An amazing and less-known trek surrounding the snow-capped Sacred Mountain (“Apu”) of Ausangate (6.372m/20900ft) that takes you over mountain passes, awesome mountain scenery, remote Andean villages, hot springs and turquoise lakes. This is an unforgettable hike recommended for lovers of mountain trekking searching for an intense experience in remote areas and wild nature.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco to Upis
Very early we leave from Cusco in a private transport, and drive along the Cusco – Puerto Maldonado highway in the direction of Tinki 3800m. On the way we pass through Urcos, where we may spot a beautiful lagoon with the same name, continue on to Cattca, an agricultural and cattle raising community where we can appreciate the region’s spectacular views and finally cross Ocongate, capital of the district with the same name and only half an hour away from our destination. After an approximated 4-hour drive, we arrive in Tinki, where we meet our wranglers and horses. We start our trek initiating a slight climb that crosses through puna (dry, high area with little vegetation) to then arrive at our lunch spot after a three-hour walk. From here we already have beautiful views of the sacred Ausangate peak 6372m. After lunch, we continue walking for another hour and a half to reach our campsite in Upis at 4400m. From this point, we may appreciate fabulous views of all the snow peaks in the area. We camp and dine in front of Ausangate.
Day 2: Upis to Ausangatecocha
After breakfast, we continue our hike ascending for two hours to reach La Arapa pass 4850m. We then descend to our lunch spot, crossing an area of falcons and ¨vizcachas¨ or Andean rodents. This area also boasts three beautiful lakes with tones of reds, greens, and turquoises (Pukacocha, HatunPukacocha, and Qomerqocha) and spectacular views of the surrounding snow peaks. After lunch, we continue on a long and slow ascent that will take us, after about two hours, to the second mountain pass, the Abra de Apuchata 4900m, from which we descend, for another half an hour, towards our campsite at Ausangatecocha 4440m.
Day 3: Ausangateqocha to Q´ampa
Today, we depart early to climb for two hours towards the third mountain pass, the Abra de Palomani 5200m. This is the highest part of the entire hike, from which we then descend for another 2h through an area of llamas, alpacas and ¨vizcachas¨ to reach Pampacancha 4050m. From here we follow an uphill trail until that leads us to our campsite in Q´ampa 4300m. Along this easy 3-hour climb we may have the chance to spot llamas, alpacas, and maybe even pumas. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Day 4: Q´ampa to Pacchanta
We climb for 2 hours until we reach Q´ampa mountain pass 5000m, where we may have the chance to spot the Andean deer. From here we descend towards the Qomerqocha lagoon to finally arrive at Pacchanta 4100m after an approximated five-hour walk. Pacchanta is a little community with attractive hot springs where we can enjoy a relaxing dip. We camp and spend the night at this place.
Day 5: Pacchanta to Tinki
We leave Pacchanta and start to walk our way back to Tinki, which will take approximately 2 hours. Once in Tinki, we board a private transport that will take us back to the city of Cusco, where we estimate to arrive after nightfall.
What is included:
Transfer from the airport to your hotel (please specify arrival time and flight number)
Pre-departure briefing
Pick up at your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
Private transport from Cusco to tinki (starting point of the trek)
Private transport from tinki to Cusco
Professional English/spanish speaking tour guide
Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
Chef and cooking equipment
Campsite fees
entrance fees to tinki
One pillow per person
First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Mules and horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen, 8 kgs of your personal items.
Emergency horse every 6 persons
Filtered boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards (boiled water every morning and night)
4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Afternoon Snacks and 4 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
Dining tent with tables and chairs
4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
Sleeping mattress
Not Included
Sleeping Bag,Walking Poles and Air Mattress (Can be rented from us)
Personal tent for solo travelers (Can be rented from us)
Breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 5
Tips
Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
What to take
Original Passport
ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
Walking boots
Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
Warm jacket
Hat and gloves
T-shirts
Comfortable Trousers
Sun hat
Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
Toiletries and hand sanitiser
Personal medication
Camera and film
Torch with spare batteries
Optional items to take:
Shorts
Walking stick
towel
Sandals
Extra money
Bathing suit for hot springs in pacchanta
PRICES
Private Service
2 people US$ 760 per person
3 people US$ 740 per person
4 people US$ 710 per person
5 people US$ 690 per person
6 + people US$ 660 per person
Important: Prices includes up to 8 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules.
DISCOUNTS
18 to 25 years old: US$ 15 Information required on student GREEN ISIC card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
Under 18 years old: US$15 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Under 11 years old: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Group of 5 or more: US$30 – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.
Optional Extras:
Sleeping Bag US$25
Walking Pole US$15
Inflatable Mattress US$25
Personal tent for solo travelers US$30
Machu Picchu Extension:
1 Day trip From US$ 280.00 per person (depending on group size, Train class, etc).
2 Day 1 night Trip From US$ 335 per person (depending on group size, Train class, Hotel, etc).
Important Notes:
Important: All our departures are available along the year, although the period March to December is recommended to avoid the heart of the rainy season. Groups may be confirmed on any given date provided a minimum group size of 2 people is achieved upon booking and the booking is confirmed at least 1 week prior to departure.
for this trek. We recommend a period of at least 3 days for acclimatization in Cusco or more than 3000m.
