Ausangate Trek – 5D/4N
Live the adventure on the 5-day Ausangate trek
On a clear day, the snow-capped peak of Ausangate can be seen from the city of Cusco. It’s one of the most sacred mountains in all of Peru and is home to one of the country’s most extraordinary multi-day hikes. As the trail is over 4,000 meters in altitude, it offers hikers a challenging adventure! But will treat you to everything from snow-capped mountains to hanging glaciers and alpine lakes at every turn.
Throughout the 5-day Ausangate trek, you will pass by indigenous mountain communities, experience beautiful landscapes including the famous Rainbow Mountain, and befriend Andean camelids in their natural habitat such as llamas, alpacas and vicuñas.
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Itinerary
- Day 1: Cusco – Tinki – Upis
- Day 2: Upis – Ausangate Cocha
- Day 3: Ausangate Cocha – Sorapata
- Day 4: Sorapata – Pacchanta
- Day 5: Pacchanta – Tinki – Cusco
DAY 1: CUSCO – TINKI – UPIS HOT SPRINGS
Day 1 begins with pick up at 5am from your hotel in Cusco.
Your private transportation will then take you on a 3-hour drive through the picturesque towns and valleys of the Peruvian Andes, until you reach the town of Tinki.
Upon arrival in Tinki, you will say goodbye to your driver and load the horses up with your belongings.
your guide will then lead you along the trail for 3-hours, passing by communities of Quechua speaking locals and their resident alpacas and llamas. Around midday you will stop for lunch, and then continue on for 2 hours until you reach the settlement of Upis and their beautiful Hot Springs at 4,200 m / 13,779 ft.
The afternoon is then yours to bathe your chilly bones in the waters of the hot springs, amidst the backdrop of the snow-capped peak of Ausangate. After which, you will set up camp and enjoy a freshly cooked dinner, prepared by your personal chef.
DAY 2 : UPIS – ARAPA PASS – PUCACOCHA – AUSANGATE COCHA
Day 2 will begin with breakfast at 5:30am at the Upis camp.
After breakfast, you will begin the 3-hour hike to the Arapa Pass. The trail winds round the feet of the majestic Ausangate mountain range, eventually ascending up to the summit at 4,850 m / 15,908 ft. At the top you will be treated to breathtaking views of the snow-capped peak of Ausangate and its encompassing desert like hills.
After reaching the summit, you will descend for 1-hour until you reach the lunch place, followed by a 3-hour hike along the shores of the 3 glacial lakes of Hatun, Pucacocha, and Qomercocha. The water of the lakes boasts tones of reds, greens, and turquoises from the meltwater of their stunning hanging glaciers.
The final ascent of the day will be a 90 minute hike to the Ausangate Pass at 4,930 m / 16,170 ft. From this vantage point you will be treated to a spectacular view of Apu Ausangate and its alpine lagoons amongst the deep green of the Chilca valley.
A further 1-hour descent will bring you to the campsite on the shores of the Ausangate Cocha lagoon.
DAY 3 : AUSANGATE COCHA – PALOMANI PASS – SORAPATA
Day 3 will begin with breakfast and a hot cup of Coca tea at the Ausangate Cocha camp.
Whilst admiring the sunset over Ausangate, you will ascend for 2-hours to the highest point of the trail, the Palomani Pass at 5,200 m / 17,060 ft. A sacred summit for the local inhabitants thanks to its invigorating energy and connection to the Mother Earth, Pachamama. It is also an opportunity for a panoramic view of the Vinicunca Valley and the surrounding glacial peaks of Santa Catalina or Mariposa, Apu Ausangate and Abra Jampa.
After healing your body with the spirit of the mountain, you’ll descend for 90 minutes to the lunch stop in the small agricultural community of Huchuy Phinaya at 4,700 m / 15,420 ft. This rural mountain village will offer you a unique insight into the humble life of the villagers, who live in adobe huts amongst the treeless landscape of the valley.
