Explore the Andes Hiking on Ausangate Trek 5 Days / 4 Nights
The Classic Ausangate Trek 5 Days is one of Peru’s most impressive high-altitude routes, offering remote wilderness, serene turquoise lakes, and panoramic views of the towering Ausangate Glacier. This trail circles the sacred Ausangate Mountain (6,384 m), an important spiritual symbol for Andean communities.
The Ausangate Mountain has created impressive valleys and picturesque villages. The Andean people tamed the cold wind and the shortage of air above 4,000 meters, which challenges any visitor.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Recommendations
- Faqs
- Pricing
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Along the Ausangate Trek 5 Days 4 nights journey, you’ll encounter alpaca herds, traditional Quechua settlements, dramatic mountain passes, and peaceful campsites surrounded by rugged peaks. Far from the crowds, this trek provides a deep connection to nature and Andean culture. It is an excellent choice for experienced hikers seeking a challenging and authentic adventure in the heart of the Vilcanota mountain range.
Highlights: Ausangate Mountain and Lakes
Hiking distance: 67km/41.6miles
Considerations: Acclimatization is required
Season: April through November
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day01
Cusco - Tinki - Upis village
Explore the incredible landscapes in the Andes Mountains by hiking the in from of the highest peak in Cusco
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Day02
Upis Village - Arapa Pass - Ausangate Pass - Ausangate Qocha
Breathtaking views of crystal lakes, snowy peaks and walk through herds of alpacas
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Day03
Ausangate Qocha - Palomani Pass - Qampa Pampa
Feel the energy of Apu Ausangate, the most holy mountain in Cusco
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Day04
Qampa Pampa - Pachispata - Pacchanta
Discover the flora and fauna in the high-altitude, stunning views of picturesque Andean communities.
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Day05
Pacchanta - Pacchanta School - Cusco
Walk through the Seven Lakes of Ausangate, beautiful spot to capture the best photos.
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
For the Ausangate Trek 5 Days, we depart Cusco early in the morning (5:30am) for a long three-hour ride in a private van to the small village of Tinqui (3800 masl./ 12 464 feet). We pass through beautiful countryside and several traditional villages, including Urcos, Cattca, and Ocangate. After a short rest in Tinqui, we will continue driving to Rodeana (3,900 m/12,795 ft).
There is the beginning of our hike; the first three hours on the trail are a wonderful prelude to the magnificent scenery of the Cordillera Vilcanota, where we get to the lunch spot at Upis (4224 m/13,864 ft) with great views of Ausangate. Here you will have the option to enjoy the hot springs, which offer fantastic views of Ausangate at the end of the valley. We will camp here for the night.
Upis -Arapa Pass - Ausangate Pass - Ausangate Qocha
Walking Distance: 12 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
After the delicious breakfast, we will be heading to the first pass of our expedition. During a few hours of trekking, we will cross the Arapa pass (4,850 meters/15908 feet). From here, we continue down the valley, passing the green lake of Puqa Q’ocha, until we reach the turquoise Lake Jatun Puqa Q’ocha, where we will take our lunch with an incredible view of the mountain.
We then ascend 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 it is very important for the communities of this area, and 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 Ausangate Qocha (4,570 m/14,993 ft). We will camp here for the second night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Snack and afternoon tea)
Accommodation: Camping
Adventure: Absolutely
Ausangate Qocha - Palomani pass - Sorapata
Walking Distance: 13km / 8.1 miles
Starting Elevation: 4570 meters / 14,993feet
Campsite Elevation: 4,560 meters / 14,960 feet
Maximum Altitude: 5200 meters / 17,060feet
Difficulty: Challenging
After our breakfast, we begin hiking up to the highest pass in this Ausangate trek. It will take a couple hours to reach the Palomani (5,200 m/16,060 ft). This is the pass where you’ll be as close as possible to the Ausangate Mountain, and here your tour guide will do some ceremony to say thanks to Mother Earth (Pachamama) for these extraordinary adventures. From the pass, we follow the trail into the valley. While you are descending, you can appreciate a nice lagoon and the glacier on your left.
Then we’re going to hike towards our lunch spot. After a little rest and with the energy recharged, we continue our hike to the last pass, Qampa 5,020m (16,630 ft). During the afternoon hike, we can enjoy the views of the snowcapped Tres Picos and Puca Punta. We will continue through the broad green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and up the Rio Qampa valley; once we reach the pass, we only have an hour going down to our next campsite, Pachaspata, at 4580 m (14,698 ft).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Adventure: Absolutely
Sorapata - Qampa Pass - Pachispata - Pachanta
Walking Distance: 16km / 9,8 miles
Starting Elevation: 4,560 meters / 14,960 feet
Campsite Elevation: 4,200 meters / 13,779 feet
Maximum Altitude: 5000 meters / 16,404 feet
Difficulty: Challenging
Today our team will wake us up with tea, and once you open your tent, you will see the most fascinating view of some snow peaking in front of us. After an Andean breakfast, we begin the hike ascending to the last pass of this tour. The hike will take about 2 hours to reach Qampa Pass over 5,030 meters (16,502 ft), then the path is more easy just going down until the lunch spot.