An amazing and less-known trek surrounding the snow-capped Sacred Mountain (“Apu”) of Ausangate (6.372m/20900ft) that takes you over mountain passes, awesome mountain scenery, remote Andean villages, hot springs and turquoise lakes. This is an unforgettable hike recommended for lovers of mountain trekking searching for an intense experience in remote areas and wild nature.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco to Upis
Very early we leave from Cusco in a private transport, and drive along the Cusco – Puerto Maldonado highway in the direction of Tinki 3800m. On the way we pass through Urcos, where we may spot a beautiful lagoon with the same name, continue on to Cattca, an agricultural and cattle raising community where we can appreciate the region’s spectacular views and finally cross Ocongate, capital of the district with the same name and only half an hour away from our destination. After an approximated 4-hour drive, we arrive in Tinki, where we meet our wranglers and horses. We start our trek initiating a slight climb that crosses through puna (dry, high area with little vegetation) to then arrive at our lunch spot after a three-hour walk. From here we already have beautiful views of the sacred Ausangate peak 6372m. After lunch, we continue walking for another hour and a half to reach our campsite in Upis at 4400m. From this point, we may appreciate fabulous views of all the snow peaks in the area. We camp and dine in front of Ausangate.
Day 2: Upis to Ausangatecocha
After breakfast, we continue our hike ascending for two hours to reach La Arapa pass 4850m. We then descend to our lunch spot, crossing an area of falcons and ¨vizcachas¨ or Andean rodents. This area also boasts three beautiful lakes with tones of reds, greens, and turquoises (Pukacocha, HatunPukacocha, and Qomerqocha) and spectacular views of the surrounding snow peaks. After lunch, we continue on a long and slow ascent that will take us, after about two hours, to the second mountain pass, the Abra de Apuchata 4900m, from which we descend, for another half an hour, towards our campsite at Ausangatecocha 4440m.
Day 3: Ausangateqocha to Q´ampa
Today, we depart early to climb for two hours towards the third mountain pass, the Abra de Palomani 5200m. This is the highest part of the entire hike, from which we then descend for another 2h through an area of llamas, alpacas and ¨vizcachas¨ to reach Pampacancha 4050m. From here we follow an uphill trail until that leads us to our campsite in Q´ampa 4300m. Along this easy 3-hour climb we may have the chance to spot llamas, alpacas, and maybe even pumas. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Day 4: Q´ampa to Pacchanta
We climb for 2 hours until we reach Q´ampa mountain pass 5000m, where we may have the chance to spot the Andean deer. From here we descend towards the Qomerqocha lagoon to finally arrive at Pacchanta 4100m after an approximated five-hour walk. Pacchanta is a little community with attractive hot springs where we can enjoy a relaxing dip. We camp and spend the night at this place.
Day 5: Pacchanta to Tinki
We leave Pacchanta and start to walk our way back to Tinki, which will take approximately 2 hours. Once in Tinki, we board a private transport that will take us back to the city of Cusco, where we estimate to arrive after nightfall.
What is included:
Transfer from the airport to your hotel (please specify arrival time and flight number)
Pre-departure briefing
Pick up at your hotel in the morning of the trek departure
Private transport from Cusco to tinki (starting point of the trek)
Private transport from tinki to Cusco
Professional English/spanish speaking tour guide
Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
Chef and cooking equipment
Campsite fees
entrance fees to tinki
One pillow per person
First Aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Mules and horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen, 8 kgs of your personal items.
Emergency horse every 6 persons
Filtered boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards (boiled water every morning and night)
4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Afternoon Snacks and 4 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let us know.
Dining tent with tables and chairs
4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
Sleeping mattress
Not Included
Sleeping Bag,Walking Poles and Air Mattress (Can be rented from us)
Personal tent for solo travelers (Can be rented from us)
Breakfast on Day 1 and dinner on Day 5
Tips
Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
What to take
Original Passport
ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
Walking boots
Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
Warm jacket
Hat and gloves
T-shirts
Comfortable Trousers
Sun hat
Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
Toiletries and hand sanitiser
Personal medication
Camera and film
Torch with spare batteries
Optional items to take:
Shorts
Walking stick
towel
Sandals
Extra money
Bathing suit for hot springs in pacchanta
PRICES
Private Service
2 people US$ 760 per person
3 people US$ 740 per person
4 people US$ 710 per person
5 people US$ 690 per person
6 + people US$ 660 per person
Important: Prices includes up to 8 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules.
DISCOUNTS
18 to 25 years old: US$ 15 Information required on student GREEN ISIC card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
Under 18 years old: US$15 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Under 11 years old: US$30 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Group of 5 or more: US$30 – All you need is to book the trek together at the same time.
Optional Extras:
Sleeping Bag US$25
Walking Pole US$15
Inflatable Mattress US$25
Personal tent for solo travelers US$30
Machu Picchu Extension:
1 Day trip From US$ 280.00 per person (depending on group size, Train class, etc).
2 Day 1 night Trip From US$ 335 per person (depending on group size, Train class, Hotel, etc).
Important Notes:
Important: All our departures are available along the year, although the period March to December is recommended to avoid the heart of the rainy season. Groups may be confirmed on any given date provided a minimum group size of 2 people is achieved upon booking and the booking is confirmed at least 1 week prior to departure.
for this trek. We recommend a period of at least 3 days for acclimatization in Cusco or more than 3000m.