Discover the Magic of Apu Ausangate
Extended Ausangate Trek 6 Days is the most fascinating hike 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 6385 m (20948 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, glaciers, flora (most of the plants are medicinally used by the locals), and fauna like condors, llamas, alpacas, vicuas, and chinchillas. Picturesque villages and traditionally dressed local people.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Recommendations
- Faqs
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
The Ausangate trek 6 days takes you to the most remote area in the Andes, this journey is perfect for those who want to get off-the-beaten-path aways from the crowds and immerse themselves in the mountain culture and nature. During this adventure, you will enjoy the different colored lakes and learn customs and traditions from the picturesque Andean communities that preserve the ancient traditions. The most epic journey awaits you. Feel the energy of Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) while our guide makes a ceremony to say thanks.
Highlights: Ausangate Mountain and Lakes
Hiking distance: 67km/41.6miles
Considerations: acclimatation is required
Season: April through November
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day01
Cusco - Tinky - Upis village
Visit to tinki
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Day02
Upis Village - Arapa Pass - Ausangate Pass - Anantapata
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Day03
Anantapata - Rainbow Mountain - Anantapata
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Day04
Anantapata - Ausangate Qocha - Qampa Pampa
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Day05
Qampa Pampa - Qampa Pass - Pacchanta
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Day06
Pacchanta - Cusco
Cusco - Tinqui - Upis
Walking Distance: 8km / 4.9 miles
Starting Elevation: 3850 meters / 12,618 feet
Highest Elevation: 4224 meters / 13,858 feet
Campsite Elevation: 4224meters / 13,858 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Lunch, Dinner (Snack and afternoon tea)
Accommodation: Camping (tent)
Adventure: Absolutely, completely satisfactory
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 Tinki 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 3,900m / 12,795ft. 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 4224m / 13,864ft the lunch spot also our next campsite Here you will have the option to enjoy the hot springs, which offer fantastic views of the Nevado Ausangate at the end of the valley. We will camp here for the night.
Upis -Arapa Pass -Ausangate Pass - Anantapata
After the delicious breakfast and the sun rising the peak of the nevado Ausangate “Apu”, we begin our hike ascending gradually to the first pass, then we will be heading to the first pass. While you are hiking, you will observe how impressive the views are in each corner, and 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 4,850 meters (15,908 feet). Here, you will have a well-deserved rest with fantastic views, and 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. 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 adeserved rest we then ascend by a switchback trail to the second pass of Ausangate 5,020 metres/ 16,469 feet with stunning views of the Apu Ausangate, here you can feel the energy of this Andean deity and understand why is very important for the communities of this area, you also will appreciate the lakes located at the bottom of the Apu.
These lakes are fed by the melting snow of Ausangate. Afterwards, we continue hiking down to Anantapata (4570 m/14993 ft). We will camp here for the second night.
Walking Distance: 15 km / 9.2 miles
Starting Elevation: 4224 meters / 13,858 feet
Campsite Elevation: 4570 meters / 14,993 feet
Maximum Altitude: 5020 meters / 16,469 feet
Difficulty: Challenging
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Snack and afternoon tea)
Accommodation: Camping
Adventure: Absolutely
Anantapata - Warmisaya pass- Rainbow Mountain - Ausangate Q’ocha
Walking Distance: 18km / 11.1 miles
Starting Elevation: 4570 meters / 14,993feet
Campsite Elevation: 4400 meters / 14,435feet
Maximum Altitude: 5100 meters / 16,732feet
Difficulty: Challenging
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 next pass, Warmisaya 5,020m/16,469ft. Before the crowds arrive, we hike for a few hours from here to the incredible Rainbow Mountain 5100m/16,732ft, where you will be astounded by the natural colors of the 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 last campiste for lunch, where we may recharge our energy and rest for a little before continuing our journey to Ausangate Qocha 4,400m/14435ft. Here will we set up next campsite.
Ausangate Qocha - Palomani Pass- Qampa Pampa
Walking Distance: 16km / 9,8 miles
Starting Elevation: 4400 meters / 14,435 feet
Campsite Elevation: 4480 / 14,698 feet
Maximum Altitude: 5200 meters / 17,060 feet
Difficulty: Challenging
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Adventure: Absolutely
Following breakfast, we continue our ascent to the highest pass on this trek. We’ll reach the Palomani (5,200 m/16,060 ft) after a couple of hours of hiking. Your tour guide will perform a ritual to thank Mother Earth (Pachamama) for these incredible adventures at this pass, which will put you as close as possible to the Ausangate Mountain. 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. Following a little break, we continue our hike to the final pass, Qampa 5080 m (16,660 ft), with our energy restored. We may take in the sights of Puca Punta and the snow-capped Tres Picos during the afternoon 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 next campsite, Pachaspata, which is located at 4580 meters (14,698 ft).
