CUSCO

Ausangate trek around the sacred peak

  • 5 Days and 4 Nights
  • Demanding difficulty
  • Max 12 people
DURATION
5 Days and 4 Nights
MAX ALTITUDE
5,100 m
DISTANCE
70 km
BEST TIME
May – Sep

FROM $329 / person

THE EXPERIENCE

What makes it special to this trip

The circuit around Ausangate, the highest sacred mountain of the southern Andes: passes above 5,000 m, meltwater lagoons and alpaca-herding communities.

  • Several passes above 5,000 m
  • Glacier lagoons in mineral colours
  • Pacchanta hot springs to finish
  • Alpaca-herding communities along the route

DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAM

The route, step by step

Each of the 5 days combines route, history and rest. This is the complete program, step by step.

  1. DAY 1

    Cusco – Ocongate – Tinqui – Upis.

    We depart from Cusco at 6:00 am for the 5-day Ausangate journey in a private vehicle towards the town of Urcos. During the route, we travel through the district of Urcos until we reach Tinqui Ocongate. We will begin our expedition from the town of Quinsapucyu and arrive at Upis Huarmisaya, enjoying incredible views, including the impressive Ausangate Mountain. Along the way, we can observe local farmers in their traditional attire. Once we arrive at the campsite, our chef will have a delicious lunch prepared for us. In the afternoon, we will have free time to rest at the campsite.

  2. DAY 2

    Upis – Puca Cocha – Ananta.

    On the second day, we will wake up early at 5:00 am and coca tea will be brought to your tent. Then, we pack quickly, enjoy a light breakfast, and begin walking towards the Arapa Pass, which is at an altitude of 4958 meters above sea level. We will descend gently until we reach our lunch spot near Pucacocha Lake. After enjoying a delicious meal, we will continue walking uphill towards the second pass called Pucacocha (5000 meters above sea level). Then, we will descend for two more hours until we reach our campsite called Ananta. Along the way, we can appreciate different glacier peaks, rivers, small lakes, alpacas, local shepherds, and llamas. Of course, you will always be accompanied by your guide, who will provide you with information about the area.

  3. DAY 3

    Ananta – Rainbow Mountain – Alqatari.

    On the third day, we will also wake up early at 3:00 am and coca tea will be brought to your tent. Then, we will enjoy breakfast and immediately begin walking towards the Surini Pass, which is at an altitude of 5051 meters above sea level. From this point, we can see the impressive Rainbow Mountain in the distance. Then, we will descend towards the circular lake and continue walking uphill until we reach the rainbow mountain, where we will enjoy the incredible colorful mountains and their surroundings. Afterwards, we will return and descend towards our next campsite called Alqatari, where we will have lunch and have the entire afternoon free to rest and prepare for the following day.

  4. DAY 4

    Alqatari – Palomani Pass – Jampa.

    We will wake up at 5:00 am and coca tea will be brought to your tent. Then, we will enjoy a quick breakfast and immediately begin walking towards the highest point of the Ausangate trail on our journey, Palomani Pass, at an altitude of 5300 meters above sea level. You will feel like you are in the sky, higher than any other hike in the entire Cusco region. You can appreciate the impressive canyons and valleys of the Andes, and keep in mind that you might spot condors flying nearby. You will be right at the foot of Ausangate Mountain, considered sacred by the locals. Along the way, we can appreciate different glacier peaks, bubbling streams, rivers, small lakes, chinchillas, alpacas, local shepherds, and llamas. Then, we will descend and pass through the villages of Huchuy Phinaya, where we will have lunch. After lunch, we will continue our hike towards our campsite called Jampa, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

  5. DAY 5

    Jampa – Pacchanta – Cusco.

    As on every day, we will wake up early at 5:30 am and coca tea will be brought to your tent. Then, we will begin walking uphill for approximately 3 hours to reach the last pass at 4900 meters above sea level. From here, we can appreciate more glacier peaks and lakes, and then we will descend towards the 7 lagoons, where we will enjoy the beautiful landscape offered by the majestic Ausangate. After enjoying the scenery of the 7 lagoons, we will continue walking to our lunch spot called Pacchanta, where our chef and muleteers will prepare our final lunch. Here, there are charming natural hot springs in the middle of the mountain, so after 5 days of hiking, you will love taking a bath in the hot springs and enjoying a beer. You will also have the opportunity to buy handicrafts made by the locals. After saying goodbye to our muleteer, we will take our private vehicle and return for 3 hours to Cusco, where we will take you back to your hotel. We will arrive in Cusco approximately at 7 pm.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Everything you need, no surprises

The tour includes

  • Certified Tourism Guide.
  • Experienced chef and horse guide.
  • Horses equipped with group supplies.
  • All meals during the hike, covering traditional Peruvian cuisine, modern fusion cuisine, and various dietary requirements.
  • Drinking water and snacks.
  • Entrance fees to private areas.
  • Spacious dining tent with table and cutlery, as well as an equipped kitchen.
  • Overnight tents: We will provide tents with capacity for three people for groups of two, ensuring adequate space for personal equipment.
  • Complete first aid equipment, including an oxygen tank.
  • Pre-trek briefing one day before your trip.
  • Entrance to the famous Rainbow Mountain.
  • Private round-trip transportation from Cusco.
  • You can bring up to 7 kilograms of your personal belongings.
  • An emergency horse is available if needed.
  • We also provide a protector for your backpack.

GALLERY

The tour in pictures

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We solve all your doubts

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Talk to an advisor
Do I need previous experience?

Yes, it is recommended. It is a demanding-difficulty tour: you walk several hours a day over multiple days and cross very high passes. It helps to train walking and elevation gain in the weeks before.

What is the best time to do it?

La mejor ventana es May – Sep. Fuera de esa temporada el tour también opera, pero hay más probabilidad de lluvia y el terreno puede estar resbaladizo.

How high do we go and how do I prepare?

The highest point of the route is at 5,100 m. We recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before leaving, drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol the night before and eating light. If you feel any discomfort from the altitude, let the guide know: the team carries oxygen.

How many people are in the group?

We work with small groups: Max 12 people. This way the guide can look after each traveler and the pace adjusts to the group.

What does the price include?

Check the «Everything you need, no surprises» section of this same page: there you will find the detail of what is included and what is not. If you have any doubts, write to us on WhatsApp.

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