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Discover the Magic of Ausangate Trek in the Andes Mountains
Ausangate Trek 6 Days is the most fascinating hiking route on the Peruvian Andes, located in the Vilcanota range on the southern part of Cusco city. This area has impressive mountains and includes the highest mountain peak, Ausangate, with 6,385 m (20,948 ft), considered one of the most important deities called "Apus."
It is an excellent trekking area, offering travelers more than they could ask for: spectacular and colorful mountains, glacier scenery, snow-capped peaks, hot springs, turquoise lakes, flora (most of the plants are medicinally used by the locals), and fauna like condors, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, and chinchillas.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Packing List
- Faqs
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
Highlights: Ausangate Mountain and Lakes
Hiking distance: 67 km / 41.6 miles
Considerations: acclimatation is required
Season: April through November
Itinerary at a Glance
- Day01
Cusco - Tinke - Upis
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Day02
Upis - Arapa Pass - Hatun Pucaqocha
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Day03
Hatun Pucaqocha - Anantapata - Sorimani Lake
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Day04
Sorimani Lake - Rainbow Mountain - Ausangate Qocha
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Day05
Ausangate Qocha - Palomani - Sorapata
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Day06
Sorapata - Qampa Pass - Pacchanta - Cusco
Cusco - Tinke - Upis
Highlight of the day: Get used to the altitude, hike gently in front of Ausangate Mountain, and be impressed with the Andes Mountain landscapes.
Campsite Elevation: 4,424meters / 14,514 feet
Accommodation: Camping (tent)
Adventure: Hiking in the high Andes Mountain
Our Representative will pick you up from your hotel located in Cusco, then, we drive for three hours in our private bus to the town of Tinke 3,800masl. / 12,464ft. here we will have a short stop to take the breakfast also you will have the option to buy some items for your trek, we will continue driving to Rodeana 4,250m / 13,943ft.
There is the beginning of our hike, also we'll meet with our team as the horse driver and his assistant, your guide will intruduce all of them and learn a little about their culture and the relationship between the Ausangate Mountain. From here we will begin the hike on a path used by locals, this will take about three hours hiking with a stunning views of the Ausangate mountain, the scenery will change while we are getting close to Upis camp 4,410m / 14,468 ft.
Here you will have the option to enjoy the hot springs, which offer fantastic views of Ausangate peak at the end of the valley. We will camp here for the night.
Upis -Arapa Pass - Jatun Pucacocha
Highlight of the day: Walk around Ausangate Mountain, enjoy the stunning lakes and feel the energy of the highest peak in Cusco region.
Campsite Elevation: 4570 meters / 14,993 feet
Accommodation: Camping
Adventure: Feel the energy of Ausangate mountain
After the delicious breakfast when the sun rise the peak of Ausangate "Apu", we begin our hike ascending gradually to the first pass. While you are hiking, you will observe how impressive the views are in each corner, at the same time, you will see some chinchillas running in different directions. After a few hours of hiking, we will cross the Arapa Pass at 4,800 meters (15,748 feet).
Here, you will have a well-deserved rest with fantastic views, it is a perfect place to enjoy your snacks. Then, we start descending down to the valley, passing beside different lakes, where you will have the time to explore and get the best photos, of course your guide will show you the best angles. Also, we will reach the turquoise Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha, where we will take our lunch with an incredible view of the mountain. After we will spend the night here.Jatun Pucaqocha - Ausangate Pass - Anantapata - Warmisaya pass- Surimani Lake
Highlight of the day: Enjoy a magical moment in front of Ausangate Mountain and be amazed with the stunning lakes.
Campsite Elevation: 4800 meters / 15,748feet
Accommodation: Camping
Adventure: Absolutely
On Day 3 of the Ausangate Trek, you’ll wake up early, surrounded by the crisp mountain air and the stillness of the high-altitude landscape. After a nourishing breakfast, you'll set off for one of the toughest yet most rewarding sections of the trek. The first part of the day involves a steady ascent toward Paso Ausangate, a high mountain pass sitting at nearly 4,980 meters (16,338 feet).
