The Ausangate is the most representative mountain of Andes. It is located to 6,372 meters height.
Turquoises lagoons, extensive plains and stone forest, turn totally to the zone an isolated lunar paradise. To walk by the landscapes of the Ausangate is an indescriptible adventure, in which it is impossible not to be astonished before the beauty at the dusks and eternal snows. He is frequent to also be with rock needles that rise to more than five thousand meters of height and with ice tongues that fall of vertiginous way and form glacial lagoons.
Day 1: Cusco (3,350m // 10,990 feet) - Tinki (3,900m // 12,795 feet) - Pacchanta (4,240m // 13,910 feet)
- Early departure from the hotel to Vilcanota mountain range by private bus.
- During our journey we shall go over the Pass of Ccatca (4,200m // 13,779feet), after which we will reach the towns of Ccatca and Ocongate (3,700m // 12,139feet). Finally, we arrive in Tinki (3,900m // 12,795feet), indigenous village. When we meet our friendly muleteers (arrieros), after introductions and greetings, we can observe some rituals of benificience with offerings to the Pachamama and the Apus. We then set forth on our trail to begin our trek.
- Overnight in Pacchanta (4,240m // 13,910feet) in the vicinity of the hot springs.
- Number of Hours on bus: 4h.
- Number of Hours of trek: 3h30.
- Ascent:
- Descent:
- Lodging: Overnight at Camping site
- L/D
Day 2: Pacchanta - Caño (4,500 // 14,763feet) or Quilleta (4,600m // 15,091feet).
- Long walk over the Altiplano.
- After having skirted around lake Comercocha (4,580m // 15,026feet), we advance gradually toward a pass between two glaciers, the Pass of Campa (4900 m). Overnight camping in Quilleta (4,600m // 15,091feet).
- Number of Hours of the trek: 7 - 8 hours
- Ascent:
- Descent:
- Lodging: at Camping site
- BLD
Day 3: Caño - Quilleta - Condor Pass (5,000m // 16,604feet) - Lake Sibinacocha (4,800m // 15,748feet)
- We surmount the splendid Cóndor Pass, close to 5000m // 16,604feet altitude, then hike along a downward slope to Sibinacocha lake (4800m // 15,748feet), the highest lake of the entire mountain range. Overnight camping close to Lake Sibinacocha.
- Number of Hours of the trek: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent:
- Descent:
- Lodging: Camp site
- BLD
Day 4: Day Hike to Quevesere Glacier.
- Day of rest and a small trek toward the glacier of Quevesere.
- Overnight camping at Sibinacocha
- Number of Hours of the trek: 3 a 4 hours
- Ascent:
- Descent:
- Lodging: Camp site
- BLD
Day 5: Laguna Sibinacocha - Ajaurupuyoc (4,300 // 14,107feet).
- Traversing the Altiplano, this day we observe rustic houses in the communities. It is also the occasion to observe numerous fauna, alpacas, and perhaps some vicuñas. Overnight camping at Ajaurupayoq.
- Number of Hours of the trek: 7 - 8 hours
- Ascent:
- Descent:
- Lodging: Overnight camping in tent.
- BLD
Day 6: Ajaurupuyoc - Chilca - Pukacocha (4,550m // 14,927feet)
- We cross the Pass of Palomani (5100m // 16,732feet). Overnight camping at Pukaqocha (4,550m // 14,927feet).
- Ascent:
- Descent:
- Number of Hours of the trek: 7 - 8 hours
- Lodging: Overnight camping site
- BLD
Day 7: Pukacocha - Upis (4,400m // 14,435feet) or Coñamuro (3900m // 12,795feet)
- Today's trek takes place along the bottom of a sheltered valley. The trek is easy and we have only a light ascent to contend with. Actually, we skirt along the west and northwest slopes of our favorite mountain -Ausangate-, afterwards reaching Upis, we can camp or, instead + two hours and we can sleep in Coñamuro, close to the homes of the local inhabitants, an excellent opportunity to observe and participate in the customs and everyday life of the communal citizens.
- Traditional Dinner.
- Number of Hours of the trek: 5 - 7 hours
- Ascent:
- Descent:
- Lodging: Overnight camping in tent or in the vicinity of local inhabitants' homes.
- BL/Pachamanca
Day 8: End of the trek in the Cordillera Vilcanota and return to Cusco.
- On this day we pull away from the impressive Ausangate Massif, and trek through the highland Puna, in the company of Andean geese (huallatas) and wild ducks... Toward the northeast can be seen the Cordilleras of Urubamba and Vilcabamba. Soon we reach Tinki where our bus awaits us. We now retrace our journey through Ocongate and on to Cusco. Late afternoon arrival in Cusco.
- Return al Hotel
- Number of Hours of the trek: 3 - 4 hours
- Ascent:
- Descent:
- B/Lunch in restaurant
The sequence of times and campinf places indicated are subject to modification depending on weather conditions or unforeseen events
