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Without a doubt the Ausangate trek offers some of the most wonderful scenery in the whole of the Cusco area, with many birds and wildlife and also glaciers and high alpine lakes. Its also one of the toughest in the region with three high passes over 5,000 metres/ 16000 feet. On a clear day, Apu Ausangate dominates Cusco's southern skyline. As we draw closer to this massive massif (6,380 metres/ 20 926 feet) one becomes increasingly impressed and understands fully why the ancient Incas held this spectacular mountain in such high regard. During the whole Ausangate cirucit we pass local villages where the people dress in their typical attire - the women in beautiful flatboard hats with trimmings - and llamas graze freely.

Ausangate is an important "Apu" click here for an explanation of the meaning of Apu

Itinerary Ausangate trek / Ausangate trail

Itinerary -6 day trek around Ausangate mountain.

Day 1 Cusco - Tinqui - Upis
We depart Cusco early the morning (approx 7am) for the 4-hour bus ride to the small village of Tinqui (3800 metres/ 12 464 feet). As Tinqui is located on the new Interoceanic highway we can now arrive here much more quickly that in previous years. We pass through beautiful countryside and several traditional villages including Urcos, Cattca and Ocangate. After lunch in Tinqui the first 3 hours are are wonderful prelude to the magnificent scenery of the Cordillera Vilcanota, with great views of Ausangate. We will trek for two hours more until we reach the hot springs at Upis (4,400 metres/ 14432 feet) which offer fantastic views of Ausangate at the end of the valley. We will camp here for the night. (total trekking time 4-5 hours)

Day 2 From Upis to Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha
During our morning's trek, we will cross our the Arapa pass (4,850 metres/ 15908 feet). From here, we continue 3½ hours down the valley, passing the green lake of Puqa Q'ocha until we reach the turquoise Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha. We will set up camp here. The views of Ausangate are particularly close and spectacular. During the night you can hear ice falls into the lake - intimidating but nothing to worry about!

Day 3 From Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha to Pampacancha
In the morning we ascend the second pass of Apuchata (4,900 metres/ 16 072 feet) with the stunning turquoise blue Laguna Ausangate Q'ocha below. This lake is fed from the melting snow of Ausangate. From the lake we ascend to the Palomani pass (5,200 metres/ 17 056 feet); the highest point of the trek. From the pass we follow the trail into the valley where we'll rest and have lunch. A short hike in the afternoon brings us to our camp at Pampacancha.

Day 4 From Pampacancha to Q'omer Q'ocha
During this morning we can enjoy views of the snowcapped Tres Picos and Puca Punta. We will continue through the broad green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and up the Rio Q'ampa valley. After passing through the small community of Q'ampa we will North west to the last pass of this hike, the Q'ampa pass (5000 metres/ 16400 feet). We will see several different coloured lakes and camp beside Q'oma Q'ocha.

Day 5 From Qomer Q'ocha to Pacchanta:
This is the easiest day of the trek, with lots of time to relax and bathe in the shadow of the great Ausangate. We hike for several hours before arriving at the small village of Pacchanta. We can soak in the thermal springs for a couple of hours, and even have a well-deserved beer! We will set up camp near Pacchanta and you will have the afternoon free to explore this interesting Andean village. (You have the option of staying in a basic hostal this night)

Day 6 From Pacchanta to Cusco
It's 3 hours trek back to Tinqui where we will have time to explore this traditional Andean village before taking the bus back to Cusco, arriving at about 18.00.

Itinerary 7 day trek to Ausangate (for those that require a more relaxed pace) Alternatively if you are looking for something way out of the ordinary we can offer you the Ausangate trek via Sibinacocha which ends in the community of Phinaya. A trek that is totally untouristed and very very special!

Day 1 Cusco to Tinqui
We depart Cusco in the morning for the 7-hour bus ride to the small village of Tinqui (3800 metres/ 12 464 feet). We pass through beautiful countryside and several traditional villages including Urcos, Cattca and Ocangate, where we will have the opportunity to stop for a while and take some photos. We spend the first night in a small hostal in Tinqui.

Day 2 From Tinqui to Upis
We depart around 8am, and the first 3 hours are are wonderful prelude to the magnificent scenery of the Cordillera Vilcanota, with great views of Ausangate. After lunch we trek for two hours more until we reach the hot springs at Upis (4,400 metres/ 14432 feet) which offer fantastic views of Ausangate at the end of the valley. We will camp here for the night.

Day 3 From Upis to Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha
During our morning's trek, we will cross our the Arapa pass (4,850 metres/ 15908 feet). From here, we continue 3½ hours down the valley, passing the green lake of Puqa Q'ocha until we reach the turquoise Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha. We will set up camp here. The views of Ausangate are particularly close and spectacular. During the night you can hear ice falls into the lake - intimidating but nothing to worry about!

Day 4 From Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha to Pampacancha
In the morning we ascend the second pass of Apuchata (4,900 metres/ 16 072 feet) with the stunning turquoise blue Laguna Ausangate Q'ocha below. This lake is fed from the melting snow of Ausangate. From the lake we ascend to the Palomani pass (5,200 metres/ 17 056 feet); the highest point of the trek. From the pass we follow the trail into the valley where we'll rest and have lunch. A short hike in the afternoon brings us to our camp at Pampacancha.

Day 5 From Pampacancha to Q'omer Q'ocha
During this morning we can enjoy views of the snowcapped Tres Picos and Puca Punta. We will continue through the broad green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and up the Rio Q'ampa valley. After passing through the small community of Q'ampa we will North west to the last pass of this hike, the Q'ampa pass (5000 metres/ 16400 feet). We will see several different coloured lakes and camp beside Q'oma Q'ocha.

