- Upis
- Pacchanta
- Huchuy Phinaya
- Abra Palomani
- Ausangate cocha
- Yanacocha
Ausangate Trek 5 Days
Although it's still little known, the Ausangate Trek is one of Cusco's best options for trekking lovers. It's a journey through the slopes of the most important sacred mountain south of Cusco: the Apu Ausangate (6,372 masl/ 20,900 fasl). You'll visit remote Andean towns, enjoy relaxing thermal baths and photograph the turquoise glow of beautiful crystalline lagoons. If you're passionate about mountain hiking and are looking for an intense experience in remote areas, this package is perfect for you.
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Overview
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Itinerary
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Inclusions
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Before You Go
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Pricing
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Enquire Now
Apu Ausangate is the most sacred mountain deity in the Cusco region, deserving much respect, reverence, and pilgrimages and offerings. It stands majestically at 6,372 meters (20,905 ft) and is Peru’s second-highest peak. This hike takes you over mountain passes, incredible mountain scenery, remote Andean villages, hot springs, and turquoise lakes.
This unforgettable hike is recommended for mountain trekking lovers searching for an intense experience in remote areas and wild nature.
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day 0
Pre-Departure Briefing
Cusco
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Day 1
Cusco | Ocongate - Tinqui - Upis
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Day 2
Upis | Abra Arapa - Yanacocha – Hatun Pucacocha
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Day 3
Hatun Pucacocha | Ausangate cocha - Abra Palomani - Huchuy Phinaya
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Day 4
Huchuy Phinaya | Abra de Q’ampa - Qomercocha - Pacchanta
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Day 5
Pacchanta | Tinqui - Ocongate - Cusco
Why Take the Ausangate Trek?
- The Ausangate Trek takes place in the Cordillera Vilcanota, a breathtakingly beautiful mountain range approximately four-hours south of Cusco.
- Enjoy an unforgettable adventure in the middle of the Andean mountain range.
- Contemplate the immensity of the valleys from the Palomani (5,200 masl/ 17,060 fasl) and Q’ampa (5,000 masl/ 16,404 fasl) mountains.
- Marvel at gigantic glaciers and crystalline lagoons.
- Discover the lifestyle of the Andean settlers and take the opportunity to make new friends.
- Get to know the wild fauna of the Andes: llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, condors, and various water birds.
Cusco | Ocongate - Tinqui - Upis
We'll start our adventure very early. We'll pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 am and we'll go in a private vehicle to the city of Urcos, capital of the province of Quispicanchi. On the way we'll be able to observe picturesque towns and beautiful lagoons along the Vilcanota Valley. We'll continue to the town of Ocongate and then towards Tinque where you can make your last minute purchases before we reach the community of Upis (3,799 masl / 12,464 fasl), the starting point of our walk. After breakfast, our first day begins on a plain that looks directly at the immense Ausangate glacier (6,300 masl / 20,900 fasl). You can concentrate and feel the emotion that this great mass of snow provokes in your heart. As we move forward, we'll meet local people wearing their beautiful and colorful traditional clothes. Herds of llamas and alpacas will also accompany our steps. We'll arrive at the thermal baths of Upis (4,198 masl / 13,776 fasl) to enjoy our lunch. Here our camp will be waiting for you, right in front of the Apu Ausangate. In the afternoon, we'll have time to relax, immerse ourselves in the delicious thermal waters of the place (S / 10.00 extra), and contemplate the sunset that will fill the perpetual snows of the glaciers around us with colors.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Accommodation: Camps
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Walking Distance: 6.21 miles
- Minimum Elevation: 3800 m / 12467 ft
- Highest Elevation: 4600 m / 15091 ft
Upis | Abra Arapa - Yanacocha – Hatun Pucacocha
We'll savor a delicious breakfast in the middle of the cold of the high mountains and then begin our walk in a beautiful high Andean valley towards the Arapa pass, always accompanied by the spectacular Ausangate mountain. From the top of the pass (4,798 masl / 15,744 fasl) the beauty of the landscape multiplies. You'll be able to observe the size of the mountain range and, if you're lucky, the solemn flight of the condor. Our guide will explain a little more about the impressive local flora and fauna. Then we'll begin to descend and will run into the beauty of the crystalline multi-colored lagoons of Yanacocha (black lagoon) and Pukacocha (red lagoon), as well as several waterfalls. Later, we'll arrive at our camp where, after an excellent meal, you'll have time to take a reenergizing nap. In the afternoon, we can explore the vicinity of the lakes and drink a delicious tea. Obviously, before you go to sleep, a nutritious dinner awaits you.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Accommodation: Camps
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Walking Distance: 7.5 miles
- Minimum Elevation: 4599 m / 15088 ft
- Highest Elevation: 4850 m / 15912 ft
Hatun Pucacocha | Ausangate cocha - Abra Palomani - Huchuy Phinaya
Like every morning, you'll regain all your energy thanks to a delicious breakfast. Today's hike begins ascending for 2 or 3 hours to the Apuchata pass (4,900 masl / 16,076 fasl). From there, the immensity of the mountains surpasses all expectations. We'll continue the route downhill for 1.5 hours to the Ausangate Qocha lagoon. You'll have the opportunity to enjoy your lunch in the middle of a prodigious landscape. Later, we'll ascend 2 hours until we reach the Palomani pass (5,100 masl / 16,732 fasl). After a short rest, we'll walk along the last section of the day to the small community of Huchuy Phinaya where our camp will already be set up. We has a lot of respect and consideration for the people of Huchuy Phinaya. Learn from them and their admirable lifestyle in complete connection with Mother Nature (Pachamama). After a delicious dinner, a peaceful night's sleep awaits you.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Accommodation: Camp
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Walking Distance: 8.1 miles
- Minimum Elevation: 4599 m / 15088 ft
- Highest Elevation: 5200 m / 17060 ft
Huchuy Phinaya | Abra de Q’ampa - Qomercocha - Pacchanta
After breakfast, we'll begin our 4-hour uphill walk towards our lunch spot in the beautiful green lagoon of Qomercocha. There, during the month of August, special rituals dedicated to the Apu Ausangate and the Pachamama, or Mother Earth, are performed where the Andean priests ask for their energy to heal the surrounding communities. We'll pass the Q’ampa pass (5,000 masl / 16,404 fasl) from where you can appreciate the detail of several snow-covered mountains before reaching Qomercocha. After lunch we'll continue walking for 2 hours to the community of Pacchanta (4,000 masl / 13,000 fasl) where you'll not only be able to enjoy the hot springs (price not included in the package), but will also get to know several traditions that have been kept alive generation after generation. We'll spend the night here, in our camp, after satisfying our bodies with the delicious dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Accommodation: Camp
