Ausangate 5 Days
Ausangate (6,398m/20,991ft) is one of the most stunning snow-capped peaks in the Andes, revered for its majestic beauty and spiritual significance. The region surrounding this towering mountain boasts breathtaking scenery, with dramatic glaciers, shimmering lagoons, and crystal-clear streams weaving through the landscape. The local Andean communities are known for their warm hospitality and deep connection to nature. Here, farmers excel in raising vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas—treasured for their fine wool and valued as part of a sustainable way of life.
The scenic four-hour drive from Cusco to Tinqui serves as an ideal introduction to the region, allowing you to acclimate to the shifting temperatures and high altitudes before embarking on your unforgettable trek.
“From sacred summits to serene lagoons, experience the untamed beauty of Ausangate.”
- Group Tours
- English – Spanish
- Max 8
- Cusco - Urcos - Tinqui - Upis
- Pacchanta - Tinqui - Cusco
- 4 night
- Breakfast: 4, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 4
- March – November
- Altitude: 4050 – 5100m
Overview
Ausangate 5 Days
Ausangate (6,398m/20,991ft) is one of the Andes’ most breathtaking peaks. Surrounded by glaciers, lagoons, and streams, the region offers stunning landscapes and warm hospitality from the local Andean communities. Known for raising vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas, these farmers honor their connection to nature.
The journey begins with a scenic four-hour drive from Cusco to Tinqui, preparing you for the altitude and the adventure ahead.
What do I need to bring?
- Backpack with rain cover (35- or 45-liter capacity is sufficient)
- Clothing for both warm and cold climates
- Original passport, original ISIC student card (to receive the student discount)
- Sun hat to protect neck and face
- Woolly hat for the cold
- Long- and short-sleeved T-shirts.
- Fleece jacket
- Hard shell jacket
- Trekking pants and shorts pants
- Pajama pants
- Under wears
- Trekking shoes/boots.
- Slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs)
- Woolen/synthetic socks
- Flashlight or Headlamp
- Water bottle or camel back
- Trekking towels
- Toilet paper
- Bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
- Sunscreen with UV protecction, insect repellent, toilet paper, hand cleaner/disinfecting alcohol gel
- Camera (with rain protection), a flash light/headlamp and extra batteries
- Snacks (e.g. chocolate bars and dried fruit)
- Money cash in soles / approx. 400 soles (100 dollars)
- Small lock and plastic bags
- Since the weather can be very cold and rainy, your clothes – once wet – won’t dry at night. It’s best to take some clothes to change.
- Rain Poncho
Note: Since the weather can be very cold and misty, your clothes – once gotten wet – won’t dry at night. So take some clothes to change.
“From sacred peaks to serene lagoons, discover the beauty of Ausangate.”
The price refers to travel during the low season for a minimum of two people with accommodation in a double room.
Highlights
- Ausangate 5 Days
Itinerary
We will leave Cusco early in the morning by bus. On our way to the upper of Tinqui (4050m/13287ft), we will pass little farms and meet local families. After a little stopping while we packing your belongings in duffel bags, we start walking towards the community of Upis (4400m/14436ft).
The objective here being to have the lunch-break for a moment and discover a beautiful scenery of hills and the frontal part of Ausangate snow-covered. After having lunch, we continue hiking up to Arapa pass (4800m/15748f). Thereafter, we will descend towards Yana ccocha (4500m/ 14763ft) where we will set up the camping site.
Transport time: 3 hours
Hiking time: 6 hours
After breakfast, we discover amazing lakes and different kind of colors from where we ascend towards Pucacocha Pass (4900m/ 16076ft). Thereafter, we will continue to Anantapata (4500m/14763ft) where we will camp.
Climate: Cold
Hiking time: 7 hours
After breakfast, we take the trail to another mountain pass. Dropping down, we will hike by Lake Kayrawiri, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and the great valley below.
Striations of color are imbedded in the hillsides. Then we go on to Cerro Laya Grande via massive glacier Del Inca, and the most striking colors in the sediments of Yauricunca or Vinicunca.
