The Ausangate Circuit 5 Days 4 Nights

ITINERARY

The Ausangate Circuit 5 Days 4 Nights

DAY 1 CUSCO – PUCARUMI – PAQCHANTA.

Early in the morning our staff from Ausangate Trekking Peru, will collect you from your hotel and we will head off in the direction of Ocongate along the Inter-oceanic highway. Along the way we Will pass through many different villages in the region of Cusco, where you will be able to see the local cultivations and crops of the high Andean communities, until we arrive at the village of Pucarumi. This is the starting point of our hike. Here we will take a pathway to the community of Pacchanta, where we will spend the evening. First we will enjoy a delicious lunch and during the afternoon, you will have some free time to spend in the hot springs of Pacchanta. In this little village, we will spend the evening in a basic but comfortable hotel, wth a hot shower and private bathroom. We will enjoy our dinner next to a warm oven. Our strategically situated hostel is perfect for appreciating the starry night time sky and the milky way.

Hiking distance: 8 km
Starting elevation: 3950 m / ft
Maximum elevation: 4350 m / ft
Campsite elevation: 4350m. / ft
Hiking time: 4 hours aprox.
Daytime temperature: Max. 16°C.
Night time temperature: Min. -10°C.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Accomodation: Hostel
Meals: Lunch and dinner

DAY2: PACCHANTA – JAMPA PASS – HUANO HUANO

After an energizing breakfast, we will begin our ascent along a trail with a number of coloured lakes at the foot of the Ausangate mountain The lagoons range from blue, to Green, to turquoise and are surrounded by glaciers and snow peaks. Our lunch Will be at the viewpoint where we wil have the perfect view of the mountains in all their splendour We will then continue on our ascent to the JAMPA pass at 5100m elevation. After a short rest to take some photos, we will begin our descent to the campsite at Huano Huano(4700m) where we will spend the night.

Hiking distance: 16 km
Starting elevation: 4350 m / ft
Maximum elevation: 5100 m / ft
Campsite elevation: 4700m. / ft
Hiking time: 9 hours aprox.
Daytime temperature: Max. 16°C.
Night time temperature: Min. -15°C.
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Accomodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

DAY 3: HUANO HUANO – LAGUNA AUSANGATEQOCHA.

When you hike around the Ausangate mountain, you will be constantly surprised by the spectacular and exceptional panoramas.

After a hearty breakfast, we will head off on an ascent the Red lagoon also called the “chocolate lake” at the foot of the Santa Catalina mountain. After a short rest to explore the area and take some photos, we will continue on our ascent to the highest pass on the trek, The Palomani pass at 5200m. From this point, we will be able to see a unique panoramic view which will be engrained in your memory forever. You will also be able to see in the distance, part of the Rainbow mountain Vinicunca. As we descend the Palomani pass, we will be able to marvel at the Ausangate cocha lagoon fed by the Ausangate glacier This is also a reserve for vicuñas. We will then head to our campsite at the Ausangate cocha at an elevation of 4720m.

Hiking distance: 15 km
Starting elevation: 4700 m / ft
Maximum elevation: 5200 m / ft
Campsite elevation: 4720m. / ft
Hiking time: 8 hours aprox.
Daytime temperature: Max. 16°C.
Night time temperature: Min. -15°C.
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult.
Accomodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

DAY 4: AUSANGATECOCHA – UPISPAMPA.

We will wake up at 06.30am, then after breakfast, we will take the opportunity to get as close to the glacier as we can, near the Apacheta pass, found at 4950m elevation. As we continue, we will be able to appreciate a number of lagoons of all different sizes and colours, ideal for taking photos. The panoramic view behind the mountains is spectacular and with the sensation that here amongst the mountains, we can reflect our own existence and feel the immensity of nature with these incredible mountains on the Ausangate trek.

After crossing the Arapa pass at 4750m elevation, we will begin a 2 hour descent to our final campsite of Upispampa, found at 4440m elevation. Here you can have a well- earned rest and enjoy the thermal springs beneath the starriest of skies.

Hiking distance: 16 km aprox.
Starting elevation: 4720 m / ft
Maximum elevation: 4950 m / ft
Campsite elevation: 4450m. / ft
Hiking time: 8 hours aprox.
Daytime temperature: Max. 16°C.
Night time temperature: Min. -1°C.
Difficulty: Difficult.
Accomodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: UPIS – CUSCO.

This is our final day which Will start at 8am. We will enjoy our breakfast and then we will hike for 3 hours to our hostel in Pacchanta where we will enjoy a traditional lunch of Pacha Manca. We Will give our thanks to the Mother earth for such a fantastic experience and we will say goodbye to the grand Ausangate mountain.

In the afternoon, our car will take us back to the city of Cusco and we will arrive at 4pm and drop you at your hotel.

Hiking distance: 8 km aprox.
Starting elevation: 4450 m / ft
Maximum elevation: 4600 m / ft
Hiking time: 3 hours aprox.
Daytime temperature: Max. 16°C.
Dificulty: Easy.
Meals: Breakfast – lunch (Pachamanca)

INCLUSIONS

The Ausangate Circuit 5 Days 4 Nights Included:

Private transport.
Official guide.
Meals throughout this rainbow mountain itinerary that are mentioned above.
Entrance tickets to the Ausangate circuit and Rainbow mountain.
First Aid kit.
Oxygen tank
Trekking poles
Sanitary protocols

The Ausangate Circuit 5 Days 4 Nights Not Included:

Entrance to the hot springs (S/5.00 soles)
Extra drinks.
Tips

Before You Go

4 disposable face masks.
Sun Protection.
Alcohol gel
Thermals for the evening
Extra cash in Soles and small denominations.
Bathing suit, towel and sandals for the hot springs.
Plastic bag for wet clothes
Toilet paper
Day pack with the following:
- Rain poncho
- Snacks.
- Refillable water bottle/camel pack.
- Sunglasses.
- Torch/ headlamp
- Extra Batteries

Recommendations:

To get the most out of your Ausangate mountain trek, please take into account the following recommendations:

It is NOT recommended to do this trip if you have any flu-like symptoms a cold, cough or fever. Even the slightest symptom can get complicated at this elevation and may seriously affect your health.
If you have suffered from Covid 19, you need to have authorisation from your Doctor.
It is important to carry a facemask and replacement masks with you at all times. There are NO pharmacies along the route.
You should have at least three days’ acclimatisation in Cusco or a similar altitude prior to the trip. Use these days to do activities such as short hikes and a variety of activities in Cusco to make the most of your time. Ask us for recommended activities.
Pack warm clothes. Due to the altitude, night-time temperatures on the Ausangate mountain, often get below freezing.