Trekking & Adventure Travel Specialists

Ausangate Tourist Information

Highlight: ausangate mountain, colourfully dressed locals.

Location: About 3 hours drive east of Cusco, leaves from village of tinqui.

Duration: 6 days/ 5 nights (can also be done in 5 days for a faster pace, or 7 days if you want to visit Sibinacocha)

Level:  moderate - difficult if acclimatized

Adventure Rating: this can be quite popular in high season but is still challenging - particularly the cold!

Inca Trail Alternative: can be combined with a day trip to machu picchu at the beginning or end of your trip.

Departs: any day with two people. We offer affordably priced tours for 2 people so that you can depart any days. To join a group tour, please see Trekkers Wanted or form your own tour to be advertised on this page. NOT RECOMMENDED in December, January or February (weather conditions).

WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE

• PERU, all things considered, offers the best alpine hiking in the world
• circle the sacred Ausangate massif (6372m, 20,905ft)
• fantastic glacier views
• remote, few trekkers, few people!
• 4 high passes between 4757m - 5165m!
• normally gorgeous sunny weather
• thousands of alpacas
• hotsprings at the start & finish of the trek
• it is very inexpensive
• travel Peru for as little as US$20 / day
• unique Qoyllur Rit'i festival held nearby in May-June

CONSIDERATIONS

• altitude sickness is a big risk
• evacuation is difficult
• no rescue service is available. You are on your own.
• No Park officers. No campsites. No toilets.
• acclimatization in Cuzco 3326m (10,912ft) is essential
• 13-hour long nights in the tent
• temperatures can fall well below freezing at night
• be prepared for snow
• storm could pin you in your tent
• some reports of local people stealing items left outside tents at night
• long, bumpy bus ride to & from trailhead

Ausangate Trek Preparation

• Prepare yourself for the altitude well by spending at least several days in a high place (eg. Cusco, Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca) before departing. (3 to 4 days is ideal).
• Fitness and acclimatization to altitude are completely different! You can be very fit but still suffer from the altitude. Also, you may have been at altitude before and not suffered effects but then feel it the next time. We really recommend acclimatizing - even to get your lungs used to breathing the thinner air! (For more specific information on altitude sickness please see below)
• Fitness. It depends how fit you are. If you are of moderate fitness then you should have no problem doing our treks - just take it easy. If you are not particularly fit, then it might help to do some walking up hills prior to leaving home.
• Go at your own pace. It's not a race. Most of our tours have adequate time for you to take it easy along the trail. We also find it is more enjoyable to stop and rest frequently, admiring the landscapes than to arrive in camp early and sit in your tent!
• Everyone has their own style, but try going up hill taking slow, even steps.
• Make sure your trekking shoes/boots are well worn in. (Two weeks frequent wear!) Commonsense really, but there is nothing worse than hiking with ill-fitting or rubbing shoes. Makes every step agony!
• Take second skin and your own medical kit. Our own medical kit is well stocked but it doesn't include "second skin" and maybe not your preferred type of blister medicine!
• Extra socks! They are light and easy to carry and can warm your toes at night as well as help out in the case of ill-fitting shoes
• Walking sticks. This is of personal preference. Some people like a walking stick and others don't. They help with balance going down hill and resting walking up hill. Colourful sticks are easily bought in Ollantaytambo. (Please note, they can not be taken into the citadel of Machu Picchu).
• Lollies/ sweets and snacks. In addition to what your guide brings, we would recommend having some boiled sweets to suck on as you climb up steep passes. (eg. Barley sugar). It seems to give you energy and take your mind off it!
• Consider chewing coca. Again, personal preference! Mingle with the locals and try an age old Andean tradition that has somewhat been despoiled by its association with cocaine. It can give you that little boost to get over the pass but is an acquired taste.
• Sunglasses. We generally recommend that you take them! But especially on trips where there is plenty of snow (Crossing the Cordillera Vilcabamba & Ausangate) it's a necessity given the risks of snow blindness!
• Be responsible Take the time to check out the Inka Porter Project, and particularly Guidelines for independent trekking in Peru This page also provides a list of questions to ask your agency when booking from outside Peru, with a focus on porter welfare.

Where else can I get information?
The best source by far is Ausangateperu.com in Cuzco. Ask if anyone around has hiked Ausangate recently. Post a note there if you want to find hiking partners.
The best guidebook is the excellent & essential Lonely Planet Trekking in the Central Andes. Who should NOT hike Ausangate?
Anyone not yet well acclimatized for altitude.
NOT those with chronic knee, ankle or back injuries.
There are rough & steep sections. Evacuation from the far side of the mountain is nearly impossible.

What's the most difficult section?
The many high passes, two over 5000m are your greatest challenge. Weather is a concern. Expect wind & cold!
Many hikers experience symptoms of altitude sickness.

Do hikers ever get lost?
Yes, but not badly. There is often a choice of routes to take.
But the valleys are wide open & you can often use huge mountain landmarks to ensure you do not somehow stray into the wrong valley.
With map & the LP guidebook you will make it.

Should I bring a GPS?
No, not necessary. Bring it for fun, if you like.
We had a photocopied trip report from South American Explorers with GPS readings.

What special gear should I bring?
Don’t forget:

We recommend disinfectant gel (sometimes called instant hand sanitizer) which you use to clean your hands before snack breaks & after toilet stops in the woods. Alcohol gel is essential hiking gear.
You might find it in Peru but it is easier to get overseas.
Stove fuel for almost any stove system can be purchased in Cuzco — but not Tinqui. Do not fly with it, obviously.

What footwear is best for Ausangate?
You want to wear what fits you best & what works for you. No blisters!
Most experts recommend hiking boots. Modern boots are remarkably light & comfortable. A pair of good boots & gaiters make you feel invincible in the scree.
The valleys are wet. Stay high if you do not want to get your boots wet.

Do I need a water filter?
You definitely must treat water. Much of the trek is in grazing land.

Some make a distinction between these two:

Viruses are too small to be filtered so purifiers add something to disinfect them.
Make sure your purifier is well maintained & frequently cleaned.
You must either filter, boil, use iodine or water purification tablets.
One guide recommended we boil for 10 minutes! as water boils at a lower temperature at high altitude.
We filter.