→ Ausangate snow-capped Mountain Trek 4 days

And it’s no surprise as it´s surrounded by fantastic natural landscapes with valleys, snow-capped mountains and an amazing variety of plants, birds, animals and Andean local families.
The Ausangate trek is a high altitude 70km hike in Peruvian mountains near Cusco with an average altitude of over 4000m. Unlike most other hikes in the region Ausangate is not about Inca ruins, it's all about beautiful scenery; snow peaks, glaciers, colorful mountain lakes, and the Sacred Mountain.

The Ausangate (6398m/20991f) is considered one of the most beautiful snow-capped mountains of the Andes. The areas surrounding this mountain offer extraordinary sceneries of mountains, glaciers and lagoons. Moreover, the Andean people are very welcoming and friendly and preserve the respect for the nature. They also have an excellent knowledge of farming vicuñas, alpacas and lamas, being the first two appreciated for their fine quality of wool and alpaca for its meat. We will drive for 4 hours from Cusco and get prepared for a cold temperature and high altitude.

Day 01: Cusco – Tinki – Upis
Day 02: Upis – Arapa Pass – Ausangate Lake
Day 03: Ausangate Lake – Palomani Pass – Huchuy Phinaya
Day 04: Huchuy Phinaya – Q'ampa – Pacchanta – Cusco

Itinerary

Day 1 | Ausangate

Cusco – Tinki – Upis

Private transportation from Cusco. The road goes toward Puno, past the Wari site of Pikillacta ruins and the colonial towns of Andahuaylillas and Huaro (we may spend some time visiting them) afterwards a road starts winding its way up hill until we reach small villages with shepherds and weavers in the highland puna. In the afternoon the Vilcanota Range will loom in the distance with Ausangate and Qolqe Cruz mountains dominating the landscape.

The trail starts crossing the puna or highland meadow approaching the base of the impressive Ausangate with amazing views of the rolling landscape. Continuing the hike, the trail takes you up through the Andean villages still traditional in many of their customs and habits. Camp at Upis with a chance to enjoy the thermal baths.

Total distance: 10 km (6.21 miles)
Estimated walking time: 5 to 6 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4 447 m (14 589 ft.)
Campsite altitude: 4 400 m (14 435 ft.)

Day 2 | Ausangate

Upis – Arapa Pass – Ausangate Lake

Ascending the slopes, we cross over the pass at 4,500 mts. (14,760ft) and make our way to lake Pucacocha for lunch with the western ice-fall of Ausangate mountain dominating the view of this campsite. After lunch we head up to Apacheta pass 4700mts (and afterwards make our way down to Ausangate lake. From tonight camp you can appreciate just why Ausangate has for centuries commanded so much reverence for the local people.

Total distance: 16 km (9.94 miles)
Estimated walking time: 8 to 9 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4 750 m (15 583 ft.)
Campsite altitude: 4 447 m (14 589 ft.)

Day 3 | Ausangate

Ausangate Lake – Palomani Pass – Huchuy Phinaya

We cross the highest pass on our trip at Palomani (4,800mts) (15,744ft), with a spectacular view of the southeastern ridge of Mount Ausangate. Camp at Soraycucho.

Total distance: 16 km (9.94 miles)
Estimated walking time: 8 to 9 hours
Maximum altitude point: 5 200 m (16 060 ft.)
Campsite altitude: 4 600 m (15 091 ft.)

Day 4 | Ausangate

Huchuy Phinaya – Q'ampa – Pacchanta – Cusco

We circle northwest over Ticllacocha Lagoon and over the last Pass 4,650m (12,250ft) reaching the small meadow of Pacchaspata, or the shores of lake Q’omercocha Camp for lunch. Today the route is littered with natural beauty; like: deep valleys, alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas being kept in their original natural environment and if lucky the rare Andean condor will be seen. The trail descends towards the village of Paqchanta where for enthusiasts, thermal baths are available. After lunch we return home.

About Ausangate Campsites:
Please note: Campsites may change (be different from this itinerary) depending on booking time and availability, weather conditions or on restrictions undertaken for safety reasons by the Peruvian Government.

Total distance: 14 km (8.69 miles)
Estimated walking time: 7 to 8 hours
Maximum altitude point: 5 080 m (16 666 ft.)
Campsite altitude: 4 100 m (13 451 ft.)

What's Included?

Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your Ausangate Trek” guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. In case you can’t come at this time “please let us know” to coordinate another time.
Touristic Transport: You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco in the morning and will travel by private transportation to Tinki Village the starting point of the trek to Ausangate trail.
Adventure Experienced Ausangate trek Tour Guide: English speaking, professionally educated, and official tour guide with tourism certification. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings along the entire route, including leading your group in ancient ceremonies! He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time along the Inca path and will ensure you are safe and happy.
Private campsites: Each campsite is carefully choosed for having a very local experience.
- Night 1: Enjoy the 1st night in Upis campsite on the route Ausangate trek sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4-man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Night 2: Enjoy the 2nd night in Ausangate Cocha campsite on the route Ausangate trek and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4-man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Night 3: Enjoy the 3rd night in Huchuy Phinaya campsite on the route Ausangate trek and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4-man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
- Note: It is not usual that the campsites, lodges or hotels change after the confirmation, however it can vary per government regulations and authorization, also for bad weather conditions and maybe because physical condition of our visitors: any changes in this matter ITEP travel will be informing you previously and as soon as possible.
Camping equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment (all carried by our porters and horses).
Entry ticket to the Ausangate trail
Professional Trekking Chef: A professional chef specialized in cooking on the trail, with an assistant, will prepare all of your delicious meals along our journey on the Trail to replenish your energy every day. You will never go hungry!
Meals: 3Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners (Vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost) Please be in mind (1st breakfast and last lunch is not included”
Boiled Water: Beginning from your first lunch until your last breakfast, Inka Trail Expeditions will supply all the water needed. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled, before distributing. You must supply your own water bottles or camel back. We recommend carrying about 3L worth. We will refill our waters at each meal.
Wake up tea: Every morning at the campsite, you will wake up with a cup of coca tea! Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
Tea time daily during the Trek: Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide our tea time with popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you will not have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up, and enjoy a bite to eat!
Products for hygiene: You will be provided with a small towel before each meal to clean your hands and every morning will be also a bucket with warm water for washes your personal hygiene.
Medical kit and Oxygen bottle: Our crew will bring a first-aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
Transfer back to Cusco: Private touristic transport from Paqchanta Village to your hotel in Cusco (Day 4)
24-hour guest service: We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.

What's not Included?

Sleeping Bags: You can rent one from our company if you do not have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect from temperatures as low as -18ºC (0ºF). They are mummy form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use.
Walking Sticks: You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
Day 1: Breakfast: Approx. Usd5 to usd 10.00, Price can vary according your selection.
Last Day: Lunch and Dinner in Aguas Calientes. Approx. Usd 20 to 25.00, Price can vary according your selection.
Personal clothing and gear
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff: Please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish “Recommendation usd 6 to usd 8 per day per traveler for all the trek staff”- Once again it is optional and can vary according your satisfaction.
Additional costs or delays out of control of the management (landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.)