THE AUSANGATE TREK

Ausangate Trek Itinerary - 5 days - Difficulty: intermediate

Day 1 Cusco-Tinqui-Upis (5 hours of walking)

Departure from Ausangate Trek early in the morning from Cusco (5 am) for a 3-hour trip to the town of Tinqui (3800m). Along the way, you will have the opportunity to see the beautiful countryside and many small Andean villages. After lunch (lunch) in Tinqui, it is the departure on a path that offers a splendid view of the Vilcanota Mountain Range and the Ausangate. Arrival to the hot springs of Upis (alt 4400m) that offer a panoramic view of the surroundings. Camp for the night.

Day 2 Upis- Lake Ausangate Q'ocha (7h walk)

Departure in the morning and crossing the Arapa pass (alt 4850m), then descent (3-4h) to the valley. Along the way, you will cross Lake Puca Q'ocha, then Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha with turquoise waters. The walk continues to the Apuchata Pass (alt 4900m) from where you can admire the Ausangate Q'ocha Lake at your feet, fed by the waters of the glacier. Camp in the lake.

Day 3 Ausangate Lake Q'ocha-Qampa (8h hike)

Crossing the Palomani pass (alt 5200m), the highest point of the hike, then descend to the valley for a well-deserved rest, accompanied by lunch. Then you can admire the Tres Picos and Puca Punta glaciers while continuing the trek through the green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and the Qampa River Valley. Overnight around

Day 4 Qampa-Pacchanta (8h walk)

After leaving the Qampa community, the Ausangate walk continues towards the Qampa Pass (alt 5000m), the last step of the walk. It is an opportunity to admire several lakes and have lunch on the shores of Lake Qoma Qocha. After gaining strength, the hike continues to the town of Pacchanta, where a very popular reward awaits you: a moment of relaxation in the hot springs that you can accompany with a beer, if you wish. You will have the afternoon free to discover the town and its surroundings. Night in Pacchanta, inn or camp.

Day 5 Pacchanta-Cusco (3h walk)

The last day is quieter, with a walk back to Tinqui after breakfast, then a free rest to visit this traditional village. Return by private car to Cusco in the afternoon.

Ausangate Trek: practical information

Includes: private transportation to the Cusco-Tinqui hotel, entrance ticket to Ausangate, guide, assistant (depending on the size of the group), tent, foam mattress (inflatable mattress upon request), cook, toilet tent, meals as indicated in the itinerary (generally excluding breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day), horses that carry the equipment (up to 7 kg per person), 1 extra horse in case of emergency, tent-dining room with tables and chairs, kitchen tent, first aid kit First aid and oxygen. Not included: sleeping bag (at least -15 ° C because it is very cold at night!), Tips for guide / porter / cook

When to do the Ausangate trek? Peruvian winter is preferred, from May to September (the rainy season is from December to March).

Ausangate is only possible? Yes, but keep in mind that this is a very demanding walk with 4 high passes (2 to more than 5000 m). To get there, take a local bus from Cusco to Tinqui (approximately 3-4h by car) and pay the 20 admission soles at the trail counter. On the site, you can choose to rent the services of a mule driver or a doorman if you wish.

If you are an enthusiast of outdoor activities and are looking for an interesting challenge on trails with few people, I recommend you try the Ausangate trek.