Ausangate Trek

DESCRIPTION

The 06-day Ausangate trekking tour is a unique experience for travelers seeking adventure and nature in the breathtaking landscapes of the Peruvian Andes. This tour offers a challenging but rewarding hike around Ausangate, the fifth highest peak in Peru. It also gives us the opportunity to interact with local communities and learn about their customs and traditions.

This experience although challenging and requires a good physical condition, gives us the best panoramic views of the Peruvian Andes and the feeling of being surrounded by untouched nature makes it worth it. 

Book now and live an unforgettable adventure with Cozy Planet Peru, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this incredible experience!

WHY BOOK?

• Reconnect with your spirit in the Peruvian Andes.
  
• See up close the highest snow-capped mountain in Cusco.
  
• Have an experiential experience in a comfortable way.

AUSANGATE HIKE 06 DAYS – 05 NIGHTS

DIA 01: CUSCO – TINQUI – UPIS

We will start early passing by the hotels around 05:00 am with our tourist transport and then continue the trip heading to Tinki from there we continue the journey to the base of the imposing Ausangate snow-capped mountain. The hike will start from Upis Pampa and will take you through picturesque rural villages and many streams to the Upis camp. 

Here, you will enjoy a night at the camp that awaits us ready with spectacular views of the Ausangate snow-capped peak. From our camp we will be able to appreciate the beautiful sunset over Ausangate. In addition, our talented cook will prepare a delicious lunch for you. After lunch, you can choose to explore the Upis Lake for two hours or relax in the hot springs during the afternoon. The night will be a unique experience with a starry sky that you will remember forever.

• Overnight in camp

DIA 02: UPIS – PUCACOCHA

We will start the day early with a cup of coca tea or coffee delivered to our tents followed by a delicious breakfast to prepare for the trek to the Arapa pass (4968 masl). On the way, we will be able to enjoy the impressive scenery surrounding the Ausangate snow-capped mountain and observe the people living in the area as well as the native fauna which are alpacas. Our guide will explain us about the native flora and fauna, hopefully, we can also see condors, chinchillas and vicuñas in their natural habitat. We will also visit colorful lakes on our way and finally we will arrive to the camp in Pucacocha, where we will be surrounded by high mountains and incredible snow-capped mountains and at night we will enjoy our dinner.

• Overnight at camp

DIA 03: PUCACOCHA – ANANTA – QEULLACOCHA

Today is a challenging day for hikers. After breakfast we will start by climbing the Puca Qocha pass (5051m), surrounded by multicolored mountains with breathtaking views of the snow-capped Ausangate and the colorful lakes at the foot of each mountain. Then, we enter the Red Mountain valley, a natural landscape with vibrant colors and alpacas grazing nearby as we approach the lunch spot at Ananta, where we will enjoy a wonderful view of the rocky mountains and a delicious lunch. After recharging our batteries, we will start with the ascent to the Surini pass (4500 masl) from where the incredible Colored Mountain can be seen in the distance, although there is still some way to go. Then, we will descend to go around the lake and walk through lighter terrain until we reach our camp located in Qeullacocha, where we will have our dinner and spend the night.

• Overnight at camp

DIA 04: QUELLACOCHA – MONTAÑA DE COLORES – ALQATARI

We will start early between 06:00 a.m., so that you have time to fully enjoy the impressive Colored Mountain. We will wake up with coca tea delivered to our tent and after about 45 minutes we will reach the summit. We will have time to explore the area and take the best pictures of this unique place in the world. The duration of our visit will depend on the speed of the hike and the weather conditions, but we normally spend between 30 minutes and 1 hour at the top. We will then continue our adventure to the Red Valley, which is an additional hour away. There you will be able to contemplate another incredible landscape, full of rock formations of intense colors.

Finally, we will start the approximately 3 hour descent to Alqatari camp, where a delicious lunch will be waiting for us and we will enjoy some free time for ourselves until dinner and then spend the night.

• Overnight at camp

DIA 05: ALQATARI – LAGO AUSANGATE – PASO PALOMANI – SURAPAMPA

Our day begins with important news, it is the most demanding day as we will reach the highest point of our hike, known as Palomani Pass. After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will begin our hike up to the Palomani Pass. Along the way, we will marvel at beautiful colorful lakes, green and marshy meadows, small villages, and the local fauna composed of alpacas, llamas, and people dressed in their traditional clothing. 

