AUSANGATE TREK
Classic hike 5 days and 4 nights
Ausangate Trek 5 days / 4 nights Classic Route
The Ausangate Trek 5 days / 4 nights Classic route is an adventurous route offering stunning features such as spectacular mountain scenery, snow-capped peaks, hot springs, turquoise lakes, glaciers, herds of llamas, alpacas, and wild vicuña, chinchillas, a rare condor, picturesque villages, and traditionally dressed Quechua people. A trek where there are not many people like Inca Trail, Salkantay, or others, and what better to do this wonderful walk with us than we were born in Ausangate and know the best of our land.
This 5 days /4 nights Ausangate trek is at the beginning of the Vilcanota mountain range and traverses past the highest peak (Ausangate 6,385 m/20,948 ft) in the Cusco region. This adventurous trek is approximately 67 km/41.6 mi and goes up to 5,400 m/17,716 ft. It is moderate to challenging, not technical, with several high passes and often cold nights.
This beautiful five-day trek starts and finishes at the small Andean village of Tinqui and takes you around Ausangate mountain and over three high passes (two of them over 5,000 m/16,404 ft). Want to hike this trail and see Machu Picchu? Ask us and we will organize a special package probably one more day:
It is essential to be properly acclimatized for this hike, spending at least two or three days in Cusco (or equivalent altitude) before starting. The campsites are at high elevations and therefore will be quite cold in the evenings. Though it does not end in Machu Picchu, a train tour of Machu Picchu can easily be added to this (or any) trek. Minimum passengers necessary for trek departure: 2 people (1 person or private/custom treks possible with extra fee). Maximum trekkers per group: 10 people (special, private party groups can exceed the maximum).
Ausangate Trek 5 days / 4 nights Classic Route
- Daily departures - Small groups
Details about the trip
- Higlights
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Additionals
- Packing List
- Please note
- Price
Adventure hike in the Classic Ausangate Trek 5-day
This fantastic five-day hike begins and ends in the small Andean village of Tinqui, observing natural landscapes of one of the most important snow-capped mountains in Cusco.
Overview of the Trip
Trip type
Hike, adventure, nature & cultural
Distance
41.6 miles / 67 km
Minimum altitude
3,800 m / 12,460 ft.
Maximum altitude
5,400 m / 16,718 ft.
Temperatures
From minus 5 °C to 20°C
Tour duration
5 days with 5 to 6 hours hike per day
Difficulty
The trek is rated challenging, any reasonably fit person should be able to cover the route.
When to go
The best time to trip from April to October
Transportation
Private van
Tour guides
1 English-speak tour guide.
Extra considerations
At least 2 days acclimatization recommended in Cusco prior to the trip.
Places you will visit
Why book with Apu Ausangate Trek?
100% peruvian local tour operator
All our Services, Travel and Treks are provided only by the staff of Apu Ausangate Trek and professional guides of Cusco. What that means to you is that We - Apu Ausangate Trek - will never pass it to another company.
Small groups for a comfortable trip
At Apu Ausangate Trek we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people per departure, and are typically a mixture of solo travelers, friends traveling together, and couples, all of varying ages, origins and nationalities.
Expert and professional guides
Our highly recommended top guides, with fluency and clear experienced English and very well informed, passionate about the Inca heritage and history, dedicated to continuous personal development and learning to ensure that you receive the accurate recognized theories about the Andean Inca culture.
Responsible & sustainable tourism
We do a lot of work to ensure that we do not damage the areas we go through. We make a lot of effort to inform our participants, both before and during their trip, about the impact they can have on a community and the environment.
Local chef & Andean nutrition expert
Fabulous cooks. Delicious and abundant buffet style meals, Peruvian and International cuisine are prepared by our professional chefs, from a mixture of local and exotic products.
Camping equipment
To continue offering a service of quality, that it does not have to be necessarily expensive, with a great human trained group and using a high standard and comfortable camping equipment,dinning & Cooking tent.
Day 1: Cusco – Tinqui Village – Upis (Camping at Hot Springs)
Early transfer from your hotel in Cusco with 6:00 am departure. We drive for 4 hours on a new highway to Tinqui, passing Urcos Pass (4,000 m/13,123 ft) along the way. Tinqui is a village on the high plains “altiplano” east of Cusco and is where we will start our trek. We follow a wide, gently ascending path toward the northwest face of the impressive Ausangate mountain. We will have a small lunch around noon by the side of the trail. We will continue walking through fields and by scattered stone farmhouses, and later in the day we will begin to see llamas and alpacas. We ascend gently to the Upis pass (4,435 m/14,107 ft) and camp at Upis Hot Springs (4,250 m/13,779 ft) where we will be surrounded by snow-capped mountains (Ausangate and Maria Huamantilla). There are thermal springs at Upis where we can enjoy a soak at the end of the day. Happy hour is around 4:00 pm and dinner is at approx 6:00 pm depending on hiking speed/weather.
