AUSANGATE TREK LOOP CIRCUIT 5D/4N

CUZCO - TINKI - UPIS - PAQCHANTA - TINKI

The majestic Apu Ausangate for thousands of years has served as a protector of hundreds of ethnic groups in the south of the Puna region of the Peruvian Andes, people who felt that this mountain was sacred and therefore it provided the essential basis for the daily support of the people and their families; this route opens the way to go through high mountain passes, plains, lakes, rivers, streams, being always contemplated by this Apu mountain god protector.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: CUZCO - TINKI - UPIS

You leave early in the morning from Cusco through the Inter-oceanic highway (connects Peru through Brazil via Puerto Maldonado) to the community of Tinki (12540 ft / 3800 m), which is the starting point of the trail. After meeting our horsemen and horses you will start with a gentle ascent for about five hours via a mule track that goes through the farming areas to the camp in Upis (14520 ft / 4400 m) small farming community that is located right in front of the great and majestic snow capped mountain. On the route is possible to see many Llamas, Alpacas and wild birds.

Overnight    :  Campsite at Upis
Meals           :  Lunch, afternoon tea, dinner

DAY 2: UPIS - AUSANGATEQOCHA

The path goes up for an hour and a half until the first mountain pass called Arapa (16005 ft / 4850 m) you will always see on your left the Apu Ausangate, after the pass on the way down you will go along small lakes (Vinoqocha and Yanaqocha) where you can see wild animals as Vizcachas the Andean rodents that are among the rocks, as well as many other mayor lakes always showing different color (UchuyPukaqocha, Pukaqocha, HatunPukaqocha) (14520 ft / 4400 m) this is due the aquatic plants and minerals that exist in water. After lunch the path goes uphill for three hours towards Apacheta or Apuchata pass (16170 ft / 4900 m) from where you can see the camp which is located in the valley next to the lake Ausangateqocha (14520 ft / 4400 m).

Overnight    :  Campsite at Ausangateqocha
Meals           :  Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner

DAY 3: AUSANGATEQOCHA - Q’AMPA

This is a beautiful day due the geography and altitude changes, you start early in the morning to go up for two hours to Palomani mountain pass (16830 ft / 5100 m) which is the highest of the entire route, from there we go down to the valley and climb again for two hours through the moraines of the Ausangate towards the lake Qochajasa (16160 ft / 4900 m) which was originated due the melting of the Santa Catalina snow capped mountain. In the afternoon you descent to the Q'ampa valley (14520 ft / 4400 m) and then continue rising for two hours to get to our camp in Q'ampa (14850 ft / 4500 m).

Overnight    :  Campsite at Q’ampa
Meals           :  Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner

DAY 4: QAMPA - PAQCHANTA HOT SPRINGS

The day starts uphill for two hours to Q'ampa mountain pass (16500 ft / 5000 m), where you will probably see some native White Tailed Deer, graceful Vicuñas (wild American camelidae), then start walking down for two and a half hours to Lake Qomerqocha (14520 ft / 4400 m), this lake has a turquoise color and it is surrounded by snow capped mountains in the distance, have lunch there. In the afternoon you will descent for two more hours towards Pacchanta camp (14190 ft / 4300 m) where you can get relaxation at the thermal baths. 

Overnight    :  Campsite at Paqchanta Hot Springs
Meals           :  Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner

DAY 5: PACCHANTA - TINKI - CUZCO

Only three hours away is the community of Tinki where the bus is waiting to take you back to Cusco city.

Overnight    :  None
Meals           :  Breakfast

OUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• A licensed professional English speaking tour guide, who will visit you at the hotel to give you a pre departure briefing.
• Duffle bag during the whole period of the trail to take all your personal staff, with 10 Kilos maximum weight per person
• Collection from your hotel and transfer via private transport to Tinki (starting point of the trail)
• A spacious three person tent to be used for each two people
• An inflatable mattress
• Sleeping bag during the whole itinerary
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• Cooking tent
• A toilet tent and portable toilet with bio chemical waste bags
• A chef and assistant chef to cook healthy and hearty meals during the whole itinerary with fresh ingredients
• Horsemen and horses to carry the camping equipment, cooking equipment and food
• Accommodation for our team of workers
• Meals described in the program itinerary
• Snacks, everyday alter breakfast
• Boiled cool drinking water during the whole itinerary (morning, afternoon, night)
• First Aid medical Kit and emergency Oxygen Tank
• Private transport from Tinki to Cusco.

OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• First day breakfast
• Last day lunch and dinner
• Entrance to Pacchanta Hot Springs
• Tips
• All what is not specified in what the program includes

WE RECOMMEND YOU TO BRING:

• Thermal clothing, it turns very cold alter nightfall all year round
• Rain gear
• Hiking boots water proof
• Sandals or slippers, to walk more comfortably at the camps sites
• Hat for cold and Cap for the sun or it can be used during rainy days, too
• Sleeping bag
• Convertible pants or zip-off pants
• Long johns
• Sun glasses
• An adventure travel towel
• Swim suit, you may want to go to the hot spring at Paqchanta
• Sun cream
• Mosquito repellent
• Snacks, we recommend to bring power bars
• Flash light with extra batteries
• Camera with extra batteries, batteries lose charge easy in cold weather conditions
• A canteen, one you can use throughout the journey, so do not use plastic bottles of water that can be easily discarded. We recommend Nalgene or Camel Back bottle.
• Cash money, Soles or US Dollars
• Walking poles that will allow you to walk with the body upright and do not exert much pressure on your knees on downhill

For further information, please write us to