An amazing and lesser-known trek surrounding the snow-capped Sacred Mountain (“Apu”) of Ausangate (6.372 m. /20,900 ft.) that takes you over mountain passes, awesome mountain scenery, remote Andean villages, hot springs and turquoise lakes. This is an unforgettable hike recommended for lovers of mountain trekking searching for an intense experience in remote areas and wild nature.

• Activities: Experience the culture; learn about the ecological aspects of Peru, and Hiking.
  
• Distance: 56 km. / 34.80 miles.
  
• Average hiking time: 7 - 8 hours per day.
  
• Duration: 05 days / 04 nights.
  
• Maximum height: 5200 m. /17,056 ft. above sea level.
  
• Departures: contact us
  
• Number: Minimum 2 passengers
  
• Months of Operation: All year
  
• Service Type:
  Private: This service is exclusively for groups of friends, couples, families, coworkers, etc. And the itinerary is planned according to your requirements, and on the dates that choose.
  Shared: Usually this is a large group where the tourists are all different nationalities and the itinerary is fixed.
  
• Degree of difficulty: high.

OVERALL INFORMATION

DAY 01 : Cusco – Urcos – Tinqui - Upis

Early in the morning we´ll set off from Cusco in private transport, and drive along the Cusco - Puerto Maldonado highway in the direction of Tinki (3800m/12464ft). On the way we pass through Urcos, where we will have the chance to see the beautiful lagoon with the same name (Tinki), and we continue on to Cattca, an agricultural and cattle raising community where we can appreciate the region’s spectacular views and finally cross Ocongate, capital of the district with the same name and only half an hour away from our destination. After approximately a 4-hour drive, we will arrive in Tinki, where we meet our wranglers and horses. We start our trek with a slight climb that crosses through puna (a dry, high area with little vegetation) and then arrive at our lunch spot after a three-hour walk. From here we already have beautiful views of the sacred Ausangate peak (6372m/20900ft). After lunch, we continue walking for another hour and a half to reach our campsite in Upis at 4400m/14432ft. From this point, we may look upon the fabulous views of the snow peaks in the area. We camp and dine directly in front of Ausangate.

Meals: L, D
Total distance:  9 Km / 6.21 miles.
Estimated walking time:   5 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4400 m. / 14436 ft.
Campsite altitude: 4400 m. / 14,432 ft.

Itinerary

DAY 02 : Upis – Arapa pass – Arapa pass – Ausangate cocha

After breakfast, we continue our hike, we ascend for two hours to reach La Arapa pass (4850m/15908ft). We then descend to our lunch spot, crossing an area of falcons and ¨vizcachas¨ or Andean rodents. This area also boasts three beautiful lakes with tones of red, green, and turquoise (Pukacocha, HatunPukacocha, and Qomerqocha) and offers spectacular views of the surrounding snow peaks. After lunch, we continue on a long and slow ascent that will take us to the second mountain pass, the Abra de Apuchata which we´ll get to after about 2 hours (4900m/16072ft).  From there we descend for another half an hour, towards our campsite at Ausangatecocha (4440m/14,563ft).

Meals: B, L, D.
Total distance:  13 Km / 8.08 miles.
Estimated walking time:   7 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4850 m. / 15,912 ft.
Campsite altitude: 4440 m. / 14,563 ft.

Itinerary

DAY 03 : Ausangate Lagoon – Palomani pass – Q’ampa

Today, we depart early to climb for two hours towards the third mountain pass, the Abra de Palomani (5200m/17056ft). This is the highest part of the entire hike, from which we then descend for another 2 hours through an area of llamas, alpacas and ¨vizcachas¨ to reach Pampacancha (4050m/13284ft). From here we follow an uphill trail that leads us to our campsite in Q´ampa (4300m/14104ft). Along this relatively easy 3-hour climb we may have the chance to spot llamas, alpacas, and maybe even some pumas if we are lucky; Dinner and overnight at campsite.

Meals: B, L, D
Total distance:  15 Km / 9.32 miles.
Estimated walking time:   8 hours
Maximum altitude point: 5200 m. /17,060 ft.
Campsite altitude: 4300 m. / 14,104 ft.

Itinerary

DAY 04 : Q’ampa – Campa pass – Pacchanta

We climb for 2 hours until we reach Q´ampa mountain pass (5000m/16400ft), where we may have the chance to spot the Andean deer. From here we descend towards the Qomerqocha lagoon and finally arrive at Pacchanta (4100m/13448ft) after a five-hour walk. Pacchanta is a little community with attractive hot springs where we can enjoy a relaxing dip. We camp and spend the night at this place.

