One week Ausangate Trek with a guide

Adner is a local and experienced mountain guide who is leading an amazing trekking week in Ausangate, the most Inca sacred mountain.

Not specified

Andes

6 Days

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Occasional

Intermediate

Description

The Apu Ausangate is the most important sacred mountain in the surroundings of Cuzco. It has a very special meaning for the Inca people and Peruvian culture in general.

The Ausangate trek I am proposing today involves a hard physical effort since it is high altitude hike. During this week, we will cross over a 5000-meter pass and set up our tents in campsites at 4300 meters of altitude.

This hike will offer us beautiful landscapes surrounded by incredible glaciers. We will go along lagoons in the company of the Andean camelids.

Regarding the climate it is a little cold with nights under 5°C and days with temperatures around 20°C. There will be also cold winds during most part of the day. But once you contact me I can give you more details about the necessary equipment you’ll need to cope with the weather.

At the end of this description, in the Itinerary Section, you can find more details of the day-by-day program. Our starting point will be in Cuzco.

If you find this trip in Ausangate interesting and want to join me, contact me! We can discuss every item and adapt the program to your wishes and expectations. It’s a honor for me to be part of this incredible Peruvian adventure!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Accommodation included

- Transportation start and back

- Luggage transfer

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

Price details

Please advice us in advance if you are a vegetarian; this option is for NO additional cost.

Horses to carry food, camping and cooking equipment and 7 kg of each passenger's belongings are included in the price.

A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C) is also included.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Ocongate - Tinki

We board a private vehicle early in the morning (around 5 am) to travel to the Andean village of Tinki. First, we follow a road towards Puno passing the Wari´s culture ruins of Pikillaqta and later the colonial towns of Andahuaylillas and Huaro. Then, we continue to the village of Urcos, where we stop for a while to appreciate a colorful local market. Afterwards, we turn on a dusty road (that leads to Puerto Maldonado) to continue uphill until we reach some highland small villages observing shepherds and weavers there. In the afternoon, we continue towards Ocongate, a capital of the district, passing some picturesque villages along the Huatanay River and beautiful areas of cultivated fields. Finally, we get to our first campsite at Tinki (3,850 m) completing a 145 kilometer ride.

Day 2: Tinki - Upis - Hot Springs

Our today´s trail starts crossing the “puna” approaching the foothill of the impressive sacred Ausangate Mountain, which offers amazing views of a rolling landscape. Below, we can view some llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and paqochas (Andean cameloids). Continuing the hike, the trail take us up passing some Andean villages where we can still see many traditional customs. Later on, we reach a small village of Upis (4,140 m), from where we can enjoy stunning views of the Apu Ausangate (6,372 m). Afterwards, we walk to the nearby hot springs where we set a campsite and obviously enjoy a dip in thermal waters!!

Day 3: Hot Springs - Pucaqocha Lagoon

After an early breakfast, we ascend for two and half an hour towards the high Arapa Pass (4,850 m). From there, we start descending to the Pucaqocha Lagoon, also called Hatun Pucaqocha, enjoying splendid views of the western icefall of Ausangate. Then, we set a campsite on the shores of the lagoon where we have a chance to watch many Andean birds.

Day 4: Palomani Pass - Jampa Valley

After breakfast, we first ascend to the Alcatani Pass (4,650 m) to later descend to the glacier lagoon of Ausangateqocha. Afterwards, we climb up again, this time to reach the highest point of the entire Ausangate Trek which is the Palomani Pass (5,050 m). There, we can enjoy magnificent views of the southeastern ridge of the Apu Ausangate! Finally, we climb down to the Jampa Valley (4,600 m) admiring Andean dwellers wearing typical cloths of this region as well as plenty of sheep, llamas, alpacas and paqochas before we get to a place of our today´s camping night within the valley.

Day 5: Pachaspata - Qomercocha Lagoon

Today, we circle northwest along the Ticllacocha Lagoon and over the last pass of Jampa (4,650 m). From there, we continue hiking to the Pacchaspata Pampa where we set up a campsite on the shores of the splendid turquoise lagoon of Q’omercocha (4,580 m).

Day 6: Qomercocha Lagoon - Pacchanta

After having breakfast, we start descending towards the small village of Pacchanta (4,300 m) observing spectacular highland sceneries on the way. When we reach Pachanta, we continue to its hot springs to enjoy a dip. From there, we have an opportunity to view the powerful Apu Ausangate. Overnight camp here.

Day 7: Pacchanta - Tinki - Cusco

A short hike awaits us today to take us back to Tinki (3,850 m) where we the transfer will bring us back to Cuzco. You get to your hotel by late afternoon.

Details

Accommodation

Campsites (6 nights)

More info

Equipment list:

Trekking shoes/hiking boots to walk on trails, Inca trails, mountains, glaciers. It is very important to wear hiking shoes that offer support, anti-slide, grid and shock absorption so that you can focus on the beautiful scenery and not your feet. The shoes should also be waterproof and have a cartage tongue and ankle cuffs that provide comfort and protection. Rubber sole as an impact protection is also recommended.
Small rucksack to carry your personal items during daily travels when all your baggage is not necessary.
Travel insurance (+ copies in a case you lose it).
Jacket needs to be light, waterproof, windproof, especially designed for adventure and preferably made of bright colours to make you visible from far away.
Trekking trousers should be convertible (trousers - shorts), should have pockets with large capacity as well as satisfy your comfort during weather changes. It is suitable to be made of resistant and waterproof fabrics.
Walking sticks/poles enable you to walk with ease providing you with support. They should be light, compact, preferably made of aluminum alloy and have an antishock system that absorbs impact before it reaches your wrists.
Sandals for comfort at campsite.
Warm clothes such as a jacket, a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights during camping).
Hat or a cap as a protection against the sun and rain as well as cold.
Sun cream or sun block
After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body.
Insect repellent when in area with insects.
Camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions).
Flashlight/headlamp + batteries
Handkerchiefs and toilet paper
Small towel and toiletries
Underwear and extra socks
Swimsuits when you pass through warm areas with lagoons, rivers, hot springs in Agua Calientes and Lares or other water sources.
Snacks such as biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
Bottled water and a water bottle to be refilled. Metallic (alternatively Nalgene) bottles are ideal.
Water-purifying tablets if you like to use water from streams along the trail.
Cash in a local currency

Meeting point

Cuzco

About the guide

Adner

5.00

(1)

Mountain Leader

I'm a mountain guide, passionate traveller, and photogapher. I spend my free time and holidays exploring new destinations, discovering new mountains and cultures.

I have more than 10 years of experience climbing mountains and doing expeditions in Peru. This experience prepared me to lead and guide challenging adventours.

I like guiding people from all around the world, and help them to discover and enjoy the mountains, while reaching their goals.

I work together with a team of guides in Cusco, so if I'm not available, one of my colleagues can guide you instead.

Languages

English

What people are saying about this trip

Mitchell

5.00

July, 2018

Such a beautiful trek with the trail mostly to ourselves the whole time. Edison set a good pace and was very caring for our safety and enjoyment during the trek. Even though it was a hard physical effort we always felt safe and the views at the top we're well worth it.