The Ausangate trek, will allow us to visit the magnificent Ausangate mountain, which forms part of the Andean Cordillera, one of the highest, remote zones, with glorious Andean countryside in all of Peru. The Ausangate is the most sacred mountain in Andean culture, found in the Cusco Andean region.
The peaks of this imposing group of mountains of the cordillera Vilcanota, reach a massive 6.372 m (20.905 ft) in elevation. The turquoise, high-altitude lagoons and large stone-forest areas are reminiscent of the moon’s surface, completely separated from the modern world.
Before the trek, you guide will visit you at your hotel in Cusco to provide you with important information and a detailed trek briefing. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions and buy any last-minute items for the trek, before your departure. The following itinerary is an example itinerary and the hiking times are an estimate, depending on the group. The lunch stops and campsites may change to satisfy the requisites of the group.
We will collect you from your hotel in private bus and we will drive along the Cusco – Puerto Maldonado highway. (The Trans-oceanic) toward the town of Tinqui at 3800m (12464 ft) elevation. Our first stop will be in Urcos, at the principal crossroad on the route. There is a colourful market, to make some last-minute purchases. We will then continue to the agricultural and farming community of Cattca, where we can appreciate the spectacular views of this region. We will then pass Ocongate, the capital of the Ausangate district and just half an hour from our destination. After a 3-hour drive, we will arrive in Tinki, where we will have lunch and meet our muleteers for the trek. You walk gently uphill past open puna and highland meadows. You may see vizcachas, condors or Andean foxes on the way to camp at Upis (4,400m/14,1435ft). Here you can soak in the hot springs of this superbly located campsite beneath the Ausangate glaciers.
Toya you will ascend straight out of the campsite to the Arapa pass (4,800m/15,750ft). The colourful moon-like rock formations form a stark contrast to the white snows of Ausangate. You descend in the afternoon past the spectacular Uchuy Pucacocha (little red lake) and its waterfalls before camping beside the waters of Jatun Pucacocha (big red lake). (Total hiking time -6-7 hours).
You will climb two passes today, both of which are steady ascents. First is the Apuchata pass (4,900m/16,076ft) from where you descend to the beautiful azure lake of Ausangatecocha. Then you ascend Palomani pass (5,200m/17,060ft) on the far side of Ausangate. You pass through the traditional base camp used for mountain ascents before finishing with a descent to the campsite on the meadow below amidst the glacial moraines (4,510m/14,796ft). (Total hiking time – 6-7 hours).
This morning you follow the broad green valley to the small lake of Ticllacocha. More vizcachas and hopefully some rare vicuñas should accompany you on your journey. The last big pass now lies above. The Campa pass (5050m/16,560ft) is the most impressive of all, with glaciers, scree and snow providing a real big mountain expedition feel. A long descent brings you to the final camp beside the hot-springs at Pacchanta (4360m/14,300ft) ideally placed to soak tired muscles in the warm waters. (Total hiking time – 6-7 hours).
A short hike and you reach the trailhead at Tinqui (4237m/13,900ft) where the bus will be waiting. After lunch, you wave goodbye to the mules and mueteers and begin the drive back to Cusco for a well-deserved hot shower and cold beer.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Share your travel preferences and a local specialist will confirm availability and prepare the best option for you.
The Ausangate Trek is a 5-day circuit around Peru’s sacred snowy peak, starting and ending in Cusco.. The route rises above 4,000 m and touches 5,300 m at the Jampa Pass. I wonder if you’re ready for those thin-air mornings—every step counts.
Then there’s the rhythm: early wake-ups for hot tea, slow ascents over rocky trails, and sudden drops into remote communities. You’ll see herds of alpaca grazing on the puna, and maybe a condor circle overhead. It hits you. The altitude, the silence, the scale. By day five, your legs ache, but the return drive to Cusco feels almost easy.
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Additional Information.
Special instructions
Almost none. Rely on your guide’s radio and paper maps.
Yes. Most agencies offer sleeping bags, poles, crampons. Reserve in advance or pick up at briefing.
Guide carries oxygen. Rest, take coca tea and pills. Descend if symptoms worsen.
Basic pit latrines at camps, or you dig a small hole in the ground, then cover.
Filter local creek water or use treatment tablets. Guides provide instructions.
Yes. Must cover medical care.
From or late September. Fewer groups on the trail.
Most itineraries include Pacchanta once. You may ask guide to stop at Upis if schedule allows.
