Ausangate Trek

Ausangate Trek (6 days/5 nights)

Ausangate is one of the most exciting and challenging trails in Southern Peru, also an important mountain god for the Incas, and is still revered daily by local people. Seeing very few people on this hike, except for the occasional animal, you will experience something like no other. The Ausangate circuit explores the Cordillera Vilcanota, weaving around many peaks over 6000m. (Ausangate being the highest at 6,372 meters, 20,905 feet ). Difficulty of trek: Difficult Length of trek: 6 Days / 5 Nights Start point: Cusco End point: Cusco Type of trek: Archaeological, Cultural, Camping, Ecological, Hiking Day 1 - Cusco / Tinqui Leaving Cusco at 8am we then have bus journey to a small village called Tinqui. We pass through beautiful countryside and several traditional villages including Urcos, Cattca and Oxangate, where we will have the opportunity to take some photos. Day 2 - Tinqui / Upis We will start trekking at around 9am today. In the first 3 hours the trail starts crossing the highland meadow approaching the base of Ausangate. We will have also seen magnificent scenery of the Cordillera Vilcanota, then after lunch it is only another 2 hours trek until we reach the hot springs where we will set up camp in Upis Day 3 - Urpis / Lake JatunPugaQ'ocha After breakfast at 8am we will hike the Aruba Pass (4850m) which will take 3 hours. From this pass we will continue 3 1/2 hours down the valley until we reach the Lake JatunPaqaQ'ocha, where we will camp nearby. Day 4 - Lake JatunPuqaQ'ocha / Pampacancha In the morning we will ascend the second pass of Apuchata (4900m) with the turquoise Laguna AusangateQ'ocha below. From the lake we cross Palomani pass (5200m) - the highest pass for the trek. We continue down into the valley where we will eat lunch then head onto our campsite at Pampacancha. Day 6 – Pampacancha / Cusco Breakfast at 6.30 this morning, then after 2 1/2 hours of hiking we will arrive at the small village of Pacchanta. You will finally have the opportunity to have a drink and relax in the hot thermal springs. Afterwards it’s another 3 hour trek back to Tinqui where we'll say goodbye to our horsemen and take the bus back to Cusco, arriving late in the evening. Included: • Pick up from your hotel in the morning of trek departure • Private bus transfer from your hotel to the beginning of trek point • Horses (to carry tents, food, cooking equipment and personal items, including staff) • One emergency horse • Cooks for: 6 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners, 5 Lunches (food includes: pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruit, avocado, pasta, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking. Hot drinks: Hot chocolate, coffee, and tea, including coca leaf tea that is excellent for altitude!) • Tea time/ Snacks: coffee/ tea, popcorn and biscuits • Bilingual & professional tour guide • Tents for 2 people (but has capacity for 3), so there is plenty of space for your backpacks • Accommodation for crew • Sleeping mats, table(s) & chairs, kitchen tent • Short bus from Machu Picchu to AguasCalientes (return) • First Aid including spare Oxygen • 5 nights in a tent Not Included: • Sleeping bags (we have for rent at $4 per day and they are good for -15) • Flashlight • Lunch on the last day after the guided tour at Machu Picchu • Tips for guide, cook and porters What to bring: • Original Passport (same one you made the reservation with) • Waterproof hiking shoes or boots recommended • Backpack and/or Daypack (You may need one for the horse and one to carry. We do have duffel bags available for hire if need) • Sleeping bag for up to -8 degrees Celsius (available for rent at $4 per day) • Warm clothing (layers recommended) • Thermals (woolen hat, socks and scarf are recommended) • Flashlight Camera and film • Batteries • Sun protection (hat, sun screen, sun glasses) • Insect repellent -minimum recommended 20% DEET (no malaria has been reported • Rain jacket or Poncho • Water proof back pack cover • Water bottle • Water purifying tablets (in case you want to pick up water from the rivers) • Personal medical kit • Passport and ISIC card if you are a student (originals required) • Money for souvenirs, drinks and tips (easier in smaller change) • Toilet paper • Snacks such as chocolate, muesli, energy bars, dried fruit etc. • Travel towel • Swim suit • Walking poles if you think you will want them Options and Rentals: • Single tent supplement $10 per day • Sleeping bag rental ($4 per day) • Vegetarian meals • Personal horse and horsemen for riding or carrying extra personal belongings while on the trek. Extra cost is $50 for the 4 days Students: Take advantage of our $20US discount for students if you hold a valid International Student Identity card (ISIC). You must send us a scanned copy of this when making your reservation and present the original to the entrance control office. Failure to do so will result in a loss of permit and denied entrance to the Machu Picchu. Single Travelers: If you are traveling single we will pair you up for sleeping arrangements with someone of the same sex. If you prefer to have your own tent the surcharge is $10 per day. Prices: Trek prices are not stated on this website due to forever changing government and park fee prices. Please email us for more information.

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