Qampa Pampa - Pacchispata - Pacchanta
Walking Distance: 12km/ 7.4miles
Starting Elevation: 4580 meters / 14,778 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Meals: Breakfast
Adventure: Absolutely
It’s a 3-hour trek back to Pacchanta; along the path we will see stunning turquoise lakes, which for many local people are the “eyes of the mother earth.” From here, we hike down to Pacchanta, explore this traditional Andean village, and enjoy the relaxing hot spring before taking our lunch. Our team will set up the tents around the campsite.
Pacchanta - Sigrinacocha - Cusco
Walking Distance: 8km/ 4.8miles
Starting Elevation: 4480 meters / 14,698 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Meals: Breakfast
Adventure: Absolutely
On this day we will take our breakfast, and our guide and team will prepare a special ceremony to say thanks for the adventure on these last days. Finally we will take our private van back to Cusco, arriving at about 18.00.
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 Machu Picchu by Locals we are transparent and provide the specific details of what is included and excluded in our tours. We know this is very important so that you know what exactly to bring and you don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your trek.
WE INCLUDE
Machu Picchu by Locals Team Provide
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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 of 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
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Professional Adventure Guide
All our tour guides have a great reputation in customer service, our tour guide have graduated with tourism career from National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco, they have also studied English in a private language institute. Through to their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for trekking and proud to have been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore the Andes.
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Entrance Fees to Ausangate park
Once we receive your details and the deposit for your tour, we purchase all the necessary tickets for your trek it will be for a specific date and will be in your name.
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Accommodations
At Machu Picchu by Locals we include accommodations 4 nights along the Ausangate trek, with a suitable camping equipment to make sure your trek is an experience of the life time. Our tents are Mountain gear or Doite pro Aconcagua for 4 people, which will be shared only for 2 people to ensure you comfort and enough place for your luggage. The same way we include Inflatable mattress for your comfort. There will also be a spacious dining tent for you to enjoy each meal along this tour.
Transportations
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Private Transport
We included all the transportations during your tour, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the beginning of the trail, the bus returning from Ausangate to Cusco will drop off you at your hotel.
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Horses
We include horses to transport all the duffle bags and equipment during this tour also will be a horse man. At Machu Picchu by Locals we know safety is first is for that we include a emergency horse in case someone feels tired or get altitude sickness.
Equipment
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Personal Duffle bag
We included a personal duffle bag for your 5 days Ausangate trek. You will get this duffle bag at Machu Picchu by Locals office during your pre-departure briefing the night before of your trek. This bag will be carried by horses during the trek. You will find it in your tent every afternoon you arrive to the campsite. It can be filled with your personal items, sleeping bag and mattress but the maximum allowable weight is 7kg/17lb. The duffle bag must be returned to our office no later than one day after your trek.
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Toilet Tents
During our trek to Ausangate we bring our own portable toilet tent because we know how important is to protect our environment and we are trained to don’t leave no traces along the route.
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Medical First Aid Kit
All tour guides of Machu Picchu by Locals are very well trained in First aid. They received training courses every 6 months how to assist to someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained how to supply a balloon oxygen in the case if someone requires it.
Meals
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Meals
At Machu Picchu by Locals, 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 breakfast, 5 lunch and 4 dinner. 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 ever you’ve had with local and organic ingredients.
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Water
Machu Picchu by Locals will provide you 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
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Sleeping bag
Every trekker along the Ausangate trek needs a proper sleeping bag which has to be for -20°C / 2° F. We recommend you bring your own, but if you don’t want to bring your own or you don’t have one, you can rent a sleeping bag from us.
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Walking Sticks
Hiking with trekking poles has its benefits, protect your knees while you are hiking downhill, especially on the remote area which are many up and downhill, trekking poles help you during the ascent, increased stability, if you don’t have a pair of trekking poles you can rent them from our office.
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First Breakfast
We do not provide breakfast on the day of your departure. However, most hotel offers breakfast during your stay there. In case your hotel does not provide breakfast, we will stop at a restaurant near to Ocongate where you will be available to purchase a breakfast.
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Travel Insurance
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We recommend to buy a travel insurance before to leave your country in case something happen along your visit to Peru.
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Tips for our team
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Tips are not included. Tipping the team is usual on any excursion to Ausangate, although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team hard work.
