AUSANGATE (6 DAYS)

The Cordillera Vilcanota is an impressive range of mountains that boasts enormous Nevado de Ausangate (21,000 feet, 6,385 meters) and three others over 19,700 feet, 6000 meters. This range offers everything a hiker could want: spectacular mountain scenery, snow-capped peaks, hot springs, turquoise lakes, glaciers, herds of llamas and alpacas, picturesque villages and traditionally dressed locals. The trek is also high, tough and cold, so we advise that you spend 3 days in Cusco to acclimatize before taking on this hike.

This beautiful seven day circular trek starts and finishes at the small Andean village of Tinqui and takes you around Ausangate and over three high passes, two of them over 16,400 feet (5,000 meters).

TRIP ITINERAY:

Day 1: Cusco - Tinqui We will take a 7 hour bus ride out to the village of Tinqui, the starting point of the trek. On this journey, we will pass through some of the most beautiful scenery that Peru has to offer. Along the way, you will become acquainted with the other travellers as well as your professional guide. Several traditional villages along the route include Urcos, Cattca and Ocongate. We will spend the night in a small campsite.

Day 2: Tinqui to Urpis After packing the equipment and getting acquainted with our horses, we will spend about 5 hours trekking to the camp close to the hot springs of Upis. The springs are a bit run-down but have beautiful views of Ausangate. We will also soak in hot springs on the sixth day of our trek in Pacchanta.

Day 3: Urpis to Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha After breakfast, we will hike to the first pass, Arapa at 15,900 feet (4,850 meters). Continuing down the valley in the afternoon to the camp at the turquoise Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha, we will pass the sparkling green lake of Puqa Q'ocha among other beautiful natural wonders. Once we arrive to our campsite, you will have the option to climb the small ridge north of the camp to see Lake Vino Q'ocha. The locals gave it this name because it sometimes looks like red wine because of glacial sediment coming down from nearby red mountains. Sometimes, as you camp beside the lake at night, you can hear the eiree sound of ice breaking away from a nearby glacier and falling into the water.

Day 4: Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha to Pampacancha In the morning, we will ascend to the second pass called Apuchata at 16,100 feet (4,900 meters). At the pass, we will be able to see the turquoise Laguna Ausangate, formed by the melting snow coming from Ausangate Mountain. From the lake, we will climb to the Palomani pass at 17,000 feet (5,200 meters), the highest point of the trek. After a well-deserved break, we will follow the trail into the next valley for an hour until we reach our campsite at Pampacancha.

Day 5: Pampacancha to Pacchanta Compared to the previous days, this one should be relatively easy. During this part of the trek, we will be able to see the snow-capped peaks of Tres Picos and Puca Punta. As we walk the trail between the broad green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and the Rio Q'ampa valley, we will catch a glimpse at the viscacha, a small rodent that looks like a cross between a squirrel and a rabbit. Viscachas live in large family groups among stones and boulders at the foot of slopes. We may also be lucky enough to see groups of vicuña, undoubtedly the most beautiful member of the llama family, with their slender necks, huge eyes and soft golden wool. After passing through the small community of Q'ampa, the trail continues northwest to the final pass of this hike called Q'ampa at 16,400 feet (5,000 meters). From the top, we will see several lakes, all different shades of blue and green. We will pass the turquoise lake, Q'oma Q'ocha to arrive at our campsite at Pacchanta. You'll have the opportunity to rest in the hot thermal springs for a couple of hours and even have a beer in this traditional Andean village.

Day 6: Pacchanta to Cusco Another fairly easy day today, we will trek about 2½ hours to the small Andean village of Tinqui. We will have lunch in this village before taking our bus back to Cusco.

OUR SERVICE INCLUDES:

-  Horse for equipment and personal bags
-  Bus at the end of the trek back to CUSCO
-  Equipment
-  Single, double or triple tents are available
-  A kitchen tent manned by cooking staff, dining tent and bathroom tent
-  Sleeping pads, chairs and dining table.
-  Breakfast is provided each day, with the exception of the first day, with the following options:
-  Milk, coffee, Coca tea, other teas, bread, butter and jam, pancakes, scrambled eggs, salad and oatmeal.
-  Lunch everyday will consist of typical Andean meals.
-  Dinner everyday, with the exception of the last day, includes chicken, beef, lamb, or fish with potatoes, rice, chili and other dishes. Also for the first three days of trekking, we will provide you with fruit, chocolate candies or sandwiches. We will also provide tea breaks and wake you up in the morning with hot tea.

Additional Optional Services that are included:

NOT INCLUDED:

Optional services must be confirmed at the same time of booking or one month in advance.

Prices and Discounts: