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Group Size:
2-10 People
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Destination:
AUSANGATE
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Departure :
Everyday
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Level :
Moderate
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Category :
TREK
This alternative route to the classic hike around Ausangate Mountain still offers the most spectacular views of this sacred Andean mountain before it deviates towards the impressive Sibinacocha Lagoon, leaving tourist crowds behind and entering an almost uninhabited area where you can truly commune with nature.
The Ausangate trek Circuit is definitely an adventure route recommended for those who like hiking, feel nature, the spirit of the mountains, and the energy of Mother Earth. The Ausangate circuit offers some of the most beautiful landscapes of Cusco, with varied wildlife, glaciers and Andean lagoons. Ausangate Trek is also one of the most difficult hikes in the region. The most important thing about this trip is that you’ll get to see the real PERU, the Andes and its people in their traditional dress, their customs that persist till today.
Useful Information
Starting Altitude – 3350 meters / 10990 feet.
Highest Altitude – 5200m / 17,056ft.
Meals – 6 breakfast, 6 lunch, 6 dinner, 6 tea times, 6 wake up tea
- Overall Difficulty - Moderate - Challenging
- STARTING POINT: - Cusco at your hotel
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Ausangate is the fifth highest mountain in Peru; its maximum altitude is 6,372 meters.
The hike up the mountain of Ausangate is considered adventure tourism. The road presents rock formations at a height of over 5000 meters covered by ice tongues.
The waters of the snowmelt flowing westward give origin to the Vilcanota River, which subsequently flows into the Amazon River and ends up in the Atlantic Ocean.
Its eastern slopes feed several small rivers that culminate in the Inambari River and to the south it drains its waters into Titicaca Lake with the river Azángaro.
The temperature in the day is between 11 and 13 degrees Celsius and at night it drops to 4-10 degrees Celsius in June and July.
Brief Itinerary
- DAY 1: CUSCO - OCONGATE - TINKI COMMUNITY
- DAY 2: TINKI - PACCHANTA - QOMERQOCHA LAGOON
- DAY 3: QOMERQOCHA LAGOON - YANAMAYO
- DAY 4: YANAMAYO - CONDORPASO
- DAY 5: CONDOR PASS - SOURCE OF SIBINACOCHA LAGOON
- DAY 6: SOURCE OF SIBINACOCHA LAGOON - CCASCANA
- DAY 7: CCASCARA - PHINAYA VILLAGE - CUSCO
DIA 1 : CUSCO - OCONGATE - TINKI COMMUNITY
We leave the city of Cusco in a private transport, in the direction of Tinki (3800m/12464ft). On the way we stop in Urcos, where we may visit a beautiful lake with the same name. We then go on to Cattca, where we can appreciate the region’s spectacular views and finally pass through Ocongate, capital of the district with the same name and only half an hour away from our destination. After an approximated of 6-hour drive, we arrive at Tinki, Tinki will be our first campsite and start the trek the next morning.
DAY 2: TINKI - PACCHANTA - QOMERQOCHA LAGOON
After breakfast, we will spend some time visiting the Tinki public school and will have the chance to meet the children of the neighboring communities that study at this place. Then We then leave Tinki and start a 2,5h walk towards Pacchanta (4100m/13448ft), where we stop for lunch. Pacchanta is a rural community that boasts some well-known hot springs where we can enjoy a nice dip, offering awesome views of Ausangate Mountain. In the afternoon we follow our trek through a slight climb up the Pacchanta valley, having the chance to spot llamas and alpacas, until we reach the beautiful Qomercocha lagoon where we set our camp and have dinner. Our campsite will be set in a spectacular spot with amazing views of Ausangate.
DAY 3: QOMERQOCHA LAGOON - YANAMAYO
We leave Qomercocha lagoon around at 7.00 am and continue on towards the first mountain pass of our trek, the Abra Q´ampa at 5000m/16400ft, which we will reach after about 4h. then We will descend towards the Ticllaqocha Lagoons, a beautiful group of little turquoise lagoons next to which we have lunch. In the afternoon we continue our hike for an additional 2-3h until we reach Yanamayo where we set our camp in an impressive valley overlooked by the impressive Tres Picos.