Yes. You may spot alpacas, llamas or vicuñas
It’s customary to tip guide and cook
Varies by operator, but full refund if canceled >30 days before start.
A pure, untouched circuit around the highest and most revered peak in the Cusco region.
The Ausangate trek, will allow us to visit the magnificent Ausangate mountain, which forms part of the Andean Cordillera, one of the highest, remote zones, with glorious Andean countryside in all of Peru. The Ausangate is the most sacred mountain in Andean culture, found in the Cusco Andean region.
The peaks of this imposing group of mountains of the cordillera Vilcanota, reach a massive 6.372 m (20.905 ft) in elevation. The turquoise, high-altitude lagoons and large stone-forest areas are reminiscent of the moon’s surface, completely separated from the modern world.
Before the trek, you guide will visit you at your hotel in Cusco to provide you with important information and a detailed trek briefing. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions and buy any last-minute items for the trek, before your departure. The following itinerary is an example itinerary and the hiking times are an estimate, depending on the group. The lunch stops and campsites may change to satisfy the requisites of the group.
We will collect you from your hotel in private bus and we will drive along the Cusco – Puerto Maldonado highway. (The Trans-oceanic) toward the town of Tinqui at 3800m (12464 ft) elevation. Our first stop will be in Urcos, at the principal crossroad on the route. There is a colourful market, to make some last-minute purchases. We will then continue to the agricultural and farming community of Cattca, where we can appreciate the spectacular views of this region. We will then pass Ocongate, the capital of the Ausangate district and just half an hour from our destination. After a 3-hour drive, we will arrive in Tinki, where we will have lunch and meet our muleteers for the trek. You walk gently uphill past open puna and highland meadows. You may see vizcachas, condors or Andean foxes on the way to camp at Upis (4,400m/14,1435ft). Here you can soak in the hot springs of this superbly located campsite beneath the Ausangate glaciers.
Toya you will ascend straight out of the campsite to the Arapa pass (4,800m/15,750ft). The colourful moon-like rock formations form a stark contrast to the white snows of Ausangate. You descend in the afternoon past the spectacular Uchuy Pucacocha (little red lake) and its waterfalls before camping beside the waters of Jatun Pucacocha (big red lake). (Total hiking time -6-7 hours).
You will climb two passes today, both of which are steady ascents. First is the Apuchata pass (4,900m/16,076ft) from where you descend to the beautiful azure lake of Ausangatecocha. Then you ascend Palomani pass (5,200m/17,060ft) on the far side of Ausangate. You pass through the traditional base camp used for mountain ascents before finishing with a descent to the campsite on the meadow below amidst the glacial moraines (4,510m/14,796ft). (Total hiking time – 6-7 hours).
This morning you follow the broad green valley to the small lake of Ticllacocha. More vizcachas and hopefully some rare vicuñas should accompany you on your journey. The last big pass now lies above. The Campa pass (5050m/16,560ft) is the most impressive of all, with glaciers, scree and snow providing a real big mountain expedition feel. A long descent brings you to the final camp beside the hot-springs at Pacchanta (4360m/14,300ft) ideally placed to soak tired muscles in the warm waters. (Total hiking time – 6-7 hours).
A short hike and you reach the trailhead at Tinqui (4237m/13,900ft) where the bus will be waiting. After lunch, you wave goodbye to the mules and mueteers and begin the drive back to Cusco for a well-deserved hot shower and cold beer.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Travelers to Peru require a passport valid for at least 6 months from entry. Most nationalities (USA, Canada, EU, UK, Australia, Brazil) do not require a tourist visa for stays up to 90 days. Comprehensive travel insurance covering high altitude is strongly recommended.
Hotel nights feature comfortable 3-star boutique hotels in private en-suite rooms. On mountain treks, we provide premium 4-season Eureka tents (2 persons in a 4-person tent), foam sleeping mattresses, spacious dining tents with tables and chairs, and clean portable toilet facilities.
Your tour begins in Cusco, Peru. We include airport arrival transfer to your hotel. An informative briefing with your professional trekking guide takes place at your Cusco hotel at 6:00 PM the evening before your tour begins.
We had great tours with them! Rosa Guide very good and with a lot of information!
We had an incredible experience with the tours! Everything was very well organized, from the schedules to the support during the trips. The guides were very attentive, helpful, and gave us a lot of interesting...
A wonderful experience, very punctual, capricious, service at all times, no doubt was the best choice, me and my friends felt very safe.
The Yacana was our best choice of trip. Always inquisitive and ready to serve us. Super we indicate!
