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Ausangate trek 6d/5n

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.

Program itinerary

Day 1: Cuzco – Southern Valley – Tinki

We will leave early in our private transport following the valley to the south out of the city of Cuzco. We will stop at the archaeological park of Tipon with its water fountains, stone water channels; cave paintings; magnificent terraces and high level of hydraulic engineering, which will leave us impressed.

Our next stop will be at the pre-Inca town of Pikillaqta, built by the Wari culture. On this tour we can appreciate the extent of Andean organization, as this city would have housed around 10,000 inhabitants in its different sectors.

We will also visit the beautiful lake Huacarpay, a vestige of the past natural environment of Cuzco valley. Here we will have our lunch and after a short rest we will continue our journey to the town of Andahuaylillas. Here we will appreciate the church, known as the “Sistine Chapel” of the Andes, particularly its beautiful freezes and mural paintings.

We will arrive in the town of Tinki in the evening, after an exciting day getting to know the history and landscape of this beautiful region. We will camp in the outskirts of this town beneath the starry sky in the Vilcanota mountain range.

Meals: lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 3778 masl / 12395 ft

Minimum Altitude: 3400 masl / 11154 ft

Distance Travelled: 4 hours (by car)

Approximate Walking Time: 5 hr (by car)

Day 2: Tinki – Upis

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: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Maximum Altitude: 4447 masl / 14589 ft

Minimum Altitude: 3778 masl / 12395 ft

Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6.21 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 8 hr

Day 3: Upis – Abra Arapa – Ausangatecocha

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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 and lunch

Maximum Altitude: 4300 masl / 14107 ft

Minimum Altitude: 3778 masl / 12395 ft

Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6.21 ml

Approximate Walking Time: 5 hr

Services included

• Transportation Cuzco - Tinki
• Guide service in Spanish/ English
• Sleeping pad
• Cook and assistant
• Cooking equipment
• Snacks
• Daily tea service
• Dining equipment including chairs and tables
• Cooking, eating and bathroom tents
• Food (5 breakfast, 6 lunch, 5 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
• Mule-handlers (for our camping equipment)
• Mules (for our camping equipment)
• Saddled horse (for every 6 passengers there is one saddled horse)
• First-aid kit
• Emergency oxygen bottle
• Transportation Tinki – Cusco

Services not included

• Sleeping bag per person
• Sleeping liners
• Pillow
• Inflate sleeping pad
• Mules for personal effects
• Extra food
• Optional tip for field staff
• Extra costs

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

Additional options

• Sleeping Bag per person (-10 ΊC), mummy form (our sleeping bags are cleaned after every use, including liners and pillow), price per person, per day USD$ 5.00
• Inflate sleeping bag (therma rest), price per person, per day USD$ 7.00
• Extra mule for personal effect USD$ 16.00, per day. One mule could carry as maximum 20 kilos (44 pounds)

Booking and information

• Booking and information

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.

“With the protection of mother earth and the permission of the apus …”