We lunch here in this unique landscape. We see hundreds of Andean geese nesting in the cliffs of Anta, and after that we comeback to Ananta from where we continue to Ausangate Qocha Lake (4650m/15256f) where we will camp.
Hiking time: 7 hours
Today we take in our highest mountain pass (5100/ 16732ft.) with its panoramic, spectacular views of Ausangate snow-covered.
Descending alongside the glaciers, we hike to Finaya pampa where see different king of camelids like Alpacas, Lamas and the wild vicuñas and sometimes Condors. After a day of great hiking we arrive at Jampa (4700m/15420f) where will camp.
Hiking time: aprox 7 hours
The highlight of this day is definitely the spectacular ascend to the Campa pass (5050m/16568ft). Moreover, we will pass several lovely lakes on the way to Pacchanta (4350m/14270ft). Here, we will visit the hot springs and will have a typical lunch. After being relaxing at the hot spring, we continue by car to Cusco.
Hiking time: aprox 6 hours
Transport time: 4 hours
The Trip Cost Includes
- Transport from the hotel to the town of Tinqui
- Return transport from Tinqui to Cusco
- Entrance to the Ausangate park
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
- High quality camping equipment (professional tents, UREKA tents for two persons. Mattresses, eating tent with table and chairs, bathroom tent)
- Meals during the excursion (Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks/option vegetarian)
- Cook and cooking equipment
- Equestrian and mules, for all our camping equipment and personal luggage (Up to 7 kg)
- Emergency horse (for minimal 2 persons)
- First-aid kit and oxygen bottle
- Cold boiled water during the all trek
The Trip Cost Excludes
- Breakfast on the first day
- Sleeping bag (if you do not have a sleeping bag, there is the possibility of lending one)
Frequently asked Questions
All briefings are done at our office at 7:00 PM one or two nights before your trek. If you are unable to make this time, you need to coordinate another time with a member of the Sierra Tours office team. Briefings are approximately 40 minutes long.
Sierra Tours is one of the only companies to pick you up directly from your hotel. As long as your hotel is in the center of Cusco city, we will coordinate this pickup based on a time that your guide will discuss at the briefing. Pick up times may vary 30 – 45 minutes based on traffic conditions and previous pickups.
Cusco is an old city with cobblestoned streets and very narrow passageways. Smaller hotels and Airbnbs are often located on streets that cars can´t pass through.
They also are frequently on hillsides with long steep climbs, making it difficult to carry luggage. We highly recommend that you book accommodations with better access. We have a list of hotels that are all comfortable with easy access to pick up and drop off.
Machu Picchu is most beautiful when seen from above, which is why hiking one of the mountains next to the ruins is very popular to do after your tour.
Huaynapicchu is the most popular and must be booked in advance since it sells out very quickly. This hike takes approximately 1 hour to the top, and another 45 minutes back down. Tickets are sold in time sessions stating when you can start this hike. The first session is from 7-8 AM, and the 2nd session is from 10-11 AM.
Again, this refers to the timeframe when you can start your hike. We usually book the second session so you can enjoy your tour with your guide first. You will do this hike on your own, but your guide will show you where to begin.
Machu Picchu Mountain is a bit longer and a bit less popular. It takes 2 hours to the top and another 1 hours to the bottom. Again there are two time windows – from 7-8 AM and 9-10 AM and we usually purchase the second time window. 4 Day treks, the Trekkers CAN NOT do this hike and enjoy a tour of the ruins. Time will not allow for this.
Hiking either mountain will allow you to have some extra time at the ruins once you complete, as listed above.
You must be honest with your guide about any health conditions or concerns you might have. While our guides are not medical professionals, they do have first aid training. We also work with a clinic in Cusco that can help assist our team.
You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions.
Sierra Tours will not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level, and medical requirements.
If you develop extreme altitude sickness or any other illness that prevents you from hiking, and you still wish to visit Machu Picchu by train, we will work with you to coordinate this trip. Since this will be a new trip, it may require additional fees. We will use as much of the original itinerary to keep costs low.
If you experience issues while hiking and can not continue, a porter will accompany you to the closest road and wait while a car comes to pick you up and bring you to the nearest health clinic.
