Ausangate Trek 3 Days
Discover a world of magical energies and feed your adventurous spirit.
1 Day from $100.00 per person
Ausangate Trek 3 Days
Discover a world of magical energies and feed your adventurous spirit.
1 Day Short Hike
23 reviews
Overview
OverviewAusangate is a mountain in the Vilcanota range where the highest snow-capped mountain in Cusco (6868 m.a.s.l.) prevails. For the Andean cosmovision, the Apu Ausangate is the sacred, protective and most important mountain.
It is a spiritual and adventurous excursion where the visitor enjoys in its greatest splendor the majestic path in the presence of Andean camelids, glaciers and colorful lakes.
It is a 67 km walk of classic, connected with nature through healing with the Inca techniques and deep reflection immersed in their tradition, customs, gastronomy and hospitality of the Andean communities of Cusco Peru.
Enter into the wisdom and knowledge together with the Andean priests of the Q’eros Community (heirs of knowledge and innate wisdom)
Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO – OCONGATE – TINKI – UPIS.
Our adventure, healing and learning begins, leaving Cusco early in the morning for our trip by private transport to the small town of Tinki (3800 meters / 12 464 feet) passing through typical villages and picturesque landscapes of Cusco such as Urcos, Cattca and Ocongate, majestic places and viewpoint of the Vilcanota River Range. After lunch in Tinkii, the first 3 hours on the trail are a wonderful prelude to the magnificent landscape of the Vilcanota Mountain Range, with excellent views of Ausangate. We will walk for two more hours until we reach the hot springs of Upis (4400 meters / 14432 feet) which offer fantastic views of Ausangate at the end of the valley and our first ceremony after our delicious dinner. We will camp here for the night.
DAY 2: UPIS – AUSANGATE
Healing ceremony and spiritual initiation
During our morning hike we cross Arapa Mountain (4850 meters above sea level). After three hours we travel to the different lakes to receive the energies of the sacred mountain through ceremonies and appreciate the colors of the lakes and tune in to the pure energy of nature. These lagoons are fed by the melted snow of Ausangate. Afterwards we reach our camping site here for the second night.
DAY 3: CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA
Today is the last day of your adventure and Ausagante healing however we will have the opportunity to share the culture with the local people, then at approximately 8:00 am begins the return to Phacchanta making a 2 hour walk to board our transport back to the city of Cusco. will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience
Included
Pre-departure briefing: the night before your trip, you will receive the visit of your guide and group at your hotel to get an orientation before your walk. At this time, we will provide you with duffel bag that our horses will carry. Your bag cannot exceed 7 likos and must include the sleeping bag and air mattress. Your bags will carry all the canvas bags and will only be available at your campsite every day (morning and afternoon). Any items needed while walking should be packed in your backpack.
Transportation: We will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and you will travel by transport to Upis, the starting point of the hike and once you have completed the hike, you will be taken directly back to your hotel in Cusco to be dropped off
Professional Guides: The guides studied English and tourism at the University of Cusco, professionally educated and official. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings along the entire route, including leading your group in ancient ceremonies! He or she will keep you healthy and ensure that you are safe and happy.
Andean priest: our specialty for the group is an Andean master, shaman who will help you connect with nature and yourself through ceremony to the APUS (sacred mountains) and PACHAMAMA (mother earth) of the Q’eros community (heirs of the Inca culture).
Porters and riders: We include a personal porter, who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag containing your items. There is no additional fee for this. Your duffel bag will be provided at your briefing the night before, and will be filled with the things you will need for the night and the next day. You will not have access to your duffel bag until you arrive at your overnight camp.
Food: Our chefs are professionals who specialize in local and international cuisine. We respect all food restrictions, so be sure to add any on your reservation form and let your guide know at your briefing. The food is usually served family style.You will enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner every day for the walk along with a happy hour of tea and snacks.
Water: Beginning from your first lunch until your last breakfast, the chefs will supply all the water needed. This water is boiled, filtered and then cooled before distributed. You must bring personal water bottles and/or a camelback. We recommend carrying about 3L of value. You will be able to refill your water at each meal.
Emergency Horse: All the treks we offer include an additional horse for our clients that can be ridden if you feel sick or if you are a little slower.
First aid: all the guides receive training in first aid from a physician, we have in the city of Cusco, your tour guide will always have a first aid kit for basic medical problems and essential oxygen,if necessary we will use it more quickly and comfortably.
Camping equipment: dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs and cooking equipment (all carried by the horses)
No Included
Travel insurance: It is not required, but it is recommended, for those of you who live at sea level, landing in Cusco will take a period of time. Most people need 1 to 2 days to adjust.
Headlamps: It is recommended to bring a lighthouse for your night camp. There will be no lights at the camp sites and it is difficult to get to your dining tent or bathroomtent without one. Flashlights are acceptable.
Rentals: Every trekker needs a sleeping bag, when camping, sleeping bag and poles are optional, but recommended. If you do not wish to bring any, they are all available for rent.
Personal clothing and equipment
Gratuities: tips are always appreciated and should be based completely on your satisfaction. Although it may not be customary for you, it is of considerable importance to the people who will take care of you during your travels.
Recommendations
- If you have symptoms of altitude sickness, descend as soon as possible. There is no need to complicate your life.
- Our guide always has oxygen tanks, which are important as you go above 5040 meters/16,500 feet above sea level. Not all travel agencies offer this service, so it is something to consider when choosing the best Rainbow Mountain tour operator.
- Make sure you are acclimatized to the altitude of Cusco before setting out on the Rainbow
- Mountain trek. This is by far the best insurance for a smooth and enjoyable trip. We recommend that you spend at least 2 days in Cusco before the trek.
- Batteries tend to die due to the cold – keep them in your sleeping bag.
- The higher elevation also means colder, near-freezing temperatures, so be prepared. If you decide to hike for several days, be sure to pack very warm clothing. Also, carry coca leaves to combat altitude sickness and carry as little equipment as possible to make the hike easier.
- It is easy to rent equipment, if you need anything, in Cuzco for a few dollars a day per item.
- We have cabins at all camps. You will be protected from rain, snow and hail.
- Regardless of the weather conditions, the scenery is still spectacular.
- Although we expect the excursion to run as described in the itinerary up to the 3-day Ausangate
- Trek. Participants must accept that there is the possibility of changes, being necessary due to local conditions, e.g. strikes, natural disasters.
- You will cross 3 passes that are above 16,000 feet in elevation. The passes are mostly gradual.
- Temperatures can drop well below freezing at night and be prepared for snow.
What To Bring
- Daypack with rain cover.
- Torch / headlamp.
- Extra socks (wool is best).
- Hiking pants and layering shirts.
- Rain pants
- Camping shoes / sandals: to wear at night.
- Camping pillow.
- Waterproof trekking shoes.
- Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat and gloves).
- Waterproof clothing (poncho).
- Synthetic or cotton clothing (pants, shorts, T-shirts).
- Sun hat and sunglasses.
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm.
- Swimming suit.
- Camera / extra battery.
- Water bottles such as Nalgene.
- Basic medications.
- Personal belongings.
- Personal snacks.
- Cash (if you wish to buy souvenirs).
Travel Guide
HOW IS THE AUSANGATE TREK
It is a circular route of about 55Km that is usually done in 4 or 5 days. Along the route you will find lakes of all colors, glaciers, wild llamas and snowy peaks, including the impressive Ausangate, the highest mountain in Cuzco with 6384 meters above sea level. It is one of the best mountain experiences I have ever had in my life, I think the pictures speak for themselves.
The best time to do the Ausangate trek is from May to September, when the weather is sunnier. Even with good weather conditions it is scratchy, we are talking about a route that runs at all times above 4200 meters above sea level and often over 5000 meters above sea level.
PREPARATION FOR THE AUSANGATE TREK
I know what you are asking yourself: Is the Ausangate trek difficult?
I’m not going to fool you: doing the Ausangate Trek on your own is very hard. I only recommend you to do it if you are in good physical shape, have some experience in the mountain and if you are acclimatized. And I clarify: 2 days in Peru is not acclimatized. In this guide about altitude sickness we explain everything, everything about it.
As -for the moment- it is not among our plans to send anyone to death, first of all, let’s make things clear:
The Ausangate trek is a tough and unmarked route that runs at high altitude, including a pass at 5200 masl. It is essential to take out insurance that covers you at least up to 5400 meters above sea level. You can use our 5% discount at IATI, another blogger’s or another insurance company’s, but do not do it without insurance.
- As with any high mountain route, weather conditions can change suddenly.