As you climb, the terrain gradually changes, with the rugged slopes of red and brown earth leading you higher into the glacial zone. The higher you go, the more the world opens up, revealing expansive views of snow-capped peaks and glaciers. Then, you will wlk down to Anantapata, where you will enjoy your lunch.
In the afternoon, the hike continues towards the mext pass Wamisaya 5,000 meters (16,404 feet). From here, you will be able to see the Rainbow Mountain at the distance and its spectacular colors. After resting, you will hike down to the camp set up next to the lake.
Surimani Lake - Rainbow Mountain - Ausangate Qocha
Highlight of the day: Explore the iconic Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley early in the morning before the crowds, perfect to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes
Highlight of the day: Hike through herds of alpacas and llamas, be amazed with the south face of Ausangate Mountain getting close to the glacier
Campsite Elevation: 4,580 / 14,763 feet
Accommodation: Camping
Adventure: Absolutely
In order to catch the sunrise once we reach the Rainbow Mountain, also known as the Mountain of Seven Colors. Our staff will wake you up extra early this morning with a hot Coca tea. After an active breakfast, we'll head up to the Rainbow Mountain 5,036m/16,522ft. Before the crowds arrive, we hike for an hour and half hours towards the incredible Rainbow Mountain where you will be astounded by the natural colors an it iconic location.
You can unwind and enjoy the moment while taking incredible pictures while it is empty. Your guide will explain the colors to you as you explore each site of the amazing mountain. After you have explored each site, we will return the same way until our next campiste for lunch, where we may recharge our energy and rest for a little before continuing our journey to Ausangate Qocha 4,500m/14,763ft.Ausangate Qocha - Palomani Pass - Sorapata
Highlight of the day: Trek through stunning towering mountains, the trails goes between the best section of the Cordillera Vilcanota, observe chinchillas, vicuñas and some condors.
Campsite Elevation: 4,520 / 14,829 feet
Adventure: Absolutely
We take the path down into the valley after leaving the pass. An attractive lagoon and the glacier may be seen on your left as you descend. Then we hike to where we would have lunch. This spot also is pur next camp.
Sorapata - Qampa Pass - Ausangate 7 Lakes - Pacchanta - Cusco
Highlight of the day: Explore the Seven Lakes of Ausangate and be amazed with the colors of the Lake
Adventure: Absolutely
Following our itineray, we get our breakfast, after we continue our hike to the final pass, Qampa 5,020 m (16,469 ft), with our energy restored. We may take in the sights of Puca Punta and the snow-capped Tres Picos during the morning hike. We will walk through the wide, lush Qampapampa valley and up the Rio Q'ampa; once we cross the pass, it will only take us an hour to descend to our lunch spot beside the 7 Lakes.
After lunch, we will explore those incredible lakes and hike to Pacchanta; along the path we will see some herds of alpacas and llamas. From here, we hike down to Pacchanta, explore this traditional Andean village, and enjoy the relaxing hot springs before taking the bus back to Cusco arriving around 19.00.
Itinerary notes - Ausangate trek (Ausangate Circuit) - 6 days
The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group. Each guide has their own preferred route and it might not correspond exactly to the route described here. The Ausangate region is very high, plus you are close to a snow covered massif. Temperatures are cold, and can fall well below freezing in the nights. You should travel well prepared for cold temperatures. Hire/or carry sleeping bags for temperatures less than freezing (minus 15 celsius or more).This region has limited tourist infrastructure and this tour makes use of local facilities. Visitors should be aware that things change, or may not go to plan. This is all part of the adventure, and visitors to Peru are encouraged to have an open mind and be open to the differences in the way things are done in another culture.
At Vidal Expeditions, we are transparent and provide specific details of what is included and excluded from our tours. We know this is very important so that you know exactly what to bring and don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your trek.
