Start Your Ausangate Trek Planning Here
Welcome to your central hub for planning the Ausangate Trek. To avoid overwhelming you with duplicate information, we've broken down all the essential details into four main categories, directing you to the experts:
Deep Dive Guide & Planning
For detailed information on altitude, difficulty, packing lists, and the best time to hike, please visit our comprehensive, single, and authoritative guide.
Read the Ultimate Ausangate Guide
Tour Options & Itineraries
Ready to see the routes? Click on our main tours page to compare all the different durations (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days) in one place.
Compare All Ausangate Tours
Tipping Etiquette and Guidelines
Tipping is a traditional and important way to show appreciation for your support team (porters, cooks, and guides). As the industry standard, we recommend budgeting approximately $30 - $50 USD per trekker for the entire Ausangate Trek.
Duffel bag, and weight limit
For this hike we recommend maximum of 7 kg per person, our team will provide you with a duffel bag a night before the trip.
Safety & Trust Protocols
Your safety is our priority. Every group is accompanied by an emergency horse for rapid evacuation, oxygen tanks, and a dedicated safety driver stationed nearby. For the full details on our specific measures, check below:
- Emergency Horse & Evacuation: At Vidal Expeditiomns we know this is a challenging trek and our team are prepared for any circustance.
- Acclimatization: We always recommend to have a previous days to acclimate the altitude Read Our Best Suggestions & Requirements
- Travel Insurance:Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies and high-altitude trekking is mandatory for all participants.
Culture, Food, and Immersive Local Experience
Traveller Interaction with Locals & Community
Your Ausangate journey is an opportunity for authentic cultural exchange. We facilitate respectful interactions with the local Quechua communities encountered along the route, providing insight into their high-altitude lifestyle, textiles, and traditions. This connection directly supports community sustainability.
Learning the Local Language (Quechua)
We encourage travelers to engage respectfully by learning a few key Quechua phrases. Knowing simple greetings like "Ayllunchis kawsachun" (Let our community live) or "Allillanchu" (How are you?) enhances your experience and honors the local culture. Your guide will provide a helpful phrase sheet.
Mountain Cuisine
Meals on the Ausangate Trek highlight fresh, local ingredients sourced from nearby communities. Our chefs prepare a mix of traditional Andean dishes and nutritious trekking meals to keep you energized at altitude.
Quick Facts (Linked)
Below are quick links to the most frequently asked questions. Each link goes directly to the definitive answer in our main Guide:
"When everything feels like an uphill struggle, think about the view from the top.”
