Ausangate hike

LEVEL: Moderate (if acclimatized)

6 days /7nights

Ausangate is an important "Apu" click here for an explanation of the meaning of Apu

Itinerary

Day 1 Cusco to Tinqui
We depart Cusco in the morning for the 7-hour bus ride to the small village of Tinqui (3800m). We pass through beautiful countryside and several traditional villages including Urcos, Cattca and Ocangate, where we will have the opportunity to stop for a while and take some photos. We spend the first night in a small hostal in Tinqui.

Day 2 From Tinqui to Upis
We depart around 8am, and the first 3 hours are are wonderful prelude to the magnificent scenery of the Cordillera Vilcanota, with great views of Ausangate. After lunch we trek for two hours more until we reach the hot springs at Upis (4,400m) which offer fantastic views of Ausangate at the end of the valley. We will camp here for the night.

Day 3 From Upis to Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha
During our morning's trek, we will cross our the Arapa pass (4,850m). From here, we continue 3½ hours down the valley, passing the green lake of Puqa Q'ocha until we reach the turquoise Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha. We will set up camp here. The views of Ausangate are particularly close and spectacular. During the night you can hear ice falls into the lake - intimidating but nothing to worry about!

Day 4 From Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha to Pampacancha
In the morning we ascend the second pass of Apuchata (4,900m) with the stunning turquoise blue Laguna Ausangate Q'ocha below. This lake is fed from the melting snow of Ausangate. From the lake we ascend to the Palomani pass (5,200m); the highest point of the trek. From the pass we follow the trail into the valley where we'll rest and have lunch. A short hike in the afternoon brings us to our camp at Pampacancha.

Day 5 From Pampacancha to Q'omer Q'ocha
During this morning we can enjoy views of the snowcapped Tres Picos and Puca Punta. We will continue through the broad green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and up the Rio Q'ampa valley. After passing through the small community of Q'ampa we will North west to the last pass of this hike, the Q'ampa pass (5000m). We will see several different coloured lakes and camp beside Q'oma Q'ocha.

Day 6 From Qomer Q'ocha to Pacchanta:
This is the easiest day of the trek, with lots of time to relax and bathe in the shadow of the great Ausangate. We hike for several hours before arriving at the small village of Pacchanta. We can soak in the thermal springs for a couple of hours, and even have a well-deserved beer! We will set up camp near Pacchanta and you will have the afternoon free to explore this interesting Andean village. (You have the option of staying in a basic hostal this night)

Day 7 From Pacchanta to Cusco
It's 3 hours trek back to Tinqui where we will have time to explore this traditional Andean village before taking the bus back to Cusco, arriving at about 18.00.

• The times cited are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group.
• If required, riding horses or horses to carry luggage can be arranged at a reasonable daily rate.

Included:

• Public transport to and from Tinqui
• While camping, 3 good and nutritious meals per day made by experienced cook. Optional meals for vegetarians.
• Camping equipment includes tents, mattresses, and kitchen equipment.
• Guide
• Cook & assistant
• Muleteer and mules for camping and kitchen equipment.
• One “riding horse” for emergencies.
• First-Aid kit.
• Oxygen

Not included:

• Entry fees to Ausangate. Holders of ISIC cards can receive a discount.
• Additional horses for passengers luggage. If there are any substantial items or backpacks, passengers will need to hire an additional mule at a cost of 25 soles($8US) per day.
• Snacks or high energy trekking food
• Drinking water.
• Breakfast Day 1/ Dinner & Lunch Day 7/

What you should bring :

• Sleeping bag - a VERY warm sleeping bag is recommended for this trip.
• We hire sleeping bags - synthetic ($2 per day) or feathers ($5 per day)
• Changes of cothes for very cold weather. Remember the temperatures fall well below freezing on the Ausangate hike.
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Good trekking footwear and socks
• Plastic poncho, as well as other suitable rain protection
• Special medication
• Any special or high energy snacks that you might wish on the trail,
• Waterbottle and purifying tablets
• Toiletpaper
• Binoculars (if you have them)
• Sunblock and sunhat
• Walking cane (if you wish)
• Bathing suit for the hot springs
• Extra rolls of film or well charged batteries for your digital camera.

We offer affordably priced tours for 2 people so that you can depart on most days. If you are travelling alone, you can still depart on this tour, any day. (Price: US$675)

If you have a group of five or more people, please contact us for a special rate.

For our payment conditions and booking please refer to our page Payment & booking

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists

Phone (Peru) : +51 84 993 6026 (Australia) : +61 8 9840 8044 Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

Please note: The design, content and photographs (except where noted) on this website are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru.

Copyright A.Svenson 2005. All material used within this web site is original work and is subject to international copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.