ITINERARY:
The AUSANGATE TREK is an adventurous route offering stunning features such as spectacular mountain scenery, snow-capped peaks, hot springs, turquoise lakes, glaciers, herds of llamas, alpacas, and wild vicuña, chinchillas, a rare condor, picturesque villages, and traditionally dressed Quechua people.
This 5 day/4 night Ausangate trek is at the beginning of the Vilcanota mountain range and traverses past the highest peak (Ausangate 6,385 m/20,948 ft) in the Cusco region. This adventurous trek is approximately 67 km/41.6 mi and goes up to 5,400 m/17,716 ft. It is moderate to challenging,
not technical, with several high passes and often freezing cold nights. This beautiful five-day trek starts and finishes at the small Andean village of Tinqui and takes you around
DAY 1: CUSCO – TINQUI VILLAGE – UPIS (CAMPING AT HOT SPRINGS)
Early transfer from your hotel in Cusco with 6:00 am departure. We drive for 4 hours on a new highway to Tinqui, passing Urcos Pass (4,000 m/13,123 ft) along the way. Tinqui is a village on the high plains “altiplano” east from Cusco and is where we will start our trek. We follow a wide, gently ascending path toward the northwest face of the impressive Ausangate mountain. We will have a small lunch around noon by the side of the trail.
We will continue walking through fields and by scattered stone farm houses, and later in the day we will begin to see llamas and alpacas. We ascend gently to the Upis pass (4,435 m/14,107 ft) and camp at Upis Hot Springs (4,250 m/13,779 ft) where we will be surrounded by snow capped mountains Ausangate.There are thermal springs at Upis where we can enjoy a soak at the end of the day. Happy hour is around 4:00pm and dinner at approx 6:00pm depending on hiking speed/weather.
- Walking distance approximately 16 km/9.9 miles (6 hour acclimatizing hike)
- Meals: Box breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks on the trail
- Overnight: Camping in 3 person, 4 season Tents (double occupancy)
DAY 2: UPIS – AUSANGATECOCHA
After breakfast we begin our trek at 7:00am. We begin ascending for 3 hours to Arapa Pass 4,800 m/15,748 ft. At the top of the pass we will have a wonderful view of the Maria Huamantilla Mountain and Ausangate Mountain behind it. From the Arapa pass we trek across an arid hillside for 20 minutes and then we descend, sometimes quite steeply, for 45 minutes into a valley of deep blue glacial lakes and waterfalls. We will stop to have a quick lunch
by one of the lakes. After lunch we continue for 1 hour on flat trails and then 1 more hour gentle ascent to our second pass of the day, Ausangate Pass 4,700 m/15,419 ft. At the top of the pass we will have a beautiful view of Ausangante Mountain and the lake Ausangatecocha, formed by a melting glacier. We then descend for 40 minutes to our campsite by the lake
Ausangatecocha 4,300 m/14,107 ft, which is at the bottom of one of the Ausangate glaciers. Happy hour is around 4:00pm with dinner at 6:00pm.
- Walking distance approximately 18 km/11.1 mi (7 hour hike)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks on the trail
- Overnight: Camping in 3 person, 4 season Tents (double occupancy)
DAY 3: AUSANGATECOCHA – HUCHUY FINAYA – PAMPACANCHA
After breakfast we leave camp at 7:00am and climb steeply for 3 hours on glacial moraine to the highest point on the trek, Palomani Pass 5,400 m/17,716 ft. From the pass there are extensive views of all the peaks in the Cordillera Vilcanota. We then descend for 2 hours on a steep trail into the
Huchuy Finaya Valley where we will stop for a quick lunch. From the valley and lunch stop we will have a view of “Las dos gemelas” or the two twin mountains. We continue hiking 3 hours on a varied path to our campsite in the Pampacancha Valley (Qampa) 4,300 m/14,107 ft. Happy hour at 4:00pm
and dinner at 6:00pm.
- Walking distance approximately 17 km/ 10.5 mi (7-8 hour hike)
- Meals: breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks on the trail
- Overnight: Camping in 3 person, 4 season Tents (double occupancy)
DAY 4: QAMPA – PACCHANTA (HOT SPRINGS CAMPING)
After breakfast we leave camp at 7:00am and begin climbing up to the
Qampa pass (5,400 m/17,716 ft) for 2 hours. At this pass we have incredible
views of The Three Peaks, the Pacchanta Valley, and will hopefully get a glimpse of some wild vicuña and deer, and if we are really lucky, a condor. We then descend gradually through the Pacchanta Valley, walking between Ausangate Mountain and the Two Twin Mountains for 2 hours until we stop
for lunch. After lunch we continue descending gradually on a rocky trail for another 2 1/2 hours to our campsite at Pacchanta Valley (4,000 m/13,123 ft).
