Ausangate 5 Days Private
5D Ausangate is a 50 km trek. This trek is intended for people who have experience in hiking and have a good physical condition. Ausangate 5D is one of the spiritual paths with a magical-religious character, marked by the presence of the Vilcanota Mountain Range, where the highest snow-capped mountain in Cusco is located: Apu Ausangate (6384 m), the protective god of the Peruvian Andes. The peak of Ausangate is considered by locals as sacred "APU" and is the most powerful point of pilgrimage for today descendants of Quechua people.
During this walk, we will see beautiful natural landscapes of the mountains from the highland, and have the presence of diverse communities; of which we will have the opportunity to see their customs and traditions.
This hike has a running average of 7 hours per day. It demands a good physical condition, as your walking regimen is high. It is intended for people who have activities scheduled to Cusco for a period of more than 1 week. It is also for couples, groups of friends or people who want to have a more personal and spiritual journey; enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding the Apu Ausangate and have a deeper knowledge of the customs and traditions of the Andean people.
Itinerary
We’ll have an informative talk about the hike and the opportunity to get to know the other travelers who will be sharing the trail with you.
| Your briefing is typically scheduled for one day before your trek. However if your trek starts on a Monday, your briefing will be scheduled for the Saturday before. Please take this into consideration when booking your flights. |
We depart early from Cusco, enjoying picturesque landscapes with stops to admire the surroundings. Upon arriving at Upispampa, the starting point of our hike, our horsemen will give us a warm welcome to the Ausangate area. After breakfast, we will begin the adventure, passing through small Andean villages and enjoying breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains. Finally, we will arrive at Upis, where we will spend the night surrounded by the beauty of the mountains.
- Travel time: 3 – 4 hours,
- Distance: 7 km.
- Walking Hours: 3 hours.
- Low Altitude: 3150 m. / 10334 Ft.
- High Altitude: 4000 m. / 13123 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 4400 m. / 14435 Ft.
After a warm breakfast, we will begin our trek, climbing through rocky terrain covered with mosses and lichens. We will reach the Arapa Pass (4,958 m.a.s.l.), where we can see the Stone Forest. At the summit, we will enjoy breathtaking views of Ausangate and the surrounding mountain range. Later, we will descend and camp near Pukacocha Lagoon (4,510 m.a.s.l.), a Quechua word meaning ‘Red Lagoon’. This scenic body of water serves as an important reservoir for irrigation. It is located next to the White Bridge; some builders have referred to it as ‘Nocturne,’ while others know it as Laguna Pukacocha.
- Distance: 10 Km.
- Walking Hours: 7-8 hours
- Low Altitude: 4400 m. / 14435 Ft.
- High Altitude: 4958 m. / 16266 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 4510 m. / 14796 Ft
After breakfast, we will begin our ascent to our second pass, called Apacheta (4,855 m.a.s.l.), surrounded by the native vegetation of the area and covered with rocks, mosses, and lichens. From here, we will have different viewpoints of Ausangate and the snow-capped mountains surrounding it. Then, we will descend to have lunch near a lake called Ausangate Cocha (4,680 m.a.s.l.). After lunch and a short break, we will start our ascent to the third pass, the highest point of our entire journey, known as Palomani Pass (5,200 m.a.s.l.). From here, we can admire a massive snow-covered mountain. We will then make a quick descent to Pampacancha (4,500 m.a.s.l.), where we will see Ausangate and the Vilcanota Mountain Range in all their grandeur. Later, we will head to our campsite in the Qampa Valley (4,650 m.a.s.l.), a place with diverse wildlife, including birds such as condors, chinchillas, and herds of vicuñas roaming the hills.
- Distance: 15 Km.
- Walking Hours: 9-10 hours
- Low Altitude: 4500 m. / 14763 Ft.
- High Altitude: 4855 m. / 15928 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 4650 m. / 15255 Ft
After a hearty breakfast, we will begin our trek, admiring the towering glaciers and massive ice blocks that are part of the snow-capped Qolque Cruz (Silver Cross) mountain and on the other side, a gigantic snow-covered peak creates an unforgettable landscape. We will then reach Ticllacocha Lagoon, followed by our ascent to the final pass, known as Qampa (5,000 m.a.s.l.). This pass is adorned with small stone towers called apachetas in Quechua. Once we reach the top, we can build these towers as a way to seek blessings from the mountains. After descending, we will arrive at the pampas of Pachaspata, where we will set up camp along the shores of Lake Qomercocha, also known as ‘Green Lake’ (4,580 m.a.s.l.), which Andean priests consider a place of great spiritual energy.
- Distance: 10 Km.
- Walking Hours: 7-8 hours
- Low Altitude: 4500 m. / 14763 Ft.
- High Altitude: 4855 m. / 15928 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 4650 m. / 15255 Ft
After breakfast, we will prepare to continue our journey. Along the way, we will encounter more lagoons, whose crystal-clear waters and vegetation create a mesmerizing view. The shimmering beauty of these lakes attracts mystical groups, and Andean priests often perform ceremonies here in honor of Mother Earth, or Pachamama. As we continue our trek, we will pass through scenic meadows and encounter shepherds with their llamas and alpacas. Eventually, we will arrive at the village of Pacchanta (4,300 m.a.s.l.), a charming town known for its natural hot springs—an ideal spot to relax and soothe our muscles after days of trekking. Here, we will enjoy lunch before boarding our van back to Cusco.
- Distance: 8 Km.
- Walking Hours: 5-6 hours
- Low Altitude: 4300 m. / 14107 Ft.
- High Altitude: 4580 m. / 15026 Ft.