WE INCLUDE
Vidal Expeditions Team Provide
Pre-departure briefing
Once you book the tour with us, you will get a notification about the pre-departure briefing, where you will meet with your trekking guide and the tour group in our office the night before your Ausangate trek departure. During this briefing, you will receive important details about the trek. After this time, you will receive your duffle bag for your extra luggage, which will be carried by the horses while you are hiking.
Professional Adventure Guide
All our tour guides have a great reputation for customer service. They have graduated with a tourism career from the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco, and they have also studied English in a private language institute. Through their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for trekking, and pride in having been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore the Andes.
Entrance Fees to Ausangate park
Once we receive your details and the deposit for your tour, we will purchase all the necessary tickets for your trek. They will be for a specific date and will be in your name.
Accommodations
At Vidal Expeditions, we include accommodations for four nights along the Ausangate trek. with suitable camping equipment to make sure your trek is an experience of a lifetime. Our tents are Mountain Gear or Doite pro Aconcagua for 4 people, which will be shared only with 2 people to ensure your comfort and enough space for your luggage. The same way we include inflatable mattresses for your comfort. There will also be a spacious dining tent for you to enjoy each meal on this tour.
Transportations
Private Transport
We included all the transportation during your tour. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the beginning of the trail, and the bus returning from Ausangate to Cusco will drop you off at your hotel.
Horses
We include horses to transport all the duffle bags and equipment during this tour, and there will also be a horseman. At Vidal Expeditions, we know safety comes first, so we include an emergency horse in case someone feels tired or gets altitude sickness.
Equipment
Personal Duffle bag
We included a personal duffle bag for your 5-day Ausangate trek. You will get this duffle bag at Vidal Expeditions office during your pre-departure briefing the night before your trek. This bag will be carried by horses during the trek. You will find it in your tent every afternoon when you arrive at the campsite. It can be filled with your personal items, sleeping bag, and mattress, but the maximum allowable weight is 7 kg (17 lb). The duffle bag must be returned to our office no later than one day after your trek.
Toilet Tents
During our trek to Ausangate, we bring our own portable toilet tent because we know how important it is to protect our environment, and we are trained to leave no traces along the route.
Medical First Aid Kit
All tour guides at Vidal Expeditions are very well trained in first aid. They received training courses every six months on how to assist someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained on how to supply balloon oxygen if someone requires it.
Meals
Meals
At Vidal Expeditions, we know food is such an important part of any vacation, and getting the right fuel on an active holiday is crucial. We include 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners. And of course, we cater to all dietary restrictions. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and others—just let us know. Our chefs are well-trained to prepare the best food you've ever had with local and organic ingredients.
Water
Vidal Expeditions will provide you with water from the first lunch to the last breakfast. This water will be filtered, boiled, and cooled by our chef. You must bring your own water container, bottle, or camelback that can hold water for hiking for a few hours. We recommend a capacity of 2 liters.
WE NOT INCLUDED
Sleeping bag
Every trekker along the Ausangate trek needs a proper sleeping bag, which has to be for -15°C or 5°F. We recommend you bring your own, but if you don’t want to bring your own or don’t have one, you can rent a sleeping bag from us.
Walking Sticks
Hiking with trekking poles has its benefits. They protect your knees while you are hiking downhill, especially in remote areas where there are many ups and downs. Trekking poles also help you during the ascent with increased stability. If you don’t have a pair of trekking poles, you can rent them from our office.
First Breakfast
We do not provide breakfast on the day of your departure. However, most hotels offer breakfast during your stay. In case your hotel does not provide breakfast, we will stop at a restaurant near Ocongate where you will be able to purchase breakfast.
Travel Insurance
Tips for our team
We recommend buying travel insurance before leaving your country in case something happens during your visit to Peru.
Tips are not included. Tipping the team is usual on any excursion to Ausangate, and although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team's hard work.