The afternoon will bring with it a 2-hour walk through the valley to the Sorapata camp at 4,650 m / 15,255 ft.
DAY 4 : SORAPATA – PACCHANTA HOT SPRINGS
Day 4 will begin with breakfast and a hot cup of Coca tea at the Sorapata camp.
The penultimate day starts with a 2-hour ascent to the Jampa Pass at 5,070 m / 16,634 ft. From here you’ll be treated to a picturesque view of the majestic peaks of the ‘Three Marias’.
The 3-hour descent down the opposing side of the mountain, will bring you onto the famous trail of the seven lagoons of Ausangate. The breathtaking lakes of China Otorongo, Orco Otorongo and Qomer Cocha will provide you with a perfect spot to give thanks to the Mother Earth Pachamama and give an offering for her hospitality and protection.
A further 1-hour along the trail awaits the quaint village of Pacchanta at 4,200 m / 13,780 ft. As well as enjoying a hearty lunch, you are welcome to rest your chilly bones in their natural hot springs amongst the backdrop of the snow-capped peak of Ausangate. A welcome resting spot after a few days of tough hiking, and your camping place for the night under the shadow of the mountain.
DAY 5 : PHACCHANTA – TINKI – CUSCO
We leave our camp early and continue to Tinki. Later we continue downhill through a pastisal with beautiful agricultural areas, where we will see native crops such as potatoes, oxalis, beans, quinoa, etc. This ancient Inca Trail descends through several communities of friendly people who will welcome you in their native Quechua language. Upon our arrival in Tinki, our car will be waiting for us to return to Cusco and then make the transfer to the hotel.
End of our services.
Included
- 6pm Briefing at hotel in Cusco the night before the trek
- Private transport from Cusco to Tinki
- Professional English/Spanish speaking tour guide
- Entrance ticket to Ausangate
- Trekking poles – 2 poles per person
- All camping equipment: 2 person tents (with enough space for belongings)
- Sleeping bags for entire trek – suitable for -15° C / 5° F.
- Inflatable Mattress and pillow
- Dining and cooking tents with tables and chairs
- Duffel bag for your personal belongings
- Muleteers & horses to carry tents, food, cooking equipment : 7kg per person
- 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners (all prepared by our chef)
- Vegetarian/vegan and special diets requested
- Hot coca tea brought to your tent in the mornings
- 1 litre of boiled water per person – given after breakfast to refill water bottle
- Emergency horses in the event you can’t walk
- Private transport from Tinki to Cusco
- Oxygen bottle and first aid kit
Not Included
- Food not included in the itinerary
- Breakfast on day 1
- Dinner on day 4
- Optional entrance to Upis hot springs (S / .10 soles)
- Optional entrance to Pacchanta hot springs (S / .10 soles)
- Gratuities / Tips for the guide, porters and chef
Recommendations to bring
- Original passport – expiration date no less than 7 months
- Valid Student ID card (if student booking)
- Good quality walking boots or shoes
- Sandals for down time (very important)
- Baselayers of varying temperatures, especially for the night
- Thermals, gloves, scarves, wooly hat
- Good quality trekking socks to avoid blisters
- Raincoat or long poncho (for rainy season)
- Waterproof trousers (for rainy season)
- Long sleeve shirts
- Long trousers
- Shorts suitable for hiking
- Wide-brimmed hat – UPV is strong at altitude
- Canteen water bottle as you should drink plenty of fluid on the trail
- Headlamp/Torch (very important)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Medicine/personal effects (eg. contact lense liquid)
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Camera or phone camera
- Portable battery charger
- Toilet paper (not usually found on trail)
- Small travel towel
- Cash/coins – small denominations – soles & dollars
Packing List
ESSENTIAL ITEMS:
- Original Passport
- VALID STUDENT ID CARD (if booked as a student)
- Immigration card (delivered on the airport upon entering Peru)
- Good quality backpack (medium sized)
- Water storage bottle or canteen: Camelbak bottles are recommended, but all need to be sufficient to hold 1-2 litres
- Comfortable shoes, preferably light with good soles (waterproof goretex for rainy seasons)
FOR YOUR BAGGAGE:
The horses have a luggage limit of 7kg per person. We therefore recommend only bringing essentials with you to Ausangate.
