Ausangate Trek
Best Time: May - September
Trek Duration: 7 days
Grade: medium / hard
Min. participants: 2 people
The Cordillera Vilcanota is an impressive range of mountains which include the massive Nevado de Ausangate (6,372m) and three others over 6000m. The region is excellent trekking country offering the traveler everything you could want: spectacular mountain scenery, snow-capped peaks and ice fields, hot springs, turquoise lakes rich in birdlife, picturesque villages and traditionally dressed Quechua highlanders tending their herds of llamas and alpacas. Its also high, tough and cold, so be prepared.
The Ausangate Circuit is a beautiful 7 day circular trek aided by a combination of llamas and horses, starting and finishing at the small village of Tinqui, taking you around the massif of Ausangate and over three high passes (two over 5,000m). It is essential to be properly acclimatized for this hike spending at least 3 days in Cusco before starting.
Day 1 Cusco to Tinqui (3,800m):
We leave Cusco at about 09.00 for the 7-hour bus ride to the small village of Tinqui. We pass through beautiful countryside and several traditional villages including Urcos, Cattca and Ocangate, where we'll have the opportunity to stop for a while and take some photos. We spend the first night in a small hostal in Tinqui.
Day 2 From Tinqui to Urpis (4,400m):
We'll set off on the trek at about 09.00. The first 3 hours, until lunch, will be a great introduction to the magnificent scenery of the Cordillera Vilcanota, with great views of the Ausangate mountain. After lunch its only another 2 hours trek until we reach the hot springs at Urpis which offer fantastic views of Ausangate at the end of the valley. This is, naturally, a great place to camp for the night
Day 3 From Urpis to Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha:
During the 3 hours trek in the morning we will hike the first pass, the Arapa pass (4,850m). From the pass we continue 3½ hours down the valley until we reach the turquoise Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha passing the green lake of Puqa Q'ocha on the way. We'll set up camp here. From the campsite you can climb the small ridge north of the camp to see Lake Vino Q'ocha The views of Ausangate are particularly close up and spectacular. Camping beside Jatun Puqa Q'ocha you may find that you're kept awake at night by the sound of dramatic ice falls into the lake, but don't worry it's quite safe.
Day 4 From Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha to Pampacancha:
In the morning we ascend the second pass of Apuchata (4,900m) with the turquoise Laguna Ausangate Q'ocha below. This lake is fed from the melting snow of Ausangate. From the lake we ascend to the Palomani pass (5,200m); the highest point of the trek. From the pass we follow the trail into the valley where we'll rest and have lunch. Another hour of trekking brings us to our campsite at Pampacancha.
Day 5 From Pampacancha to Q'omer Q'ocha:
During the morning we'll see the snowy peaks of Tres Picos and Puca Punta. We'll continue east through the broad green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and up the Rio Q'ampa valley. After passing through the small community of Q'ampa we'll continue north west to the last pass of this hike, the Q'ampa pass (5000m). We'll see several different colored lakes, the final lake being Q'oma Q'ocha. We'll camp beside this beautiful greeny turquoise lake.
Day 6 From Qomer Q'ocha to Pacchanta:
We'll have an easy days trekking for only about 2½ hours, until we arrive at the small village of Pacchanta. You'll have the opportunity to rest and relax in the hot thermal springs for a couple of hours and even have a well deserved beer! We'll set up camp near Pacchanta and you'll have the afternoon free to explore this interesting Andean village.
Day 7 From Pacchanta to Cusco:
It's a 3 hour trek back to Tinqui where we'll say goodbye to our arrieros (horsemen) and take the bus back to Cusco, arriving at about 18.00. You'll have just enough time to have a hot shower and a meal before hitting the nightclubs!
Contact: info@peruviantreks.com for more information and pricing on these Peru treks and hikes