Group tours are made up of all different types of people, with various hiking skills and ages. By agreeing to a group tour, you agree that some people might be slower or faster than you are.
Everyone can go at their own pace for the trek, and the guide will work with the group to spend time with everyone. Groups might request some modifications to the tour, and the guide will work with everyone to make the best decision for the group.
Unfortunately, strikes are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our tours. Roads are often blocked, and trains stopped. We will make sure your trek continues as planned, even if that means leaving the night before your start date.
Under these circumstances, tours might need to be canceled. But our operations department will coordinate with you in this situation. Your safety is always our top concern and will dictate how we decide.
You are responsible for your items throughout the Tour. Please be diligent about where you leave your things and remember to remove all items from our vans, your tents, restaurant, etc.
Do not leave anything unintended during your hike. Other trekkers or teams might pick it up not knowing whos it is.
Tipping is part of the tradition of any trek to Machu Picchu. While we pay good wages to our entire team, anything extra is always appreciated. Please know that this is not obligatory and that you should never feel pressured into this.
Typically the participants in a group pool their tipping money together for the porters and chef. The amount recommended is different per trek and listed below.
For the guide, this is more personal and needs to be decided based on your relationship with them and done separately from the group. Porters and Chefs prefer soles if possible. Guides are happy with U.S. dollars, Peruvian Soles, or even your credit card.
Travel insurance is inexpensive and strongly recommended. With trips being planned months ahead of time, you never can predict what could happen. Adventure travel includes more risk than the average trip.
Insurance is a way to protect the investment you have made on this journey. We can help recommend an agent to walk you through this type of insurance if needed.
Of course, the weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December so just be prepared.
No matter what month you are doing the trek, make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Many people forget about gloves, but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.
Also, prepare for four seasons. Several of the treks through the Andes involve various microclimates and you will need to be prepared. Layers are always key since they are easy to adjust to different temperature changes. Be prepared with a warm packable down jacket since the evening will be cold.
It’s also important to note that the weather can change a listed itinerary. There are times that routes become impassable, and our guides will be forced for your safety to rework your tour.
As soon as people book their trip to Peru, specifically Cusco, they start wondering about altitude sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs.
Over several days at high altitude, your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air. For this reason, we always recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before beginning any trek in the Andes. Cusco is a marvelous city with lots to do, so if you have more time to acclimate you won´t be bored.
With altitude sickness, you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe, please contact our office, and we will help you get to a doctor.
Most of the time, these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easing into activity slowly, allowing your body to adjust. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or coca tea.
Coca tea has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness. Leaves from the Coca Plant contain alkaloids that help bring oxygen into your blood, helping your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol and coffee. They will cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated. Avoid smoking. Smoking makes it more difficult for your body to get oxygen. Avoid sleeping pills. They may cause shallow breathing at night, making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.
Remember the trek to Machu Picchu is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness if they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Go slow, and it will give your body time to adjust to the elevation.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications, such as acetazolamide and dexamethasone, to help prevent altitude sickness. Start the medicine two days before you get to a high altitude. Continue to take it while you are at high altitude.
You must remember that this is your holiday and you do not want to stress out about the possibility of getting sick from the mountains. Do everything slowly and drink lots of water, and enjoy the coca tea.
If anything does happen and you, unfortunately, get sick, let your guide know right away. Sierra Tours guides are trained to help you get through it.
The airport in Cusco currently is only for domestic flights, so all international travelers by plane must disembark in Lima and go through Customs. Even if your flight to Cusco is the same day by the same airline carrier, you must grab your bags in Lima and then check them back in.
The best way to get to Cusco is by air, and there are several options in airlines. LAN tends to be the most expensive but has the most options and flights. Expect delays or flight cancellations. Due to the high altitude of Cusco, it tends to be difficult to land, and any acclimate weather will stop air traffic.
Bus travel is always available, and while the trip can be long, especially from Lima, the buses in Peru are very well maintained and comfortable. This option is strongly encouraged if coming from a city closer to Cusco, like Puno. Lima buses will take about 20 hours to arrive.