Ausangate, sometimes spelt Auzangate, is one of the highest mountains in Peru and the most important apu (mountain spirit) in Andean mythology. Situated in the Ocongate area of Cusco, the majestic Ausangate mountain stands at an impressive 6,384m (20,945 ft).
Ocongate is a rural area where time has stood still for centuries. Life here has changed little since the Inca era, and you’ll discover some of the few remaining farming communities of their kind in the world. As well as being famous for the epic Ausangate trek 4-day is the most popular adventure – this region is also a wildlife lover’s paradise. The rolling hills of Ocongate are dotted with llama and alpaca herds, carefully tended by women in traditional Andean dress. They are also home to many wild animals, such as vicuñas, vizcachas, and Andean geese to name a few.
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The scenic Ausangate trekking routes around the Ausangate mountain offer some of the most spectacular and remote hiking in all of Peru. If you fancy lolloping alongside llamas, taking selfies beside turquoise lakes, and roaming in the shadow of Cusco’s highest peak, then come to Ausangate. Rainbow Mountain’s allure is intoxicating too, and it’s in the same region, so if you fancy extending your Ausangate trek to include a visit to this colourful peak, that’s totally doable too!
Here’s a handy overview of the Ausangate trek 4-day, so you know what to expect if you decide to take up the challenge. Yes, this is a bit of an epic undertaking, but don’t be put off. As you’ll discover below, prior preparation and a sense of adventure are all the tools you will need to conquer this classic Peruvian trek. It’s time to put your best foot forward!
Ausangate Trek 4 Days / 3 Nights
DAY 1, Cusco – Tinki – Pachispata
Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco early morning, then, we begin our adventure to Ausangate Trek 4-day, it will take 3 hours driving to Tinki town on the Southern parth of Cusco, here we will stop off for relax our legs and take a breakfast also will be available to buy some items for your hike. Then, we continue our drive to Pacchanta village for an hour more, there we will meet with our trekking team such as the horse driver, cook assistant also you will have enough time to set up your duffle bag and your day backpack.
Afterwards we begin our hike gradually ascending by a green valley inhabited by some South American camels as Lamas and Alpacas, also you will observe a different turquoise lake and the Apu Ausangate on the background.
We have lunch around the lakes rest for little bit, then, we continue our hike for a few hours more to our campsite Pachispata located over 4,620m / 15,157ft
Hiking distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
Minimum altitude: 4,100 masl / 13,451 fasl
Maximum altitude: 4,620 masl / 15,157fasl
Hiking time: 4 – 5hours
DAY 2, Pachispata – Qampa Pass – Qampa Pampa – Huchuy Phinaya
This day we wake up early and enjoy our breakfast in from of impressive mountains, our team will prepare a delicious meal, today we begin the hike ascending to our first pass called Qampa Pass 5,100m / 16,797ft as we ascending, we will have incredible views and some snow peaks on our left side Puka Punta, Cayangate and other, you will be amazed by the gorgeous landscape that looks unreal away of the noise places. Your guide will explain you why these mountains are important for Andean People.
Then we start hiking down following the Qampa pampa valley where you will observe many lamas and alpacas, also some picturesque villages. After a few hours of hike, we arrive to our lunch spot where our team will set up everything for us, we will enjoy it and have a deserved rest, on the afternoon we hike for another 3 hours to reach our next campsite located on the side of Huchuy Phinaya village 4,430m / 14,534ft.
Hiking distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Minimum altitude: 4,430 masl / 14,534 fasl
Maximum altitude: 5,100 masl / 16,797fasl
Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours
DAY 3, Huchuy Phinaya – Ausangate Qocha – Anantapata
This day is the most challenging in this marvel adventure and for that our team will wake you up with a hot coca tea and this will give you some extra energy to reach the next pass, after the breakfast we start the day ascending by a switchback trail with marvelous views of Apu Ausangate and the brown lake located at the bottom of the Ausangate, you will have the time to capture incredible photos while your tour guide explains you about it.
After a few hours of hike, we will reach the summit of this day about 5,200m /17,060ft this is the spot where you will be closer to the Apu Ausangate and your guide will do some offering for our Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) Using some natural products as the ancient people did, he will blow some coca leaves to say thank you for this incredible day, also you will feel the energy of the Apus and understand why the local people called Apus or deities.
Then we hike down to Ausangate Qocha for enjoy the lunch and explore part of this lake, after a rest, we continue hiking to our next campsite between land of lamas and alpacas, you always will have time to enjoy the moments. Then we arrive to Anantapata our campsite, all our tents will be set up for us.
