This is an unforgettable hike recommended for lovers of trekking who are searching for an extreme experience in remote areas and wild nature. If you are able to handle high altitude and long distances, this is a perfect trek for you. Not many tourist have the pleasure of visiting Ausangate.

Ausangate (Quechua: Awsanqati) is a mountain in the Cordillera Vilcanota range in the Andes of Peru. With an altitude of 6,384m/21067ft it is situated around 100 kilometres southeast of Cusco. This mountain has significance in Incan mythology. Every year the north side of Ausangate the feast of Qoyllur Rit'i (Quechua: "snow star") is celebrated before the feast of the Corpus Christi, during which thousands of Quechua pilgrims attend. The region in inhabited by llama and alpaca herding communities, and is one of the few remaining pastoralist societies in the world. The high mountain trails are used by this herders to trade with the lower elevation agricultural communities. One of this trails, "the road of the Apu Ausangate", is one of the most renowned treks in Peru                  

First Day: Cusco – Tinki – Pacchanta

We will leave Cusco at 5:30am in private transportation and head through Cattca, an agricultural community where we can appreciate the region’s spectacular views of the surrounding maountains. After 3 hours of driving, we will arrive in Tinki, the starting point of the trek. Here we will enjoy our first view of Ausangate mountain and we will visit a public school in Tinki to meet the children community. We can also present them with gifts of notebooks and pencils, which are greatly needed in their village. After this, visit we will continue hiking for two and a half hours until we reach our campsite at Pacchanta.
Second Day: Pacchanta  – Qomerqocha Lagoon - Qampa

After breakfast, we will follow the climbing trail up to the Pacchanta Valley. After three hours of hiking, we will reach the beautful Qpmerqoccha Laggon, where we will have our lunch while enjoying beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains of Ausangate, Santa Catalina, Maria Huamantiqlla, Pucapunta and Colquecruz. We  will continue towards the first mountain pass of our trek, the Abra de Q´ampa (5000m/16500ft). To end the day, we will descend towards our campsite in Qampa.

Third day: Qampa -  Killita  – Condor Paso

We will leave at 7:00am and start a gradual climb for about three hours until we will reach the Killita Pass. After lunch, we descend into the valley for lunch. As we continue hiking to our next campsite (Condor Paso), you will see lots of llamas and alpaca. At camp, we will rest and prepare for the next day.

Fourth Day: Condorpaso - Murmurany – Humaqocha

We leave camp after breakfast and start our hike towards Condor Paso pass (5100m/16838ft). At the top, we will able to see the tail of the Sibinacochan Lagoon. Along the way, you can appreciate red and black volcanic soil which shows the historic presence of glaciers in this region. We will then discover a beautiful valley with colorful snow-capped peaks. Our hike will descend towards the small village of Murmurani and cross another mountain pass. Our campsite will be next to the lagoon and near a stunning glacier. The lagoon is host to a wide selection of biodiversity and we will see many specied of wildlife.

Fifth Day: Humaqocha – K’ackara

Today we depart early to walk along the shores of the Sibinacocha Lagoon for three hours until we reach the Yayamari community. This community lives next to the Yayamri Mountain, an impressive rocky peak overlooking the lagoon (5500m/18158ft). We will have our lunch here and then continue crossing a plateau where we will see hundreds of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. We will then hike up to the pass of K’ackara (5000m/16500ft), which will lead us to the lagoon, where we will set up camp for the night.

Sixth Day: K’ackara –Phinaya 

Today we will enjoy our beautiful campsite and have the pleasure of waking up late. After relaxing in the morning, we will see Huallatas (Andean geese) and maybe even flamingo. Our hike will continue for three and a half hours towards Phinaya: our campsite for the eventing.

Seventh Day: Phinaya  - Cusco

Phinaya is a small Andean community with a beautiful little church and no presence of vehicles except bikes and horses. We will have breakfast and start our second field activity visiting the Phinaya public school. We will have the opportunity to meet the children of the neighboring communities and eventually give them some useful presents. After lunch, we will meet our van and drive back to Cusco, where we expect to arrive after nightfall.

NOTE: Departure and arrival times are approximated.

Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the group's progress

What is included in the price?

-Professional guide fluent in English
-Private bus to the start of the trail
-Ausangate entrance fees
-Two-people tents with plenty of room for your backpacks
-Sleeping mattress
-Meals cooked by an experienced chef: 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners,   and snacks!
-Vegetarian/special diet options available
-Horse to carry equipment
 Dining and kitchen tents
-First aid kit including emergency horse and oxygen bottle
-Round-trip bus from Cusco to Tinki / Phinaya to Cusco
-Blanket for the chilly nights

Not included:

-Breakfast on the first morning. Some hotels offer an early morning breakfast service. If not, we stop at the town of  Ocongate, Where you’ll have the chance to buy breakfast.
-dinner on the final day
-Entrance to the thermal springs in Pacchanta (5 soles)
-Sleeping bags. These can be rented in our office for the entire trek (US$ 30) every sleeping bag is washed prior to each use
-Tips for the guide, cook and wranglers

What you need to bring:

Original passport
For students: ISIC card
Insurance card
Hiking boots
Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
1 warm winter jacket
1 warm fleece or sweatshirt
Hat and gloves
2-4 t-shirts
3 pants (2 for hiking, 1 for camp)
Long underwear for sleeping
Hand sanitizer
Comfortable trousers
Sun hat or cap
Sun protection cream
Water and/or water purification tablets
Toiletries
Personal medication
Camera
Torch or headlamp
Cash (500 Peruvian Nuevo soles)

Optional items to take:

Shorts
Walking stick
Plasters and bandages
Sandals
Extra money
Bathing suit for hot springs in Pacchanta -not included in price

We offer discount of us$20 to students with a valid International Student Identity Card (ISIC),