From this campsite we will have a great view of Ausangate Mountain. There
are also hot springs at this campsite, which we can enjoy before dinner.
- Walking distance approximately 17 km/ 10.5 mi (6-7 hour hike)
- Meals: breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks on the trail
- Overnight: Camping in 3 person, 4 season Tents (double occupancy)
DAY 5: PACCHANTA – TINQUI VILLAGE – CUSCO
After breakfast we walk for 3-4 hours on a varied and gentle trail to Tinqui across open fields where we will have our final view of Ausangate, potato crops, and herds of llamas and alpacas. At Tinqui we will have lunch and meet our private transport and return to Cusco (3 hour drive), arriving around 4 or 5 pm.
- Walking distance approximately 16 km/9.9 mi (3-4 hour hike)
- Meals: breakfast, Lunch, Snacks on the trail
- Overnight: Camping in 3 person, 4 season Tents (double occupancy)
INCLUDED ON THE TRAIL
- Pre-Trek briefing the night before the trek to go over the itinerary, meet your
guide(s) and answer any questions - Collection from your Cusco hotel in the morning
- Private bus transport to start of the trek and back to Cusco
- Personal porter to carry your overnight gear up to 8kg/17.6lbs
- Dry bag in which to put your overnight gear so it won’t get wet or dusty on
the trail - 3 person, 4 season tents (2 people in large and comfortable Mountain
Hardwear Expedition tent) - One-Inch thick foam mattress pad
- Toilet tent and toilet and toilet paper
- English speaking professional guide
- Full meals on the trek (3 meals per day, tea time every afternoon, and
snacks on the trail) - First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank and emergency horse
- Chef and cooking equipment and kitchen tent
- Dining and cooking tents with tables and stools
- Dietary needs: able to cater to any dietary preference/need
- Horsemen and horses (to carry tents, food, cooking equipment, and your
duffel bags) - Hot water every morning and evening for hand washing purposes
- Boiled water to fill your water bottle every morning and afternoon
- Entrance to the Ausangate trail
NOT INCLUDED ON THE TRAIL - Flights
- Hotel before/after trek
- Dinner on the last day
- Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
- Entrance to hot springs
- Travel interruption & travel medical/evacuation insurance (required)
- Tip for your guide(s) and trek staff are optional but highly encouraged if you
enjoy your trek
DIETARY NEEDS
Yes, we do cater to any dietary restriction. We have had many people join
our trips who are vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, and have various
other intolerances and/or allergies. Just inform us well in advance of your
specific needs!
WHEN TO GO AND DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY
March/April to November or the dry season. (Dec to Feb/March or
wet season: rainfall and snow can block the pass and cancel the
trek though we can arrange the trek during the wet season). This
trek is rated as a moderate to challenging (intermediate to
advanced) hike considering the high altitudes and length of
walking especially on the 2nd Day. It is recommended that you
acclimatize in Cusco for at least 3 days before trekking.
PRICE AND NUMBER OF TREKKERS
A minimum of 2 trekkers required for this trek. Maximum of 10 trekkers in a
group.
- Price for 6-10 trekkers: 630 USD per person
- Price for 3-5 trekkers: 670 USD per person
- Price for 2 trekkers: 720 USD per person
Private treks, single trekker, custom treks, large groups, and packages
welcome, Please email us to customize.
WHAT TO CARRY – DAYPACKS
On the trail you should carry a day pack with your camera, water bottle or
bladder, snacks, hand sanitizer, face mask, cold weather clothing and rain
gear or poncho in case of rain (unlikely in dry season – May to October) and
anything you will need before dinner as horses do not walk alongside you. A
recommended packing list is sent after you book the trip and can be found
below under the “what to pack for your trek” tab. We will provide you with a
dry bag for your overnight gear to be carried by horses. Your bag will be
waiting for you at every campsite. Yes, we can store your luggage for you
during the trek. Most hotels/hostels also provide this service.
WEATHER & WHAT TO BRING ON YOUR TREK
Weather on the trek and in Cusco
The weather varies a lot across Peru, having 28 climates and 84 of the worlds 104 ecosystems. Cusco is set high up (3,380 mts, 11,089 ft) in the Andean Mountain Range and the dry season (winter) is from Mar/April to October/November with the wettest part of the year (summer) being December through March. The weather for trekking is pretty much the same year round, with the main difference being the amount of rainfall. During the dry season, most days are dry and clear, but high-altitude mountains always have the potential for rain and/or snow so it is essential to come prepared for all types of weather regardless of the time of year.
The Ausangate trek is very high altitude, therefore the weather can be quite cold and unpredictable. The nights on this trek are usually around 20F/-7C. During the day it can get quite warm if the sun is out; anywhere from 60- 75F/15-24C. Keep in mind, if the weather is rainy or cloudy it will be colder, and that the weather can change in an instant, particularly when up at the high-altitude passes. It is often quite windy at the top of the passes as well.
