Apu Ausangate 5 Days – 4 Nights

On this 5-day trek, you’ll discover the beauty and rugged highlands of the Ausangate region, hike past glacial lakes, & wander amidst herds of vicuñas and alpacas, ancestor and descendant. The andean shepherds started this process of domestication 10,000 years ago approximately.

Within the Cosmo vision developed by the Incas, the Apu Ausangate is the most important sacred mountain in the area surrounding the city of Cusco, indeed in all of the altiplano, which is also home to Lake Titicaca, the place of origin of the Incas, according to the legend of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo. This sacred mountain is located to the south east of the city of Cuzco, capital of the Inca Empire.

This trek offers spectacular and beautiful views of the puna and Janca regions, where the glaciers surround us in all directions. We will walk on the shores of lakes, and Andean camelids will accompany us on parts of our journey.

ITINERARY

Your adventure step by step

Day 1: Cuzco – Tinki – Upis

We will leave early in our private transport following the valley to the south out of the city of Cuzco. We will arrive in the town of Tinki, where we will take the dirt road to the community of Upis. After lunch we will start our hike with the view of the spectacular Mountain Ausangate. After a couple of hours of hiking, we will reach the camping site in the community facing the Ausangate mountain. The scenery which will surround us is typical of the puna region, where the ichu (local wild grass) and the wind will be our companions

Meals: lunch and dinner
Maximum Altitude: 4447 masl / 14589 ft
Minimum Altitude: 3778 masl / 12395 ft
Distance Travelled: 6 km / 3.73 ml
Approximate Walking Time: 3 hours

Day 2: Upis – Abra Arapa – Pukaqocha – Abra Ausangate – Ausangateqocha

We begin our walk uphill under the watchful gaze of the most important Apu of the Andean south. On our way we can appreciate how beautiful and powerful the geography is in this part of the southern Andes. When we reach the abra (high-mountain pass) Arapa we will have a magnificent view of this mountain chain. Crossing the pass, we walk towards Sonccococha, Pukacocha, Ccomercochas, beautiful high-Andean lakes.

After lunch, we will climb uphill briefly to cross the Ausangate pass and descend to our campsite on the beautiful Ausangatecocha.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Maximum Altitude: 4650 masl / 15255 ft
Minimum Altitude: 4447 masl / 14589 ft
Distance Travelled: 16 km / 9.94 ml
Approximate Walking Time: 9 hr

Day 3: Ausangatecocha – Abra Palomani – Huchuy Phinaya – Wanu Wanu

Today is an important day as we will reach the first of the two high passes, abra Palomani. It is a short uphill walk from our campsite to the highest pass of our trek. We will enjoy unique scenery above 5,000 meters above sea level. Our descent will take us to the settlement of Huchuy Phinaya where we will have lunch.

After a short rest, we will continue our trek on a gentle gradient towards our campsite at Wanu Wanu. We will enjoy a high Andean flat-land surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Overnight.Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 5125 masl / 16814 ft
Minimum Altitude: 4650 masl / 15255 ft
Distance Travelled: 16 km / 9.94 ml
Approximate Walking Time: 9 hr

Day 4: Wanu Wanu – Abra Qampa – Nina Pharayoq

Another challenge today: the second high pass over 5,000 masl, abra Qampa. Beautiful Andean scenery where the cameloids live together with the mountain peaks, watched over by the spectacular Colquecruz snow-capped peak.

We follow the path downhill to our lunch and camp site, the lagoons of Ninapharayoq, a beautiful location to spend a relaxing evening.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Maximum Altitude: 5070 masl / 16633 ft
Minimum Altitude: 4300 masl / 14107 ft
Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6.21 ml
Approximate Walking Time: 6 hr

Day 5: Nina Pharayoq – Otorongoqocha – Pacchanta – Cusco

We start early in the morning to enjoy a beautiful lagoon environment surrounded by snow capped mountains. After breakfast we go downhill passing by the Otorongoqocha lagoon (a mythical lagoon) and Azulcocha lagoons, until the caserío of Pacchanta, where we can enjoy the hotsprings with the magnificent view of the Ausangate mountain. After lunch we take our transport to start the drive back to the city of Cusco.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Maximum Altitude: 4660 masl / 15288 ft
Minimum Altitude: 4300 masl / 14107 ft
Distance Travelled: 4 km / 2.49 ml
Approximate Walking Time: 3 hr

PRICES

Know our rates

PRICES AND SERVICES USD

Group service – Price per person

4-6

7-8

9-10

3090

1860

1390

1220

1015

940

Services included

Transportation Cuzco – Tinki
Guide service in Spanish/ English
Sleeping bag per person (-10 ºC – Eureka – Cimarron – mummy form, our sleeping bags are cleaned after every use) – available just in private service
Sleeping liner – available just in private service
Pillow – available just in private service
Inflatable sleeping pad (Therm A Rest) – available just in private service
Cook and assistant
Cooking equipment
Snacks
Daily tea service
Dining equipment including chairs and tables (Travel Chair)
Cooking, eating and bathroom (The Pett) tents
Portable environmental toilet (The Pett)
Food (4 breakfast, 5 lunch, 4 dinner)
Vegetarian menu at no extra cost
Two person tents (3-people capacity tent used as doubles – 4 seasons)
Single tents available for extra cost – USD$ 15.00 per night
Mule-handlers

Mules – for transportation of our camping equipment and transportation of personal belongings (available just in private service)
Saddled horse (for every 6 passengers there is one saddled horse)
First-aid kit
Emergency oxygen bottle
One Pachatusantrek kit of 100% biodegradable products (toiletries) – available just in private service
Pachatusantrek water resistant duffel bag for carrying personal stuff (on loan)
Pre departure briefing
Transportation Tinki – Cusco

Services not included

Not mentioned food
Extra expenses
Optional tip for field staff
Evacuation expenses

IMPORTANT

Further Details

We recommend that you bring

Water-resistant trekking shoes and sandals
Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat, gloves, socks)
Waterproof clothing (poncho)
Synthetic or cotton clothing (socks, trousers, shorts, t-shirts)
Sunhat and sunglasses
Sun cream and insect repellent
Water bottles such as Nalgene
Basic medications
Walking sticks
Swimsuit and towel
Personal items
Personal snacks
Previous acclimatization in Cuzco city, for at least 2 days and general good health. Pachatusantrek offers easy one day and half day routes which can be completed before the main trek
DNI / Original Passport

Please note

For the group prices
We apply the 4 – 10 range price when we open a group
We need 4 persons to open one group
In case you are less number of persons and there is no any group open we will apply the price according to the number of persons.

Camping equipment for rent
Please check the difference between a group and a private service
Group service does not include the following services
Sleeping bag
Sleeping liner
Pillow
Inflatable sleeping pad
Transportation of your personal belongings
Pachatusantrek biodegradable toiletries
Please ask for our camping equipment and extra services to rent

Important Environmental Note

Pachatusantrek is committed to following the principles of ecotourism in our operations, and request the understanding and cooperation of trekkers, especially by not contaminating the waters and in the adequate disposal of non-biodegradable waste. We must also respect the customs and traditions of the local people.

” A professional team that made everything to have an amazing trip to Ausangate Mountain. Pachatusantrek is company commited with the comunity and the environment that made our trip unforgettable even some of us felt ill. Thank you for everything Pachatusantrek “

Alejandra

GALLERY