Ausangate Trek

Today begins your adventure, you will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco and head southwards to start ascent towards our Huambutio. We continue over the rolling landscape into we can view the Cordillera Vilcanota on the horizon at the pass. We stop at Ocongate to take the chance to purchase last minute purchase. We head onwards to Tinki, where we will stop to visit a local family and get a glimpse into their life at the community of Qoñamuro before continuing above the treeline past local artisans where crafts are on sale. Once we reach the school our trek begins heading upwards we slowly approach the northern face of Mount Ausangate towering above us while herds of alpacas surround us. A crew of packhorses and llamas will accompany us along the journey where we will stop for the evening at Upis (4,40m) surrounded by snowcapped mountains. Overnight: Upis Camp (4,430m) Distance: 7.4km PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A HIGH ALTITUDE TREK AND IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT YOU HAVE SPENT A MINIMUM OF TWO NIGHTS AT ALTITUDE OF AT LEAST 3000M (EG CUSCO) BEFORE THE START OF THIS TREK. WE CAN ONLY ACCEPT YOU ON THIS TRIP IF YOU CAN CONFIRM TWO OR MORE NIGHTS OF ACCLIMATISATION BEFOREHAND.

Meals:  L,D

Our campsite is left below us as we begin to ascend to Upispmapa, slowly getting closer to the northern face of Ausangate. We continue upwards to the Inkapampa valley which brings us to the Arapa Pass at 4,670m. Traversing across the arid rolling landscape we start to head down towards the small lakes past the valley of Samacancha to reach Lake Pucacocha situated right below one of Ausangate glaciers – a gorgeous blue lake sitting at 4,575m. Keep an ear out for some ice calving. Heading back up we reach the Alcatani pass at 4,650m which is where we begin our final descent for the day to Ausangatecocha – a beautiful campsite with views of the southern face covered with glacial formations. Overnight: Ausangatecocha Camp (4,643m) Distance: 15.5km

Meals:  B,L,D

From our camp from the evening before we start a steep ascent to the Palomani pass at just over 5,000m. We cross into the valley of Machuraqay where you will see beautiful views of Mount Mariposa with its cone peak. Descending into a valley full of grazing alpacas at Chillcaphinaya (4,400m)/ The surrounding ridges of the Cordillera Vilcanota are dotted with a variety of hues from the rock, sand and reddish earth which is a unique Andean panorama. To complete the day, we ascend to the large pampa of Wanu Wanu where we will stop for the night. Overnight: Wanu Wanu (4,592m) Distance: 11.3km

Meals:  B,L,D

With Mount Acero (Huamantilla) looming over us we walk to the headwaters of Wanu Wanu where the runoff from the glaciers covers the land. We begin our ascent to the pass of Jampa (4,950m) with Mount Callangate looming over us with its jagged spires covered in ice. Stopping for a breather, we have lunch at Pachapata. The ridge gives us a gorgeous view of the Lake Qomercocha and Hamacocha. Traversing the ridge we enter the water shet of Mount Ninaparayoc complimented by its lake below. Having completed almost a full circuit of the mountain, we now a nice walk down to the valley with Mount Ausangate right behind us. Below us rolling hills extend towards our camp for the evening, Pacchanta where will also take the opportunity to soak in the hot springs. Overnight: Pacchanta Camp (4,290m) Distance: 17.5km

Meals:  B,L,D

We have completed our trekking as we are now picked up from the roadhead and head back to Cusco to finish with a transfer to your hotel. End of services.

Meals:  B