Description

Ausangate Trek Route Offers Some Of The Most Wonderful Scenery In The Whole Of Cusco Area, With Many Birds And Wildlife And Also Glaciers And Andean Lakes. Its Also One Of The Most Challenging In The Region With Three High Passes Over 5,000 Metres/ 16000 Feet.

Duration
5 Days
Pickup:
Cusco
Difficulty:
Moderate to Challenging
Group Size:
Up to 10 people
Activities:
Trekking
Max Altitude:
5,200 m

Itinerary

DAY 01: CUSCO - TINQUI - UPIS

We depart Cusco early the morning for our three hour ride in private transport to the small village of Tinqui (3800 metres/ 12 464 feet). As Tinqui is located on the new Interoceanic highway we can now arrive here much more quickly that in previous years. We pass through beautiful countryside and several traditional villages including Urcos, Cattca and Ocangate. After lunch in Tinqui the first 3 hours on the trail are are wonderful prelude to the magnificent scenery of the Cordillera Vilcanota, with great views of Ausangate. We will trek for two hours more until we reach the hot springs at Upis (4,400 metres/ 14432 feet) which offer fantastic views of Ausangate at the end of the valley. We will camp here for the night.

Day 2: UPIS TO LAKE AUSANGATE Q’OCHA

During our morning’s trek, we will cross our the Arapa pass (4,850 metres/ 15908 feet). From here, we continue 3½ hours down the valley, passing the green lake of Puqa Q’ocha until we reach the turquoise Lake Jatun Puqa Q’ocha. We then ascend the second pass of Apuchata (4,900 metres/ 16 072 feet) with the stunning turquoise blue Laguna Ausangate Q’ocha below. This lake is fed from the melting snow of Ausangate. We will camp here for the second night.

DAY 03: LAKE AUSANGATE Q’OCHA TO QAMPA

From the lake we ascend to the Palomani pass (5,200 metres/ 17 056 feet); the highest point of the trek. From the pass we follow the trail into the valley where we’ll rest and have lunch. During the afternoon we can enjoy views of the snowcapped Tres Picos and Puca Punta. We will continue through the broad green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and up the Rio Q’ampa valley. We will spent night 3 in this vicinity

DAY 04: Q’AMPA TO PACCHANTA

After passing through the small community of Q’ampa we will head North west to the last pass of this hike, the Q’ampa pass (5000 metres/ 16400 feet). We will see several different coloured lakes and lunch beside Q’oma Q’ocha. We hike for several hours before arriving at the small village of Pacchanta. We can soak in the thermal springs for a couple of hours, and even have a well-deserved beer! We will set up camp near Pacchanta and you will have the afternoon free to explore this interesting Andean village. (You have the option of staying in a basic hostal this night)

DAY 5: PACCHANTA TO CUSCO

It’s 3 hours trek back to Tinqui where we will have time to explore this traditional Andean village before taking our private car back to Cusco, arriving at about 18.00.

Included

Price Includes

Pre trek briefing
Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
Transport private from Cusco to and Phinaya to cusco.
English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 6 people).
Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks.
Basic foam mattress. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can hire you an inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest).
Cook and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
Toilet tent
Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes). Salads, if served, are washed in boiled water.
Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 7 kg/15lbs per person).
1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower
Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
Tents for our staff to sleep in
First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

Price Excludes

Breakfast on the first morning.
Sleeping bags If you haven’t got a sleeping bag or you don’t want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.For this trek you should hire minus 15 or warmer bags.
Tips for the guide, cook and porters
Additional horses for passengers luggage.

What To Bring

Your Original passport
Student card ISIC (if applicable.)
You only need to carry a small day pack
Water to drink ( 2 liters)
Camera, binoculars
Rain jacket in rainy season -Dec to Jan
Change of weather gear in rainy season -Dec to Jan
Basic toiletries
Hat or cap for the sun, essential
Sunscream with sun protection
Insect repellent for mosquitoes(Malaria or Yellow fever have not been reported)
Comfortable hiking boots, sneakers or sturdy shoes
Money in soles or dollars. ATM´s or cash machines in Aguas Calientes are more expensive to change.

AUSANGATE TREK 5 DAYS

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HUMANTAY LAKE

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