Ausangate Mountain Trek 7 Days

Day 1: Cusco - Inkilltambo Trek - Cusco (Pre Trek Acclimatization)

Depart around 08:00 from the hotel to leave by private vehicle to quickly reach the starting point of the hike to Kusilluchayoc, also known as the Monkey Temple, then we will continue towards the temple of the moon, named after the equinoxes. The moon illuminates the main altar through a small hole in the ceiling of this cave. 60-minute walk to reach the Inkillatambo complex located in Qapaq ñan, which in Quechua means "the Great Inca Trail."

During this walk we will cross a small eucalyptus forest that will take us to the archaeological complex surrounded by Inca terraces. In addition to being used as an agricultural and religious center, this site was also related to astronomy. We will take advantage of a Box Lunch to have time to enjoy this place and then we will continue towards the Kallachaka Bridge, where we can see the remains of the old colonial ovens. Then we will take the opposite road to return to Cusco around 5:00 p.m.

• Meals: Box Lunch
• Accommodation: None
• Distance: 8 km /  5 miles 
• Time: 5 hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Easy - Medium (mostly downhill)

Day 2: Cusco - Tinqui Village - Upis - Yana Cocha 

Early transfer from your hotel in cusco with 6:00 am departure. we drive for 4 hours on a new highway to tinqui, passing urcos pass (4,000 m/13,123 ft) along the way. Tinqui is a village on the high plains “altiplano” east from cusco and is where we will start our trek.

We will meet up our local muleteers and horses, where we’ll have our breakfast and get ready to start the great adventure, we will hike gradually uphill for about 2 hours and 30 minutes following the highland valley inhabited by llamas and alpacas with dramatic vistas of Ausangate in backdrop to get the lunch spot located in Pamparapa (4,600m / 15,092 feet). Today, we’ll have lunch at a very scenic spot still with Ausangate Mt at the background.

After eating the delicious meal. You will hike very close to the Ausangate Glacier Peak and will have incredible views of this mountain as well as beautiful lakes and waterfalls. We may see some llamas, alpacas and wild vicuñas (the undomesticated ancestor of the alpaca) and perhaps a rare condor soaring above.

We will have a 3-hour uphill hike to reach the first pass (4800m/15,748ft) where you will have magnificent views of the surrounding area. After taking a few amazing pictures we continue hiking gradually downhill for another 1 1⁄2 hours to get the first campsite, called Yana Cocha 4,650 m / 15,256 ft.

• Meals: Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles 
• Time: 6hrs approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 3: Yana Qocha - Pucaccocha  - Apacheta Pass - Anantapata - Warmisaya - Surine Cocha (Sunset Hike To Rainbow Mountain Pass)

Wake up early with a hot cup of coca tea to start one of the most beautiful days of the trek, enjoying majestic views of some of the highest peaks in the Andes and depths of the beautiful valleys. We will enjoy this view while having our breakfast, after having breakfast we will start trekking on an uneven trail (up and downs) this section of the trail is one of the most picturesque ones, as the blue and turquoise colored lagoons surround the bottom part of the massif Ausangate mountain 6.384 m / 20,945 ft, the highest mountain in Cusco.

After hiking for 1 hour and 30 minutes, we will start hiking up on a switchback trail to the next pass Apacheta Pass at (5050m/16,568ft). Along the way we have gorgeous views of turquoise lakes and the Ausangate glacier. Once you reach the summit of this mountain, you will be located right in front of the Ausangate Mountain and you can enjoy the views of Chillca Valley, with alpaca grazing along these hills.

Also, from this pass you will see the beginning of the Rainbow Mountain range with their strikingly striated colors. After taking some great pictures we continue gradually downhill for another 2 hours until we reach our lunch spot located at Anantapata 4400m/14,435ft with amazing views of green hills and snow-capped peaks. After lunch and a little rest and relaxation, we will hike gradually uphill for 1 1⁄2 hours until we reach the the Warmisaya (aka Pitumarca) pass 5050m/16,568ft.

After enjoying the views at the top we descend for 20 minutes to  Comer Qocha lake where We will get a resting spot. After little rest and relaxation, we will hike gradually uphill for 1  hour until we reach the Surine Cocha (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). The camp is on the banks of the gorgeous Surine Lake (pictured above).

After dropping our bags we take our gradual 1 hour sunset hike to the Rainbow Mountain Pass and watch as the sun sets over the stunning Rainbow Valley. Once we have finished enjoying the view, we hike 45 minutes back down to camp at Surine Cocha to have happy hour (tea and snacks) followed by a hearty dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 17.7km/11 Miles 
• Time: 7-8 hours approximately
• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 4: Surine Cocha – Guiding Tour of Rainbow Mountains (Sunrise Hike) – Quesouno – Ausangate Cocha

After a very early breakfast (5am) we hike 1 hour up to the Rainbow Mountains 5,050 m / 16,568 ft. (Vinicunca Mountains or Montañas de Colores) again to see the beautiful Rainbow Valley at sunrise! Enjoy the view for an hour without the crowds as we are one of the first groups to arrive. Your guide will walk you to the best spots to get the perfect postcard pictures of these incredible mountains and the other surrounding peaks. Your guide will explain what makes these mountains so unique: they are composed of various minerals, which make different colors of stone striations.

This is definitely one of the most stunning places in South America and one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Peru. There are Rainbow Mountains in only a few other locations in the world. After enjoying the sunrise view. We will return by the same trail to Ananta (lunch spot of day 2), After a hearty lunch and a well-deserved rest, we hike 2 hours uphill to Ausangatecocha (part of the Ausangate Trail). Along the way you will see beautiful mountain scenery, small streams, herds of llamas and alpacas and snow-capped peaks. At Ausangatecocha we camp by a beautiful dark blue/green lake for the night with views of the Ausangate Mountain.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 16 km /9.95 Miles
• Time: 7 hours approximately
• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 5: Ausangatecocha - Palomani Pass - Qampa

After breakfast we begin a steep climb for 2-3 hours on glacial moraine to the Palomani Pass (5,130m / 16,831). From the pass there are extensive views of all the peaks in the Cordillera Vilcanota. We then descend for 2 hours on a steep trail into the Huchuy Finaya Valley where we will stop for lunch, surrounded by beautiful mountain views.

From our lunch stop we will have a view of “Las Dos Gemelas” or the two twin mountains. After lunch we hike another 2 hours to our campsite, 45 minutes of which is a steep climb and the rest is a gradually uphill trail. Along the way you see streams and a small waterfall, chinchillas, llamas, alpacas, and snow-capped mountains (the three peaks). We camp tonight at Qampa  Site 4700m/15,420ft.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 10 km /6.21 Miles
• Time: 7 - 8 hours approximately
• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 6: Qampa - Pachaspata

After a hearty breakfast, we will start our trek watching giant glaciers and huge ice blocks that are part of the mount-snow Qolque Cruz (Silver Cross) and at the other end, a giant mount-snows that make these landscapes unforgettable. Once we pass through this valley we begin climbing up to the highest point of the trek, the Qampa Pass (5,400 m/17,716 ft) for 2 hours. This last Pass is covered by small stone towers called in Quechua “apachetas”.At this pass we have incredible views of The Three Peaks, the Pacchanta Valley, and will hopefully get a glimpse of some wild vicuña and deer, and if we are really lucky, a condor .Once we reached the top, we can raise these towers as a way to ask the mountains best wishes. At the top down, we will arrive to the pampas of Pachaspata.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping facilities
• Distance: 10 km /6.21 Miles
• Time: 6 hours approximately
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 7: Pachaspata - Pacchanta (Hot Springs) - Tinqui - Cusco

After a good breakfast, we will get ready to continue our walk. We will find more lagoons in the way; which they shine through the clear waters and vegetation that these have. The brightness of these lakes makes mystical groups visit these places, and the Andean priests perform ceremonies on behalf of Mother Earth or Pachamama. Continuing our journey, we will pass through meadows and find various shepherds with their llamas and alpacas; then, we will arrive at the village of Pacchanta (4,300 m.a.s.l.). This small town has a hot spring that is a mandatory place to visit for relaxing our muscles after this amazing hike. At this point, we will have lunch and then board our van that will take us back to Cusco.

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner
• Distance: 9 km / 5.6 Miles
• Time: 3-4 hour hike, 3.5 hour drive
• Difficulty: Moderate

What Is Included

What Is Not Included

Added Values For Free

Price & Availability

“This trek is available to depart any day of the week as long as we have two people.”

Prices:

Group Service

• US$ 900  PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS)

Private Service                              

• US$ 1200 PER PERSON (AMERICAN DOLLARS)

***We require a minimum of 2 hikers in order to start the trek. For solo travellers- please inquire on the dates you are looking to trek.

Essentials

• Passport
• Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

For Your Duffel

Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.

• 2-3 wicking t-shirts
• 2-3 hiking pants
• 4 sets of undergarments.
• 4 sets of hiking socks
• 1 Fleece
• 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
• 1 Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sun hat
• 1 wool hat
• Headlamp: essential
• Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
• Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
• Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
• Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
• Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

Toiletries

• Sunscreen
• Face moisturizer
• Bug spray
• Handsanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toiletpaper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc

Inside Your Daypacks

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates.

• Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
• Sunhat
• Rain gear
• Fleece
• Camera
• Music (IPhone)
• Handsanitizer
• Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
• Earplugs