DAY 4: YANAMAYO - CONDORPASO
We leave camp and start a gradual climb up toward Yanaqocha or “Black Lagoon” its name being due to the dark color of its waters. We will go over Yanaqocha mountain pass (5050m/16564ft) to then discover a surprisingly beautiful valley with an explosion of colored mountains, three spectacular lagoons and the presence of llamas and alpacas, which we will cross to head towards our next mountain pass (5100m/16728ft). From this point, an additional hour of hike leads us to Condor pass, our next campsite, located very close to the mountain pass of the same name which will be our challenge for the next day.
DAY 5: CONDOR PASS - SOURCE OF SIBINACOCHA LAGOON
After breakfast, we continue on a gradual climb up the valley that takes us to the mountain pass Abra del Condor (5200m/17056ft) after an approximated two hour walk. We have spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range and the Sibinacocha Lagoon, our next milestone, where can see wild vicuñas. Immediately. we continue our hike for 3 hours, crossing another mountain pass on the way and then descending into the valley of the Sibinacocha Lagoon’s source. We will camp next to the lagoon and very close from its source. The lagoon boasts a wide bio-diversity, where we can see Andean Coots, “Huallatas” or Andean Geese as well as Andean Ducks from our camp.
DAY 6: SOURCE OF SIBINACOCHA LAGOON - CCASCANA
Today, we depart early to walk along the shores of the Sibinacocha Lagoon for 3h until we reach the Yayamari community, (5500m/18040ft). We then continue accross a pampa where we will most probably see hundreds of llamas, alpacas and hopefully vicuñas, to then follow towards the Abra Ccascana at 5000m/16400ft, which will lead us to the lagoon of the same name, in where we will set our last camp and we may have the chance to spot ¨Huallatas¨ or Andean geese and maybe even flamingos.
DAY 7: CCASCARA - PHINAYA VILLAGE - CUSCO
After our breakfast, we leave Ccascara to walk for 3 and 30 minutes towards Phinaya. This is a small Andean community with a beautiful little church, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we meet our private transport that will drive us back to Cusco, where we expect to arrive after nightfall.
OUR SERVICE INCLUDES
Trek briefing with your guide. one night before the trek at your hotelProfessional trek guide - in different languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, and more) - Second tour guide for groups of 9 passengers to more.
Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transportation to Tinki (starting point of the trek)
Personal tents: 2 people in each 4-people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks.
Dining tent with tables and chairs
Kitchen tent
Chef and cooking equipment
Pack animals (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment) – days 1 to 5
Pack animals to carry personal gear up to a maximum of 7kg per person (including sleeping pad and sleeping bag) – days 1 to 5
Accommodation for all our staff
Meals (06B, 06L, 06D + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day). Vegetarian or special menus are available upon request at no extra cost
Filtered boiled water from lunch time on 1st day onwards
Bio-degradable personal hand soaps
Bio-degradable dishwashing detergents used by our kitchen staff
Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
Private transport from Tinki to Cusco, including transfer to your hotel in Cusco
NOT INCLUDED
Breakfast on the first dayLunch and dinner on the last day
Hot springs (in Upis)
Sleeping bags
Walking Sticks: you can hire from our company
Additional horses for extra personal luggage above that of the personal item allowance.
Travel Insurance
**Tips, for the crew (muleteers, chef and guide)
What you need to take:
A backpackA beanie hat or ear warmer
Sun hat
Scarf
Gloves
A mid weight sweater
A longsleeve t-shirt
1 – 2 t-shirts
A lightweight suater or vest
A pair of long pants
Hiking shoes
An extra pair of shoe
2 – 3 pairs wool socks
A jacket
A small towel
Rain gear
1 – 2 pair shorts
Sunglasses
A small headlamp
Waterbottle
A toothbrust and other personal toiletries
Toilet paiper
Sun cream
Camera and film
Original passport (International Student Identity Card “ISIC” if applicable)
Extra money for drinks.
Emergency money at least 300-450 extra soles (USD$ 220)
List of objects to take to the trek.
List of objects to take to the trek.
OUR PRICES:
Remember that!!! This walk is available everyday - We can depart any day of the week, as long as permits are available. Please remember, permits are only needed for your start date. Ausangate Trek 5 Days / 4 Nights, prices are based on the number of people in a group.
Per person ( Eight, or more, trekkers)
“This trek is available everyday provided we have a minimum of 2 hikers”
Discounts:
We rate this route as difficult and you’ll be walking along rough terrain. There are some difficult ascents and descents and you’ll be hiking many hours a day until you reach the site of resting place or camp.
You’ll be walking for about 8 or 9 hours approximately on an average day. If you want to get a good idea of how far you walk and for how many hours at a time, check out the our Choquequirao itinerary.
