The 6-Day Ausangate Trek is an intense route that takes you around the base of the immense Apu Ausangate, one of the highest mountains in the region. Ausangate is also an important spiritual center in Andean culture, attracting massive pilgrimages to its slopes year after year, for centuries.
This snow-capped peak, Ausangate, stands at 6,385 meters above sea level (21,000 feet). Although we won’t ascend to that height, you will have the opportunity to connect closely with nature and enjoy the breathtaking views that the Ausangate Trek offers.
As we hike around this mystical sacred mountain, we will camp near hot springs and turquoise lagoons. You will observe numerous bird species, including Andean geese and the majestic condor, as well as llamas and alpacas grazing peacefully in the pampas of Ausangate.
With spectacular glacial landscapes, the 6-Day Ausangate Trek offers uninterrupted beauty and a deep sense of calm. This package is perfect for hikers who love a true outdoor adventure.
Although still relatively unknown, the Ausangate Trek is one of the best options in Cusco for trekking enthusiasts. This journey takes you along the slopes of the most important sacred mountain south of Cusco: Apu Ausangate (6,372 m / 20,900 ft). You will visit remote Andean villages, enjoy relaxing hot springs, and capture the turquoise shimmer of stunning crystal-clear lagoons. If you are passionate about mountain hiking and looking for an intense experience in remote areas, this package is perfect for you.
Apu Ausangate is the most sacred mountain deity in the Cusco region, deserving of great respect, reverence, pilgrimages, and offerings. It rises majestically at 6,372 m / 20,905 ft and is the second-highest peak in Peru. This trek takes you through mountain passes, breathtaking landscapes, remote Andean villages, hot springs, and turquoise lagoons.
This unforgettable trek is recommended for mountain trekking lovers seeking an intense experience in remote areas and untamed nature.
DAY 01: CUSCO – OCONGATE – TINKI – UPIS COMMUNITY – UPIS CAMP – WAYNA AUSANGATE LAGOON
We will pick you up from Cusco and head in our private transport to the community of Upis to begin the Ausangate Trek. Enjoy lunch among the mountains and start hiking to the Upis Camp. In the afternoon, you will have the optional opportunity to visit Wayna Ausangate Lagoon. Finally, we will return to camp for dinner and spend the night alongside the sacred mountains.
DAY 02: UPIS – ARAPA PASS – YANACOCHA – HATUN PUCACOCHA
Today, you will hike through breathtaking Andean landscapes and see the snow-capped Ausangate as well as beautiful turquoise lagoons nestled among the sacred mountains. You may even spot an Andean condor. Spend the night at Pucacocha in our private tents.
DAY 03: HATUN PUCACOCHA – AUSANGATE COCHA – PALOMANI PASS – HUCHUY PHINAYA
This morning, hike through incredible Andean landscapes, observing the mountains and green or snow-covered valleys, depending on the season. In the afternoon, spend time with local families to understand their customs and traditions.
DAY 04: HUCHUY PHINAYA – HUANO HUANO PAMPA – SORAPATA – JAMPA PASS – JAMPA CAMP
Today, enjoy a hike through impressive landscapes, where you will see herds of alpacas, llamas, and sheep. You will camp among the mountains near Wayna Ausangate.
DAY 05: JAMPA CAMP – 7 AUSANGATE LAGOONS – PACCHANTA (HOT SPRINGS AT SUNSET)
Relax in the hot springs this morning before hiking to a small community. You will learn more about local customs and traditions.
DAY 06: PACCHANTA (HOT SPRINGS AT SUNRISE) – TINKE – OCONGATE – CUSCO
Relax in the hot springs this morning before hiking to a small community. You will learn more about local customs and traditions before boarding our private transport back to Cusco.
Highlight of the day: Discover Andean communities and Wayna Ausangate Lake.
Explore and enjoy the beauty of the Ausangate Mountain – you won’t believe the white snow that covers it right before your eyes.
Our Ausangate Trek will begin at 4:00 AM from Cusco, heading through Andean landscapes to the small community of Upis, where we will have a delicious breakfast prepared by the expert hands of our super chef.
We will begin our ascent gradually to acclimate and continue future hikes with ease. Once near the glacier base, we will admire the northeast side of the impressive Ausangate snow-capped peak.
After three hours of hiking through beautiful potato fields and traditional adobe and straw houses, we will reach the camp for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will have the option to visit Wayna Ausangate Lagoon, a two-hour round-trip exploration. Upon returning to the camp, our porters will surprise you with tea time, complete with snacks, hot drinks, coffee, chocolate, popcorn, and more to satisfy your hunger. Later, you will enjoy a delicious dinner before a well-deserved rest alongside the snow-capped Ausangate.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
Starting elevation: 4,250 m / 13,944 ft
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
Highest altitude: 4,480 m / 14,698 ft
Camp elevation: 4,400 m / 14,436 ft
Highlight of the day: Discover the impressive Andean landscapes around Ausangate.
Witness stunning lagoons and the immense Ausangate glacier.
Today, we will wake you with hot coca tea, chocolate, or coffee in your tent to provide the energy needed to continue. Afterward, enjoy a delicious breakfast amidst Andean landscapes and the cool mountain air.
Our 6-day Ausangate Trek will begin with a two-and-a-half-hour hike through a beautiful high-altitude Andean valley along the Andes mountain range toward Arapa Pass, with views of the spectacular Ausangate glacier.
