The Ausangate is the highest mountain in Cusco and the fifth-highest in Peru, it has an altitude of 6372 meters above sea level. Take this wonderful hike to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Andes and touring colorful lakes as well as getting to know one of the most famous places in Cusco, the Vinicunca Mountain of Colors. It is a 5-day trek where you can explore wonderful landscapes.
IMPORTANT: To carry out this trek it is important that you can be in Cusco 2 to 3 days before, this for correct acclimatization since this trek is demanding due to the height that is traveled, from 4400 masl to 5100 masl.
Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – UPIS – YANACOCHA
Early in the morning, we pick you up from your hotels to head south of Cusco, exactly towards the community of Tinki (3,800 masl). Along the way we will pass through small communities, after a break, we will pack our belongings in waterproof bags and then we will start our walk to the community of Upis (4400msnm).
The objective of this day is to enjoy a delicious lunch in a wonderful landscape. After our lunch, we will continue the trek to the Arapa pass (4800 masl). Then we will begin to descend to Yanacocha (4500m) where we will camp.
- Transportation time: 3 hours
- Hiking time: 7 hours approx.
- Distance: 12 km
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Climate: Mild and hot during the day and cold at night.
- Altitude: Cusco (3,350m) – Tinqui (3,800m) – Upis (4,400m) – Arapa (4,800m) – Yanacocha (4,500m)
DAY 2: YANACOCHA – PUCACOCHA PASS – ANANTAPATA
After breakfast, we will start our walk and we will be able to observe some wonderful lakes of different colors, then we will ascend to the Pucacocha Pass (4900 masl) and continue to Anantapata (4500 masl) this is where we will camp.
- Hiking time: 7-8 hours approx.
- Distance: 12 km
- Difficulty level: Moderate and high
- Climate: Mild and hot during the day and cold at night.
- Altitude: Yanacocha (4,500m) – Pukacocha (4,900m) – Anantapata (4,500m)
DAY 3: ANANTAPATA – MOUNTAIN OF COLORS (VINICUNCA) – COCHA AUSANGATE
After our breakfast, we start another day of adventure. We trek to Lake Kayrawiri which is surrounded by rugged mountains and wonderful scenery. We will be able to appreciate the colorful places in the mountains. Then we will continue our walk and we will get to visit one of the most famous places in recent years, the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. We will enjoy this landscape and then we will return to Anantapata and continue our walk to the Ausangate lake (4650 masl) where we will camp.
- Hiking time: 8 hours approx.
- Distance: 14 km
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Climate: Mild and hot during the day and cold at night.
- Altitude: Anantapata (4,500m) – Rainbow Mountain (5,036m) – Ausangate Lagoon (4,650m)
DAY 4: COCHA AUSANGATE – PASO PALOMANI – JAMPA
We begin our trek to the highest point of this trek, which is at 5,100 meters above sea level, from where we can have a spectacular panoramic view of the Ausangate mountain, considered the highest in Cusco (6,384 meters above sea level).
Then, we will begin our descent to Finaya pampa where we will be able to appreciate a great variety of South American camelids such as Alpacas, Llamas, and the wild Vicuñas and with luck, we will also be able to appreciate Condors. After a day of hiking and having enjoyed the wonderful landscapes of the Andes, we will arrive at Jampa (4700m) Here we will camp.
- Hiking time: 7-8 hours approx.
- Distance: 10km
- Difficulty level: Moderate and high
- Climate: Mild and hot during the day and cold at night.
- Altitude: Laguna de Ausangate (4,650m) – Paso Palomani (5,100), Jampa (4,700m)
DAY 5: JAMPA – CAMPA PASS – PACCHANTA – CUSCO
The highlight of this day is definitely a new ascent to the Jampa Pass (5050m). On the way we will pass through beautiful lakes on our walk to the community of Pacchanta (4350msnm) it is here where we can visit some thermal baths and relax for a moment. We will enjoy a delicious typical lunch, board our transport and return to Cusco.
- Transportation time: 4 hours
- Hiking time: 6-7 hours approx.
- Distance: 12 km
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Climate: Mild and hot during the day and cold at night.
- Altitude: Upis (4,400m) – Arapa (4,800m) – Ausangate Pass (4,850m), Pukacocha Laguna de Ausangate (4,650m)
IMPORTANT – Send us your travel insurance before your arrival in Peru.
Include
IT INCLUDE:
- Tourist transport
- The entrance to the Ausangate park.
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish/English)
- High-quality camping equipment. Mats, dining tent with table and chairs
- Accommodation in double tents. If you want a simple tent, you will have to pay for a supplement.
- Food during the walk (4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners)
- Cook and kitchen equipment.
- Muleteers and mules, for all our camping equipment and personal luggage (up to 7 kg.).
- Emergency horse (for a minimum of 2 people).
- First aid kit and oxygen balloon.
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Tips
- Breakfast day 1 and dinner day 5
- Sleeping bag
- Additional features
Optional
Recommendations
WE RECOMMEND TO BRING:
- Backpack with a raincoat.
- Warm and cold-weather clothing such as a waterproof jacket.
- Rain pants and light pants.
- Trekking shoes.
- Sleeping bag (-15°C / 5°C)
- Slippers or sandals (for showers and thermal baths).
- Wool sweaters and wool gloves.
- Long or short sleeve polo
- water poncho
- Hat
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen, insect repellent, alcohol disinfectant gel.
- Water bottle.
- Purifying tablets, toiletries, and toilet paper.
- Camera (wrapped in a plastic bag), a flashlight, and batteries.
- Snacks, chocolates, nuts
- Extra money in soles.
