AUSANGATE TREK

4 DAYS/ 3 NIGHTS

Ausangate Mountain is the highest mountain in the Cordillera Vilcanota. The Cordillera Vilcanota is an impressive range of mountains which include the massive Nevado de Ausangate (6,385m) and three others tops over 6000m. It's excellent trekking circuit offering to the traveller everything you could want: spectacular mountain scenery, snow-capped peaks, hot springs, turquoise lakes, glaciers, herds of llamas and alpacas, picturesque villages and traditionally dressed Quechua people. This is a moderate to challenging trek, not technical with several high passes and often freezing cold nights so be prepared. This beautiful trek starts and finishes at the small Andean village of Tinqui and takes you around the massif of Ausangate mountain and over three high passes (two of them over 5000m).

• Distance: 74 km
• Duration: 4 Days
• When to go: Best Time  from April to October
• Altitude : 3,800 masl to 5,165 masl
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
• Modality: Trekking, scenic and Cultural
• Location: Mountain range Vilcanota - Cusco
• Day Temperature: 15 ºC to 25 ºC / Night temperature : 4ºC to -10º C
• Remark : 2-3 day acclimatization required

ITINERARY:

FIRST DAY: CUSCO – OCONGATE - TINKI
The departure is scheduled early in the morning in order to be able to stop along the route. We will pass through nice villages of the Andes in the heights of Urcos, the sightseeing offers us the spectacular view of the Vilcanota mountain range. After traveling for three hours, we will arrive to Ocongate, an important village of much historic significance. We will then reach the village of Tinki, at 3,850 m, where we will spend the night. This is the spot where our trek begins. We make camp.
Lunch/Dinner.

SECOND DAY: TINKI - UPIS
After breakfast, we will start the trek towards the mountain crossing, at 4,500. m.a.s.l., in order to continue through the outskirts of the snow peak Ausangate towards the camping-site of upis. Along the way we will witness lagoons of a variety of colors, as well as grazing llamas and alpacas.
Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner.

THIRD DAY : UPIS - PACCHANTA  
The next day, after having breakfast, we will prepare to start the trek towards pacchanta. The way is quite clear, with a continuous and moderate slope. The trek takes five hours, in front of a group of mountains, with really marvelous scenery. The camping site is very close to the glacier, giving it a special location and nice view to take some pictures. Optionally, you may have a bath in the thermal waters close to the camping site.
Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner.

FOURTH DAY: PACCHANTA - TINKI - CUSCO
On the fourth day we will walk approximately for three hours to the village of Tinki. We will have lunch, and then take the return private bus to Cusco.
Breakfast /Lunch.
* Campsites are subject to change according to the size of the group.

INCLUDES:
Transportation in and out: Cusco - Tinki - Cusco (private bus)
Guide: Professional English and Spanish speaking guide; 2 guides for groups over 12 people
Cook: In charge of meal preparation
Horsemen and horses: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses (Max. 06 kilos per person)
Emergency Horse: Just in case someone needs help
Meals: 3 Breakfasts/4 Lunches/3 Dinners/Snacks and tea time
Equipment: tents (2 people in each, 3-person-capacity), Therm-a-restsleeping pad, dinner tent, special biodegradable bathroom tent, kitchen tent, shower tent, tables and chairs, table settings, first aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle

DOESN'T INCLUDE:
First Breakfast and last dinner Sleeping bag, entrance to the hot springs S/ 5.00  soles
And tips for the crew.

NOTE: If you want to hike a Sleeping bag for the whole trek its USD.15.00 in our office the  temperature (-10º)

SUGGESTIONS OF WHAT YOU NEED TO TAKE:

•  Sleeping bag -10º (If you do not have one, rent one in our office)
•  purifying pills for the water and insect repellent for the mosquitos
• warm clothes for the whole period of the trek & a daypack.
• Hiking boots, strong footwear, ideally trekking or sport shoes
• Trekking poles: Poles with metal tips are allowed on this trek.
• Warm clothes : layers for variable temperature especially at night.
• Thermals Gloves , scarf, wool socks ,woolen hat for cold nights ( - 6 -9 ºC )
• Flash light or head torch and batteries.
• Camera and extra batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Sun block cream / hat to protect you from the sun, rain and cold and sunglasses
• Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Toiletries , toilet paper , small towel ,Personal medical kit
• 2 litres of  water bottle : disposable water bottles are not recommended
• Original passport
• Extra money for drinks & tips, souvenirs etc ( soles or dollars ) Emergency money at least 200 extra soles
• Bathing clothes for the hot springs. Optional
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, fruits, muesli, etc.

Note: During the walk you must load the sleeping bags, mattresses and personal items.