AUSANGATE, TREKKING WITH THE APUS 6 days/5 nights
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This  is an amazing  trekking adventure in the remote Cordillera Vilcanota to the south of Cusco; it is less-known trek surrounding the snow-capped mountain of Ausangate (6.372m/20900ft) that takes you over mountain passes, awesome scenery, authentic Andean villages, hot springs and turquoise lakes. Because this is a remote area, historically isolated from external influence, it has preserved many pre-colonial customs. The native inhabitants are Quechua Indians. They wear traditional dress and their livelihood depends on tending herds of alpaca and llama and cultivating potatoes. We recommend a period of at least 3 days for acclimatization in Cusco or over 3000m/9840ft.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cusco to Tinki
We leave the city of Cusco in a private transportation, and drive along the Cusco – Puerto Maldonado highway in the direction of Tinki (3800m/12464ft). On the way we stop in Urcos, where we may visit a beautiful lake with the same name. We then go on to Cattca, an agricultural and cattle raising community where we can appreciate the region’s spectacular views and finally pass through Ocongate, capital of the district with the same name and only half an hour away from our destination. After an approximated 6-hour drive, we arrive in Tinki, where we sleep in a local lodge and start the trek the next morning. Meals: L, D

day 1

Tinki to Upis
We leave Tinki initiating a slight climb that crosses through puna (dry, high area with little vegetation) to then arrive at our lunch spot after a three-hour walk. From here we already have beautiful views of the sacred Ausangate peak (6372m/20900ft). After lunch, we continue walking for another hour and a half to reach our campsite in Upis at 4400m/14432ft. From this point, we may appreciate fabulous views of all the snow peaks in the area. We camp and dine directly in front of Ausangate. Meals: B, L, D

day 2 

Upis to Ausangatecocha
After breakfast, we continue our hike ascending for two hours to reach La Arapa pass (4850m/15908ft). We then descend to our lunch spot, crossing an area of falcons and ¨vizcachas¨ or Andean rodents. This area also boasts three beautiful lakes with tones of reds, greens, and turquoises (Pukacocha, HatunPukacocha, and Qomerqocha) and spectacular views of the surrounding snow peaks. After lunch, we continue on a long and slow ascent that will take us, after about two hours, to the second mountain pass, the Abra de Apuchata (4900m/16072ft), from which we descend, for another half an hour, towards our campsite at Ausangatecocha (4440m/14563ft). Meals: B, L, D

day 3 

Ausangatecocha to Q'ampa
Today, we depart early to climb for two hours towards the third mountain pass, the Abra de Palomani (5200m/17056ft). This is the highest part of the entire hike, from which we then descend for another 2h through an area of llamas, alpacas and ¨vizcachas¨ to reach Pampacancha (4050m/13284ft). From here we follow an uphill trail until that leads us to our campsite in Q´ampa (4300m/14104ft). Along this easy 3-hour climb we may have the chance to spot llamas, alpacas, and maybe even pumas. We will camp and dine at this place. Meals: B, L, D

day 4

Q'ampa to Pacchanta
We climb for 2 hours until we reach Q´ampa mountain pass (5000m/16400ft), where we may have the chance to spot the Andean deer. From here we descend towards the Qomerqocha lagoon to finally arrive at Pacchanta (4100m/13448ft) after an approximated five-hour walk. Pacchanta is a little community with attractive hot springs where we can enjoy a relaxing dip. We camp and spend the night at this place. Meals: B, L, D

Pacchanta to Tinki
We leave Pacchanta and start to walk our way back to Tinki, which will take approximately 2 hours. Once in Tinki, we board a private transportation that will take us back to the city of Cusco, where we estimate to arrive after nightfall. Meals: B, L

* Departure and arrival times are approximated.

** Campsites are subject to change according to our guide’s criteria and the evolution of the group.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION