Ausangate Circuit Trek

Trek Details:

Altitude Range : 3,800 / 5,165 m.a.s.l. (12,467 / 16,946 ft)
Duration : 7 Days / 6 Nights
Difficulty : Moderate
Season : March / January
Activity : Nature / Adventure

Program:

Day 1 Cusco / Urcos / Ocongate / Tinke Village (Hotel)

After breakfast we depart by bus towards the southeast side of the city of Cusco to the village of Tinke in the district of Ocongate and province of Quispicanchi (4/5 hrs), passing through beautiful and picturesque villages. The area has a very cold climate and an altitude of 3,800 m (12,467 ft). Overnight in a hostel.

Day 2 Tinke / Upis

Today we begin hiking on a well-marked trail leading to the first campsite called Upis (approx. 4 hrs), altitude 4,435 m (14,551 ft). The trail is not very steep and there are hot springs.

Day 3 Upis / Arapa Pass / Atún Pucacocha Lake

After breakfast we begin hiking and ascending to Arapa Pass 4,757 m (15,607 ft) (4/5 hrs) until reaching the campsite at 4,585 m (15,043 ft). Along the route there are shepherds raising alpacas, and we will camp on the shores of Pucacocha Lake very close to the mountain.

Day 4 Pucacocha Lake / Palomani Pass / Chilcapinaya

We depart very early because this day is more demanding than the others. We hike (4/5 hrs) ascending and descending to the highest pass of this trek, Palomani 5,165 m (16,946 ft), then descend to Chilcapinaya campsite at 4,200 m (13,780 ft).

Day 5 Chilcapinaya / Campa Pass / Ninaparayoc Lake

We begin hiking through the Jampa Valley inhabited by shepherds and their alpaca and sheep herds. Then we continue uphill until reaching Campa Pass 5,068 m (16,627 ft), and descend to Ninaparayoc Lake campsite (5/6 hrs), altitude 4,656 m (15,276 ft).

Day 6 Ninaparayoc Lake / Pacchanta (Hot Springs)

After breakfast and almost completing the trekking circuit, we arrive at the small village of Pacchanta where there are hot springs for bathing (3/4 hrs), altitude 4,400 m (14,436 ft).

Day 7 Pacchanta / Tinke / Cusco

We pass through increasingly inhabited valleys along the river until reaching Tinke (3/4 hrs). Return by bus to Cusco.