Ausangate 7 days 6 Night

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This is your oppertunity to take a week long trek up the biggest mountain in all of southern Peru (6384 meters). We will have the chance to see the natural wildlife of the high altitude Andes, localers walking their herds of Alpacas or Vicuñas away from the turmoils of the modern world. We will pass ice walls, a glacier, the cascades of a frozen river, and numerous natural hot springs along the lush route towards the peak. The views of the surrounding countryside, the fertile valleys and the regial Vilcanota Mountains will captivate and mesmorize you.

Day 1: Cusco - Tinqui

The first day of the journey only consists of a long scenic route (6 hours) to arrive to the small native community of Tinqui (3,800 meters) at the foot of the Vilcanota range, which is where we wil spend our first nights sleep.  The road that we will follow will pass us by North of the Ausangate Mountain and we will leave the road a little bit west of the mountain.  When we arrive to Tinqui, we will eat an early dinner and hit the sack early so as to prepare for an early morning rise in the morning.

Day 2: Tinqui - Upis

On the second day of our journey, we will begin with a quick breakfast. Afterwards, we will meet up with our mule drivers and the mules that will carry our belongings for us. The trek will take us 5 hours and about 4 kilometers higher to the Hot Springs of Upis, beginning with grassy meadow that we will cross while crossing beneath the jagged stone flanks of Mount Ausangate. During the route we will choose a good spot to have our lunches and we will also have multiple stops in order to take pictures and appreciate the beauty of the surrounding areas.

Once in Upis, we will set up our camp next to the Upismayo River and go over the plan for the next day. We will also have the oppertunity to take a refreshing hot water bath in the hot springs. From here we will have some stunning views of the immense Mount Ausangate at the end of the valley.

Day 3: Upis - Lake Pucacocha

We will start out the trek for this day with a 2.5 hour ascent to get to our first pass, Arapa Pass (4850 meters). From the pass, we will enjoy some marvelous views of many of the nearby snow peaks, including Ausangate itself. As we continue along the path we will pass many small, multi-colored lagoons until we come to the larger, Lake Vinococha, where we will have our lunch. Another short walk after lunch will bring us to our final destination for the day, the red colored Lake Pucacocha. From here we will get some nice close-up views of the Mount Ausangate. The setting sun plays in cascades of coloured ice where we finally make our camp. Don´t be surprized if we even hear ice falling into the lake from the side of the mountain. But not to worry, we will be in no danger.

Day 4: Lake Pucacocha - Chilcapinaya

Today we will rise to the highest point of the entire trek. First off, we will continue walking, amongst many unnaturally blue-green lakes. Our ascent will eventually bring us the Palomani Pass (4,800 meters), which is the highest point of the journey. We won´t pass between the massif and the spur, but will instead rise to take advantage of the gentler slope high on the mountain side. From here we will be able to see over the large, Lake Sivinacocha to the jagged, snow capped Vilcanota Mountain which surround the entire valley. We will then descend back down the maountain to arrive at Chilcapinaya, where we will set up our camp.

Day 5: Chilcapinaya - Pachaspata

During day 5, we will begin with our breakfast and an early morning trek down into the Jampa Valley, which is inhabited by shephards with their flocks of Alpacas and Sheeps. We will have our lunch upon our arrival to the floor of the valley. We will continue along the walk, passing Lake Ticllacocha along the way. After continuing along the path, we will come to the small, but beautiful Lake Qomercocha where we will set up our camp for the night. In the off chance that the dusk "catches" us too early, we could also stay at Pachaspata.

Day 6: Lake Qomercocha - Pacchanta

This is an easy day for us full of relaxing and soaking in the atmosphere. We will descend down into the valley and visit the village of Pacchanta, where we will bathe in the natural hot springs all afternoon.

Day 7: Pacchanta - Tiki - Cusco

On this, the last day of the wonderful journey that we have shared, we will pass through increasingly inhabited valleys, passing by the lovely Paucartambo river on the way. We will then return to our private transport that will be waiting for us back at the road. We will arrive back in Cusco in the night time to have a long, welcome sleep that night.

Price Includes:

• Professional, bilingual guide
• Private Bus to and from the beginning of the trail
• Round Trip transfers
• All top-notch, well maintained camping equipment (kitchen tent, dining tent, stools, tables, etc)
• Horses and Mules to carry our equipment.
• All meals provided during trek with vegetarian option
• First Aid kit / oxygen

Things to Bring: Backpack, Hiking shoes, Winter coat and poncho (in case of rain), Flashlight, Hat, Sun screen, Sunglasses, Thermal clothing