Description of the experience
Ausangate Trek 5 Days, an amazing and less-known trek surrounding the snow-capped Sacred Mountain (“Apu”) ofAusangate (6.372m/20900ft) that takes you over mountain passes, awesome mountain scenery, remote Andean villages, hot springs and turquoise lakes. This is an unforgettable hike recommended for lovers of mountain trekking searching for an intense experience in remote areas and wild nature.s,Ausangate Trek is in the Top Ten highly Recommended Treks in the World.
This is an unforgettable hike recommended for lovers of mountain trekking searching for an intense experience in remote areas and wild nature.
You will be collected by our transportation from your Cusco hotel at 6:00am and begin our 3-hour journey towards the small Andean village Tinqui (2513ft) located at the base of Vilcanota range. The drive will take you through the beautiful countryside and we will pass many traditional villages such as Urcos, Ccatcca and Ocongate. We will rest for a while after reaching Tinqui while our horses are being prepared/laden with our supplies for the trek which will begin around 10:00. We start the trek by crossing the bridge and green meadows underneath Ausangate Mountain’s uneven stone flanks. We will reach the hot springs of Upis (14432ft) after 6 hours, a wonderful place to camp for the night.
The second day begins right after breakfast as we move ahead with our hike and head for the La Arapa pass (15908ft) where we arrive within 2 hours. We move down to our lunch site after crossing a region known for falcons and “vizcachas” or Andean rodents. Here you can see three magnificent lakes (Pukacocha, HatunPukacocha, and Qomerqocha) with hues of reds, greens, and turquoises, with the beautiful backdrop of snowy peaks. Once we have had lunch, we will carry on our slow & lengthy 2-hour climb to the second mountain pass the Abra de Apuchata (16072ft). From there we will climb down to reach our campsite at Ausangatecocha (14563ft).
DAY 3: AUSANGATEQOCHA TO Q´AMPA
After having breakfast we leave the campsite and tenderly ascend the Qampa side valley, going zigzag through a stream and through ancient rock falls where you can see big rabbit-like rodents, the Andean vizcachas, jump across the boulders. Since this area is less populated we have a better chance of witnessing wildlife such as condors skimming the slopes and rare vicuñas on ridge tops. We then pass through Ausangate’s lush side from where you can see icy crags of Collque Cruz (Silver Cross) and Tres Picos (Three Peaks) on your right while moving up towards Qampa pass (16400ft) which is our 4th and last crossing. The high point is distinguished by the cairns made by the countless travelers through the years. We then climb down to Qomercocha where you can see lonesome lakes of varying depths and shades lie below soaring peaks. You can sense why this strong yet tranquil place became a ceremonial site for Quechua shamans of the Region. We then follow a series of progressing ridge in grassy outdoors, meeting child shepherds and women hand-spinning wool along the way to our trek’s largest settlement, the village of Pacchanta (13448ft). Here you can enjoy the wonderful hot springs while taking in the panoramic view of snow-capped Ausangate.
