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Ausangate Trek Tours Peru
Ausangate Trek 5 Days

Ausangate Trek 5 Days

The Ausangate Trek is a captivating and challenging hike that takes you through the heart of the Peruvian Andes, offering unparalleled views of snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, and remote Andean villages. Located near the sacred Mount Ausangate, one of the highest peaks in the region at 6,384 meters (20,945 feet), this trek is a true adventure for nature lovers and experienced trekkers alike.

The trek offers a unique opportunity to explore a lesser-visited part of Peru, away from the crowds of other popular hikes like the Inca Trail. Along the route, you’ll encounter diverse ecosystems, from high-altitude plateaus to lush valleys, and the chance to experience traditional Andean culture. With stunning views of the iconic Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) in the distance, the Ausangate Trek is an unforgettable journey that combines challenging terrain, natural beauty, and cultural immersion, making it one of Peru’s premier trekking destinations.

Overview

The Ausangate trek 5 days with Rainbow Mountain is an amazing option for those who are looking for a challenging high-altitude hike with several high passes to cross. It is not for the faint hearted, and a good level of fitness is required. You will be rewarded by quiet, uncrowded trails, spectacular glacial lakes, stunning snow-capped peaks and the unusual red scree landscapes of the Rainbow Mountains of Vinicunca.

TREK, ADVENTURE Trip styles
5050 M. / 16564 FT. Max. Altitude
7 HOURS Hiking
MODERATE Activity Level

Itinerary

5 Day Ausangate Trek

DAY 1, Cusco – Tinki – Upis

For the Ausangate Tek 5-Day we will leave Cusco early in the morning by bus. On our way to the upper of Tinqui (3,800m/12,467ft), we will pass little farms and meet local families. After a little stopping while we packing your belongings in duffel bags, we start walking towards the community of Upis (4,360m/14,304ft).

Along the way, we will meet local families who will show us some examples of their textile work, created to honor the nature and Andean symbols. We spend the night in Upis camping site, also the possibility to enjoy hot springs.

Hiking distance: 8 km / 4.9 miles
Minimum altitude: 3,900 masl / 12,795 fasl
Maximum altitude: 4,360 masl / 14,304fasl
Hiking time: 3 – 4hours

 

DAY 2, Upis – Arapa Pass  – Puca Qaccha – Anantapata

Wake up with a hot tea and incredible view of Apu Ausangate, after breakfast, we will ascend towards the first pass called Arapa (4,800m/15,748f). Thereafter, we will descend for a few hours towards Puca Qocha and have a lunch at the border of the lake. Our route continues ascending towards the Extreme Ausangate pass (5,020m/16,469f).

From this view point you will appreciate the fantastic view of the Apu Ausangate, also you will be available to see the summit of this mountain, at the bottom of it there will be some lakes which offers incredible views.

Then we continue our hike descending through the valley with some picturesque landscapes, finally after 2 hours hike, we reach the campsite in Anantapata. 4,520m /14,790ft

 

Hiking distance: 15 km / 9.2 miles
Minimum altitude: 5,020 masl / 16,469 fasl
Maximum altitude: 4,360 masl / 14,304fasl
Hiking time: 8 – 9 hours

 

DAY 3, Anantapata – Rainbow Mountain – Ausangate Qocha

Today we wake up early according to explore the famous Rainbow Mountain before the crowds arrive, after the breakfast, 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 part of the red valley, afterwards we descend and hike through the marvelous path to the colorful mountain for about 2 hours and once we reached, we enjoy the majestic views of it.

We will be early morning at the Rainbow mountain and avoid the crowds, 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.

After have done with it, we take the same way back to lunch spot to enjoy the delicious food, then we continue our hike to Ausangate Qocha where we will spend the night.

 

Hiking distance: 18 km / 11.2miles
Minimum altitude: 4,360 masl / 14,304 fasl
Maximum altitude: 5,020masl / 16,469fasl
Hiking time: 9 – 10 hours

 

DAY 4, Ausangate Qocha – Palomani Pass – Jampa pampa

This day we’ll reach the highest mountain pass (5,200/ 17,060ft.) with its panoramic, spectacular views of Ausangate snow-covered.

Wake up and have a breakfast and begin the hike ascending by a switchback trail with incredible view while you turn back to see the lake and a red valley, after climb it and reach the summit, your guide will do an offer for the Apu Ausangate with some local natural products, also you will say thanks for this incredible adventure.

Then we descend for a couple hours and reach the land spot near to the house of local families, you will have time to share some moments with locals, afterwards we continue our hike to the next campsite.

Hiking distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Minimum altitude: 4,570 masl / 14,993 fasl
Maximum altitude: 5,200 masl / 17,060fasl
Hiking time: 7– 8 hours

 

DAY 5, Jampa Pampa – Jampa pass – Pacchanta – Cusco

The highlight of this day is definitely the spectacular ascend to the Campa pass (5,050m/16,568ft). Moreover, we will pass several lovely lakes of different colors on the way to Pacchanta (4350m/14270ft). Here, we will enjoy the hot springs and will have a typical lunch. After being relaxing at the hot spring, in the afternoon we will board our bus to back to Cusco.

 

Hiking distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
Minimum altitude: 4,570 masl / 14,993 fasl
Maximum altitude: 5,050 masl / 16,568fasl
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours

 

Inclusions

We are transparent and provide the specific details of what is included and excluded in our Ausangate Trek 5-Day . 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.