- Unlike the Salkantay Trek, the Ausangate trek is not even done by Tato and you will only come across llamas. Do not even think of doing it alone.
- There is no service of any kind on the entire route. You have to carry food for the 4 days. Of course there is no wifi, no plugs, no nothing.
Along the Ausangate trek there is NOTHING to stay in, so you need to bring good camping gear. Below I will tell you what equipment you need.
We are not professionals, but when we decided to do the Ausangate Trek on our own, we had been in Bolivia and Peru for months and we had already done the Colca Canyon on our own and the Salkantay Trek on our own without incidents. I am not telling you all this to freak me out, but to make you understand that acclimatization is key.
As you can imagine, all the agencies in Cuzco told us that undertaking this feat on our own was impossible and that we were starting from absolute uncertainty. But that will not happen to you because you have this entry that also includes a section of frequently asked questions.
EQUIPMENT FOR THE AUSANGATE TREK ON YOUR OWN
I reiterate in case it has not been clear: on the road there is nothing. To make sure you don’t forget anything important I recommend you to take a look at this article about camping equipment. As a minimum, to do the Ausangate trek on your own you will need the following:
A double-layer tent that weighs as little as possible. A proper tent, not the one we bought, which did not have a double layer and that made it rain inside the tent because of the condensation from our breath. Very unpleasant.
In the end we made do with a rented one that weighed as much as a dead man, but if I were to go again I would take a tent of this type.
A warm, lightweight bag and a good insulator.
Of course, I recommend not to carry a giant backpack with things you don’t need because at this altitude every gram adds up. A 50L backpack at most should be enough. We couldn’t choose because we only had a big and heavy backpack, but if you can I recommend a light and waterproof backpack like this one.
Food for every day, ideally a kitchenette and utensils. I recommend you to bring coca leaves that you can buy in bulk at any market.
Water for the first day and water purification tablets.
- A mountain GPS or, at least, an offline map. We used Maps.me and it worked for us.
- Warm clothes that are not too heavy. We took a fleece, thermal T-shirts and a good raincoat.
- Waterproof footwear that can withstand the snow. Since we were traveling all over South America and couldn’t carry heavy boots, we took waterproof trekking shoes, which is not ideal but will do. I had these Asolo shoes with Goretex and they responded incredibly well considering the conditions, which they did:
Prices
| Number of persons | Price per person |
GROUP TOURS
Price per person US $ 505.00 (adults)
A group trip that is open for other hikers to join you. This means that in the group you will have the different hiking skills and physical condition.
Important: the price includes up to 7 kilos of your personal belongings to be carried by the mules (you do NOT need to hire additional Porter!).
Prices for private services
– 2 people: US $ 505 per person
– 3 people: US $ 470 per person
– 4 people: US $ 440 per person
– 5 people: US $ 405 per person
– 6 people: US $ 355 per person
– 7 people: US $ 305 per person
– 8+ people: US $ 259 per person
Discounts:
Discount of $22 per person
Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the walk
22 discount per person
Discounts for children under 18 years old, for those who have booked children of 17 years old or less, we need a copy of your passport at the time of booking
HOW TO BOOK?
To start the process of your reservation please send us the following information:
Name and surname:
Passport number:
Nationality:
Date of birth:
Sex:
Phone number:
– It is very important that you provide us with your hotel information in Cusco, so that we can pick you up there at the beginning of the tour.
In order to confirm reservations, 50% of the payment is required in advance and the other 50% can be paid upon arrival at your destination.
We have 3 options for you to make the deposit.
- Payment via Western Union in the name of our representative: EDUARDO RICARDO CHURA APAZA – DNI: 43881121 – City: Cusco – Peru. You must send us the MTCN code of your deposit.
- Payment via deposit to the account of our company in the BBVA Banco Continental Current Account: Account Code. Interbank: (CCI) 011 201 000100028495 18 – mallcohuarororunispiritk’intu E.R.I.L SWIFT CODE: BCONPEPL – you must add U$60.00 which is the charge that our bank makes to our account for international transfer and administrative costs, you must also consult your bank about the additional amount it will charge you.
- Payment by credit card VISA – MASTERCARD with the system of PAYPAL generating the order of payment that we would send to him of mallcohuarorunispiritk’intu E.R.I.L If it accepts this option it will have a surcharge of 7% .