Have a rest and enjoy the afternoon tea.
Hiking distance: 15 km / 9.32 miles
Minimum altitude: 4,430 masl / 14,534 fasl
Maximum altitude: 5,200 masl / 17,060fasl
Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours
DAY 4, Anantapata – Warmi Saya Pass – Rainbow Mountain – Cusco
This last day of our adventure we wake up early according to reach the Rainbow Mountain before the crowds arrive, after enjoyed the breakfast prepared with different local products, we leave the campsite ascending the Warmi Saya pass 5,050m / 16,568ft from there you will appreciate the fantastic colors of the Rainbow Mountain and surrounding, afterwards we descend and hike to the colorful mountain for about 2 hours, once we reached it we enjoy the majestic views when is not many people.
We will be here before the crowds arrive and you will have plenty time to explore this iconic Rainbow mountain, your guide will explain why the reasons of its colorful layers of rock sediment: turquoise, orange, brown, and red and have time to capture the best photos.
Once we have done with it, in addition to enjoying the gem of the Peruvian Andes, we’ll begin our trek towards the spectacular Red Valley. As mentioned, this is a lesser known, lesser travelled area and you will be amazed not only by the beauty, but also by the tranquility. It only takes 30 minutes of walking (one way) to reach the Red Valley lookout point from where we will have views right across the valley.
Finally, we’ll take the path to the bus stations and drive to our restaurant to enjoy our lunch, after a little rest we board our bus to Cusco.
Arriving there about 4-5pm we will drop off you at your hotel.
Hiking distance: 13 km / 7.4 miles
Minimum altitude: 4,570 masl / 14,993 fasl
Maximum altitude: 5,120 masl / 16,762fasl
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
We are transparent and provide the specific details of what is included and excluded in our Ausangate Trek 4 Day Tour. We know this is very important so that you know what exactly to bring and you don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your trek.
In our company we focus to make your trip an unforgettable experience and we want to provide all details which you need to know before to leave your country and start your life experience in Peru.
What you need to pack?
Important
FOR YOUR DUFFEL:
Horses will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3 kg.
Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least
INSIDE YOUR DAY BACKPACK:
Daypack can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. If it is larger try to bring it as lighter as possible.
Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
TOILETRIES:
On the Ausangate trek tour, don’t forget water! Drinking lots of water will help with the elevation. We advise bringing at least 2 liters per person on the hike with you. Also, you will have chance to buy water at the beginning of the trek.
We skip the crowds! Everybody else goes Ausangate trek tour at the same time. That means they’re all want to take the best camping spots on this route. Since we leave from Cusco at 05:00 am. You will get to the view point and the camp site before the crowd, and enjoy this fantastic landscape.
Our guide always brings oxygen tank which are important as you get over 4620 meters/15,255feet above sea level! Not all travel agencies offer this, so this is definitely something to look out for when choosing the best Ausangate tour operator.
The best time to visit the Ausangate is going to be in the from April to October before the rainy season begins
This hike is very demanding. And the constantly changing weather conditions, combined with high altitude, can be a challenge for experienced hikers. But if done right it’s manageable even for those who don’t hike much.
Make sure that you have been a few days in Cusco to acclimatize to the elevation before you set off on your hike to Ausangate Tour. This is by far the best insurance for a smooth and enjoyable trip.
Go to sleep early and try to avoid drinking or partying the night before, because We will pick you up at 05:00 am and the physically challenging trek will be much more bearable without a hangover.
In case you have altitude sickness symptoms, descend as quickly as you can. It’s nothing to mess around with.
Try to go all the way to the viewpoint. You get a 360° view not just the Ausangate trek but of the nearby glacier and a gorgeous valley in the other direction. We think most people didn’t realize what they were missing by not going all the way up.
If you are going to Machu Picchu the day before your trip to the Ausangate, tell your travel company to book your return train ticket early.
Higher elevation also means colder, nearly freezing temperatures, so be prepared. Whether you decide to take a one-day tour, make sure to wear very warm clothes. Also bring coca leaves to fight off altitude sickness and carry the minimum gear possible to ease the hike.
To book any tour/trek through with Ausangate Tours, we do require a 50% deposit per person. PayPal does charge us a fee of 8% which we ask the client to cover. This taxes is just for deposits, the remaining, you will pay in cash(briefing day) without taxes
Please complete the form below to request a reservation. One of our Trip Coordinators will contact you, often within two business hours, to confirm availability of the trip and/or provide you with other options. Once availability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the trek. Please call us at (+51) 951 359 694 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
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