The Ausangate trek is a high altitude 70km hike in Peruvian mountains near Cusco with an average altitude of over 4000m. Unlike most other hikes in the region Ausangate is not about Inca ruins, it's all about beautiful scenery; snow peaks, glaciers, colorful mountain lakes, and the Sacred Mountain.
The Ausangate (6398m/20991f) is considered one of the most beautiful snow-capped mountains of the Andes. The areas surrounding this mountain offer extraordinary sceneries of mountains, glaciers and lagoons. Moreover, the Andean people are very welcoming and friendly and preserve the respect for the nature. They also have an excellent knowledge of farming vicuñas, alpacas and lamas, being the first two appreciated for their fine quality of wool and alpaca for its meat. We will drive for 4 hours from Cusco and get prepared for a cold temperature and high altitude.
Altitude: 4050 – 5100 m. / 13287ft – 16732ft
Total distance: 10 km (6.21 miles)
Estimated walking time: 5 to 6 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4 447 m (14 589 ft.)
Campsite altitude: 4 400 m (14 435 ft.)
Private transportation from Cusco. The road goes toward Puno, past the Wari site of Pikillacta ruins and the colonial towns of Andahuaylillas and Huaro (we may spend some time visiting them) afterwards a road starts winding its way up hill until we reach small villages with shepherds and weavers in the highland puna. In the afternoon the Vilcanota Range will loom in the distance with Ausangate and Qolqe Cruz mountains dominating the landscape.
The trail starts crossing the puna or highland meadow approaching the base of the impressive Ausangate with amazing views of the rolling landscape. Continuing the hike, the trail takes you up through the Andean villages still traditional in many of their customs and habits. Camp at Upis with a chance to enjoy the thermal baths.
Total distance: 16 km (9.94 miles)
Estimated walking time: 8 to 9 hours
Maximum altitude point: 4 750 m (15 583 ft.)
Campsite altitude: 4 447 m (14 589 ft.)
Ascending the slopes, we cross over the pass at 4,500 mts. (14,760ft) and make our way to lake Pucacocha for lunch with the western ice-fall of Ausangate mountain dominating the view of this campsite. After lunch we head up to Apacheta pass 4700mts (and afterwards make our way down to Ausangate lake. From tonight camp you can appreciate just why Ausangate has for centuries commanded so much reverence for the local people.
Total distance: 16 km (9.94 miles)
Estimated walking time: 8 to 9 hours
Maximum altitude point: 5 200 m (16 060 ft.)
Campsite altitude: 4 600 m (15 091 ft.)
We cross the highest pass on our trip at Palomani (4,800mts) (15,744ft), with a spectacular view of the southeastern ridge of Mount Ausangate. Camp at Soraycucho.
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Amazing experience with Percy and Iza. They were so kind and generous with their knowledge and time. Percy organised our transport to Macchu Pichu for us to join our friends who were doing the Inca trail. Would definitely recommend Percy and Iza to anyone wanting an amazing tour!...
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I had an amazing experience with this tour company on our trip to Machu Picchu. I was traveling with friends, and from start to finish everything was incredibly well organized. The tour guides were outstanding—knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely passionate about sharing the history and...
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