AUSANGATE TREK – 5 Days & 4 Nights

GENERAL INFORMATION

TRAVEL STYLE: Trek

MINIMUM GROUP: 02 persons

DEPARTURES: Subject to availability

Description:

The AUSANGATE TREK is an adventurous route offering stunning features such as spectacular mountain scenery, snow-capped peaks, hot springs, turquoise lakes, glaciers, herds of llamas, alpacas, and wild vicuña, chinchillas, a rare condor, picturesque villages, and traditionally dressed Quechua people.
This 5 day/4 night Ausangate trek is at the beginning of the Vilcanota mountain range and traverses past the highest peak (Ausangate 6,385 m/20,948 ft) in the Cusco region. This adventurous trek is approximately 67 km/41.6 mi and goes up to 5,400 m/17,716 ft. It is moderate to challenging, not technical, with several high passes and often freezing cold nights. This beautiful five-day trek starts and finishes at the small Andean village of Tinqui and takes you around Ausangate mountain and over three high passes (two of them over 5,000 m/16,404 ft). Want to hike this trail and see Machu Picchu? We’ve got an awesome package for that:
The 7 Day/6 Night Ausangate Trek & Machu Picchu Package.
It is essential to be properly acclimatized for this hike, spending at least two or three days in Cusco (or equivalent altitude) before starting. The campsites are at high elevations and therefore will be quite cold in the evenings. Though it does not end in Machu Picchu, a train tour of Machu Picchu can easily be added on to this (or any) trek. Minimum passengers necessary for trek departure: 2 people (1 person or private/custom treks possible with extra fee). Maximum trekkers per group: 10 people (special, private party groups can exceed maximum).

Full itinerary:

Day 1: Cusco – Tinqui – Upis

Early transfer from your hotel in Cusco with 6:00 am departure. We drive for 4 hours on a new highway to Tinqui, passing Urcos Pass (4,000 m/13,123 ft) along the way. Tinqui is a village on the high plains “altiplano” east from Cusco and is where we will start our trek. We follow a wide, gently ascending path toward the northwest face of the impressive Ausangate mountain. We will have a small lunch around noon by the side of the trail. We will continue walking through fields and by scattered stone farm houses, and later in the day we will begin to see llamas and alpacas. We ascend gently to the Upis pass (4,435 m/14,107 ft) and camp at Upis Hot Springs (4,250 m/13,779 ft) where we will be surrounded by snow capped mountains (Ausangate and Maria Huamantilla).There are thermal springs at Upis where we can enjoy a soak at the end of the day. Happy hour is around 4:00pm and dinner at approx 6:00pm depending on hiking speed/weather.

Walking distance approximately 16 km/9.9 miles (6 hour acclimatizing hike)
Meals: Box breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks on the trail
Overnight: Camping in 3 person, 4 season Tents (double occupancy)

Day 2: Upis – Ausangate Q’ocha

After breakfast we begin our trek at 7:00am. We begin ascending for 3 hours to Arapa Pass 4,800 m/15,748 ft. At the top of the pass we will have a wonderful view of the Maria Huamantilla Mountain and Ausangate Mountain behind it. From the Arapa pass we trek across an arid hillside for 20 minutes and then we descend, sometimes quite steeply, for 45 minutes into a valley of deep blue glacial lakes and waterfalls. We will stop to have a quick lunch by one of the lakes. After lunch we continue for 1 hour on flat trails and then 1 more hour gentle ascent to our second pass of the day, Ausangate Pass 4,700 m/15,419 ft. At the top of the pass we will have a beautiful view of Ausangante Mountain and the lake Ausangatecocha, formed by a melting glacier. We then descend for 40 minutes to our campsite by the lake Ausangatecocha 4,300 m/14,107 ft, which is at the bottom of one of the Ausangate glaciers. Happy hour is around 4:00pm with dinner at 6:00pm.

Walking distance approximately 18 km/11.1 mi (7 hour hike)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks on the trail
Overnight: Camping in 3 person, 4 season Tents (double occupancy)

Day 3: Ausangate Q’ocha to Qampa

After breakfast we leave camp at 7:00am and climb steeply for 3 hours on glacial moraine to the highest point on the trek, Palomani Pass 5,400 m/17,716 ft. From the pass there are extensive views of all the peaks in the Cordillera Vilcanota. We then descend for 2 hours on a steep trail into the Huchuy Finaya Valley where we will stop for a quick lunch. From the valley and lunch stop we will have a view of “Las dos gemelas” or the two twin mountains. We continue hiking 3 hours on a varied path to our campsite in the Pampacancha Valley (Qampa) 4,300 m/14,107 ft. Happy hour at 4:00pm and dinner at 6:00pm.

Walking distance approximately 17 km/ 10.5 mi (7-8 hour hike)
Meals: breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks on the trail
Overnight: Camping in 3 person, 4 season Tents (double occupancy)

Day 4: Q’ampa to Pacchanta

After breakfast we leave camp at 7:00am and begin climbing up to the Qampa pass (5,400 m/17,716 ft) for 2 hours. At this pass we have incredible views of The Three Peaks, the Pacchanta Valley, and will hopefully get a glimpse of some wild vicuña and deer, and if we are really lucky, a condor. We then descend gradually through the Pacchanta Valley, walking between Ausangate Mountain and the Two Twin Mountains for 2 hours until we stop for lunch. After lunch we continue descending gradually on a rocky trail for another 2 1/2 hours to our campsite at Pacchanta Valley (4,000 m/13,123 ft). From this campsite we will have a great view of Ausangate Mountain. There are also hot springs at this campsite, which we can enjoy before dinner.

