APU AUSANGATE 5D-4N

OVERVIEW

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 region, where the glaciers surround us in all directions. We will walk on the shores of lakes, and Andean cameloids will accompany us on parts of our journey.

ITINERARY

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 start our trek. We leave the town of Tinki walking towards the south on a gentle gradient, with a magnificent view of the snow-capped peak of Apu Ausangate.  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.

We will reach the pampas of Upis, where we will advance towards the Apu Ausangate and set up our campsite with a spectacular view.

Meals: lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 4447 masl / 14589 ft 
Minimum Altitude: 3778 masl / 12395 ft 
Distance Travelled: 8 hours 
Approximate Walking Time: 10 km / 6.21 ml

Day 2: Upis – Abra Arapa – 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 – Hatunpampa

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 Hatunpampa.  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: Hatunpampa – Abra Janca – Pacchanta

Another challenge today: the second high pass over 5,000masl, abra Janca.  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 spot, and then continue on to the town of Pacchanta and its relaxing thermal baths.  An excellent end to one of the hardest days on our trek.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 5070 masl / 16633 ft 
Minimum Altitude: 4300 masl / 14107 ft 
Distance Travelled: 14 km / 8.69 ml 
Approximate Walking Time: 8 hr    

Day 5: Pacchanta – Tinki – Cuzco

We return to the town of Tinki where we enjoy a delicious Pachamanca, an Andean way of cooking.  

After a typical Andean lunch, we take our transport back to the city of Cuzco, where we will have a transfer back to our respective hotels.  End of our services.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 4300 masl / 14107 ft 
Minimum Altitude: 3778 masl / 12395 ft 
Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6.21 ml 
Approximate Walking Time: 5 hr

PRICE

Group Service – Price per Person
1	2	3	4 – 10
USD 2590	USD 1470	USD 1090	USD 950
Private Service – Price per Person
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
USD 3090	USD 1860	USD 1390	USD 1220	USD 1095	USD 1050	USD 1015	USD 980	USD 940	USD 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

• Extra food
• Optional tip for field staff
• Extra costs
• Evacuation costs

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.