Ausangate Trek – 5D/4N

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.