Accommodation
Camps
Meals
Box Breakfast, lunch, and dinner & snacks on the trail, and boiled water at lunch and camp.
Difficulty
Moderate
Minimum elevation
4250m/13,944ft.
Highest elevation
4480m/14,698ft.
Walking Distance
10km/6.21mi.
Walking time
5 hours
Campsite elevation
4250 m/13,779 ft.
Day 2: Upis – Arapa Pass - Hatun Pukacocha
We will wake you up today with hot herbal tea of coca leaves in your tent to give you the energy boost you need to get going, after breakfast, we begin our second day of the hike.
You will hike very close to the Ausangate glacier peak and will have incredible views of this mountain as well as beautiful lakes and waterfalls. We may see some llamas, alpacas, wild vicuñas (the undomesticated ancestor of the alpaca), and perhaps a rare condor soaring above. We will have a 3-hour uphill hike to reach the first pass (4800m/15,748ft) where you will have magnificent views of the surrounding area. After taking a few amazing pictures we continue hiking gradually downhill for another 1½ hours to our beautiful lunch spot.
After lunch, we hike for another 2½ hours to arrive at our campsite at Puca Ccocha (Red Lake). This campsite is one of the most beautiful campsites located at the skirt of the Ausangate peak and the bank of the lake.
Later, we will explore the surrounding lagoons and relax with a delicious mate. In the evening, a nutritious dinner will be waiting for you. you will then head to spend a comfortable night at your campsite.
Accommodation
Camps
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner & snacks on the trail, boiled water at breakfast, lunch, and camp.
Difficulty
Moderate
Minimum elevation
4250m/13,944ft.
Highest elevation
4800m/15,748ft.
Walking Distance
11km/6.84mi
Walking time
6 hours
Campsite elevation
4500 m/14,764 ft.
Day 3: Hatun Pukacocha -Ausangatecocha – Huchuy Finaya –Finayapampa
After breakfast, we leave camp at 7:00 am and walk for 2 hours approximately 3 hours to get to Ausangatecocha (4,300 m/14,107 ft,) which is at the bottom of one of the Ausangate glaciers. After enjoying the amazing view we climb steeply for 3 hours on a glacial moraine to the highest point on the trek, Palomani Pass 5,400 m/17,716 ft. From the pass, there are extensive views of all the peaks in the Cordillera Vilcanota. We then descend for 2 hours on a steep trail into the Huchuy Finaya Valley where we will stop for a quick lunch. From the valley and lunch stop, we will have a view of “Las Dos Gemelas” or the two twin mountains. We continue hiking for 1 hour on a varied path to our campsite in the Finayapampa Valley 4,300 m/14,107 ft. Happy hour at 4:00 pm and dinner at 6:00 pm.
Accommodation
Camps
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner & snacks on the trail, boiled water at breakfast, lunch, and camp.
Difficulty
Challenging
Minimum elevation
4250m/13,944ft
Highest elevation
5400m/17,718ft
Walking Distance
16.25km/10.25mi
Walking time
8 hours
Campsite elevation
4500 m/14,764 ft.
Day 4: Pinayapampa -Qampa – Ninaparayoc Camp
After breakfast, we leave camp at 7:00 am and begin climbing up to the Qampa pass (5,400 m/17,716 ft) for 3 hours. At this pass we have incredible views of The Three Peaks, and the Pacchanta Valley, and will hopefully get a glimpse of some wild vicuña and deer, and if we are really lucky a condor. We then descend gradually through the Pacchanta Valley, walking between Ausangate Mountain and the Two Twin Mountains for 2 hours until we stop for lunch. After lunch, we continue descending gradually on a rocky trail for another 2 1/2 hours to our campsite at Ninaparayoc camo (4,000 m/13,123 ft). From this campsite, we will have a great view of Ausangate Mountain. There is some lakes part of the 7 lagoons of Ausangate so we will explore some of them before having dinner.
Accommodation
Camps
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner & snacks on the trail, boiled water at breakfast, lunch, and camp.
Difficulty
Moderate
Minimum elevation
4250m/13,944ft.
Highest elevation
4800m/15,748ft
Walking Distance
16.25km/10.25mi
Walking time
6 hours
Campsite elevation
4,000 m/13,123 ft.
Day 5: Ninaparayoc Camp -Pacchanta – Tinqui Village – Cusco
After breakfast, we walk for 3 hours on a varied and gentle trail Pacchanta Valley across open fields where we will have our final view of Ausangate, potato crops, and herds of llamas and alpacas. At Pacchanta we will have time to enjoy the hot springs and finally our last lunch with the Apu Ausangate Trek team, meet our private transport and return to Cusco (3-hour drive), arriving around 5 or 6 pm.
Accommodation
None
Meals
Breakfast, lunch & snacks on the trail, boiled water at breakfast
Difficulty
Easy
Minimum elevation
3800m/12,46ft.
Highest elevation
4250m/13,944ft.
Walking Distance
7km/4.35mi
Walking time
3 hours
Please note the details that include and do not include in your tour, each tour is difirente and we provide you with the details below
What is included
Pre-Trek briefing the night before the trek to go over the itinerary, meet your guide(s) and answer any questions
Collection from your Cusco hotel in the morning of the first day
Private transport to starting point of the trek
Personal porter to carry your overnight gear up to 8kg/17.6lbs
Drybag to carry your overnight gear so it won’t get wet or dusty
Every 2 people will share a tent (2 people in large and comfortable Mountain Hardwear Expedition tent)
Extra-thick foam mattress sleeping pad to put under your sleeping bag
English speaking professional guide
Full meals (3 meals per day, tea time every afternoon, snacks on the trail)
Dietary needs: able to cater to any dietary preference/need
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank
Emergency horse (1-2 per group depending on group size)
Chef and cooking equipment and kitchen tent
Dining and cooking tents with tables and stools
Horsemen and horses (to carry tents/food/cooking equipment)
Hot water every morning/evening for hand washing purposes
Boiled/purified water to fill water bottles every morning/afternoon
Entrance to Ausangate
Private transport back to your hotel in Cusco.
What is not Included
Flights
Hotel before/after trek
Dinner on the last day
Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms) US$20 to rent with us
Entrance to hot springs
Souvenirs and items of a personal nature
Travel interruption & travel medical/evacuation insurance (required)
Tip for your guide(s) and trek staff are optional but highly encouraged if you enjoy your trek.
Rental Equipament
- Down sleeping bag minus 5ºC ($25 for the entire trek).
- Inflatable Thermal-rest mattress $25 for the entire trek.
- Single tent $70 (If you travel solo and is your choice).
- Trekking poles $20 (For the entire trek).
- Backpack (30 Liters) $20, for the entire trek.
What to bring for your trek
Everything you need for the day should be kept in your daypack that you carry because all the items you leave with your porter will not be available to you until the evening at the campsite. It is recommended not to hike in cotton or jeans in the event of rain as cotton takes a very long time to dry. It is also recommended to bring true hiking boots or trail running shoes as regular running shoes do not get very good traction, especially when it has rained.
Sleeping bags and walking poles (poles must have intact rubber bottoms) Recommend a sleeping bag rated for 20F/-7C or below for this trek.
Sleeping bag liner (for your sleeping bag if you wish).
Mattress pad – while we provide a mattress pad, being rested is essential for a great hiking experience and we find that sleep habits are very individualized. Therefore, we recommend bringing your own pad that you know you are comfortable sleeping on, as well as any other sleep items you might want to have (camp pillow, etc).
Sunscreen: the sun is very strong in Cusco.
Sun hat.
Sunglasses.
Lip balm.
Hiking shoes/boots with good, grippy tread.
Hiking pants (or shorts) and shirts (layers).
Layers – long underwear and/or warm sleep pants for cold nights.
Hand warmers if you wish.
Warm hat, gloves, scarf and thick warm socks (or you can buy a traditional Peruvian hat and scarf – they are beautiful!).
Daypack and rain cover.
Rain gear – rain jacket and rain pants (optional for the pants), can buy an inexpensive poncho before the trek.
Cash for tipping porters (USD or Peruvian Soles are fine), cooks, horsemen, guides, buying items along the trail, for in town, emergencies, etc. Note: Cash should be in perfect condition (ripped, damaged bills of any kind are NOT accepted anywhere in Peru).
Swim suit, flip flops, towel for any hot springs you may visit (not every trek/trip has this) if you wish to go.
Sandals.
Torch/flashlight/headlamp (and batteries).
Insect repellent if you visit Machu Picchu.
Hand sanitizer and face covering (for COVID-19 Pandemic).
Extra snacks if you wish (beyond snacks provided by us).
E.g., if you have a favorite protein bar as Cusco doesn’t sell items like this.
First aid kit, including blister protection (though your guide will have one, you may wish to carry one of your own).
Personal medication and toiletries you might want/need.
Camera, extra memory cards, batteries and solar panel/power bank.
Water bottle or water bladder to refill.
Passport (must be valid 6 months past your final travel dates for most countries).
Copies of passport (keep copies separate, give to travel friends to keep, etc).
Power plug adapter.
Any medications you currently are taking or need/may need.
Small quick-dry pack towels and/or compostable wipes for a quick wipe down at the end of the day.
When to go and degree of difficulty
March/April to November or the dry season. (Dec to Feb/March or wet season: rainfall and snow can block the pass and cancel the trek though we can arrange the trek during the wet season). This trek is rated as a moderate to challenging (intermediate to advanced) hike considering the high altitudes and length of walking especially on the 2nd Day. It is recommended that you acclimatize in Cusco for at least 3 days before trekking.
Weather on the trek and in Cusco
The weather varies a lot across Peru, having 28 climates and 84 of the world’s 104 ecosystems. Cusco is set high up (3,380 mts. 11,089 ft.) in the Andean Mountain Range and the dry season (winter) is from Mar/April to October/November with the wettest part of the year (summer) being December through March. The weather for trekking is pretty much the same year-round, with the main difference being the amount of rainfall. During the dry season, most days are dry and clear, but high-altitude mountains always have the potential for rain and/or snow so it is essential to come prepared for all types of weather regardless of the time of year.
The Rainbow trek
Is a very high altitude, therefore the weather can be quite cold and unpredictable. The nights on this trek are usually around 20F/-7C. During the day it can get quite warm if the sun is out; anywhere from 60-75F/15-24C. Keep in mind, if the weather is rainy or cloudy it will be colder, and the weather can change in an instant, particularly when up at the high-altitude passes. It is often quite windy at the top of the passes as well. As with any high-altitude trek you’ll need to bring plenty of layers to adjust to the fluctuating temperatures and conditions as well as appropriate sun/rain protection.
Cusco weather
Cusco is always very cold at night due to the high altitude. It is regularly around 40F/4.4C at night so bring a nice warm jacket for nighttime walking in town. It is warmer in Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes as these areas are at lower altitudes than Cusco and the trek.
The Departure point for the trek
Our meeting point to depart is at San Francisco Square at 05:30 am. There are fixed pickup points to help reduce time going to numerous hotels.
- If you are near Sol Avenue, Cultura Avenue or center of town be ready at 05:20 am.
- In any Hotel in San Blas please wait for us in front of the Church of San Blas for your transfer departing from 5.00 am.
- If you are at Loki Hostal, Niños Hotel, Meloc or Arcopata area please waits at the lobby of the hotel at 5.40 am.
- This information will be clarified by your guides at the briefing the night before the trek.
Left Luggage during your trek
It is best to leave extra luggage in your hotel in Cusco since you will arrive back around 8:00 pm on the 5th day.
Passport
We recommend that you bring your original passport.
Temperature
- Day temperatures vary from -7 to 22 degrees Celsius
- you must always use layering to manage the temperatures well. Night temperatures, (in the coldest season May to Sept) average -7 to -5 degrees Celsius.
Environmental issues
Please carry your personal rubbish to each campsite where the porters will pack it out. There are toilets at points along the trail and in campsites. At other points please leave the trail on the non-river side at least 30m and burn or bury toilet paper. Please encourage your group and staff to protect the environment.
Tips for the porters, cooks and guides and emergencies
We recommend considering $40-50 this is not mandatory but it is a tradition. You need to have your own money for bottled water or other drinks if wanted along the route. As for all American countries, tipping is common practice and is a part of the experience but not obligatory. Generally, groups prepare a collective tip that is shared out between the porters, trekking crew and cooks on the third night. It is customary to thank the guides with a voluntary tip after the Tour in Ausangate on the fourth day. Please only use this information as a «guideline» requested by some trekkers but don`t let it cause you, or any other person in the group discomfort.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that full Travel Insurance is taken, which includes cover, under certain circumstances, against the loss of deposit or cancellation charges. Please note that no reimbursements are given when cancellations occur or for any unused services.
Price
Ausangate Trek 5 days / 4 nights Classic Route
- Price for 6-10 trekkers: 500 USD per person
- Price for 3-5 trekkers: 520 USD per person
- Price for 2 trekkers: 530 USD per person
- A minimum of 2 trekkers required for this trek. Maximum of 10 trekkers in a group.

Private treks, single trekker, custom treks, large groups, and packages welcome! Please email us to customize.
Required pre-payment: US$ 200 per person. BALANCE (Cusco): USD 300, 320 or 330 (at briefing a day before).
Notice the credit / debit card charges a fee of 5% and PayPal charges a fee of 8%, which we ask the client since it’s due to the use of its service. This tax is just for online deposits so that you will pay the remaining in cash (the briefing day in Cusco) without charges.
Please after your deposit send us the transfer number to info@apuausangateperu.com, only after that, we will be able to confirm your deposit and reservation.
Aditionals items
Sleeping bag: $25 for the entire trek
Inflatable Thermal-rest mattress: $25 for the entire trek
Single tent $70 (If you travel solo and is your choice)
Trekking poles: $20
Backpack 30 Liters: $20
Ready for a great adventure?
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