Ausangate Hike - 5 Days
Tour Description
Great adventure in the Peruvian Andes, with more than 10 hours of hiking, camping in the Andean heights, privileged views to beautiful natural landscapes, visits to typical villages of the region and especially the observation of the snow-capped Ausangate, sacred mountain in the time of the Incas.
Departure from the city of Cusco by bus to the town of Tinqui; after that, we start the Ausangate approaching trek, but beforehand we can admire the impressive Vilcanota mountain range. Observation of the snowy Ausangate and then arrival at Puqa Q'ocha, Jatun Puqa Q'ocha and Ausangate Q'ocha lagoons; the trek continues reaching a height of 5.000 meters. Relaxing thermal waters of Pacchanta and last hike, 3 hours from Pacchanta to Tinqui, and from this village return to the city of Cusco. An extraordinary opportunity to know Peru through this tour, and in particular the imposing beauty of the Peruvian Andes.
The Ausangate Hike - 5 Days Package Includes:
The Tour Includes
- Professional guide throughout the tour
- Camping equipment
- Sleeping pads (to be carried by the visitor)
- Cook and kitchen equipment
- Health service store.
- Complete meals (vegetarian food)
- Horses (for camping equipment and food)
- 1 emergency horse which can be available if you feel sick or if you walk a little slower.
- First aid kit including an emergency oxygen bottle.
The Tour does not Include
- Breakfast on the first day
- Last night's dinner
- Sleeping bag
- Tips for the guide, cook and assistant
- Additional horses for passenger luggage.
Detailed Itinerary
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1
DAY 1: CUSCO - TINQUI - UPIS
We will leave Cusco city very early in the morning for the 3-hour trip in a private transportation towards the small village of Tinqui (3.800 meters asl); we will pass through beautiful landscapes and several typical villages such as Urcos, Cattca and Ocangate. After lunch in Tinqui, the next 3 hours will be a wonderful prelude to the magnificent landscape that can be seen from the Vilcanota mountain range, with great views of the snow-capped Ausangate. We will hike two more hours until reaching the thermal waters in Upis (4.400 meters asl), which also offer fantastic sights of the Ausangate at the valley’s end. The will be camp here at night (4-5 hours of hiking).
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2
DAY 2: UPIS - AUSANGATE Q'OCHA LAGOON
In the morning we will cross the Arapa pass (4.850 meters asl); from there, follow for 3 and a half hours down the valley, passing the green lagoon of Puqa Q'ocha until we reach the turquoise waters of the Jatun Puqa Q'ocha lagoon. Then we ascend the second pass in Apuchata (4.900 meters asl), overlooking the impressive Ausangate Q'ocha lagoon and its wonderful blue waters; this lagoon feeds on the melting snow of the snowy Ausangate. We'll camp here the second night.
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3
DAY 3: AUSANGATE Q'OCHA LAGOON - QAMPA
From the Ausangate Q'ocha lagoon we will ascend to the Palomani open (5.200 meters asl), the highest point of the hike. From the Palomani open we will follow the path to the valley where we can rest and have lunch. In the afternoon you can enjoy the wonderful views of the snowies Tres Picos and Punta Puca. We will continue through the wide green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and up through the valley of the Qampa River. Our third night will be spent in this area.
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4
DAY 4: QAMPA - PACCHANTA
After passing through the small village of Qampa we will head northwest to the last open of this hike, the Qampa open (5.000 meters asl). We will see several lagoons of varied colors and lunch will be next to Q'oma Q'ocha. Afterwards, a several hours hike before reaching the small village of Pacchanta; there we can enjoy the thermal waters for a couple of hours and even have a well-deserved beer! The camp will be set near Pacchanta and the afternoon is free to explore this very interesting Andean village. (You also have the option of staying in a basic hostel that night).
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5
DAY 5: PACCHANTA - CUSCO
It will be a 3-hour hike back from Pacchanta to Tinqui, where there will be time to explore this traditional Andean village before taking the private transportation back to Cusco, where the arrival will be at approximately 6:00 pm.
