Ausangate is the ultimate trekking destination in the Cusco area. This beautiful snow-capped peak is one of the main features of the Cusco skyline but very few people actually ever see it up close. The area around Ausangate is full of natural beauty; with azure lakes and the majestic snow-capped peak ever present, trekking here is truly amazing.
The 7 day Ausangate trek really allows you to see a part of Peru few ever visit, this unforgettable trail is perfect for people who love to get away from it all.
By booking the Ausangate Trek with Llamapath you are choosing the best. Don't believe us? Check out our reviews on TripAdvisor!
Useful Information
Today we set out from Cusco along the Puerto Maldanado road heading for the village of Tinki where we will begin our trek. It's a 6 hour journey in total and along the way we will stop at various villages to learn about the different cultures, traditions and customs that exist in this area. On arrival to Tinki (3800m / 12467 ft.) we will spend the night in a local lodge.
We start our day by visiting the public school here in Tinki. Tinki has the only school in the area so all the children from the surrounding communities come here to study. After meeting the children you can give them any gifts you may have brought such as pencils and notebooks before we begin our trek.
Our first destination is the community of Pacchanta, a 2 and a half hour walk away. Pacchanta is famous for the thermal baths there and we'll stop and have a relaxing dip before continuing on to our campsite at Lake Qomercocha. Throughout the day we will enjoy fantastic views of Ausangate, Santa Catalina, Maria Huamantiqlla, Pucapunta and Colquecruz towering above us and see people herding their alpacas and llamas.
Setting off early from our campsite we'll begin making our way up to the first pass on the trek (5080m / 16400 ft.) which takes about 3-4 hours in total. It's pretty hard going but the views along the way make it worth it. After taking in the views from the pass we'll make our way to the Ticllaqocha Lagoons, a beautiful group of little turquoise lagoons where we'll have lunch.
In the afternoon we'll carry on to our campsite at Yanamayo located in a valley overlooked by the impressive Tres Picos, Colquecruz and Pucapunta peaks.
From Yanamayo our trek once again begins to climb as we make our way up to Lake Yanacocha (Black Water), named thanks to its dark waters. The area around the lake is rich in volcanic soils which range in color from dark red through to black and there is evidence that the area was once covered by glaciers as shown by the piles morraine dotted about.
From Yanacocha our path continues on up until we reach the pass (5050 m/15564 ft.) where we will have fantastic views of colored mountains, beautiful lagoons and herds of llamas and alpacas roaming below. Our destination for today is Condorpaso which lies beyond one more even higher pass (5100m/ 16728 ft.).
Today we head to the highest altitude on the whole trek. About a 2 hour walk from our campsite at Condorpaso lies the next pass (5200m / 17,056ft.) from where we'll get our first views of Lake Sibinacocha and the Vilcanota mountain range. The area we are trekking in receives very few visitors and this makes it perfect for us to spot the rare and reclusive vicuña (a wild breed of camelid renowned for its fine wool).
From the pass it's about a 5 hour walk down to our campsite for the night on the shores of the lake. Just a short distance away from our camp is the source of the lake, a large glacier whose turquoise waters provide a sharp contrast to the dark blue of the lake.
Waking up by the lake we will be treated to a beautiful spectacle in the gentle dawn light, the lakes waters are perfectly still and there is not a sound to be heard other than the call of birds. It's a perfect place to enjoy our breakfast and take in the moment in the knowledge that by tomorrow we'll be back in civilisation.
From Lake Sibinacocha our trek takes us on to the community or Yayamari and across a plateau to our final campsite at Ccascana. Along the way we'll see hundreds of alpacas and llamas and also hopefully some vicuña. Our campsite for tonight is surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks such as Montura and Chumpi and there are many small rural communities dotting the area showing us that we're finally getting back to civilisation.
The final stretch of our trek takes us down the mountain to the small community of Phinaya, a 3 and half hour walk away. This small Andean community has a beautiful little church and no presence of vehicles except bikes and horses; we'll stop here for lunch and wait for our bus to pick us up and drive us back to Cusco.
Discounts:
Student Discount: US$20 (Requires ISIC Card to qualify)
Under 18's Discount: US$20
Optional Extras:
Sleeping Bag US$35
Inflatable Mattress US$30
Single Tent Supplement US$35
Mule to carry extra 7kg of personal items US$120
PLEASE: Make sure to add the fees associated with your PayPal / visa transaction. Otherwise Llama Path will be sending you a receipt indicating the exact amount we received from you and the amount of the balance to be paid upon you arrival in Cusco.
Llama Path Terms and Conditions
DEFINITIONS: The definitions below will apply throughout these terms and conditions:
10. CANCELLATION:
a) If a Trip is cancelled or a Client wishes to leave a Trip, for any reason, the Deposit and any balance paid will not be refundable, . If the Trip has been paid in full, there may be components that the Client can still use, such as the Machu Picchu entrance, train ticket and bus ticket.
b) Deposit is non refundable , , non transfarable to another tour ,date or person Because the permits are purchased through the Peruvian government and due to their rules the permits are not transferable and no refundable.
c) Refunds will be provided for Day Tours (City Tour , Sacred Valley , Southern Valley , Maras Moray , River Rafting , Rainbow Mountain , Humantay Lake) as follows:
11.FORCE MAJEURE: Llama Path is not responsible or liable where any force majeure event or circumstance occurs which is beyond the control of Llama Path, including but not limited to acts of God, civil or military disturbances, extreme weather, disease, technological interruptions, labour strikes, or acts of war or terrorism . The Client recognizes that Llama Path may need to alter, or even cancel, a Trip in response to a force majeure event or circumstance, and will not be liable for any such alteration or cancellation.
12. PROTEST OR STRIKE EARLY DEPARTURE: In the event of a protest or a strike, which may affect the itinerary of a Trip, Llama Path, at its discretion, may decide to leave early for the Trip in order to provide the best service possible. In such cases, Llama Path will charge an increment to cover the extra costs incurred, such amount as to be determined by Llama Path, depending on the circumstances
13. HOLIDAY OR ELECTION EXTRA CHARGE: Where a Trip takes place on one or more of any of the following days, due to reasons of public holiday, or elections in Peru, an extra charge per person, per Trip will be applied: December 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, January 1, and any day that an election may fall on. The extra charge will be determined by Llama Path (35 usd), and covers staff’s fines for missing elections, or is a bonus for staff missing a public holiday.
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