Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Peruvian Andes on the Ausangate Trek, a challenging yet rewarding adventure that circles the majestic Ausangate mountain, the highest peak in Cusco. This guide provides everything you need to know to conquer this incredible trek.
The Classic 4 Day Inca Trail is a more well-known hike in the area, making it more congested and scarce. Ausangate is a less traveled, off-the-beaten-path trekking option that enables you to delve into the ethereal side of an old Andean world.
The Challenge:
- Distance: 43 miles (70 kilometers)
- Duration: 2-4-6 days (depending on your pace and chosen route)
- Difficulty: Strenuous. High altitude (reaching up to 17,000 feet) with steep sections and demanding hikes.
- Highlights: Breathtaking scenery, diverse landscapes, glaciers, local villages, colorful flora and fauna, and the imposing Ausangate mountain.
Planning Your Trek:
- Best Time to Go: The dry season, from April to October, offers the most comfortable trekking conditions with minimal rain and clear skies. However, be prepared for cold nights at high altitudes.
- Permits and Entrance Fees: Permits are mandatory for the Ausangate trek. Book well in advance, especially during peak season. Entrance fees to the Ausangate region also apply.
- Training: Due to the high altitude and challenging terrain, good physical fitness is crucial. Train for endurance and uphill hiking months before your trek.
Overview
A trip to Ausangate Mountain is a journey through unspoiled nature, active history, and ages-old spirituality. This six-day climb, which is considered difficult, is only advised for experienced hikers who have previous experience hiking at high altitudes.
The Vilcanota Mountain Range, or Cordillera Vilcanota, is traversed on the trip. With a height of 20,945 feet above sea level, Ausangate is actually Peru’s fifth-tallest mountain.
You will climb and descend through the mountain range on this Peruvian hike, taking in the expansive Andean views, thermal lakes, mysterious glaciers, verdant mossy passes, and massive snow-capped summits.
You’ll see interesting species along the trip, including condors, chinchillas, and herds of vicunas.
Ausangate Trek Overview
- Total Distance: 70km/43 miles
- Duration: 2, 4 to 5 days
- Starting/Finishing Point: Tinqui (Tinki)
- Average Altitude: Over 4000m/13,123ft
- Highest Points: Arapa Pass – 4850m/16,000ft; Palomani Pass – 5165m/17,000ft
Explore the stunning Ausangate trek, a 4 to 5-day adventure starting and finishing in Tinqui (Tinki). Covering a total distance of 70km/43 miles, this trek offers breathtaking views and challenging terrain. With an average altitude of over 4000m/13,123ft, prepare to immerse yourself in the high Andean landscape.
Reach the towering heights of Arapa Pass at 4850m/16,000ft and Palomani Pass at 5165m/17,000ft, where panoramic vistas await. These high points provide unparalleled views of the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys below.
For more trekking options around Cusco, check out our guides on the Choquequirao trek and trekking from Salkantay to Machu Picchu. Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Peruvian Andes and discover the natural wonders of this beautiful region.
Packing Essentials:
- Backpack: Choose a comfortable and well-fitting backpack (40-50 liters) to carry your essentials.
- Hiking Clothes: Pack layers for varying temperatures, including thermals, waterproof jacket and pants, fleece, comfortable hiking boots, and a hat.
- Sleeping Gear: Depending on your chosen route, you may need a sleeping bag rated for cold temperatures (around 15°F) and a sleeping pad.
- Other Essentials: Sunscreen, sunglasses, headlamp, trekking poles (recommended), water bottle, water purification tablets (optional), basic first-aid kit, snacks, and cash (soles) for small purchases in villages.
Trekking Options:
- Guided Trek: Opting for a guided Ausangate trek is highly recommended, especially for first-timers. Guides provide expertise, navigation, camping equipment (on some tours), meals, and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
- Independent Trek: Experienced trekkers with proper planning and permits can attempt the Ausangate trek independently. However, be aware of the challenges and potential dangers of high-altitude trekking without a guide.
Possible Routes:
There are several routes for the Ausangate trek, varying in difficulty and duration. Popular options include:
- The Classic Ausangate Trek (2-4-5 days): This route circles the Ausangate massif, offering stunning views of glaciers, lakes, and snow-capped peaks. It involves several high passes, including Arapa (15,912 ft) and Palomani (16,571 ft).
