Ausangate Trek

Apu Ausangate Trek – Ausangate Tour

Tour Overview

Apu Ausangate Trek or Ausangate Tour is a popular activity in Cusco. It takes you around the sacred and the highest peak of Southern Peru.  

The mountain is a part of the Vilcanota mountain range in the Andes of Peru. With an elevation of 6,384 m - 20,944 ft. It is situated around 100 kilometers southeast of Cusco.

Ausangate mountain is an amazing snow-capped peak. This 7 Day Trek is one of the most spectacular adventures for nature lovers. You will be witnessing the beauty of the Peruvian highland at every turn. 

The trek rewards you with views of stunning turquoise lakes, glaciers, Andean farms and more. What's more? You will also be visiting the iconic Rainbow Mountains of Peru on this seven day hike. 

Please note that this is a high altitude hike. The highest point of the trek is Palomani pass at 5200 m - 17,056ft. We highly recommend you to spend at least four days in Cusco before the trek to avoid altitude sickness.

Why Happy Gringo Tours?

By booking the Ausangate travel with Happy Gringo Tours, you are picking out the best local trek operator. Hike the Peruvian Andes with organic Peruvian food and support the local economy!.

If you feel tired whilst trekking, you will have the option to jump on a horse back. We always send an emergency horse on our treks. Safety of our clients is really important.

Our Apu Ausangate trek route is a little different from the rest. Hence, you can enjoy most parts of the trek in complete solitude.  

On this Ausangate Tour with our local guide, you will not just witness the beauty of the Sacred Peak of Cusco but also get an insight to the life of the locals who live here and maintain their age-old traditions. 

Ausangate Peru trek awaits you - explore with the local and direct tour operator of the region.

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At 0500 in the morning, we will be leaving from Cusco City in our private transport. We will be driving you to Tinqui. This small Andean village is the gateway to Ausangate. 

Here we will be serving you breakfast before beginning the trek. The first two hours of the trek offers a beautiful introduction to what you can expect on the following days. 

We will be hiking with a view of many impressive snow capped peaks. For lunch, we will be serving our exclusive organic meal. 

After lunch, we will be continuing the Apu Ausangate Trek through some remote communities. You will have the opportunity to meet and interact with locals here. You will also be able to spot Llamas and Alpacas before reaching our campsite in 

Optional to visit the hot springs and the night is spectacular.

We will be serving a traditional breakfast in the morning. Then we will be hiking for four hours through scenic landscapes. For lunch, we will be stopping at Pucca Moqo site. 

After lunch, we will be hiking to the first mountain pass of the trek, Qampa. You will be able to spot Vicuñas and Condors on your way. 

From the Qampa pass, we will be descending for two hours to our campsite. 

After a delicious breakfast, we will be hiking through stunning views of the valley, waterfalls and Crystalline streams. We will be hiking for some five hours and will be reaching a beautiful viewpoint of Pampa Cahuana. Here we will be serving lunch. 

We will then have the opportunity to stop for fishing at a small river. From here, we will be entering a Llama valley. As the name suggests, the valley is full of Alpacas and Llamas. 

From here, we will be reaching the Yanamayo campsite where we will be camping for the night. 

We will begin the fourth day of the Apu Ausangate Trek with a delicious breakfast. Then we will be hiking for two hours to the highest point of the trek. From the top of the Palomani pass you will be able to witness the enchanting beauty and the enormity of the valley below. 

We will then hike down to our lunch camp that is near some beautiful waterfalls and a copper coloured lagoon. 

After lunch, we will be hiking for two more hours to Sibinacocha Lake. 

You will be waking up to the enchanting views of the lake and glacier peak. Then we will continue hiking along the shores of the lake. On our way, we will have several stops to spot some native birds and fish in the lake. 

Then we will get to the lunch camp after 3 hours of hiking. After lunch we will hike for two more hours to Vicuña mountain.  At this point, the weather changes very quickly. 

We will begin to descend gradually to our campsite at Cascara. Here we can meet local people.

You will be waking up to a spectacular sunrise. After breakfast, we will visit a traditional family house.  Our guide will give you an insight to their traditions and culture.

After spending some time we will gradually descend for three hours. We will be reaching the lunch camp. 

After lunch we will be hiking further down the hill for two more hours to our campsite in Pinayana Andean village. You will have the afternoon to yourself to relax and enjoy the Andean vibes.

After breakfast, we will be hiking up to the small viewpoint to see the beauty of the valley. At lunch, we will be doing a farewell treat to our team of chef, porters and muleteers.

We will then embark on a journey back to Cusco city. 

Included

Includes

  • Orientation
  • Pick up from your hotel on your departure day.
  • Private transportation with a nice views to Tinki (Trail head)
  • The first breakfast on the way, at the beginning of the trek.
  • English speaking tour guide.
  • One professional chef who will prepare delicious food in the whole hike.
  • The chefs assistance and some porters.
  • Horse men and their assistants.
  • Horses to carry all hiking gears
  • One emergency horse
  • 4 people tent for two
  • Three main course meals per day (very nutritional and organic) including a happy hour every evening (tea time)
  • Kitchen tent, dining tent, table, chairs and a gas lamp to enjoy the evenings.
  • Boiled water is provided in the morning, at lunch time, tea time, and dinner time, there is even hot water to keep your bed warm.
  • Extra warm water for washing proposes every meal time.
  • First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
  • Visit to traditional houses at Cascara camp.
  • Bonfire in some nights with hot wine sangria.
  • Foam mat
  • Vegetarian/special diet options available
  • 8 kgs = 16 pounds of your stuff is taken by horses
  • Some help for the local people and the kids.
  • Local transportation to Sicuani and back to Cusco.
  • Taxes included
Not included

Excludes

  • Sleeping bag (rentals available from Happy Gringo Tours)
  • Inflatable sleeping pads for extra comfort (3 inches/8 cm thick) (rentals available from Happy Gringo Tours)
  • Walking sticks (rentals available from Happy Gringo Tours)
  • Entrance to the hot spring 10 Soles
  • Extra drinks like beer etc
  • Tips for your guide, chef, horsemen and the porters are optional according your satisfaction of the service

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