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This very special alternative trek takes you alongside the spectacular snow-capped "Apu" of Ausangate (6.372m/20900ft) and takes you over mountain passes, through awesome mountain scenery, authentic Andean villages, hot springs and turquoise lakes. This alternative route to the classical circuit around Mount Ausangate still offers the most spectacular views of this sacred Andean mountain before it deviates towards the impressive Sibinacocha Lagoon, leaving tourist crowds behind and entering an almost uninhabited area where you can truly commune with nature. The hike ends in Phinaya, a small and remote Andean community with just horses and bicycles as sole transportation means. An unforgettable hike for lovers of mountain trekking searching for something entirely different and away from the increasingly popular traditional Ausangate trek.

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

Itinerary Ausangate Sibinacocha alternative route

Day 1: Cusco - Tinqui

We leave the city of Cusco in local bus, and drive along the Cusco - Puerto Maldonado truck road in the direction of Tinqui (3800m/ 12464 ft). On the way we stop in Urcos (major bus road junction) for some pictures of the colorful market. We then go on to Cattca, an agricultural and cattle raising community where we can appreciate the region's spectacular views and finally pass through Ocongate, capital of the district with the same name and only half an hour away from our destination. After an approximated 4h drive, we arrive in Tinki, where we sleep in a local lodge and start the trek the next morning. we spend some time visiting the Tinki public school and have the chance to meet the children of the neighboring communities that study at this place and eventually give them some useful presents such as notebooks or pencils which are highly appreciated

Day 2: Tinki - Pacchanta - Qomerqocha Lagoon

After breakfast we will leave Tinki and start a 3 hour walk towards Pacchanta (4100m/ 13448ft) , where we stop for lunch. Pacchanta is a rural community that boasts some well-known thermal baths where we can enjoy a nice dip, offering very nice views of Ausangate Mountain . In the afternoon we contiue our hike with a slight climb up the Pacchanta valley, having the chance to spot llamas and alpacas, until we reach the beautiful Qomercocha lagoon where we set our camp and have dinner. Our campsite is a spectacular spot with amazing views of Ausangate, Santa Catalina , Maria Huamantiqlla, Pucapunta and Colquecruz snow-capped mountains.

Day 3: Qomerqocha Lagoon - Yanamayo

After breakfast we will leave at around 7.00 am and continue on towards the first mountain pass of our trek, the Abra de Q´ampa at 5000m/ 16400ft, which we will reach after about 4h. We then descend towards the Ticllaqocha Lagoons, a beautiful group of little turquoise lagoons which will be a beautiful setting for lunch. In the afternoon we continue our hike for an additional 2-3hours\ until we reach Yanamayo where we set our camp in an impressive valley overlooked by the huge and awesome Tres Picos, Colquecruz and Pucapunta peaks.

Day 4: Yanamayo - Condorpaso

We leave camp after breakfast and start a gradual climb up towards Yanaqocha or "Black Lagoon" its name being due to the dark color of its waters. In this area we can appreciate a soil of volcanic origin, its color turning to dark red and black, as well as moraines, showing the previous presence of glaciers in this region. We will go over Yanaqocha mountain pass (5050 m/15564 feet) to discover a surprisingly beautiful valley with an explosion of colored mountains, three spectacular lagoons and the presence of llamas and alpacas, which we will cross to head towards our next mountain pass (5100m/ 16728ft ). From this point, another hour of hiking takes us to Condorpaso, our next campsite, located very close to the mountain pass of the same name which will be our challege for the next day.

Day 5: Condorpaso - Source of Sibinacocha Lake

After breakfast, we continue on a gradual climb up the valley that takes us to the mountain pass Abra del Condor (5200 m/ 17056 ft) after an approximated two hour walk. From the pass, the highest point of our trek, we may not only enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range and the Sibinacocha Lagoon, our next milestone, but also hopefully see vicuñas. Immediately, we continue our hike for an additional 3 hours, crossing another mountain pass on the way and then descending into the valley of the Sibinacocha Lake 's source. We will camp next to the lagoon and very close from its source, where an impressive glacier stands and nourishes the lake with its turquoise waters that contrast with the dark blue pure color of the lagoon. The lagoon boasts a wide bio-diversity, and with any luck we will most be able to spot Andean Coots, "Huallatas" or Andean Geese as well as Andean Ducks from our camp.

Day 6: Source of Sibinacocha Lagoon - Ccascana

Today, we depart early to walk along the shores of the Sibinacocha Lagoon for 3h until we reach the Yayamari community, next to the mountain of the same name, an impressive rocky peak overlooking the lagoon (5500 m/ 18040 ft). We then continue crossing a pampa where we will most probably see hundreds of llamas, alpacas and hopefully vicuñas, to then follow towards the Abra Ccascana at 5000m/ 16400 ft, which will lead us to the lagoon of the same name, in which area we will set our last camp. In this spot, surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks such as Montura and Chumpi and inhabited by small rural communities, we may have the chance to spot ¨Huallatas¨ or Andean geese and maybe even flamingos.

7: Ccascana - Phinaya Cusco

After our breakfast, we leave Ccascana to walk for three and a half hours towards Phinaya. This is a small Andean community with a beautiful little church and no presence of vehicles except bikes and horses, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we drive back to Cusco , where we expect to arrive after dark.

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 from Phinaya 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 .

Popular cook Herbert in front of the Ausangate range.

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 (ausangate trek only, not Sibinacocha)

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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