- The Rainbow Mountain Trek (3-4 days): This shorter trek incorporates Rainbow Mountain, a spectacular mountain with vibrant striations of color. It’s a good option for those seeking a shorter but scenic experience.
- The Ausangate & Salcantay Trek (6-8 days): This challenging trek combines the Ausangate circuit with the Salcantay trek or Machu Picchu Tour, offering incredible views of both majestic mountains.
Religious Importance
The mountains, known as apus, are widely adored and thought to have a spirit in Andean spirituality. In actuality, apu signifies lord in Quechua. These ferocious ghosts are said to guard the Highlands’ inhabitants.
Salkantay, Mama Simona, Pillku Urqu, Manuel Pinta, Pachatusan, Saksaywaman, Viraqochan, Pukin, and Sinqa are the other ten sacred mountains in the Cusco region.
One of the most well-known climbs in Peru is the Ausangate Trek, also known as the Apu Ausangate Road, which is thought to be the Andes’ most profound pilgrimage. This spiritual voyage usually takes place in late May or early June during the Qoyllur Rit’i festival, a Quechua event that honors the stars.
Ideal Time to Visit
The Ausangate Trek and all Peruvian trekking treks are best done between May and September. Because it is the Andes’ dry season, there will be more sunshine and clearer days to enjoy the stunning scenery.
Try focusing on the driest months of the year, July or August. Since the dry season coincides with the region’s peak travel period, Machu Picchu, and the Inca Trail are frequently more crowded.
Fortunately, the uncommon Ausangate Trek is distant enough to avoid crowds year-round, even in the height of tourist season.
The Andes experience a rainy season from October to April, with January through March being the wettest time of year. Rain can fall at this time of year, particularly around February.
Additional Considerations:
- Altitude Sickness: Acclimatization is crucial. Spend a few days in Cusco (at 11,150 ft) to adjust to the high altitude before starting the trek. Be aware of altitude sickness symptoms and descend if necessary.
- Respecting Local Culture: Be mindful of local customs and traditions. Dress modestly in villages and ask permission before taking photos of people.
- Leave No Trace: Practice responsible tourism by minimizing your environmental impact. Pack out all your trash and avoid disturbing the natural environment.
Ausangate Trek Hardness
The Ausangate journey is rated as difficult, with a few easy days thrown in. The walk is rated as Grade C in terms of difficulty, implying elevations between 14,800 and 16,400 ft (4500–5000 m) and 6-7 hours of hiking per day.
Many of the days contain steep parts that result in a quick ascent of altitude. This hike is manageable for anyone with a good level of fitness, however it is advised that trekkers have prior experience with multi-day hikes at high heights.
In addition to the steep parts and passes with elevations of over 16,000 feet, there is also the weather to take into account. At higher altitudes, blizzard conditions are not unusual because the weather may be highly erratic.
Trekking: Independent vs. Guided
Only 5% of hikers complete this journey on their own. It is only feasible if you are an experienced hiker who is acclimatized, equipped with the required equipment, and has a lot of backpacking, high-elevation hiking, and managing chilly, occasionally extreme weather conditions.
We advise using a guide for this hike. A guided tour significantly improves the experience due to the knowledgeable, seasoned guides, the authentic meals prepared by local cooks, and the local porters who carry and set up the gear from campground to campsite.
Geography
The Ausangate trail winds across high elevation sceneries varying from 10,334 feet to 16,800 feet above sea level. Andean uplift, glacial valleys with hanging glaciers, Permian formations, and cretaceous limestone woods characterize the landscape surrounding the mountain.
Hikers will pass through vistas dotted with glaciers, high flatlands, thermal lakes, snow-capped mountains, and lush green valleys.
Extension of the Machu Picchu Trail
The 6-day Ausangate journey does not traditionally involve a connection to Machu Picchu. However, if you have extra time, it is surely possible to add it on. Instead of finishing day 6 at Tinki, you would continue on to Laguna Armaccocha, visit a viewpoint and lake Singrenacchocha on day 7, and climb along the river to Mallma on day 8.
Related Ausangate Trek: The Complete Trekker’s Guide
Here are some other options that will suit your needs
