful lakes with tones of reds, greens, and turquoises (Pukacocha, Hatun Pukacocha, and Qomerqocha). We have lunch and then continue onward for approximately two hours over our second mountain pass, Abra de Apuchata (4,900m). From here we descend for around an hour and a half towards our campsite at Ausangate Cocha. During the night we might be kept awake by the dramatic sound of ice falling into the lake – don’t be concerned, it is quite safe! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 4: Ausangate Cocha – Qámpa

Today we depart early to ascend for two hours to our third pass of Palomani (5,200m) which is the highest point on our trek. The silence of this remote wilderness is inspiring! From here we have an excellent view of the towering Santa Catalina peak (5,800m). After the pass we descend for another two hours through an area full of llamas, alpacas and vicunas to reach Pampacancha (4,050m). Then we follow an uphill trail of approximately three hours that leads us to our campsite in Q´ampa (4300m). (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 5: Qámpa – Pacchanta

After breakfast we ascend for around 2 hours until we reach the Q´ampa Mountain Pass (5,000m) where we may have the chance to spot the Andean deer. We descend towards the Qomerqocha lagoon before arriving at Pacchanta after an approximated five hour walk. Pacchanta is a little community with attractive hot springs where we can enjoy a relaxing dip. We camp and spend the night here. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 6: Pacchanta – Tinqui – Cusco

In the morning we leave Pacchanta and start to walk back to the village of Tinqui – our trek takes approximately two hours. Once in Tinqui, we board our transportation that will take us back to the city of Cusco, where we estimate our arrival to be after nightfall. (Breakfast, Lunch)
End of the tour.

Included

Not Included