AUSANGATE

 

Ausangate is a mountain of the Cordillera Vilcanota range in the Andes of Peru. With an altitude of 6,384 metres it is situated around 100 kilometres southeast of Cusco.

The mountain has significance in Incan mythology. Every year on the north side of Ausangate the feast of Qoyllur Rit'i (Quechua: "snow star") is celebrated before the feast of the Corpus Christi, during which thousands of Quechua pilgrims attend.

The mountain was ascended by Heinrich Harrer in 1953.

The region in inhabited by llama and alpaca herding communities, and constitutes one of the few remaining pastoralist societies in the world, high mountain trails are used by this herders, to trade with the lower elevation agricultural comunities, modernly one of this trails "the road of the Apu Ausangate" is one of the most renoun treks in Peru.

The area has 4 mayor geological features, the Andean uplift formed by Granits, the hanging glaciers and glaciar erotional valleys, the Permian formation with its singular colors, reds,ocre, turcoise and the Creatceous,lime stone forests.

 

AUSANGATE 6 days - 5 nights

 

The Cordillera Vilcanota is an impressive range of mountains which include the massive Nevado de Ausangate (6,385m) and three others over 6000m. It's excellent trekking country offering 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 Indians. Its also high, tough and cold, so be prepared.

 

This beautiful seven day circular trek starts and finishes at the small Andean village of Tinqui and takes you around the massif of Ausangate and over three high passes (two of them over 5000m). It is essential to be properly acclimatized for this hike spending at least three days in Cusco (or equivalent altitude) before starting.

 

1ST DAY: CUSCO- TINKI (3950 m.a.s.l.)

The departure is scheduled for 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, for the sightseeing offers us the spectacular view of all the Vilcanota mountain range. After traveling for five hours, we will arrive to Ocongate, an important village of much historic significance. The next village is called Tinky, at 3,850 m.a.s.l.,and here we will spend the night in a nice and typical hostel. This is where our trek begins.

 

2ND DAY: TINKI - UPIS (4200 m.a.s.l.)

After having breakfast, we will prepare to start the trek towards Upis. The way is quite clear, with a continuous and moderate slope. The trek takes five hours, always in front of the group of mountains, therefore, with a really marvelous scenery. The camping site sits 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.

 

3RD DAY: UPIS - HATUN PUCACOCHA (4450 m.a.s.l.)

On the third day we initiate our trek at the western extreme of the Ausangate, passing for first time through a mountain passage called Arapa (4650 m.a.s.l.). After that, we will proceed downhill towards the lagoons of Pucacocha, where we will camp for the night.

 

4TH DAY: HATUN PUCACOCHA - ABRA DE PALOMANI (5200 m.a.s.l.)- HATUN PAMPA (4600 m.s.n.m.)

In the morning we will begin with a nourishing breakfast, for a long trek and two mountain passages await us. The first one is the passage of Ausangate, at 5000 m.a.s.l. There we will observe the Ausangatecocha, a beautiful turquoise colored lagoon. We will descend to that lagoon in order to ascend again towards the passage of Palomani, at 5200 m.a.s.l. This crossing allows an amazing view of the Ausangate and the upper part of the mountain.

 

5TH DAY: HATUM PAMPA - ABRA CAMPA (5000 m.a.s.l.) - LAGUNA DE NINAPARAYOC (4600 m.s.n.m.)

We will initiate our trek early, for the distance to cover is quite long -an average of six hours- but with few uphill climbs. At the valley we will be able to watch the snow peak Pico Tres, and the snow peaks Puca Punta or Pachanta. Some effort is needed to climb the mountain passage, Campa. After it, we will descend to a beautiful valley surrounded by lagoons of different colors. We will camp at the lagoon Ninaparayoc.

 

6TH DAY: LAGUNA DE NINAPARAYOC - PACCHANTA (4500 m.a.s.l.) - CUSCO

We will continue the descent through the valley until reaching Pachanta, where we will have lunch, and enjoy a good bath in the thermal waters of Pachanta. Then we shall continue towards Tinky, where our transport to Cusco will be waiting.

 

SERVICES INCLUDED:

• Bilingual guide (High altitude certified)
• Cook and cooking equipment.
• Nutritious meals (vegetarian option).
• Mules for the transport of camping equipment, and the passenger's luggage.
• Packhorses.
• Kitchen, dinning and bathroom tents.
• First-aid kit, including oxygen.
• Two person tents and camping-mats.
• Private transportation at the beginning and end of the trek.

 

WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?:

• Sleeping-bag and personal belongings.
• Sun-glasses.
• Sun-block.
• Hiking boots.
• Small backpack containing water-supply, flashlight, thermal clothes.
• Mosquito repellent.
• Personal medicines.
• Snacks.

 

 

 

 

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