AUSANGATE TREK 6 DAYS PACKING LIST
At Vidal Expeditions, we focus on making your trip an unforgettable experience, and we want to provide all the details you need to know before leaving your country and starting your life experience in Peru.
What you need to pack? Important- 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 Camelback is encouraged - but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
- Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
- Trekking poles
FOR YOUR DUFFEL:
Horses will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air mat (if you bring or rent one). From our perspective, these two items weigh 3 kg.
- 3-4 wicking t-shirts
- 3-4 hiking pants
- 3-4 sets of undergarments.
- 1 Fleece
- 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
- 1 Rain jacket and pants
- 1 sun hat
- 1 wool hat
- Bathers / swimsuit for the hot spring
- Small towel
- Headlamp: essential
- Waterproof gloves
- Comfortable shoes for camp or flip flops
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
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
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:
A daypack can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. If it is larger, try to make it as light as possible. Water: We supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning's water only, as we won't have time to filter water until your first lunch.
- Sun hat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Camera
- Music (iPhone)
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Earplugs
- Some snacks (Chocolate, fruits, energy bars, etc.)
TOILETRIES:
- Sunscreen
- Face moisturizer
- Bug spray
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Small towel
- Toothbrush and paste
- Toilet paper
- Personal medication
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
PREPARING FOR YOUR EXTENDED AUSANGATE TREK 6 DAYS
At Vidal Expeditions, we try to make the booking system as easy as possible for you. Once you decide to do this trek, we will send you a booking form where you need to complete all the required details that are important to book your tickets. We need a previous deposit of 50% per person. As soon as you pay it, we immediately book a spot for this tour. Once we are done with it, we will send you your invoice and a confirmation form that all the booking processes have been satisfactorily set up.
The Ausangate 6-day trek is the extended hike of the classic tour. You will hike a short distance and have more time to enjoy the most incredible landscapes in this remote area of the Andes. Explore Rainbow Mountain before the crowds of the day tour arrive.
Ausangate Trek is considered one of the most challenging treks in the Andes of Peru due to the fact that it reaches for a few times over 5,000 meters and requires great physical condition. It also requires well-preparedness to adjust to the cold wind at this altitude.
The Ausangate Trek has different challenging parts where these will reach 5,000 meters. The path goes gradually ascending in the switchback trail. However, on day 4, you will reach the Palomani Pass, which is at 5,200 meters (17,060 feet) and is considered the highest point along the Ausangate Trek.
This trek is particularly challenging, especially for people who do not have experience hiking in the mountains. We recommend training with some exercises a few times per week to avoid problems, and it is also recommended to spend some days in Cusco to acclimatize to the altitude because part of the segments along this trek are located over 4000 m/13123 ft.
Altiude sickness is a very common problem in Cusco, and especially during this trek, we recommend taking a few days in Cusco to acclimate to the altitude. Our guides and trekking team are well prepared to attend to any issue with the altitude; they will always carry an oxygen tank that can be applied in case someone needs it; they will also have a first aid kit with them; and there will be a horse that can be used in case someone needs to go back to the lowest area to recover.
Well, both treks are pretty. What makes the Ausangate trek different from the Salkantay trek, the first one will take you to the most remote area in the Andes, surrounded by huge towering snow mountains where nature has created stunning landscapes that combine lakes, glaciers, green valleys, colored mountains, herds of alpacas, and wonderful local traditions. while Salkantay has so many crowded routes that go to Machu Picchu.
Ausangate Mountain is the highest mountain in Cusco region, at 6,384 meters (20,940 feet) above sea level, and it is the fifth highest mountain in Peru.
Yes, Ausangate Mountain is considered a deity that protects and creates life in the Andes due to the local traditions and energy that can be felt when you are at the bottom. Since the Inca time, people have venerated this mountain, offering different products to appreciate its life creation. Many tourists go there to worship and make some offerings.
