MOUNT AUSANGATE AND ITS 7 LAGOONS 5D/4N

MOUNT AUSANGATE is the most famous in Cusco, The walk to the snowy Apu Salkantay is one of the best experiences that you can live, and in a similar way, know the 7 lagoons of different colors that we will visit as we pass or cross.
the origin of life, being the creator of water; For this reason, the inhabitants of the area have great respect for this mountain.

can you see the video of the 7 lagoons

MOUNT AUSANGATE AND ITS 7 LAGOONS 5D/4N

Mount Ausangate is located In the highlands south of Cusco, the Cordillera Vilcanota mountain range rises led by a sacred “Apu”: Ausangate. According to the Andean cosmology, “Apu” is every great as well as a small mountain. They represent leading spirits which live their own lives and communicate with each other. Every Apu has got a name and a proper history that explains its power and spirit. The most powerful Apu is Apu Ausangate, also known as the “Creator of the waters”.

DAY 1 MOUNT AUSANGATE: CUSCO (3,300 M) – TINKI (3,950 M) – UPIS (4,140 M)

At 6 am, your Tour Guide picks you up from your hotel. You are off to the village of Tinki where you arrive after 3 hours of the ride. You stay there for lunch and after that, you begin hiking for 4 hours until you arrive at the Upis village (4,140 m). This day is short, but interesting because you can see local persons wearing their typical costumes, their ordinary daily activities and stunning landscapes. In Upis, you visit the thermal baths in the afternoon. So, you relax your muscles and enjoy the surrounding panoramic views of the Mt Ausangate (6,372 m) and other peaks of the Cordillera Vilcanota mountain range. Finally, you have a delicious dinner and you go to sleep in your special and comfortable highland tent.

Maximum altitude: 4,140 metres / 13,583 feet
Minimum altitude: 3,950 metres / 12,959 feet
Duration of the trek: 4 hours
Trekking distance: km/miles
Difficulty: Easy
Weather: Cold

DAY 2 MOUNT AUSANGATE: UPIS (4,140 M) – ARAPA PASS (4,850 M) – JATUN PUCAQOCHA (4,600 M)

We start ascending after breakfast admiring cute Andean rodents of the Chinchillidae family “viscachas” before reaching the Arapa Pass (4,850 m). From there, we are given an astonishing view of Mt Ausangate. Later on, we begin descending observing stunning blue and turquoise lagoons. Eventually, we arrive at Pucaqocha, a big red lake, where we pitch a campsite and have a warm dinner before spending the night there.

Maximum altitude: 4,850 metres / 15,912 feet
Minimum altitude: 4,140 metres / 13,583 feet
Duration of the trek: 8 hours
Trekking distance: km/miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Weather: Cold

DAY 3 MOUNT AUSANGATE: JATUN PUCAQOCHA (4,600 M) – UCHUY FINAYA (4,400 M)

Today, we need to get over two mountain passes. That is why the day is a bit challenging. First off, we climb up to the Apuchata Pass measuring 4,900 m.a.s.l. and later to the Palomani Pass reaching 5,200 m.a.s.l. – the highest point of the trek. Then, we descend to Uchuy Finaya (4,400 m) to overnight at a campsite. Before that, we enjoy the spectacular scenery of Mt Ausangate and herds of alpacas (gorgeous Andean camelids).

Maximum altitude: 5,200 metres / 17,060 feet
Minimum altitude: 4,400 metres / 14,436 feet
Duration of the trek: 8 hours
Trekking distance: km/miles
Difficulty: Challenging
Weather: Cold

DAY 4 MOUNT AUSANGATE: UCHUY FINAYA (4,400 M) – PACCHANTA (4,200 M)

After early breakfast, we start ascending towards the last pass – Q’ampa Ccasa (5,084 m). During the climb, we observe vicuñas (Andean camelids), Andean ducks and eagles. Viscachas (cute rodents of the Chinchillidae family) are also frequent on the way. There can be seen colourful lagoons and mountain peaks too. Once we reach Q’ampa Ccasa, we have a rest. Later on, we continue on a 5-hour descent. We stop at the lagoon of Azul Cocha to be given lunch. When we regain our energy, we keep descending until we get to the village of Pacchanta (4,200 m), a place of our next campsite. Before having dinner and asleep, we go to relax to the local thermal baths (hot springs).

Maximum altitude: 5,084 metres / 16,680 feet
Minimum altitude: 4,200 metres / 14,107 feet
Duration of the trek: 8 hours
Trekking distance: km/miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Weather: Cold

DAY 5 MOUNT AUSANGATE: PACCHANTA (4,200 M) – TINKI (3,950 M) – CUSCO (3,300 M)

At 6:30 am, we are served breakfast to later start hiking. During the following 4 hours, we descend appreciating small Andean villages and local people wearing colourful traditional costumes. Like this, we can learn more about the culture of this marvellous region. Finally, we arrive at Tinki again so can have lunch. Afterwards, we get on our vehicle that brings us back to Cusco. We arrive there at around 5 pm.

Maximum altitude: 4,200 metres / 14,107 feet
Minimum altitude: 3,950 metres / 12,959 feet
Duration of the trek: 4 hours
Trekking distance: km/miles
Difficulty: Easy
Weather: Cold

DAY 1: CUSCO (3,300 M) – TINKI (3,950 M) – UPIS (4,140 M)

• 6 am – pick-up from your hotel.
• Ride to the village of Tinki.
• Lunch at Tinki.
• 4-hour hike until the Upis village (4,140 m) admiring stunning landscape and villagers wearing typical costumes.
• Arrival at Upis.
• In the afternoon, visit the local thermal baths while enjoying surrounding panoramic views of Mt Ausangate (6,372 m) and other peaks.
• Pitching our first campsite.
• Dinner and sleep.