- 5 Long sleeve shirts
- 5 Breathable t-shirts
- 5 Sets of underwear
- 5 Pairs of socks
- 2 Hiking trousers
- 1 Shorts (suitable for hiking)
- 3 Fleece
- 1 Waterproof coat and pants (for rainy seasons)
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Sandals – In case you want to visit the hot springs
- Small quick-drying travel towel
- Portable battery charger for your phone and cameras
TOILETRIES:
- Sunscreen
- Facial moisturiser
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: band-aids, moleskin, etc.
Additional Information
- The groups are formed between 4 to 7 people maximum.
- For the reservation of this tour a minimum of 02 people is required.
Where does the tour start and end?
- All ours tours begins with the pick up to the tourists at the door of their hotels “We pick up to our clients from any hotel located in the city of Cusco”, We recommend to stay close to the historical center of the city of Cusco, it will make it easier to find your hotel.
- All our tours ends at the door of the hotels, it means the tours will finish with transfer to your respective hotel located in Cusco.
How to prevent altitude sickness?
- The altitude sickness or soroche can cause you some discomfort during your visit such as dizziness, fatigue or nausea. Try to avoid alcoholic beverages and fatty foods before the visit.
- To reduce symptoms, try to acclimatize yourself one day before to the altitude of the city of Cusco. We recommend to drink infusions of coca leaf (natural plant used by the Incas) is an excellent option to avoid the actitude sickness.
How is the accommodation?
- For all the tours which include hotels. We offer hotels of 3* and 4* category, it has spacious and comfortable rooms, bathrooms, hot showers and bueffet breakfast. If the tourist like, you can change the accommodation to a better service. You just have to request it via email for an additional cost.
Which season is the best time to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu?
- The dry season months between April to December are the best time to come and visit Cusco. During those days the possibility of rain is very little, so the roads are not swampy and the landscapes can be better to enjoy and takes the best pictures. On the other hand, the months with the most rain are January, February and March.
What are the coldest months in Cusco Peru?
- The coldest season in Cusco are in the months from May to July. During this time the sun is strong in the day, but once it goes down or you spend much time in the shade, it can get very cold. It can go below zero at night, so warm clothes and Jackets are necessary to bring during these months.
How long in advance can I request the tour?
- We recommend to purchase the tours weeks or months in advance, this because the train and Machu Picchu tickets has a limit of spaces, dont wait until the lust minute to book your tour, other ways you will not be able to find spaces.
During the trip to Machu Picchu, where the big luggages will stay?
The train company that operates to Machu Picchu does not allow the traveler to carry a suitcase that weighs more than 7 kilograms. To go up and visit the city of Machu Picchu, it is recommended to carry a light and small backpack for your convenience; the rest of the luggages you can leave them without any problem at the storage of your hotel in Cusco, or you can also leave at our office in Cusco city, we have an storage too.
Very Important in case you want to book the Inca trail to Machu Picchu:
- CLASSIC INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS: If you want to book the Classic Inca Trail 4 days, you must to book early to get your desired date. Depending on the month you prefer to do the hike, you may need to book 6 months or more in advance, the limit of spaces for the inca trail 4 days is 400 people per each day.
- SHORT INCA TRAIL: If you are booking the 1 or 2 day Inca Trail, it is preferred that you also book in advance, however 2 to 4 month in advance would be good, the limit of spaces for the short inca trail is 200 people per each day.
When is the best season to hike the Inca Trail?
- The best time of year to do the inca trail is between May to October, with August and September being the best months of all. The trail is dry and the weather is lovely. During the rainy season between November to April the trail will be wet and can make it more difficult.
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