The best time to explore this natural wonder is from May to October, as this is the dry season in Cusco. You will have a higher probability of seeing more landscapes, beautiful turquoise lakes, some wildlife, and more snow-capped mountains. The other months of the year are more rainy and wet, so you will have less chance to see the snow-capped mountain peak.
The weather in Cusco and parts of the Andes is unpredictable, even if the weather forecast says it’s sunny. We can’t trust it. It is an impossible question for us to answer. Historically, April through September is the dry season; November through February is the rainy season; and March and October are bridge months—a mixture of both. But the clouds have not followed these rules in the last few years. Prepare for the sun and rain, no matter when you come. As far as temperatures go, that is consistent throughout the year. Mornings and evenings are always cold. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and a down jacket for the evenings.
From: USD 680.00 per person
USD 660.00: from 4 people to more
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Feel free to reach us via email at vidalexpeditions@gmail.com or by calling us directly at +51 951 359 694
Monday - Friday:
09:00 to 18:00 Hrs.
Saturday:
09:00 to 13:00 Hrs.
Prolongacion Av. Grau L-8, Santiago - Cusco
6 Days / 5 Nights
Ausangate Trek
What's it like
Ausangate Trek 6 Days Map
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT AUSANGATE TREK OPERATOR?
At Vidal Expeditions we offer the best service for all our customers and here is what makes us different than others during the Ausangate Trek.
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Small groups: Along the Ausangate hike, our group size is capped at 10 people. This guarantees that you will enjoy every step, landscapes, learn more about the indigenous culture, feel the energy of the mountains, and reconnect with nature.
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Door to Door Service: To make more confortable your adventure in Ausangate, our service starts in the door of your hotel and we drop off you at the same place after the tour.
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Ausangate & Camping fees included: When you are trekking in a remote area, the Ausangate Trek crosses some indigenous Andean communities; they charge us a fee per trekker, which we include during our excursions.
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Local Tour Guides: Our team consists of 100% local tour guides who have expert knowledge about the Andes mountains and local traditions and are WFR certified for your safety.
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Portable Private Toilets: In order to protect our environment and the beautiful landscapes along the Ausangate Trek, we bring our own private portable toilet, which will be set up at each meal site or campsite.
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Best Camping Equipment: We have the state-of-the-art camping equipment for our excursion. The equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before and after every excursion. Our tents four season is shared only with two people and with the same gender.
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Best Trekking Team: At Vidal Expeditions we focus to create the best experience during Ausangate Trek. Our team that consists of tour guides, cooks, porters, horse drivers are handpicked. We train our team to offer you the best service. We take care of our team by providing them with good equipment and paying them fairly.
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What Our Clients Say
We take great pride in taking care of our guests
Vidal Expeditions has received excellent reviews on TripAdvisor about our authentic experience and top-notch service along the Ausangate Trek in Peru.Thank you for trusting and choosing the best local tour operator in Cusco.
Perfect trip in the mountains !
I had an amazing experience with this company. Very professional, excellent guide and delicious food. They are very helpful and reliable. I would go for them again anytime.
Excellent customer service, expert guides!
We booked our trek through Vidal Expeditions kind of last minute, and they seriously came through. From the jump, the communication was clear and easy. They got everything organized quickly without sacrificing quality or safety—which, let’s be honest, is impressive when you're heading into the mountains of Peru. The whole experience felt incredibly well-run. You could tell these guys are pros. Everything was safe, well-structured, and thoughtfully put together. The food? Insanely good. Way beyond what I expected on a trek. Every meal was hot, fresh, and hit the spot after a long day on the trail. Big props to the chef and team for keeping us well-fed and happy.
Perfect Guided Trek in all Aspects!
The guided Trek in Ausangate was just amazing in all aspects. Started with a reliable and easy communication before the Trek, perfect and delicious food for every meal and unique insights and information about the local mountain lifestyle, Peruvian culture and flora&fauna. The provided equipment was in hood condition and kept me warm and dry in all conditions. Also the guiding itself was perfect. Definitely recommend to go with Vidal Expeditions!