After approximately 3 hours of hiking, we will reach the Palomani pass, where we will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Red Lake and the Vilcanota Channel. Afterwards, we will descend to Huchuy Pinaya, where we will have lunch and then continue walking for 2 more hours until we reach Surapampa, where we will spend the night. This camp is located in an area near a rocky place where we will be able to observe many vizcachas sitting on the rocks.

• Night in camp

DIA 06: SURAPAMPA – 07 LAGUNAS DEL AUSANGATE – PACCHANTA – CUSCO

It will be another wonderful day in which we will enjoy the 7 lagoons of Ausangate and its impressive landscapes. During the hike, we will have the opportunity to take a refreshing swim in the lagoons if we wish, although they are quite gelid. On the left side, you will still be able to appreciate the majestic Ausangate from a close and new angle, as this will be our last day in the vicinity of the mountain. Our goal for today is to reach the hot springs of Pacchanta, where we will enjoy a relaxing soak in the warm waters while enjoying the view of Ausangate. After our last lunch together, we will say goodbye to our team and take the road back to Cusco arriving at approximately 6:00 pm.

INCLUDES – DOES NOT INCLUDE

OUR PROGRAM INCLUDES:

• Informative talk: A day before the service, a meeting is held at the hotel where we will have a complete orientation about the experience.
  
• Personalized groups: The groups are small and personalized to provide a better shared experience.
  
• Initial transportation: Tourist service from Cusco – Tinki.
  
• Professional guide: A professional tour guide specialized in trekking and experiential tourism, with English and Spanish skills.
  
• Communication equipment: A pair of radio transmitters for frequent communication between the team of porters and the guide.
  
• Safety equipment: Includes an oxygen balloon and a first aid kit.
  
• Tent equipment: Comfortable tents for the comfort of the client, in a 4-person tent 2 travelers can be accommodated and in the double tent only 1 traveler.
  
• Camping equipment: We provide comfortable inflatable mattresses suitable for all climates, they are waterproof for safety.
  
• Dining equipment: A complete set of tables, chairs, tablecloths, tableware (plates, cups, glasses, cutlery and others) necessary for comfort.
  
• Courtesy: Upon waking up and arriving at each camp, the team provides us with coca tea and other infusions to be able to rest.
  
• Food: Within the experience we have included 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners throughout the trip.
  
• Variety of diet: In case a gluten free, corn free or vegetarian diet is required, it is requested in advance.
  
• Professional staff: We permanently train the team of muleteers and the cook to provide an adequate service.
  
• Muleteers and muleteers: Staff from nearby communities help us carry camping equipment and food.
  
• Water refill: At each rest and food point our cook provides us with boiled water that we can carry in our canteen.
  
• Cleaning supplies: The team provides us with a small bathtub and a towel to clean ourselves every day in the morning.
  
• Entrance ticket: Entrance ticket to Ausangate and Montaña de Colores.
  
• Final transportation: Tourist service from Pacchanta – Cusco.

OUR PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Flights: National or international air service.
  
• Hot springs: Does not include entrance tickets to Pacchanta.
  
• Meals: Everything not mentioned in the itinerary. Breakfast on the first day, lunch and dinner on the last day.
  
• Extra expenses: Some expenses such as purchase of handicrafts, clothes or drinks, are also not included in the tour. Tips are also not included and are voluntary.
  
• Travel insurance: This is extremely important to enjoy a safe trip.

RECOMMENDATION

• Travel documents (Passport, Income and others provided).
  
• Backpack of 30 to 50 liters.
  
• Light clothing (polo shirts, shorts, sandals).
  
• Warm clothes (recommended for the night).
  
• Bathing clothes.
  
• Personal water bottle.
  
• Sun protection: Hat, sun block and sunglasses.
  
• Mosquito repellent.
  
• Cash in soles or dollars.
  
• Snacks.
  
• Personal towel.
  
• Rain poncho.
  
• Camera.
  
• Personal medication.