Ausangate Trek: 5-Day Guided Camping Circuit from Cusco

The team picks you up at your hotel in Cusco. The road heads to Huambutio, then winds up over rolling country to a pass with your first view of the Cordillera Vilcanota on the horizon. It drops past the village of Ccatca to Ocongate, where there is time for last purchases, and on to Tinki.

In the community of Qoñamuro, visit a local family to learn about their way of life. The walk then crosses open pampas above the tree line, past small settlements of herders and weavers whose crafts are for sale.

The Ausangate trek starts at the Upis school. It is a slow approach of 3 hours 30 minutes toward the north face of the mountain, among herds of alpacas, with packhorses and llamas carrying the camp. You sleep at Upis, ringed by snow peaks.

Meals included: Lunch / Dinner

Climb slowly up Upispampa toward the north face of Ausangate, then up the Inkapampa Valley to Arapa Pass. Beyond it, the trail crosses arid rolling country and descends past small lakes and the Samacancha Valley.

Pucacocha, at 4,575 m (15,006 ft), is a blue lake right below one of Ausangate’s glaciers. With luck, you hear and see ice breaking off the glacier, while the rock spire of Mount Sorimana stands above the water.

A last slow climb leads to Alcatani Pass and down to camp at Ausangatecocha, facing the glaciated south face of the mountain. At 8 to 9 hours, this is the longest day by time, and the camp is the highest night of the trek.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

From camp, a steep climb leads to Palomani Pass, the highest point of the trek. On the far side, you drop into the Machuraqay Valley, with views of Mount Mariposa and its cone-shaped summit.

The descent continues to Chillcaphinaya, at 4,400 m (14,432 ft), a valley full of grazing alpacas. The ridges around it show many shades of rock, sand, and red earth.

A final climb brings you to the wide pampa of Wanu Wanu, where the crew has the camp ready.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Walk to the head of the Wanu Wanu Valley, below Mount Acero (also called Huamantilla), to the meltwater of its glacier. Then comes the climb to Jampa Pass, where the ice-covered spires of Mount Callangate fill the view, next to a retreating glacier and its ice fields.

Lunch is at Pachapata. From the ridge above, see the lakes Qomercocha and Hamacocha, then traverse into the watershed of Mount Ninaparayoc, with its own lake below.

The last stretch walks down the valley with Ausangate behind you, almost a full circle around the mountain, and over rolling hills into Pacchanta. At 17.5 km, this is the longest day by distance, ending with a visit to the hot springs. Pack your swimsuit.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

After breakfast at camp, a vehicle picks you up at the roadhead in Pacchanta. The road climbs to 4,338 m (14,232 ft) before it drops toward the valleys around Cusco.

The drive takes about 3 hours 30 minutes, so expect to be back at your hotel in Cusco around midday or early afternoon. This is where the Ausangate trek tour officially ends.

Meals included: Breakfast