If you feel like you might need to ride a horse sometimes, you can rent an extra one during the briefing or when you book. Otherwise, you can also rent them at certain points along the route.
In the Cusco region there are 2 defined climatic seasons. The dry season tends to be from May to September, followed by a rainy season from October to April. It is possible to do the trek all year long, but we recommend avoiding January and February, as these are the wettest months.
The Ausangate Trek route doesn’t tend to sell out in advance because not so many people hike it. However, we still recommend booking as far in advance.
If you leave it to the last minute, they may be fully booked on other routes and not have enough staff available to accommodate you on the route.
Yes, But, we recommend that they be at least 10-years-old. Ausangate Trek is challenging in many parts and it would be too difficult for smaller children—you could end up carrying them a lot of the way. Or I could rent an extra horse for the child who will travel with us.
We like to keep our group sizes small so that you enjoy more quiet and get to spend as much time with your guide as you like to ask questions. You always enjoy front-row spots. The maximum number of people that will be in your group is 8 passengers.
Not. when you’re traveling in another country, you like to keep in contact with friends and family. At the campsites we do not have wifi.
Not. At each campsite, There is no electricity or solar energy. You have to bring a battery to charge your electronic devices..
To avoid altitude sickness, give yourself time in Cuzco to acclimatize to the change in altitude. Two days minimum is recommended!!! Try to avoid alcohol before and during your trek, and make sure you eat lightly and drink plenty of water. Make sure to stay hydrated during the Ausangate Trek, don’t force yourself to walk faster than your body wants to, and take frequent breaks. Drinking coca leaf tea helps a lot, and you may wish to speak with your doctor about Diamox pills.
You can join us if you’re traveling by yourself but it must be on a day when we already have a tour planned. With the costs involved, we can’t start a new group with just one person. As long as two people are already signed up for a specific date, you can join their group.
We recommend to make your reservation in advance and we will guarantee your Spaces for this hike. Each reservation needs 50% of deposit as first payment. The final balance(50%) will be paid in Cusco(Briefing Day). About Payment you must choose where would you like to make the deposit: Payment system online: - Paypal - Western Union - Peruvian Banking Account We use the money from your deposit to make several important purchases, including the entrance fee to Ausangate Route, Transprt, Guide, etc. In addition, making a deposit assures us that you will be coming on the trek, and are unlikely to cancel at the last minute. This helps us with knowing how much food to buy, how many of our guides to use for the trek, etc. The deposit is non-refundable once we receive it, because we will immediately use in preparation for your walk.
First, we will send you an email to confirm your payment.
Two weeks before your tour date, we will contact you by email to request the final payment. We will also ask you where you will be staying in Cuzco, to be able to pick you up on the day of your hike.
After we receive the final payment, we will send you an email confirming your tour date and informing you of important contact information for our tour agency, as well as some final tips to prepare for the trek.
A lot. The cold can be intense, especially at night. In summer the temperature can drop to -5 or -10 degrees and there is always a chance of snowfall falling on you. It must be taken into account that most of the time you walk above 4,000 meters above sea level.
Accommodation is available in the village where the route begins, in Tinke. There are also accommodation options in Pacchanta. In the rest of the route you will have to camp. There are several points, for example, in Ausangatecocha, where there are small shelters with bathrooms, sometimes you can find locals from the different communities who will charge you 10 soles per person for camping.
It is highly recommended. We don't want to be the voice of your conscience, but if anything happens up there and they have to come looking for you, it won't be cheap. We had insurance that covered rescues up to 5,000 meters above sea level.
Yes. It's not that there isn't a marked path, it's that there are many and they intersect with each other, plus you arrive at esplanades where it is very easy to get disoriented. We 100% recommend the use of a GPS that works in the mountains, or failing that, an offline map. We use Maps.me and it worked for us.
We recommend 400 soles or 110 USD dollars. This is because sometimes you can need money for water, snacks, extra drinks, any kind of emergency.
Having a good guide is an essential part of having a good trek. Because of this, CUSCO DESTINATION hires and works with some of the best guides in the business. Our guides are knowledgable in the areas of history, archaeology, ecology, and are natives of the Cuzco area.
Sleeping bags are not included, so we recommend carrying a compact three-season sleeping bag. If you travel between May and October, a 4-station sleeping bag is recommended. These can be rented with us. For approximately $ 20 for the duration of the walk. Foam mats are provided, however, some travelers also bring their own self-inflating mat (ie, a Thermarest).
