AUSANGATE TREK 6 DAYS

Itinerary and Description of Services:

This beautiful walking tour is taken through impressive landscapes of the mountain range Vilcanota
(to the southeast of Cusco) in the midst of snowy peaks, Andean glaciers and local fauna. In
addition, one has the opportunity to experience local living with natives who continue to maintain
their indigenous Andean culture. The tour passes through the largest snowy peak in the region,
that of el Ausangate. The routes and camping sites have been groomed in such a way as to
facilitate access and safety while additionally offering much to enjoy in the way of a unique
environment.
In order to best prepare for the hiking tour, its advisable to take two days of acclimatization in the
surroundings of Cusco so that our team can offer all the facilities and comforts necessary to enjoy
the route to its fullest.
Day 1: Cusco (3,350m // 10,990 feet) Tinki (3,900m // 12,795 feet) Pacchanta (4,240m //
13,910 feet)
-

Early morning departure from Hotel headed for the Cordillera Vilcanota aboard private bus.
During our journey we shall go over the Pass of Ccatca (4,200m // 13,779feet), after which
we will reach the towns of Ccatca and Ocongate (3,700m // 12,139feet). Finally, we arrive
at the village of Tinki (3,900m // 12,795feet), an authentic indigenous settlement, where
we meet up with our friendly muleteers (arrieros). After introductions and greetings, rituals
of prosperity and offerings to the Pachamama and the Apus (Tutelar Mountain Spirits)
commence. We then set forth on the trail to begin our trek.

Night in Pacchanta (4240m // 13,910 pies) near the hot springs.

Number of bus hours: 4h.

Ascent:

Descent:

Number o trekking hours: 3h30.

Lodging: Overnight in Camping site.

L/D

Day 2: Pacchanta Pachaspata (4,650m // 15,255feet)

-

This day we hike along the flat highland plateau known as the puna .We ascend gradually,
following the main course of a stream, in the direction of the first Abra, or Pass. The view
of the greatest towering peaks of the Cordillera Vilcanota is fascinating: Colquecruz
(6,110m // 20,045feet), Chimbaya (6,010m // 19,717feet), Mariposa (5018m // 16,463feet),
and Ausangate (6384m // 20,944feet highest mountain in the department of Cusco). The
trail is not at all difficult. Several lakes of varying and contrasting color are passed along the
way. Eventually we reach Pachaspata at an altitude of 4650m / 15,255feet, which is situated
at the foot of the northeast face of Ausangate. Overnight in Pachaspata.
Number of trekking hours: 6 hours
Ascent:

Descent:

Lodging: Overnight in camping site.

BLD

Day 3: Pachaspata Chilca (4,400m // 14,435feet).

-

This day we placidly head towards Campa Pass (4900m // 16,076feet), skirting the slopes of
the Aguja Puka Punta massif and the snow capped peak known as Tres Puntas. Lying about,
scattered atop this pass, are a considerable number of Apachetas which are Cairns,
piles of stacked rocks, consecrated to the mountain spirits- where the Arrieros (muleteers),
imbued by the deep faith and beliefs of their magic-religious world, stop for short while to
deposit propitious offerings and add yet one more rock to the pile.

A particularly outstanding feature of this environment, markedly noticeable around this

pass, is the sharp contrast between the arid rocky desert of thin, flaky plated schistose
gneiss and quartz that are traversed, and the green and ample loftiness of the fields of
Yareta. The Yareta (Azorella yarita, a peripheral member of the cruciferae family) is a
characteristic plant of the high puna region; its appearance is that of a bright green
cushion-like growth, sticky and hard to the touch, composed of thousands of rosettes of
tiny leaves. This plant can cover an area of as much as thirty square meters; yet grow only
1.5 millimeters per year. They can be thousands of years old. We now begin going down
into the watershed of the Chilca River, although in a general upstream direction, skirting
high slopes for about 1 hours around the headwaters until positioned to descend directly
into our destination which is our campsite at Chilca.
Number of trekking hours: 7 - 8 hours
Ascent

Descent

Lodging: Overnight in camping site.

BLD

Day 4: Chilca Pukacocha (4550m // 14,927feet)

-

A long trekking day awaits us, with two passes to surmount. The first of these is the pass of
Palomani (5,050m // 10,568feet) and thehighest point of the entire circuit. After 2 hours of
steady climbing, an astonishing landscape unfolds: a corridor of reddish-brown earth and
schist devoid of ice and snow- on the left slope of the Ausangate massiff, known as the
cliff of Aucatauri. The nearby top of the pass affords us a stunning view of the main peak of

Ausangate and the summit of nearby Mt. Santa Catalina (5,809m // 19,058 feet), as well as
the Lake of Ausangate, with its striking bright green mineral -laden waters.
The next immediate pass is Ausangate Pass, (4,800m // 15,748feet) at the top of which
there is yet another magnificent panorama to behold. Surging from the severe background
of the terminal moraines of the great mountain emerges another verdant valley, dotted
with colorful lakes. We finish this extraordinary day of trekking arriving at our campsite on
the shores of Pukacocha (the red lake).
Number of trekking hours: 6 hours
Ascent:

Descent

Lodging: Overnight in camping site.

BLD

Day 5: Pukacocha Upis (4,400m // 14,435feet) or Coamuro (3900m // 12,795feet)

- This trek takes place along the bottom of a sheltered valley. The trek is easy and we have
only a light ascent to contend with. Actually, we skirt along the west and northwest slopes
of our favorite mountain Ausangate -, afterwards reaching Upis, there is a camping option
but an additional two hours yields another camping site in Coamuro, close to the homes
of the local habitants, an excellent opportunity to observe and participate in the customs
and everyday life of the communal citizens.
- Traditional Dinner of "Pachamanca" (mutton baked in a stone lined, earth sunk oven).
- Number of Hours of the trek: 5 - 7 hours.
- Ascent:
-

Descent:

Lodging: Overnight in camping tent or in the vicinity of local habitants homes.

BLD

Day 6: End of the trek in the Cordillera Vilcanota and return to Cusco.
-

On this day we pull away from the impressive Ausangate Massif, and trek through the
highland puna, in the company of Andean geese (huallatas) and wild ducks. Toward the
northeast one marvels at the Cordilleras of Urubamba and Vilcabamba. Soon we reach
Tinki where our bus awaits us. We now retrace our journey through Ocongate and on to
Cusco. Late afternoon arrival in Cusco.
Return to Hotel
Number of Hours of the trek: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent:

Descent:

BL

PLEASE NOTE. The sequence of times and camping locations indicated are subject to modification
depending on weather conditions or unforeseen events.
The price Includes:
- Transportation and excursions included in the program.
- 5 breakfasts + 6 lunches + 5 dinners.
- Sleeping Tents for 5 Days + camping equipment
- Pack animals and Muleteers + 1 emergency saddle.
- Professional and Qualified Guides, with specific Mountaineering training and instruction
received in Cusco and in Huaraz, ample experience in trekking, English and (or) Spanish-

speaking.
Trail Cook.

The price not include:

- Extras drinks and beverages.
- Tips
- Sleeping Bag.
- Trekking shoes.
- Any personal equipment, clothing, backpack, etc.