DAY 2: UPIS (4,140 M) – ARAPA PASS (4,850 M) – JATUN PUCAQOCHA (4,600 M)

• Breakfast at the campsite.
• Ascent hike to the Arapa Pass (4,850 m) admiring cute Andean “viscachas”.
• From the past, enjoyment of astonishing views of Mt Ausangate and stunning blue and turquoise lagoons.
• Continuation of the hike descending to the big red lagoon of Pucaqocha.
• Camping at the shores of the lagoon.
• Dinner and sleep.

DAY 3: JATUN PUCAQOCHA (4,600 M) – UCHUY FINAYA (4,400 M)

• Breakfast at the campsite.
• Climb-up to the Apuchata Pass (4,900 m).
• Ascent to the Palomani Pass (5,200 m) – the highest point of the trek
• Descend hike to Uchuy Finaya (4,400 m).
• Camping at Uchuy Finaya while enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Mt Ausangate and herds of alpacas.
• Dinner and sleep.

DAY 4: UCHUY FINAYA (4,400 M) – PACCHANTA (4,200 M)

• Very early breakfast.
• Ascending trek to the last pass – Q’ampa Ccasa (5,084 m) while observing vicuñas, viscachas and typical Andean birds as well as colourful lagoons and mountain peaks.
• Rest at Q’ampa Ccasa.
• 5-hour decent hike.
• Lunch break at the lagoon of Azul Cocha.
• Continuation of descending till the Pacchanta village (4,200 m).
• Camping at Pacchanta.
• Relax at the local thermal baths.
• Dinner and sleep.

DAY 5: PACCHANTA (4,200 M) – TINKI (3,950 M) – CUSCO (3,300 M)

• 6:30 am – breakfast.
• 4-hour descent hike appreciating small Andean villages and local people wearing colourful traditional costumes.
• Arrive at the village of Tinki.
• Lunch at Tinki.
• Return transport to Cusco.
• 5 pm – arrival to the city.
• Drop off at your hotel.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OUR TOUR MOUNT AUSANGATE:

• Please note! The trek takes place at an altitude of between 4,850 metres (15,910 ft) and 5,000 metres (16,400 ft) above the sea level! For this reason, it is very important that every participant gets acclimatized in Cusco (or, another place with an altitude of over 3,000 m/9,840 ft) for at least 3 days!
• We recommend you to take any medicine against Soroche (high altitude sickness) or/and coca leaves/coca sweets.
• Every participant needs to be in good physical and mental shape to do the trek!
• To maximize a nice experience of the trek, we advise you to practice a small exercise prior to this trip.
• If you suffer from any health problem, we recommend you consult with your doctor in advance.
• Please keep yourself hydrated during the trip!
• In case of rays, please switch off every electronic device!

CONDITIONS AND SEASONS FOR OUR TOUR MOUNT AUSANGATE:

• The number of participants: 2 (as a minimum)!
• Please note: The tour starts and ends in Cusco!
• 24-hour availability: It is possible to book the tour at any time of the day.
• Suitable season: All year round without any limit. However, you should know that January is the peak of the rainy season and snow so the weather is very cold. If you like to know about the present season conditions, please inquire us a couple of days in advance.
• Please be careful with the environment (all garbage must be taken back to Cusco)!

INCLUDED IN OUR TOUR MOUNT AUSANGATE:

• Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
• Entrance ticket to Ausangate.
• Professional English-speaking Tour Guide.
• Tour Guide Assistant for groups of over 10 participants.
• Professional Cook experienced in preparing healthy food.
• Horseman.
• Horses to carry equipment.
• An emergency horse.
• Private transport to the starting point and back to Cusco.
• Camping and kitchen equipment (personal tents, a dining tent, a kitchen tent, tables, seats.).
• Inflatable mattress.
• Meals: 4x breakfast, 4x lunch, 4x dinner, snack, hot beverages (e.g. hot chocolate, coffee, tea) – a vegetarian option available upon request.
• First aid kit and a bottle of oxygen.

NOT INCLUDED IN OUR TOUR MOUNT AUSANGATE:

• Sleeping bag (we can rent it to you if you like, it costs USD 40 extra).
• Walking stick (we can rent you one for an extra of USD 20).
• An extra horse to carry up to 7 kg of your personal belongings (USD 28 extra).
• Breakfast on the first day.
• Dinner on the last day.
• Beverages (apart of the main meals).
• Tips to local staff.
• Entrance fee to the thermal baths.
• Pocket money.
• Any flight.
• Accommodation in Cusco.
• Travel insurance.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO MOUNT AUSANGATE?

• Necessary stuff for a 5-day trek (We recommend a backpack of up to 7 kg of your belongings some of which might be carried by an extra horse.);
• Personal identification document (ID/Passport);
• Personal medicines (if applicable);
• A backpack of up to 40 litres;
• Warm cloths such as a jacket, sweaters, long trousers, gloves;
• Sufficient number of underwear and socks;
• Raincoat or poncho (especially, from November to April);
• Trekking shoes;
• A walking stick;
• Camera;
• Extra batteries and/or power bank (there is no electricity on the trek);
• A flashlight/headlamp;
• A peak/hat;
• Sun glasses;
• Sun protection cream;
• Toiletries;
• Towel;
• Toilet paper;
• Swimsuit (in case, you wish to visit the thermal baths);
• Snacks (e.g. energetic bars, biscuits, chocolate);
• Water canteen (to be filled in the morning with hot water);
• Water purification tablets (optional);
• USD 50 changed in Soles (for any case of emergency or to buy some souvenirs).

The price depends on the number of participants, travel dates and other preferences. Please inquire about a personalized price.