INCA TRAIL TRAVEL Tourism and Services E.I.R.L.
" Trekking Leaders to Machu Picchu "
Package: |
Ausangate Trek |
Duration: |
5 Days / 4 Nights |
Type: |
Culture and Trekking in the Andes |
Group Size: |
To suit group requirements |
Difficulty Hike |
Moderate |
Departures Day: |
- Daily departures are available along the year although due to weather conditions, the recommended period for this trek is March to December.
- All private service departure dates are adapted
to your request. |
Ausangate Trek Description:
Ausangate Trek the true image of the high Andes, the Incas worshipped mountains.
Apu Asugante is located in the Cordillera Vilcanota (6,342m). In our trek we cross spectacular passes, explore a radiant landscape below ice peaks and enormous glaciers.
Ausangate is a stronghold of traditional Quechua culture.
Along the trek we will crossing three high passes (Abra), the trek is with spectacular and varied scenery including fluted icy peaks, tumbling glaciers and turquoise lakes, rolling brown mountains and green marshy valleys, there is also hot mineral springs in Pacchanta Village our last camp site. The Vilcanota range area has an abundance of wild and domestic animals, where we will see the herds of llamas and alpacas and vicuñas possible to see on the highest slopes, in a rocky areas several Vizcachas (Andean rabbit), highland birds Huallatas (Andean geese) several ducks, Andean gulls, mountain caracara. The Vilcanota range is relatively isolated area, many aspects of the post colonial Andean way of life are still practiced in the area. Consequently the Andean people life goes on much as it has for centuries, many local people just speak Quechua (Inkas language), this trek is a great introduction about the highland life.
Ausangate Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Tinki - Upis
Very early we leave the city of Cusco in a 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 may spot a beautiful lagoon with the same name, 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 an approximated 4-hour drive, we arrive in Tinki, where we meet our wranglers and horses. We start our trek initiating a slight climb that crosses through puna (dry, high area with little vegetation) to 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 appreciate fabulous views of all the snow peaks in the area. We camp and dine directly in front of Ausangate.
Meals: L, D
Day 2: Upis - Arapa Pass - Ausangatecocha
After breakfast, we continue our hike ascending 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 reds, greens, and turquoises (Pukacocha, HatunPukacocha, and Qomerqocha) and spectacular views of the surrounding snow peaks. After lunch, we continue on a long and slow ascent that will take us, after about two hours, to the second mountain pass, the Abra de Apuchata (4900m/16072ft), from which we descend, for another half an hour, towards our campsite at Ausangatecocha (4440m/14563ft).
Meals: B, L, D
.
Day 3: Ausangateqocha - Chilca Phinaya - 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 2h through an area of llamas, alpacas and ¨vizcachas¨ to reach Pampacancha (4050m/13284ft). From here we follow an uphill trail until that leads us to our campsite in Q´ampa (4300m/14104ft). Along this easy 3-hour climb we may have the chance to spot llamas, alpacas, and maybe even pumas. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Q´ampa - 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 to finally arrive at Pacchanta (4100m/13448ft) after an approximated 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
Day 5: Pacchanta to Tinki
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