→ Ausangate snow-capped mountain Trek 5 Days

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 sacred mountains.
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 - Huayna Ausangate Lake
Day 02: Upis – Arapa Pass – Hatun Puca Cocha
Day 03: Puca Cocha, Ausangate Cocha – Palomani Pass – Sorapata
Day 04: Sorapata – Abra Jampa – Pacchanta
Day 05: Pacchanta Town (Hot Springs) – Cusco

Itinerary

Day 1 | Ausangate

Cusco – Tinki – Upis Camp - Huayna Ausangate Lake

At 6:00 in the morning we will go to the community of Tinki located about 100 km in the south of Cusco, after 3 hours in our transport and some stops to have some photos to the distance of the snowy Ausangate we will arrive at the beginning of the road where part of our personnel including the muleteers and horses will be waiting us ready to organize part of our luggage to take to the next camp.

On the way, we will follow the route to Puno, passing by the Wari site with its archaeological wonders of Pikillacta and the colonial gems of Andahuaylillas and Huaro. If time permits, we will explore these fascinating historical sites. As we ascend, the journey will take us through small villages where shepherds tend their flocks and skilled weavers craft their textiles.

Once ready we will start the first part of our trek that will be 9 kilometers in the first day considered relatively easy, since we will not make any ascent that warrants a great physical effort this first section is ideal to adapt us to the level of height of the following days , in this section we will have the option to see quite close many alpacas living freely in their natural habitat, after 4 hours approximately trek, we will reach Upis camp (4,425 m / 14,517 ft.) where we will spend the first night very close to the same snowy.

Meals: Lunch and dinner
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Time: 5 – 6 hours
Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Highest Point: 4,425 m / 14,517 ft.
Campsite Altitude: Upis Camp, 4,425 m / 14,517 ft.

Day 2 | Ausangate

Upis – Arapa Pass – Jatun Puca Cocha - Ausangate Lake

Our second day will be demanding, after having a breakfast rich in protein to have energy in the climbs, we will make our first ascent of two hours until the first pass (Arapa 3750 masl) this first part is a progressive rise without much inclination, once at the top of the road we will have a general view of the whole geography that surrounds us and from there we will continue the journey between flat and lower parts to the sector of Puca Cocha for an average of 2 hours where we will have lunch waiting for us and enjoying the side view of the Apu Ausangate.

Already in the afternoon we will continue the trek for 2 hours and we will ascend to the second pass (Chillca Apacheta 4,865 m. / 15,961 ft.). This part will be much more physically demanding because it is a much steeper road, but reaching the two step a feeling of tranquility to see us surrounded by mountains and snowy, after a short rest we will continue for another 2 hours of hiking until arriving at our camp in Ausangate Cocha (4700 masl).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Difficulty: Moderate/ Challenging
Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours
Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
Highest Point: 4,865 m / 15,961 ft.
Campsite Altitude: Ausangate Lake, 4,650 m / 15,250 ft.

Day 3 | Ausangate

Ausangate Cocha – Palomani Pass – Sorapata

Our third day will be full of spectacular views, as we will climb again to the highest point of our entire crossing, the so-called Palomani pass is the highest point where we will arrive on our trek (5,100 m / 16,732 ft.) and we will have the option to be as close to the snowy Ausangate, this first climb will last for 3 hours, once at the top we will have the view of both sides of the valley and from there you can see the low road that we will have to do for about 2 hours until the place of our lunch, and to finish the afternoon we will continue for 1 hour more of trek until the place of camping in Huchuy Phinaya - Sorapata where we will sleep with the view of the snowy 3 peaks.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Difficulty: Moderate / Challenging
Hiking Time: 9 hours
Hiking Distance: 16.5 km / 10.2 miles
Highest Point: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft.
Campsite Altitude: Huchuy Phinaya - Sorapata, 4,500 m / 14,763 ft.

Day 4 | Ausangate

Sorapata – Abra Jampa – Pacchanta

For this day we have approximately 6 hours of hiking, of which 2 hours we will ascend until the Jampa Pass and we will walk between the snowy Mariposa and three peaks and later we will descend until Paqchanta in a walk of 4 hours approximately, in this passage we will see the formation of some rivers due to snow melting.

Already in Paqchanta after lunch you can spend the afternoon in the thermal baths of the place to relax your muscles after the walk.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Time: 7 hours
Hiking Distance: 11 km / 6.5 miles
Highest Point: Qampa Pass, 5,050 m / 16,568 ft.
Campsite Altitude: Pacchanta, 4,300 m / 14,107 ft.

Day 5 | Ausangate

Pacchanta Town (Hot Springs) – Cusco

It is 3 hours trek to the town of Tinki, a typical Andean village where you can explore before taking the bus to Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:00 pm.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Hiking Distance: 7 km / 4.2 miles
Highest Point: Pacchanta, 4,300 m / 14,107 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.
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.
Private campsites: Each campsite is carefully choosed for have a very local experience.
- Night 1, Upis campsite.
- Night 2, Ausangate Cocha campsite.
- Night 3: Huchuy Phinaya - Sorapata campsite.
- Night 3: Paqchanta campsite.
Camping equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment (all carried by our porters and horses).
Entry ticket to the Ausangate trail
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: 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 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 5)
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.

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 INKA TRAIL will be informing you previously and as soon as possible.

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.
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.)