As with any high-altitude trek you’ll need to bring plenty of layers to adjust to the fluctuating temperatures and conditions as well as appropriate sun/rain protection.
Cusco weather: Cusco is always very cold at night due to the high altitude. It is regularly around 40F/4.4C at night so bring a nice warm jacket for nighttime walking in town. It is warmer in Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes as these areas are lower altitudes than Cusco and the trek.
What to bring: for your trek Everything you need for the day should be kept in your daypack that you
carry because all the items you leave with your porter will not be available to you until the evening at the campsite. It is recommended not to hike in cotton or jeans in the event of rain as cotton takes a very long time to dry. It is also recommended to bring true hiking boots or trail running shoes as regular running shoes do not get very good traction, especially when it has rained.
- Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms)
- Recommend a sleeping bag rated for 20F/-7C or below for this trek
- Sleeping bag liner (for your sleeping bag if you wish)
- Mattress pad – while we provide a mattress pad, being rested is essential for
a great hiking experience and we find that sleep habits are very
individualized. Therefore we recommend bringing your own pad that you
know you are comfortable sleeping on, as well as any other sleep items you
might want to have (camp pillow, etc). - Sunscreen: the sun is very strong in Cusco
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Lip balm
- Hiking shoes/boots with good, grippy tread
- Optional: microspikes in case of excessive snowfall (rare)
- Hiking pants (or shorts) and shirts (layers)
- Layers – long underwear and/or warm sleep pants for cold nights
- Hand warmers if you wish
- Warm hat, gloves, scarf and thick warm socks (or you can buy a traditional
Peruvian hat and scarf – they are beautiful!) - Daypack and rain cover
- Rain gear – rain jacket and rain pants (optional for the pants), can buy an
inexpensive poncho before the trek - Cash for tipping porters (USD or Peruvian Soles are fine), cooks, horsemen,
guides, buying items along the trail, for in town, emergencies, etc.
Note: Cash should be in perfect condition (ripped, damaged bills of any kind
are NOT accepted anywhere in Peru)
- Swim suit, flip flops, towel for any hot springs you may visit (not every
trek/trip has this) if you wish to go - Sandals
- Torch/flashlight/headlamp (and batteries)
- Insect repellent if you plan to visit Machu Picchu
- Hand sanitizer and face covering (for COVID-19 Pandemic)
- Extra snacks if you wish (beyond snacks provided by us)
- E.g. if you have a favorite protein bar as Cusco doesn’t sell items like this
- First aid kit, including blister protection (though your guide will have one, you
may wish to carry one of your own) - Personal medication and toiletries you might want/need
- Camera, extra memory cards, batteries and solar panel/power bank
- Water bottle or water bladder to refill
- Passport (must be valid 6 months past your final travel dates for most
countries) - Copies of passport (keep copies separate, give to travel friends to keep, etc)
- Power plug adapter
- Travel lock(s) approved by TSA (or they cut them off – US only)
- Tickets, itinerary, emergency contact information
- Any medications you currently are taking or need/may need (see
suggestions below) - Small quick-dry pak towels and/or compostable wipes for a quick wipe down
at the end of the day
What to bring: medications – medications are optional and depend on
your specific needs - Antibiotic for travelers diarrhea or UTI
- Antibiotic for a severe bacterial infection
- Medication for upset stomach/indigestion
- Medication for prevention of altitude sickness (requires a prescription from
your physician and has contraindications for certain people and potential
side effects) - Anti-inflammatory medication (some people find this is useful for prevention
of altitude sickness as well. Speak with your physician for more information) - Anti-diarrhea medication
- Anti-nausea medication for motion sickness/altitude sickness if needed
- Cold/flu medication
- General pain killer/fever reducer
- Vaccinations – recommend bringing all boosters up to date (MMR, tetanus,
etc)
DONATING/VOLUNTEERING
Helping Local Children or Andean People (Optional) Along certain treks
we may encounter some local children and Andean people. If you wish to
lend a helping hand you may bring some clothes, toys, books and school
equipment (used or new), toiletries and other essentials, and new/sealed
medication for a variety of ailments. You will be rewarded with their
gratitude and beautiful smiles. Please do not give candy or sweets as they
do not have access to dental/medical care and tooth decay can lead to
serious illness.
For those who wish to help but take a trek that does not pass local people or
villages you can leave your donated items with a Cachi Life Peru
representative and we will distribute them to one of the local communities
that we support. You can also set up a day to visit a local community to
donate your items personally! There are a variety of other ways in which to
lend a helping hand to local communities (charity events, building schools,
and much more). We support several local communities so if interested
please get in touch!
www.cachilifeperu.com
info@cachilifeperu.com
aragondavid632@gmail.com
WhatsApp +51946884917
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