From here, we will explore the famous Seven Lakes Tour, where we will visit different lakes, and your tour guide will explain how important each of them is for the local people. The last section of the tour will take about 3 hours to reach Pacchanta Village, a picturesque village where you can interact with some locals and children. You will also have the option to join the thermal baths with a spectacular view and relax your muscles.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Adventure: Absolutely
Pacchanta - Cusco
Walking Distance: 3km/ 1.8miles
Starting Elevation: 4,200 meters / 13,779 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Meals: Breakfast
Adventure: Absolutely
The last day of this trip, we wake up about 7 a.m. and enjoy breakfast. Then, we will have a local tradition to say good-bye to our team. Their family will show us how they weave the alpaca whool and make some Andean clothes with their own hands. Then, we will try a typical local food and begin our hike for an hour. After we are done with it, we will board our bus and go back to Cusco. We will arrive about 3 or 4 p.m. Our Ausangate Trek 5 Days ends with the drop-off at the same place that we picked you up the first day.
Itinerary notes – Ausangate Trek 5 days (Ausangate Circuit) –
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, which 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 degrees 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 the 5-Day Ausangate Trek. 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 Ausangate 5 Day 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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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 Ausangate Trek, 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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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 -10°C / 14° 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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Entrance fee to Ausangate Park
The entrance fee to Ausangate Park is not included in our trek, you should pay it at the beginning of the trek S/20 soles per person
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Hot Springs Tickets
If you decide to join the hot spring the tickets is S/ 5.00 soles
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Tips for our team
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.
CLASSIC AUSANGATE TREK 5 DAYS PACKLING LIST
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?
Essential Items
- 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.
- 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.
Classic Ausangate Trek 5 Days FAQs
Get crucial details on Ausangate’s extreme altitude, remote logistics, best season, and difficulty to plan your trek.”
How difficult is the Ausangate Trek 5 Days 4 Nights?
The Ausangate Trek is rated as moderately challenging to difficult, primarily due to the extreme altitude. Most of the trail is above 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), with passes reaching over 5,000 meters (16,400 feet). You will be hiking 6–7 hours per day, covering 10–15 km on uneven, high-altitude terrain.
How should I acclimatize before the 5-Day Ausangate trek?
Proper acclimatization is mandatory. You should spend at least 2 to 3 full days in Cusco (altitude 3,400m / 11,155ft) or the Sacred Valley before starting. During this time, stay well-hydrated, eat light meals, and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Many people take short, easy day hikes around Cusco to prepare.
When is the best time of year to go?
- The dry season is the best time: May to September.
- This period offers the most stable weather, with sunny days and clear skies.
- Nights are very cold, often dropping below freezing
The shoulder months of April and October have mixed weather (some rain/snow) but fewer crowds. The rainy season (November to March) is generally avoided due to very muddy trails and snow.
What is the highest point on the Ausangate 5 Day trek?
The highest point on the classic circuit is typically the Palomani Pass, which reaches approximately 5,165 meters (16,945 feet). This is one of the most physically demanding sections.
Will I need to carry all my gear?
No. If you book with a tour operator, your main luggage will be carried by pack animals (horses or llamas). You will only need to carry a small day pack with essentials like water, snacks, extra layers, sun protection, and a camera.
Is it possible to rent a horse for riding?
Yes, in most areas, you can arrange to rent a riding horse from the local communities for certain sections of the trail, either through your agency or directly from the local horsemen. This can be helpful if you are struggling with altitude or fatigue.
What are the typical weather conditions?
- Daytime: Can be sunny and pleasantly warm for trekking, but the sun is intense due to the high altitude.
- Nighttime: Temperatures drop dramatically, often falling well below freezing (down to or colder in the dry season). Layered, warm clothing and a quality sleeping bag are essential.
Is water provided and safe to drink?
Yes, if trekking with a reputable agency. They provide boiled, filtered water for you to refill your reusable bottle or hydration bladder at meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). You should carry enough water to last you between these stops.
Do I need a permit for the Classic Ausangate Trek?
No, unlike the Inca Trail, there are no official permits needed to hike the Ausangate trail. However, local communities along the route will charge a small entrance or access fee, which is typically covered in your tour package price.
How remote is the trail, and is there Wi-Fi or phone service?
The Ausangate Trek is significantly more remote and less crowded than the Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek. There is no phone reception or Wi-Fi access along the route. You should inform family and friends of your itinerary before starting, and most tour groups carry a satellite phone or radio for guide-to-base communication in case of emergency.
From: USD 420.00 per person
USD 390.00: from 4 people to more
* Additional single tent: $30USD
*Sleeping bag -15°C / 5°F for the entire trip: $25USD
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Prolongacion Av. Grau L-8, Santiago - Cusco
5 Days / 4 Nights
Classic Ausangate Trek 5 Days
What's it like!!
Map of Classic Ausangate Trek 5 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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