Overview
Ausangate Tour – Overview
- First day: Cusco – Tinki Pacchanta
- Second day: Pacchanta – Jampa Pampa
- Third day: Jampa Pampa – Killita – Yanamayo
- Fourth day: Killita – Yanamayo – Condorpass – Lake Sibinacocha
- Fifth day: Lake Sibinacocha – Ccascana
- Sixth day: Ccascana – Phinaya
- Seventh day: Phinaya – Cusco
Ausangate circuit Useful Information
- Starting Altitude: 3800 m / 12,467 ft.
- Highest Altitude: 5,221 m/17,129 ft.
- Overall Difficulty: Difficult
Itinerary
Ausangate Trek – Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Tinki Pacchanta
Our first day we leave from Cusco, following the Puerto Madanado Road towards the village of Tinki. In total, it’s a 4 hour drive but along the way we take ample breaks, enjoying the landscapes and various villages we pass. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see how people live, their different cultures and traditions.
We then arrive to Tinki Pinchimoro trailhead (3,800m / 12,467 ft.) we will have a delicious breakfast prepared by our master chef. Then our horsemen will arrange all the gear and packs on the horses and our Ausangate experience officially begins. We begin our walk through farming communities and enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains. We will walk for around 2 hours and then its time for a lunch. After lunch we enjoy some time relaxing and there we will have the opportunity to soak in the local hot springs before dinner, and camp for the night.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Afternoon Snacks / Dinner
- Accommodations: Camping
- Starting Altitude: 3800 m / 12,464 ft.
- Elevation of the Campsite: 4,100 m / 13,451 ft.
- Walking distance : 6 km/ 3.728 miles
Day 2: Pacchanta – Lake Qomercocha Jampa Pampa
After a big breakfast we are ready to leave our camp and get started on our Ausangate hike for the day. We will climb to the Pacchanta valley. In addition to the scenery, you will see herds of alpacas and llamas, as well as the only indigenous habitat of the Incan Vicuña aroud us (which has the most expensive wool in the world). Until we reach Ninaparayoc lake where we will stop for our delicious lunch. This is a spectacular spot with breathtaking views of all the snow-capped peaks around: Ausangate, Santa Catalina, Maria Huamantiqlla, Pucapunta and Colquecruz towering above us and see people herding their alpacas and llamas.
After lunch we will hike up for about 3 hours towards the first pass of our Ausangate trek, Jampa (5,060m / 16,601ft). After we enjoy the pass, we descend for 2 hours until we reach Jampa Pampa where we set up our camp in an impressive valley overlooked by the huge tres picos, Colque Cruz and Pucapunta peaks.
Once we arrive at camp, we we will enjoy a beautifully prepared dinner by our trekking chef and rest under the stars.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
- Accommodations: Camping
- Starting altitude: 4,100m / 13,451ft.
- Altitude of the Campsite: – 4,500 m / 14,763 ft.
- Walking distance: 15 km / 9.320 miles
Day 3: Jampa Pampa – Quillita -Yanamayo
We begin our trip today with a nourishing breakfast and a hot cup of tea. Then we set off from our campsite and make our way gradual up to Yanaqocha (“black lake”) dark color gives it its name. The area around the lake is rich in volcanic soils which range in color from dark red through to black and there is evidence that the area was once covered by glaciers as shown by the piles morraine dotted about. After crossing this valley, we will continue our way on to Killita where we will stop for our nutritious lunch and camp for the night.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
- Accommodations: Camping
- Starting altitude: 4,500 m / 14,763ft.
- Elevation of the Campsite: 4,710 m / 15,452ft
- Walking Distance: 7 km/4.349 miles
Day 4: Quillita -Yanamayo – Condorpass – Lake Sibinacocha
After an early breakfast we will continue up hill. After 3 hours we will reach the highest point of the Ausangate circuit: Condor Pass is at 5,221 m/17,129 ft. The view from here is overwhelming. The Vilcanota mountain range and perhaps even some wild vicuñas! Our next task is a 3 hour hike to Sibina Cocha Lake,and we cross another small pass and a nice valley before we rich there for our lunch and rest. We will camp beside the dark blue waters of the lake, not far from its glacial source. This is an area rich in biodiversity and with any luck, we will spot wallatas (andean geese), ducks, coots, flamingos.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
- Accommodations: Camping
- Starting altitude: 4,710 m / 15,452ft
- Altitude of the Campsite: 4,897 m / 16,066 ft.
- Walking Distance: 16 km/9.320 miles
Day 5: Lake Sibinacocha – Ccascana
You will wake up to a steaming coca tea to begin this day from Lake Sibinacocha, our ausangate trek takes us to the community of Yayamari and across a plateau to our final campsite at Ccascana. Along the way, we’ll see hundreds of alpacas and llamas and hopefully some vicuña. Our campsite for tonight is surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks of Montura and Chumpi. In the surrounding areas, there are many small rural communities, showing us that we’re finally getting back to civilisation, although we still far enough away to enjoy our tranquil surroundings.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner.