Meals: B, L, D
Total distance:  14 Km (8.70 miles)
Estimated walking time:   8 hours
Maximum altitude point: 5000 m. /16,404 ft.
Campsite altitude: 4100 m. / 13,448 ft.

Itinerary

DAY 05 : Pacchanta - Tinqui - Cusco

We leave Pacchanta and start to walk our way back to Tinki, which will take approximately 2 hours. Once in Tinki, we board a private transport that will take us back to the city of Cusco, where we estimate to arrive after nightfall.

Meals: B, L.
Total distance:  5 Km (3.11miles)
Estimated walking time:   3 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4100 m. /13,448 ft.
Campsite altitude: 3800 m. / 12,464 ft.

NOTICE

• We will climb up 5200m/17060f. Combined with extreme weather this trek can be hard work.
• We want you to remember that this trek with a smile on your face, therefore, please ensure that you are well acclimatized, in good shape and healthy.
• The weather can be very cold and moist; your clothes - once gotten wet - won’t dry at night. So bring some clothes to change.

Itinerary

• Your original passport, student card ISIC (if applicable)
• A Sleeping bag, a backpack for hiking, 2 pairs pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 4-poles (long and short), several pairs of socks, Sandals, towels, toilet paper, gloves, thermal jacket, a hat for cold days, sunglasses and sunscreen for when the sun comes out.
• A liter bottle of water.
• A Flashlight with spare batteries, matches, knives.
• Hiking boots (preferably waterproof with ankle protection).
• Insect repellent, cream to hydrate the face and/or body.
• A Raincoat (poncho for rain).
• Energy foods (dried fruits, candies, chocolates, cookies, etc...).
• Soap and other toiletries and clothes to change.
• Swimsuit (recommended for the hot springs).
• You should bring appropriate clothing for both hot and cold days of the tour.
• Also, depending on your interest, you could bring a camera or camcorder, binoculars, compass; all such equipment should be lightweight.
• Basic medical supplies.
• Extra money in soles and dollars.
• Optional: walking sticks.

WE SUGGEST YOU TO BRING

• An orientation to clarify all the details of the tour, 1 or 2 days before departure.
• Private transportation from your hotel to Tinki village.
• Entrance ticket to the Ausangate Trail.
• Guided Tour for the Ausangate Trail.
• Professional Guide: Bi-lingual, speaks both English and Spanish, 2 guides from more than 9 passengers.
• A Cook responsible for meals. (04 breakfasts, 05 lunches, 04 dinners) - Please notify us if you are a vegetarian.
• Horsemen and mules will be in charge to carry the camping equipment and food.
• Boiled water for each meal, and for the places where there are no shops to buy water.
• Bio-degradable personal hand soaps.
• Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff.
• Camping equipment: Tents 04 people capacity for 02 persons, sleeping pad, dining tent with table and chairs, kitchen tent, toilet tent, cutlery.
• Toilet tent with bio-degradable toilet facilities.
• Mules will carry 5 kg maximum from your personal stuff.
• Private transportation from Tinki village to your hotel.
• Portable Radio (Walkie Talkies); Basic first aid and oxygen bottle.
• 24 hours assistance.

OUR SERVICE INCLUDED

• Meals: breakfast and dinner 1st day and 5th day.
• Sleeping bags (please note that you can rent them from us).
• Foods that are not listed.
• Admission to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
• Personal expenses.
• Tips.

WE DO NOT INCLUDE

• Sleeping bag US$ 25.00 complete tour.
• Thermal-rest mattresses or inflatable sleeping pad for US$ 25.00.
• You can rent an extra horse if you are tired or you can`t walk any more for. US$ 40.00 per Day.
• Bag pack for, US$ 12.50 whole tour.

OPTIONAL

• We request that you give us all your relevant personal information to proceed with your booking.
• For each tour or service that you book, our online staff will send you an email of confirmation for your booking tour within 24 hours of you making the booking, which you must print and present before the beginning of the tour.
• Confirmation of your booking will be issued once the payment has been made. Upon our receipt of you payment, our on line staff will send you a Trip Boucher.
• Our staff on line will send you all the tour information you will require, such as office address, telephone number and name of the person who will provide you the services, by e-mail.
• ANDEAN TERRITORY E.I.R.L is a tourism company with extensive experience in the tourism service and provides a high quality service, ensuring that our customers enjoy their respective trips or tours without having to worry about organizing and planning everything – We do that for you.

>> Andean Territory’s terms and conditions

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