Information about Ausangate Trek
At Machu Picchu by Locals we focus to make your trip an unforgettable experience and we want to provide all details which you need to know before to leave your country and start 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 matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3 kg.
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- 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:
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- There is no place to plug in while trekking!
Large plastic bags:
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- to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
Sleeping bag:
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- Recommend down bags for -10C at least
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:
Daypack can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. If it is larger try to bring it as lighter as possible. 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.
- 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 TREK
BOOKING SYSTEM
At Machu Picchu by Locals, we try to make the best of us to booking system works as easy as possible for you, once you decided to do this trek, we will send to you a booking form where you need to complete all the required detail which are important to book your tickets, we need a previous deposit of 50% per person. Once as soon as you paid it, we immediately book a spot for this tour once we have done with it, we will send you your invoice and confirmation form that all the booking process has set up satisfactorily.
IS MACHU PICCHU by LOCALS TEAM CONTACTING US BEFORE FLYING TO PERU?
Yes, our work policy is to be in contact with our customers as long as necessary to inform them of all the details and changes that could occur after have confirmed the reservation, please you ask to check constantly your e-mail, also if you have some issue let us know to solve as soon as possible.
WHERE TO STAY IN CUSCO?
Cusco is a big city enough to find different categories of hotels from 2 stars to 5 stars also there are Airbnb places where you can stay without any problem. Cusco streets are narrow especially near to the main square and some streets are pedestrian with some stairs, we will send you a notify for the pick up if is not possible the access with our car and arrange another place to pick you up and drop off also a night before your tour you will meet with your tour guide who will tell you all the details about the tour. In case you want some recommendations please ask to Machu Picchu by Locals sales team.
ALONG THE TREK IS THERE ELECTRICITY ALONG THE TREK?
Not, because this trek is located in remote place where there is not electricity some local village located along the trek has solar panels your guide can talk with some of them in extreme cases to recharge your cellphone, we recommend to bring your extra power bank for the days you are on the mountains.
HOW CHALLENGING IS THE TREK?
This trek is particularly challenging specially for people who does not has experience hiking on the mountains, we recommend to training with some exercises a few times per week to don’t have problem, also is recommendable to spend some days in Cusco to acclimatize to the altitude because part of the segment along this trek are located over 4000m/13123ft
WHAT HAPPEN IF I GOT ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
No worry, our guide and team are professional and they know how to solve any issue during your trek, your guide will have a first aid kit all the time with some medications for these, also will be there an extra emergency horse to take you to the best place where you can recovery. Our team always has radio and they are trained for any emergency happen during our tours.
DO YOU NEED HIKING BOOTS?
Definitely, it is always recommendable to wear a light hiking boots if possible. Ones with ankle support are extra helpful, especially for the inexperienced hiker. Because you will be climbing down so many steps created by the Incas, crossing some rivers especially the day 2 some of them are slippery, now uneven and at varying heights, the extra support helps from twisting your ankles.
SHOULD I USE WALKING STICKS?
Yes. Walking sticks are always helpful to trekkers, especially if is raining along the trek. Using walking sticks can help take the pressure off your knees while doing some portion of the trek. Plus they will help you get up the mountain as well.
WHERE DO I STORE MY LUGGAGE?
In case you have extra luggage which you not need to bring to the trail all the hotels in Cusco has storage where you can leave your luggage completely free, if you will change your hotel after the trek we have available our storage in Machu Picchu by Locals office, get more info with from our office team.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AS FAR AS WEATHER
The weather in Cusco regions and part of the Andes is unpredictable even if the weather forecast says it’s sunny we can’t trust in 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 and bridge months – a mixture of both. But the clouds have not followed these rules in the last few years. Prepare for 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. Once the sun is up you should be comfortable hiking in short sleeves. Long pants (yoga or hiking) are encouraged to help from the mosquitos which can be a nuisance in some part of the trail.
From: USD 480.00 per person
USD 470.00: from 4 people to more
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6 Days / 5 Nights
Ausangate Trek 6 Days
What's it like!!
Map of Ausangate Trek 6 Days
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
At Machu Picchu by Locals we offer the best service for all our customers and here is what makes us different than others.
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Small groups: Along our excursion group size is a capped at 8 people. This guarantees that you will enjoy every step of our excursion
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Hotel: During our excursion to Machu Picchu, we offer a private hostel stay for the last night. This ensures you are well rested and ready to explore Machu Picchu.
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Local Tour guides: Our team consists of 100% local tour guides, who have expert knowledge in our ancient culture.
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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.
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Best Trekking team: At Machu Picchu by Locals we focus to create the best experience during our excursions. 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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