Our Cook prepare excellent high-energy meals appropriate for a walk of this nature. The menu generally includes pasta, rice, chicken, fresh fruits and vegetables and a variety of oatmeal, eggs and other foods for breakfast. Vegetarian alternatives are available upon request at the time of booking.
Tipping is at your discretion, but is always appreciated. If you enjoyed the service you enjoyed from your guides and support staff
By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L., you agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Booking:
Your booking is confirmed and a contract exists when the Tour Operator or your travel agent issues a written confirmation after receipt of the applicable deposit amount. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to the Tour Operator or authorized agent immediately. Please ensure that names are exactly as stated in the relevant passport.
You will pay a deposit which is completely non-refundable in any situation. There are no exceptions.
You will be required to show the original passport (not a copy) that you booked with, at the checkpoint to enter the route. If you originally booked with an old passport and then renewed your passport, you must also bring your expired passport along with your new, valid passport to permit entry or they will refuse your entrance to the trail.
IDs with expiry dates the following year, even though clearly valid, will not be accepted by the Peruvian government. You must submit a copy of this card at time of booking.
Cancellations:
Cancellations: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 50% is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing (we do not accept medical notes of any kind) as our out of pocket expenses are non-refundable to us.. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
ONCE BOOKED, DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. CHART BELOW OUTLINES WHAT FURTHER FEES WILL BE DUE.
| 91 days or more before departure | we will retain 50% of your deposit. |
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| 90 – 30 days before departure | we will retain 75% of the total tour cost. |
| 29 – 0 days before departure | we will retain 100% of the total tour cost. |
AUSANGATE TREK:
Permits: Permits for the trek are in your name and can not be transferred to anyone else under any circumstances. Change of dates is also not possible once a permit has been purchased. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit will be forfeited. Please note that this is a regulation of the Peruvian government and not Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. (or any agency).
In extreme cases when the “Ausangate Trek” is declared closed for safety reasons, Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. will replace your trek with an alternative trek.
Medical Information:
You must advise Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. of any medical problems or allergies you may have. You need to be in good physical health, and if your health is questionable, then you should consult a doctor. If you are over the age of 70 years old, then you will need to present us with a current good health medical certificate.
You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. The Tour Operator does not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements.
Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. reserves the right to deny you permission to travel or participate in any aspect of a Tour at any time and at your own risk and expense where the Tour Operator determines that your physical or mental condition renders you unfit for travel or you represent a danger to yourself or others.
Pregnancy is considered a medical condition and must be disclosed to the Tour Operator at the time of booking. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry pregnant women over 24 weeks. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry anyone with certain medical conditions if reasonable accommodation or alternatives cannot be arranged.
It is strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect you in case of medical emergency or any tour cancellations.
Tours and Treks:
All balances need to be paid in either cash, Western Union, Transfer Bank or PayPal (in full) prior to the briefing which will be held the night before your tour. Visa incurs a 5% service fee and if you need to use another card, it must be through PayPal which incurs a 5.5% service fee.
You must advise your guide if you wish to leave the group or the camping area for independent walks or sightseeing. If you are experiencing any problems with the services of the guide or tour, please advise the guide in that moment, so that he can resolve any problems.
If you become ill or injured on the trail and are unable to continue, a porter will be provided to accompany you back to an area with emergency assistance capabilities. Helicopter air lifts and medical assistance are at the expense of the trekker. There will be no refund of the original payment. However, we will prepare a document to certify illness which can be presented for your travel insurance.
Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. will take all reasonable care in providing to our clients avoidance of accident, illness, and loss of personal property, and will only employ suitably qualified staff. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. cannot, however, be responsible for any action of third parties. You are totally responsible for your own personal property and rented equipment.
Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. does not take responsibility for unfavorable weather conditions, natural catastrophe, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal ítems, etc. It is the client’s responsibility to carry insurance to cover these types of events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the unforeseen conditions listed above.
Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L. may modify your itinerary where reasonably required in its sole discretion.
Group tours might be as large as 16 participants. Groups are open to everyone no matter skill or age. By accepting a Group Tour you acknowledge that others might change the speed and timing of the tour.
All tours are done in English.
Delays:
Any costs, whether direct or incidental, incurred by the Customer as the result of delays caused by bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, sickness, government intervention or other contingencies which are beyond the control of southern explorations will not be reimbursed.
Thank you so much for choosing
Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L.!!!
Cusco Destination Travel Agency E.I.R.L.!!!