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Walking Distance: 9.3 miles
- Minimum Elevation: 4000 m / 13000 ft
- Highest Elevation: 5000 m / 16404 ft
Pacchanta | Tinqui - Ocongate - Cusco
The final day has come. Before leaving, we'll perform a small ceremony of gratitude to the Pachamama and the surrounding mountains, especially the great Apu Ausangate. After our breakfast we'll start a 2 hour walk to Tinqui where a van will wait for us to take us back to the city of Cusco. Enjoy the company of mountains and lagoons during the journey. We will take you to the door of your hotel with an approximate arrival time of 5:00 pm.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Walking Distance: 4.4 miles
- Minimum Elevation: 3800 m / 12467 ft
- Highest Elevation: 4250 m / 13943 ft
What Is Included?
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High Quality Service & Safety
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Pre-departure briefing
You will meet your guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. At this time, we will provide you with the duffle bags which will be carried by our porters. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before the trip begins.
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Experienced Guide
All our guides are graduates of the professional career of Tourism of the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. Also, they speak English. As good cusqueños, they feel a great commitment to transmit the knowledge they have inherited from their grandparents. They are very friendly and professional. They’ll make sure you are safe and happy.
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Medical Kit
All Cusco Expeditions guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergency situations (altitude sickness, traveller’s diarrhoea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
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Customer Service 24/7
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.
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Satellite phones:
Our main priority will always be the tranquillity of our clients. While all of our guides are prepared for emergencies in the mountains, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps you feel more secure. Each Cusco Expeditions guides has a satellite phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to call anywhere in the world. You can also use it even if it’s not an emergency.
What Is Not Included?
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Travel Insurance
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Tips for our staff
Tips are usual on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they do. Typically, group participants collect their tips to hand out to the porters and chefs together.
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Additional costs or delays out of control of the management
Landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.
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Personal clothing and gear
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as easy as possible. In this section, you will find speedy answers to all those questions you had in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
Has another question that we haven’t answered here? Drop us a line, and we will get back to you asap!
Briefing or informative meeting
All information meetings are held in your hotel at 6:00 p.m., one night before the tour begins. If you cannot attend, you must coordinate another time at the Cusco Expeditions offices. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and there you will be given a small duffel bag, in which you’ll put all the belongings you intend to bring on the trek that won’t be in your day pack.
Duffel bag or canvas case:
ou’ll receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. The porters will take them on the way and will deliver them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 66 cm / 2 ft. Long x 36 cm / 1 ft. Wide.
A maximum of 5 kg is allowed for each duffel bag that includes the weight of your sleeping bag, mat, clothes and other personal items.
Payment of Trek Balance (in Cusco)
The trek has to be paid for in full by at least 7.30 pm two days before departure. For example, if your tour departs on a Wednesday, then you must come to our office before 7.30 pm on Monday.
It would be much appreciated if you pay the trek balance in cash US dollars or local currency. You can withdraw some money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (either in US dollars or local Peruvian Soles). You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 8% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance by traveler’s checks.
Storing your luggage at our Office.
Of course! During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at our office(you can organize briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you are not going to need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (In the unlikely case of theft many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing all the items). Best put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pickups:
Cusco Expeditions can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historic Center of Cusco. The pickup time will be coordinated with your guide in the briefing. The pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic. Cusco is a very old city, therefore, it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Group tours:
Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if said modifications can be made.
Strikes and demonstrations:
Strikes and demonstrations are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your excursion as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects:
You’re responsible for your objects during the tour. Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our trucks, tents, or restaurants.
Talk to a Destination Expertito
Your dedicated specialist will take the time to understand your preferences and build them into an itinerary to match, working to your budget. He or she will keep perfecting it until you’re completely happy and ready to book.
The Ausangate Trek 5 Days can leave any day of the week, from March through January. We do not run this trek in February because rainy season & maintenance.
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Group Price
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2020 Land Cost
US$400per person
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Pre-payment
US$200(Required)
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Balance
US$200
- This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Extensions & Offers
There are several extensions you can include to your Salkantay Adventure:
- Rainbow Mountain: $100 $80
- Sacred Valley: $100 $80
- City Tour: $20
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Cusco Expeditions. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. The Cusco Expeditions Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
We give advice and recommendations that are right for you
Feel free to reach us via email at sales@cuscoexpeditions.com or by calling us directly at +51 947 736 747
Triunfo Street 392, office 212, 2nd floor - Main Square of Cusco, Peru
Monday - Friday
9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Due to the rainy season and trail maintenance, we don't offer this trek during the whole month of february. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, we are working to provide you a better service!
