Trek Ausangate 4D/3N 400 USD
Discover snowcapped Mount Ausangate; the highest Sacred Mountain (6,384 m.a.s.l. – 20,944 ft.), in the Department of Cusco, the cordillera of which offers impressive treks full of beautiful altitude lagoons, summits with thicks layers of snow, and colorful mountains, along with animals, like alpacas, lamas and vicuñas, and birds, such as the condor, Andean goose, or ´wallata’, the ibis, etc. Furthermore, we´ll be using paths that run across mountain passes, one of which reaches 5,200 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l. – 17,060 ft.).
OVERVIEW
DAY 1: CUSCO – TINKI – UPIS
ACTIVITIES: Hike, from Tinki to Upis, and campsite in Upis.
DAY 2: UPIS – ARAPA´S MOUNTAIN PASS – AUSANGATE QOCHA
ACTIVITIES: Up and down hike, from Upis, passing by 2 mountain passes and lagoons and, up and down, to the Ansangate Qocha Campsite.
DAY 3: AUSANGATE QOCHA – HUANUHUANU
ACTIVITIES: Uphill hike to the Abra Palomani, lunch in a valley, and uphill hike to the Huanuhuanu Campsite.
DAY 4: HUANUHUANU – PACCHANTA – CUSCO
ACTIVITIES: Uphill hike to the Jampa Mountain Pass, by 7 lagoons and, downhill, to have lunch in Pacchanta.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: CUSCO – TINKI – UPIS
At 7:00 a.m., we´ll pick you up at your hotel, aboard our group tourism transportation vehicle, to head towards the District of Tinki, located about 3 hours from the city of Cusco.
After breakfast, we´ll start the trek, in Tinki, to get to Upis. The trail is quite picturesque, and it will be the best moment to take excellent pictures of the Apu (Tutelary Sacred Mountain) Ausangate. On the way, we´ll see local inhabitants, performing activities with their livestock, or shepherding Andean camelids, and busy with agricultural tasks. After a few hours of hiking, we´ll get to Upis, where we´ll have dinner, and will spend the night.
DAY 2: UPIS – ARAPA´S MOUNTAIN PASS – AUSANGATE QOCHA
Early morning, and after a pleasant breakfast, we´ll go on hiking, for about an hour. Then, reaching the Arapa Mountain Pass, we´ll contemplate the majestic mountain range that surrounds us. Afterwards, we´ll walk downhill, for a bit, to see some lagoons, with their beautiful colors and, bordering them, we´ll cross the second mountain pass, called ‘………..’.
Finally, we´ll walk down to the spectacular Ausangate Qocha Campsite, with views towards the snowcapped mountains, where we´ll have dinner, and will spend the night. Since it is the highest campground, on the whole trek, there, temperatures can fall to -5°C (23°F). So, we recommend you to bring good high altitude camping equipment, and thermic clothes, for cold nights.
DAY 3: AUSANGATE QOCHA – HUANUHUANU
This morning, our challenge will consist in hiking, uphill, and to overcome the highest mountain pass, at 5,200 m.a.s.l. (17,060 ft.), called ‘Abra de Palomani’. Then, we´ll walk down to a valley, in which we´ll have lunch, and then, we´ll go up to our next campsite, in Huanuhuanu. But, before getting there, we´ll see a rock fall where viscachas live. Finally, after a hard hike, we´ll have dinner, and will spend the night, in Huanuhuanu.
DAY 4: HUANUHUANU – PACCHANTA – CUSCO
Today, we´ll go on hiking to the last mountain pass, called ‘Abra de Jampa’ and, afterwards, we´ll walk down to Pacchanta. In the course of the hike, we´ll have the chance of contemplating seven impressive lagoons. After lunch, in Pacchanta, we´ll return to the city of Cusco, arriving there at 7:00 p.m.
INCLUDED - NOT INCLUDED
Included:
- Two-way group tourism transportation.
- Official mountain guide.
- Support staff and burden animals.
- Camping and kitchen equipment.
- 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners.
- Hot teas and herbal teas, after meals.
Not included:
- Dinner, on the fourth day.
- Entrance ticket to Pacchanta´s thermal baths.
- Tips and personal expenses.
RECOMMENDATIONS
What to bring:
- Medium-size backpack.
- Canteen, for water.
- Snacks.
- 1 full change of clothes per hiking day.
- Personal hygiene kit and towel.
- Mountain hiking shoes.
- Wide-brim hat, sunglasses and sunblock lotion.
- Wool bonnet, scarf and gloves.
- Thermic clothes, for cold nights.
- Rain gear.
- Insect repellent.
- Hiking sticks.
- Photo/video camera, with extra batteries.
- Flashlight, with extra batteries.
- Light binoculars.
- Extra cash, in Nuevos Soles (PEN).