Ausangate Trek- 5 Days
AUSANGATE TREK
5-DAYS/4-NIGHTS
This challenging and rewarding 5-day hiking adventure will take you on a route around the majestic Ausantgate Mountain, which is considered one of the most sacred mountains of the Vilcanota Mountain Range. On this trek, you will enjoy vibrant colored landscapes, turquoise high mountain lagoons, and magnificent white glaciers. This beautiful snow-capped peak is one of the main features of the Cusco skyline, but very few people have the opportunity to see it up close. Throughout the journey, you will encounter domestic Andean camelids such as llamas, and alpacas, and if you are lucky, you will also get to see the rare vicuñas and flying Condors. You will be amazed at the rainbow patterns of sediment that sparkle with diverse colors on the famous Rainbow Mountain. Join us and discover the magic of this unforgettable trek around one of the world’s most incredible and remote high mountains.
NOTE: You will need at least two days to acclimatize in the Cusco area before starting this trek.
Trip Details
ITINERARY
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
PRICE
ITINERARY
DAY 1: CUSCO – OCONGATE – TINQUI – UPIS
- Early Morning: Pick-up from hotel, 3-hour drive to Upis community.
- Breakfast: Upon arrival.
- Hike: 7 km / 4.5 miles to Upis camp with views of Ausangate Mountain (6,384 meters/20,944 feet).
- Afternoon: Visit Upis Lake (2 hours roundtrip) and optional hot springs dip.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Difficulty: Hard
- Accommodation: Camping
- Camp Altitude: 4,320 meters / 14,173 feet
DAY 2: UPIS – PUCA CCOCHA – ANANTA
- 05:00 AM: Wake-up call with coca tea.
- Hike: 14 km / 8.6 miles to Arapa pass (4,958 meters / 16,266 feet), descend to Puca Ccocha lake for lunch, then continue to Puca Ccocha pass (5,000 meters / 16,404 feet) and downhill to Ananta camp.
- Views: Glacier peaks, rivers, lakes, alpacas, llamas, condors.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Difficulty: Very difficult
- Accommodation: Camping
- Camp Altitude: 4,420 meters / 15,400 feet
DAY 3: ANANTA – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – AUSANGATE COCHA
- 05:00 AM: Wake-up call with coca tea.
- Hike: 13 km / 8.345 miles to Surini pass (5,051 meters / 16,571 feet), then downhill to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), continue to Alqatari for lunch and camp.
- Views: Multicolored layers of Rainbow Mountain.
- Afternoon: Explore surrounding community.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
- Accommodation: Camping
- Camp Altitude: 4,420 meters / 14,500 feet
DAY 4: AUSANGATE COCHA – QUINSACOCHA – JAMPA
- Early Morning: Breakfast and hike to Palomani Pass (5,300 meters / 17,388 feet).
- Hike: 14 km / 8.5 miles to Huchuy Phinaya for lunch, then 1 hour more to Surapampa camp.
- Views: Ausangate Mountain, flora, fauna.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Difficulty: Very difficult
- Accommodation: Camping
- Camp Altitude: 4,620 meters / 15,190 feet
DAY 5: JAMPA – PACCHANTA – CUSCO
- Morning: Breakfast and 3-hour hike to Jampa pass (4,900 meters / 16,076 feet).
- Views: Panoramic views of mountains, valleys, and lagoons.
- Descend: To Pacchanta for lunch.
- Optional: Enjoy hot springs, buy artisanal crafts.
- Farewell Ceremony: With guide, cook, and muleteers.
- Return: 3-hour drive to Cusco, arrive at hotel around 18:00.
- Walking Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
- Difficulty: Moderate
INCLUDED
- Private roundtrip transportation
- Professional bilingual English/Spanish guide
- Assistant guide for groups of 6+ people
- 4-man tent for every 2 people
- Inflatable air mattress and pillow
- All meals throughout the whole trek
- Water (except for the first 3 hours of Day 1)
- Dining tent, tables, chairs
- Entrance fee to Rainbow Mountain and trek
- Private professional chef and assistant
- Horses for cooking/camping equipment and to carry 10 kg of your personal belongings
- Horsemen
- Portable bathroom tent
- Oxygen tank
- First aid kit
NOT INCLUDED
- Gratuities for drivers, porters, and cook
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
- Passport
- Sleeping bags (available for rent)
- Walking sticks (available for rent)
- 30L Personal backpack with rain cover
- Short-sleeve and long-sleeve T-shirts
- Comfortable hiking pants
- Down jacket
- Gloves
- Lightweight cap & hat
- Rain jacket/rain pants
- Warm socks for the night
- Swim suit
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Lightweight camping shoes
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp
- Personal microfiber towel
- Sunscreen (SPF 35 or higher)
- Insect repellent
- Portable power battery
- Personal medication
PRICE
Price per person:
- 2 people 850 USD per person
- 3 people 800 USD per person
- 4 people 760 USD per person
- 5 people 720 USD per person
- 6 or more people 675 USD per person