Ausangate 6 days Private
6D Ausangate is a 52 km trek. This trek is intended for people who have experience in hiking and have a good physical condition. Ausangate 6D is one of the spiritual paths, magical-religious character, by the presence of the Cordillera Vilcanota; where the highest snowy of 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 of pilgrimage for today descendants of Quechua central point.
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 8.6 hours per day. It demands a good physical condition, because you’re 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. |
After taking an early breakfast, we leave the hotel in a private bus to start our adventure. The destination is the town of Tinki (4,000 m.a.s.l.). We drive along the highway south of the city, passing by the traditional village of Urcos (3,150 m.a.s.l.). Later, we will go to the community of Muñapata (3,188 m.a.s.l.); from there, we will ascend the road from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado. We will furrow between the mountains and observe the breathtaking scenery of the Andes and a panoramic view of the imperial city. Continuing the trip, we will find some amazing traditional villages, where people still maintained their traditional costumes and ancient folk customs, as the people of Ccatca (3,700 m.a.s.l.). An hour later, after witnessing an unforgettable view of the Cordillera Vilcanota, we will reach the village of Ocongate (3,540 m.a.s.l.). Finally, will go to the town of Tinki “Full Harmony”, where we will camp having witnessed during this stretch, unforgettable views of the Cordillera Vilcanota.
- Travel time: 2 – 3 hours
- Low Altitude: 3150 m. / 10334 Ft.
- High Altitude: 4000 m. / 13123 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 4000 m. / 13123 Ft.
After a fortifying breakfast we will start our trek to the camp of Upis (4,400 m.a.s.l.). During the tour, we will pass by the ecological landscape of Quinsapucyu and the mountain Huarmisaya, to the camp of Upis. There, we will have lunch, then we will have the opportunity to freely explore the surrounding area with the mystical of the thermal lakes and the uniqueness of its glaciers. All this environment develops around the Apu Ausangate. Beautiful scenery, that will last in your memories forever.
- Distance: 9 Km.
- Walking Hours: 6-7 hours
- Low Altitude: 4000 m. / 13123 Ft.
- High Altitude: 4400 m. / 14435 Ft.
- Campsite Altitude: 4400 m. / 14435 Ft.
After a warm breakfast, we will start our trek and climb through a covered broken rocks, mosses and lichens. We will reach the Pass of Arapa (4,958 m.a.s.l.), from there we can see the forest stone. At the top, we will see the Ausangate and the chain of mountains that is surrender by. Later, we will descend and camp near the lagoon Pukacocha (4,510 m.a.s.l.), a Quechua word that means “Red Lagoon”. Which it is an attractive reservoir of water for irrigation, next to White bridge; builders have called “Nocturne” and other touted 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 (4855 m.a.s.l.) surrounded by native vegetation of the area and covered by rocks, mosses, and lichens. From here, we will have different angles of Ausangate and the mount snows that are around it. Then, we will descend to have lunch near lake called Ausangate Cocha (4,680 m.a.s.l.). After having lunch and a break, we will begin our ascent to the third Pass. This is the highest of our entire trip and it’s called the Open Palomani (5200 m.a.s.l.). From here, we can see a gigantic snow-covered mountain. We will quickly descend into Pampacancha (4,500 m.a.s.l.). Here, we will see more clearly and in all its magnitude, the Ausangate and the Cordillera Vilcanota. Later, we will go to our camp in the Valley of Qampa (4,650 m.a.s.l.). Here, the wildlife is varied, with birds such as condors, chinchillas and herds of vicunas seen in 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 start our trek watching giant glaciers and huge ice blocks that are part of the mount-snow Qolque Cruz (Silver Cross) and at the other end, a giant mount-snows that make these landscapes unforgettable. Then, we will reach the lagoon Ticllacocha; after that we will cross the last step, called Qampa (5,000 m.a.s.l.). This last Pass is covered by small stone towers called in Quechua “apachetas”. Once we reached the top, we can raise these towers as a way to ask the mountains best wishes. At the top down, we will arrive to the pampas of Pachaspata; where we will camp on the banks of Lake Qomercocha “Green Lake” (4,580 m.a.s.l.); which it is considered by Andean priests as a place with a lot of 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 get ready to continue our walk. We will find more lagoons in the way; which they shine through the clear waters and vegetation that these have. The brightness of these lakes makes mystical groups visit these places, and the Andean priests perform ceremonies on behalf of Mother Earth or Pachamama. Continuing our journey, we will pass through meadows and find various shepherds with their llamas and alpacas; then, we will arrive at the village of Pacchanta (4,300 m.a.s.l.). This small town has a hot spring that is a mandatory place to visit for relaxing our muscles after 5 days of walking. At this point, we will have lunch and then board our van that will take us back to Cusco.
- Distance: 8 Km.
- Walking Hours: 5-6 hours
- Low Altitude: 4300 m. / 14107 Ft.
- High Altitude: 4580 m. / 15026 Ft.