Walking distance approximately 17 km/ 10.5 mi (6-7 hour hike)
Meals: breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks on the trail
Overnight: Camping in 3 person, 4 season Tents (double occupancy)

Día 5: Pacchanta to Cusco

After breakfast we walk for 3-4 hours on a varied and gentle trail to Tinqui across open fields where we will have our final view of Ausangate, potato crops, and herds of llamas and alpacas. At Tinqui we will have lunch and meet our private transport and return to Cusco (3 hour drive), arriving around 4 or 5 pm.

Walking distance approximately 16 km/9.9 mi (3-4 hour hike)
Meals: breakfast, Lunch, Snacks on the trail
Overnight: Camping in 3 person, 4 season Tents (double occupancy)

Included on the Trail

• Pre-Trek briefing the night before the trek to go over the itinerary, meet your guide(s) and answer any questions
• Collection from your Cusco hotel in the morning
• Private bus transport to start of the trek and back to Cusco
• Personal porter to carry your overnight gear up to 8kg/17.6lbs
• Dry bag in which to put your overnight gear so it won’t get wet or dusty on the trail
• 3 person, 4 season tents (2 people in large and comfortable Mountain Hardwear Expedition tent)
• One-Inch thick foam mattress pad
• Toilet tent and toilet and toilet paper
• English speaking professional guide
• Full meals on the trek (3 meals per day, tea time every afternoon, and snacks on the trail)
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank and emergency horse
• Chef and cooking equipment and kitchen tent
• Dining and cooking tents with tables and stools
• Dietary needs: able to cater to any dietary preference/need
• Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food, cooking equipment, and your duffel bags)
• Hot water every morning and evening for hand washing purposes
• Boiled water to fill your water bottle every morning and afternoon
• Entrance to the Ausangate trail

Not included

• Flights
• Hotel before/after trek
• Dinner on the last day
• Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
• Entrance to hot springs
• Travel interruption & travel medical/evacuation insurance (required)
• Tip for your guide(s) and trek staff are optional but highly encouraged if you enjoy your trek

Recommendations:

• Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
• Recommend a sleeping bag rated for 20F/-7C or below for this trek
• Sleeping bag liner (for your sleeping bag if you wish)
• Mattress pad – while we provide a mattress pad, being rested is essential for a great hiking experience and we find that sleep habits are very individualized. Therefore we recommend bringing your own pad that you know you are comfortable sleeping on, as well as any other sleep items you might want to have (camp pillow, etc).
• Sunscreen: the sun is very strong in Cusco
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Lip balm
• Hiking shoes/boots with good, grippy tread
• Optional: microspikes in case of excessive snowfall (rare)
• Hiking pants (or shorts) and shirts (layers)
• Layers – long underwear and/or warm sleep pants for cold nights
• Hand warmers if you wish
• Warm hat, gloves, scarf and thick warm socks (or you can buy a traditional Peruvian hat and scarf – they are beautiful!)
• Daypack and rain cover
• Rain gear – rain jacket and rain pants (optional for the pants), can buy an inexpensive poncho before the trek
• Cash for tipping porters (USD or Peruvian Soles are fine), cooks, horsemen, guides, buying items along the trail, for in town, emergencies, etc. Note: Cash should be in perfect condition (ripped, damaged bills of any kind are NOT accepted anywhere in Peru)
• Swim suit, flip flops, towel for any hot springs you may visit (not every trek/trip has this) if you wish to go
• Sandals
• Torch/flashlight/headlamp (and batteries)
• Insect repellent if you plan to visit Machu Picchu
• Hand sanitizer and face covering (for COVID-19 Pandemic)
• Extra snacks if you wish (beyond snacks provided by us)
• E.g. if you have a favorite protein bar as Cusco doesn’t sell items like this
• First aid kit, including blister protection (though your guide will have one, you may wish to carry one of your own)
• Personal medication and toiletries you might want/need
• Camera, extra memory cards, batteries and solar panel/power bank
• Water bottle or water bladder to refill
• Passport (must be valid 6 months past your final travel dates for most countries)
• Copies of passport (keep copies separate, give to travel friends to keep, etc)
• Power plug adapter
• Travel lock(s) approved by TSA (or they cut them off – US only)
• Tickets, itinerary, emergency contact information
• Any medications you currently are taking or need/may need (see suggestions below)
• Small quick-dry pak towels and/or compostable wipes for a quick wipe down at the end of the day

A minimum of 2 trekkers required for this trek. Maximum of 10 trekkers in a group.

• Price for 6-10 trekkers: 750 USD per person
• Price for 3-5 trekkers: 790 USD per person
• Price for 2 trekkers: 850 USD per person

Private treks, single trekker, custom treks, large groups, and packages welcome, Please email us to customize.

What to carry – Daypacks

On the trail you should carry a day pack with your camera, water bottle or bladder, snacks, hand sanitizer, face mask, cold weather clothing and rain gear or poncho in case of rain (unlikely in dry season – May to October) and anything you will need before dinner as horses do not walk alongside you. A recommended packing list is sent after you book the trip and can be found below under the “what to pack for your trek” tab. We will provide you with a dry bag for your overnight gear to be carried by horses. Your bag will be waiting for you at every campsite. Yes, we can store your luggage for you during the trek. Most hotels/hostels also provide this service.

• For more information you can write to us by email reservas@huntingtreasuresperu.com.