WE INCLUDE

  • Pre-Departure briefing : Once you book the tour with us, you will get a notification about the pre-departure briefing, where you will meet with your trekking guide and the tour group in our office the night before your Ausangate Trek departure. During this briefing, you will receive important details of the trek. After this time, you will receive your duffel bag for your extra luggage, which will be carried by the horses while you are hiking
  • Professional Adventure Guide : All our tour guides have a great reputation in customer service, our tour guide have graduated with tourism career from National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco, they have also studied English in a private language institute. Through to their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for trekking and proud to have been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore the amazing Rainbow mountain.
  • Entrance Fees to Ausangate park : Once we receive your details and the deposit for your tour, we purchase all the necessary tickets for your trek it will be for a specific date and will be in your name.
  • Accommodations: We include accommodations 2 nights along the Ausangate trek, with a suitable camping equipment to make sure your trek is an experience of the life time. Our tents are Mountain gear or Doite pro Aconcagua for 4 people, which will be shared only for 2 people to ensure you comfort and enough place for your luggage. The same way we include Inflatable mattress. There will also be a spacious dining tent for you to enjoy each meal along this tour.
  • Private Transport : We included all the transportation during your tour, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the beginning of the trail, the bus returning from the Ausangate to Cusco will drop off you at your hotel.
  • Horses : We include horses to transport all the duffel bags and equipment during this tour also will be a horse man. We know safety is first is for that we include an emergency horse in case someone feels tired or get altitude sickness.
  • Personal Duffel bag: We included a personal duffel bag for your 4-day Ausangate trek. You will get this duffel bag in our office during your pre-departure briefing the night before of your trek. This bag will be carried by horses during the trek. You will find it in your tent every afternoon you arrive to the campsite. It can be filled with your personal items, sleeping bag and mattress but the maximum allowable weight is 7kg/17lb. The duffel bag must be returned to our office no later than one day after your trek.
  • Toilet Tents : During our Ausangate trek, we bring our own portable toilet tent because we know how important is to protect our environment and we are trained to don’t leave no traces along the route.
  • Medical First Aid Kit : All tour guides are very well trained in First aid. They received training courses every 6 months how to assist to someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained how to supply a balloon oxygen in the case if someone requires it.
  • Meals : We know food is such an important part of any vacation and getting the right fuel on an active holiday is crucial… We include 3 breakfast, 4 lunch and 3 dinner. And of course, we cater to all dietary restrictions Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten free and others just let us know. Our chefs are well-trained to prepare the best food ever you’ve had with local and organic ingredients.
  • Water : We will provide you water from the first lunch to the last breakfast. This water will be filtered, boiled and cooled by our Chef. You must bring your own water container, bottle or camelback that can hold water for hiking for a few hours. We recommend a capacity of 2 liters.

     WE NOT INCLUDED

  • Sleeping bag : Every trekker along the Ausangate trek needs a proper sleeping bag which has to be for -15°C / 5° F. We recommend you bring your own, but if you don’t want to bring your own or you don’t have one, you can rent a sleeping bag from us.
  • Walking Sticks : Hiking with trekking poles has its benefits, protect your knees while you are hiking downhill, especially on the remote area which are many up and downhill, trekking poles help you during the ascent, increased stability, if you don’t have a pair of trekking poles you can rent them from our office.
  • Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Entrance : We do not include the entrance ticket to the Rainbow mountain and the view point of the Red Valley, you must to pay directly there, the price for these is about 20 Peruvian soles for each one.
  • First Breakfast : We do not provide breakfast on the day of your departure. However, most hotel offers breakfast during your stay there. In case your hotel does not provide breakfast, we will stop at a restaurant near to Tinki where you will be available to purchase a breakfast.
  • Travel Insurance : We recommend to buy a travel insurance before to leave your country in case something happen along your visit to Peru.
  • Tips for our team :Tips are not included. Tipping the team is usual on any excursion to the Ausangate, although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team hard work.

Packing List

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 for your Ausangate Trek?

Important

  • Passport
  • Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
  • Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
  • Water storage, Water reservoir like Camelback is encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
  • Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)
  • Trekking poles

 

 

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.

  • 3-4 wicking t-shirts
  • 3-4 hiking pants
  • 3 sets of undergarments.
  • 1 Fleece
  • 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
  • 1 Rain jacket and pants
  • 1 sun hat
  • 1 wool hat
  • Bathers / swimsuit for the hot spring
  • Small towel
  • Headlamp: essential
  • Waterproof gloves
  • Comfortable shoes for camp or flip flops
  • Walking boots
  • Waterproof jacket/rain poncho

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.

  • Sun hat
  • Rain gear
  • Fleece
  • Camera
  • Music (iPhone)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
  • Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
  • Earplugs
  • Snacks (chocolate, energy bars, fruits, etc.)

TOILETRIES:

  • Sunscreen
  • Face moisturizer
  • Bug spray
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Wet wipes
  • Toothbrush and paste
  • Toilet paper
  • Personal medication
  • First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

 

important info

IMPORTANT INFO FOR AUSANGATE TREK

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.

We Recommend for Ausangate Trek

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.

If 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.

In case 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.

Prices

  • From $480.00USD per person
  • Price for group of 4 people: $1900.00USD

Online Payment

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.

Book Now

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.


"Thank you for considering AUSANGATE TOURS, unfortunately, due to the rainy season and trail maintenance, we will be closed from the 31st of January till the 29st of February. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, we are working to provide you a better service!"

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