From the top of the mountain (4,800 m / 15,748 ft), the Andean landscape will multiply in beauty, and you will stand in awe of Mother Nature’s immense creations. Even if you don’t believe in God, you’ll feel compelled to thank someone for these natural works of art.
Next, descend to discover the beautiful Yanacocha Lagoon (Black Lagoon) with crystal-clear waters. We will then continue for another hour until we reach Hatun Pucacocha to admire the breathtaking landscape.
Make sure to have your camera ready all day to capture some fantastic photos to remember this epic journey. At this point, we will enjoy a delicious lunch.
Later, we will arrive at our camp at Hatun Pucacocha (4,500 m / 14,764 ft). In the afternoon, explore the lagoons and relax with tea time – hot drinks, snacks, coffee, chocolate, and popcorn.
At night, a nutritious dinner prepared by our private chef will await you. During dinner, you can share the day’s experiences with your fellow travelers and the team. You will then retire to your private tent for a comfortable night’s rest.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking distance: 11 km / 6.84 miles
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
Minimum altitude: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Highest altitude: 4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Camp elevation: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Highlight of the day: Hike through vast landscapes and learn about local customs and traditions.
Immerse yourself in local customs and traditions.
Early in the morning, after enjoying a delicious breakfast prepared by our mountain chef, we will hike for 2 to 3 hours to the second-highest pass of the trek – Apuchata Pass (4,900 m / 16,076 ft).
From this panoramic viewpoint, we will descend for an hour to Ausangate Qocha, where we will have lunch at midday while enjoying the incredible Andean scenery.
After lunch and a relaxing break, we will ascend for two hours to reach Palomani Pass (5,100 m / 16,732 ft) before descending to the small community of Huchuy Phinaya, where our camp will already be set up.
A comfortable night’s rest awaits you here after savoring a delicious dinner prepared by our chef.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking distance: 13 km / 8.1 miles
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
Minimum altitude: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Highest altitude: 5,200 m / 17,060 ft
Camp elevation: 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
Highlight of the day: Observe daily life in the Andes and enjoy panoramic views.
Breathtaking Andean landscapes and immense sacred mountains in the Andes Mountain Range.
After breakfast, we will begin our two-and-a-half-hour uphill hike to Huano Pampa Viewpoint, where you will have stunning views of the majestic snow-capped sacred mountains of Wayna Ausangate.
The silence in this place is truly inspiring – don’t forget your camera!
From here, we will continue for two hours until we reach Surapata (4,050 m / 13,287 ft) for lunch. Along the way, you will see herds of llamas, alpacas, and sheep grazing freely in the vast green fields.
After lunch, we will ascend for two hours to Jampa Pass (5,070 m / 16,634 ft). Afterward, a two-hour descent will bring us to Jampa Camp (4,300 m / 14,107 ft).
End the day with a delightful dinner and rest in your private tent.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Challenging
Walking distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
Minimum altitude: 4,300 m / 14,107 ft
Highest altitude: 5,070 m / 16,634 ft
Camp elevation: 4,300 m / 14,107 ft
Highlight of the day: Explore the impressive 7 Ausangate Lagoons and take a moment to give thanks to Mother Nature.
Give thanks to Mother Nature for this epic journey.
After our second-to-last breakfast, we will begin a downhill hike to the 7 Ausangate Lagoons viewpoint. From this spot, you will have stunning views of the majestic, snow-capped sacred mountains.
Don’t forget to have your camera ready!
We will continue on a gentle descent for approximately three hours until we reach our lunch spot at the Pacchanta camp. Along the way, we will also join the 7 Ausangate Lagoons Trek.
At one of the beautiful and mystical lagoons (Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, or China Otorongo), we will have the option to hold a small ceremony or express gratitude to Pachamama (Mother Nature) and the surrounding mountains, especially the sacred Ausangate Mountain, which has watched over and protected us throughout the trek.
After lunch in Pacchanta, the afternoon will be free for you to relax and heal your tired body in the medicinal hot springs of Pacchanta.
We will end the day by satisfying our hunger with another delicious dinner. Tonight, there will be a surprise prepared by our talented mountain chef.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Difficulty: Moderate
Walking distance: 13 km / 8.1 miles
Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
Minimum altitude: 4,100 m / 13,451 ft
Maximum altitude: 4,300 m / 14,107 ft
Camp elevation: 4,100 m / 13,451 ft
Highlight of the day: Rest in the hot springs and discover the traditions passed down through generations.
Bid farewell to the Ausangate Trek with one final easy hike.
The final day of your epic adventure comes to an end today, but not before a last optional visit to the hot springs to enjoy a fantastic and relaxing morning hike.
After our final breakfast, we will start a three-hour hike to the community of Tinke (3,800 m / 12,467 ft). Along the way, we will visit the home of an Andean family to learn about their ancestral traditions, which have been preserved for generations in the heart of the mountains.
Once we arrive in Tinke, we will have lunch and say goodbye to the trekking support team.
At the end of this route, our private transport from Tunqui Expeditions will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.
Upon arrival in Cusco, our transport and guide will drop you off at the door of your hotel at approximately 6:00 PM.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Difficulty: Easy
Walking distance: 7 km / 4.35 miles
Hiking time: 2 – 3 hours
Minimum altitude: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
Maximum altitude: 4,100 m / 13,451 ft