- Accommodations: Camping
- Starting altitude: 4,897 m / 16,066 ft.
- Altitude of the Campsite: 4,900 m / 16,076 ft.
- Walking Distance: 14 km/8.699 miles
Day 6: Ccascana – Phinaya
Today you will be woken up with “room service” (a hot cup of coca tea) and enjoy our breakfast. Then we set out on the final part of our Ausangate Trek Peru, taking us down the mountain to the small community of Phinaya, a 3 and half hour walk in total. This small Andean community has a beautiful little church and no presence of vehicles except bikes and horses. We’ll stop here to have lunch and camp for the night.
- Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner.
- Accommodations: Camping
- Starting altitude: 4,900 m / 16,076 ft.
- Elevation of the Campsite: 4,600 m / 15,091 ft.
- Walking Distance: 8 km/4,970 miles
Day 7: Phinaya – Cusco!
This will be our last day and breakfast with our porters. Following, it is a tradition on the treks to have a thanking ceremony for all the hard work the porters and cooks have provided. If you wish, you may leave a tip for them at this time. After we´ve said goodbye to our team, We will then drive 6 hours back to Cusco. After one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, we will drop you off at your Cusco hotel. Approximate arrival time is 5 PM.
- Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Inclusions
Ausangate Circuit includes.
- Professional English Speaking tour guide
- Assistant tour guide for groups of 9+
- Briefing 1-2 days before your Ausangate Trek
- Transfer upon arrival from airport or bus station in Cusco to your Hotel
- Chef
- Breakfast on Day 1.
- Mules / Porters to carry cooking and camping equipment
- Mules to carry 7kg of your personal items
- Pick-up from your hotel
- Transportation by bus from Cusco to Tinki and from Phinaya to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the Ausangate trek when you need to bring your own)
- 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 6 Afternoon Snacks and 6 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- 4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
- Sleeping mattress
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
This great Ausangate trek does not include
- Sleeping Bag (Can be hired from us)
- Dinner on Day 7
- Tips for the crew
- Travel insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your Ausangate trek tour in Cusco.
What you need to take for Ausangate Circuit.
- Original Passport
- Valid STUDENT CARD (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable Trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun cream
- Insect repellant
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
- Torch with spare batteries.
Price
Ausangate trek Cost.
- 2 people US$800 per person
- 3+ people US$750 per person
Discounts for our Ausangate circuit.
- Student Discount: US$20 (Requires Valid STUDENT CARD to qualify)
- Under 15 years Discount: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Optional extras for this Ausangate Hike.
- Hiking Poles US$15
- Sleeping Bag US$25
- Single Tent Supplement US$25
FAQs
Ausangate trek vs Salkantay trek
This magical snowy mountain will captive your attention for its unique and amazing natural views. In the Inca mythology of this mountain and the nearby lakes (lake Sibinacocha) the masculine energy that fertilizes Mother Earth Pachamama is born; After a long journey in the Ausangate mountain, the waters are lost in the unknown lands of the Amazon to return, to fill the lakes and glaciers every night converted into the river of stars or Willkamayu known in the West as the Milky Way.
The Community of Chillca, made up of shepherds of llamas and alpacas, is known as the guardian of these beautiful places. Every year on the north side of Ausangate, the festival of Qoyllur Ritt’i (Quechua: “star snow”) has been celebrated since time immemorial. of the feast of Corpus Christi, during which thousands of people make a pilgrimage to the Lord of Quyllur Ritt’i in the temple of Sinakara.
Salkantay Trek is the most popular. Although it’s tougher than the Classic Inca Trail, it famously showcases the best scenery of all the treks to Machu Picchu. Looping around glacial Mt Salkantay on the route to Machu Picchu, it takes 5 days including the final day at the mysterious citadel, although it can be done in 4 days for those with a tight schedule and good fitness. Unlike the Inca Trail, pack mules are used rather than porters for carrying camping and cooking equipment.
Ausangate trek weather.
The weather can change very quickly at such a high altitude so prepare yourself for anything and everything.
- Comfortable backpack
- Hiking Shoes (ideally) but trainers will do just fine
- At least 2-3L of water
- Gloves
- Scarf
- Beanie
- Waterproof Jacket
- Poncho
- Fleece Jumper
- Waterproof Pants
- Warm Socks
- Camera
- Snacks
- Sun cream
- Altitude sickness tablets (should be taken prior to hike, consult your GP)
- Coca Leaves/Sweets
- Hiking Pole
Additional
AUSANGATE HIKE PERU SPECIAL ADDITIONAL:
- Inflatable Mattress (Included)
- Pillow (Included)
- Blanket (Included)
- Extra 7kg of personal items (Included). All of our Ausangate circuit include porters, who are responsible for carrying and setting up all equipment. They will also carry your personal duffel, which you will receive at your briefing the night before your ausangate Peru trek. This duffel can not exceed 7 kg/14 lbs, and must include your sleeping bag and an air mattress.