Day 6 From Qomer Q'ocha to Pacchanta:
This is the easiest day of the trek, with lots of time to relax and bathe in the shadow of the great Ausangate. We hike for several hours before arriving at the small village of Pacchanta. We can soak in the thermal springs for a couple of hours, and even have a well-deserved beer! We will set up camp near Pacchanta and you will have the afternoon free to explore this interesting Andean village. (You have the option of staying in a basic hostal this night)

Day 7 From Pacchanta to Cusco
It's 3 hours trek back to Tinqui where we will have time to explore this traditional Andean village before taking the bus back to Cusco, arriving at about 18.00.

Itinerary Notes

• The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group. Each guide has their own preferred route and it might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
• If required, riding horses or horses to carry luggage can be arranged at a reasonable daily rate.

What's included?

For complete facts about many aspects of Apus Peru tours, check out our FAQs page!

• Pre Trek Briefing
• Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
• Public transport from Cusco to Tinqui (the trailhead) and return at the end of the trek.
• Entry fee to the Ausangate mountain.
• English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 6 people).
• Tents - 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks. All tents were purchased in 07/08.
• Basic foam mattress. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can hire you an inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest) for $5 per day.
• Cook and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
  Toilet tent
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes). Salads, if served, are washed in boiled water.
• Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 5 kg per person). If you wish to take more, you can hire an extra mule at a cost of $8 per day.
• 1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower
• Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
• Tents for our staff to sleep in
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

What is not included?

• Breakfast on the first morning.
• Sleeping bags (can be hired from us for US$5 per day) If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.
• Tips for the guide, cook and porters
• Additional horses for passengers luggage. If there are any substantial items or backpacks, passengers will need to hire an additional mule at a cost of $8US per day.
• Bus down from Machu Picchu - cost $6US. We give you the option to hike if you wish.

You should bring:

• A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek - prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
• Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco.
• Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
• Sandals or plastic slip on thongs are also good to give your feet a chance to breath in the evenings if you wish to carry them.
• Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
• Sleeping bag (we can hire these to you)
• Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - although no malaria risk has been reported
• Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
  We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams.
• Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
• Small towel or sarong
• Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs)
• Cash - sufficient for your final lunch in Aguas Calientes, tips and souvenirs.
• Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.
• Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)
• Binoculars (if you have them)
  

optional extras We can hire the following.

• Sleeping Bag suitable for -5deg. ($4.00 per day)
• Deluxe Sleeping Bag suitable for -10deg. ($6.00 per day)
• Walking stick lightweight aluminum ($1.00 per day)
• Inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest) ($5.00 per day)
• Two sticks are recommended for tough hikes.
• Mule - $9.00 per day Most people carry their own day pack with up to 5-10kg of their things - a change of clothes and wet weather gear etc. However, if you think that you will have much luggage and you want a very light day pack (eg. just camera and water) then its advisable that you hire an extra mule .
• Single supplement for tent - prices for these treks are calculated on a share basis. If you would like a tent to yourself you need to pay a single supplement - $25 for the whole trek.

Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat Theodore Roosevelt

Ausangate trek 7 days - please ask us for a price. See Ausangate Sibanacocha trek

For our payment conditions and booking please refer to our page Payment & booking

How would you rate your overall enjoyment of your trip? 10

  How would you rate your guide? 8 Felix paced the walk well and gave excellent comment on glacial (natural) elements, cultural and political which gave an informative experience.

Did trip meet your expectations/was the trip well described on the website? I knew it would be hard, but the spectacular scenery made it easy.

What did you think of the route? Without acclimatization the trek would have been more difficult.

What was the highlight of your trip? Climbing up to the Glacial Lakes/Glacier on the southern side of Ausangate. the quiet disturbed only by the song of ancient ice, and vision dazzled by sunlight on dancing water.

Any other comments? Spend time to learn about Apu Ausangate, and go for it! Thanks Apus Peru , Ariana and team.

David & Jo, Australia, July 2007

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First of all, it is an excellent trek and we had a great trip, this in spite of the fact that I had managed to acquire a fairly seriuos tummy bug just before starting and so was unable to eat much of the great food provided, and was very tired, but I did manage it!

Our guide, Mayra, was very personable and had excellent English. She interacted well with both us as the clients, and with the horseman and cook. The horseman (Francisco) and the cook (Ciro) were both excellent, and very caring - they went out of their way to wait for me when I really slowed down in case I needed to ride a horse (I didn't) and they tried very hard to provide me with foods that would be palatable (tricky and I could barely eat anything for three days of the trek).

All the upfront planning went smoothly, including the pre meeting with Felix, and the public transportation (I was glad Mayra was with us on the return from Tinqui since we actually missed the bus and had to take a taxi to catch up with it in Ocongate). Also, all your upfront emails were timely and specifically answered my questions which went a long way to helping us to choose Apu's.
Chris & Peter Thomas, Ausangate Trek, June 2007

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"So sorry it has been so long for me to contact you again since my Ausangate trek. The problem is that I ended up with a pinched nerve in my back - a surprising occurrence for me which hampered walking very annoyingly (Felix and Jose, the cook, were very very patient and helpful with this) so when back in Cusco I did not get myself to an internet outlet for a while but limped to Lima instead to be with friends, and am now starting to get around again. I just thought I´d let you know I am fine, had a very special experience, was very ably taken care of and at no time felt unsafe or worried, just COLD, very, VERY COLD, which was to be expected. It was an amazing trip, the country and its scenery as magnificent as could be imagined though I was taken aback that I was still the only traveler on the trek .Thanks again for all the arrangements you made and the last minute fine tunings you fitted in. Warmest regards, Chris . (North Queensland, Australia) - 23rd October 2006

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005-08. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru