Ausangate Typical Trek Itinerary (7 days / 6 nights, April - November)

Day 1: Cusco to Tinqui (3,800mts)

It's a 7 hours bus ride out to the village of Tinqui, the starting point of the trek, passing through some of the most beautiful scenery Peru has to offer. Several traditional villages along the route include Urcos, Cattca and Ocongate. The night will probably be spent in a small and very basic hostel in Tinqui.

Day 2: Tinqui to Upis (4,400mts)

After packing the equipment and getting acquainted with the staff and horses you'll spend about 5 hours trekking to the campsite close to the Upis hot springs. The springs are a bit run-down but have great views of Ausangate at the end of the valley. Better hot springs can be found at Pacchanta on day six of the trek.

Day 3: Upis to Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha.

You'll hike through the first pass, the Arapa pass (4,850m), then along the morning, we'll continue down the valley, in the afternoon to the campsite at the turquoise Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha. You'll pass the green lake of Puqa Q'ocha on the way.

From the campsite you can climb a small ridge north of the camp to see Lake Vino Q'ocha (named by the locals because it is sometimes colored like red wine due to glacial sediments coming down from nearby red mountains.) Sometimes, as you camp beside the lake, at night you can hear the eiree sound of ice breaking away from a close glacier and falling into the water.

Day 4: Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha to Pampacancha

In the morning you'll climb to the second mountain pass of Apuchata (4,900m) with the turquoise Laguna Ausangate below. This lake is fed with the melting snow of Ausangate. Starting from the lake you will climb again to the Palomani pass (5,200m), the highest point of the trek. Following the trail into the next valley for an hour or so we'll bring you to the next campsite at Pampacancha.

Day 5: Pampacancha to Q'omer Q'ocha.

Compared to previous days, this one should prove relatively easy. During the trek the snow-capped peaks of Tres Picos and Puca Punta come into view. The trail between the broad green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and the Rio Q'ampa valley are an excellent place to observe the delightful viscacha. This small rodent looks like a blend between a squirrel and a rabbit and lives in large family groups amongst the stones and boulders at the feet of the steep slopes. You may also be lucky enough to see groups of vicuñas, undoubtedly the most beautiful member of the southamerican camels family, with its slender neck, huge eyes and soft golden wool. After passing through the small community of Q'ampa the trail continues north west to the final pass of this hike, the Q'ampa pass (5,000mts). From the top you can see several different colored lakes. You'll camp beside the final greeny turquoise lake called Q'oma Q'ocha.

Day 6: Q'oma Qocha to Pacchanta

Another fairly easy day today, trekking for about 2½ hours to the small Andean village of Pacchanta. You'll have the opportunity to rest and relax in the hot thermal springs for a couple hours and even have a beer in this interesting Andean village. You can spend the night camping close to the village or make the 3 hour trek back to Tinqui to stay the night in a hostel.

Day 7: Pacchanta or Tinqui to Cusco

Leave by bus back to Cusco returning late in the afternoon.

A typical trek includes:

Round trip transportation in a private bus to Tinqui village. Professional English-speaking guide 1 night hostel, 5 nights camping Horses (for carrying equipment and per person) incl. horse drivers or wranglers. Cook Meals (06B,06L,06D) Equipment (tents, sleeping pads, cooking equipment) First aid & emergency oxygen bottle

Price US$750.00 per person, this price may change based on the number of people that'll book for this trek.