Ausangate (6385m), 10-day Expedition with acclimatization near Cusco

The first leg of our expedition is a drive to Urcos, then towards Pilluyo. En route, we’ll get our first view of Cordillera Vilcanota. We’ll pass local Quechua communities such as Colluni, Ccatca and Ocongate. Finally we’ll reach Tinky. From here we’ll walk to Pacchanta community  where we can enjoy the local hot springs.

Our day will start with a short hike to our next camp spot: Pachaspata at 4,750 metres. On the way, we’ll pass the beautiful glacier lakes of Ninaparayoq. As we gradually gain height, we’ll begin to acclimatize. We’ll then camp overnight at Pachaspata.

Here we begin our journey towards the summit of Mount Campa at 5,350 m. This is a relatively easy climb and it will further help us to acclimatize before we attempt mount Ausangate, from the summit we’ll be able to admire and take photos of the amazing views of Cordillera Vilcanota. We’ll set up camp and stay overnight.

This is a big walking day and we’ll spend more time hiking than the previous days. We’ll pass more Quechua communities such as the Huano and Chillca. Here they raise llamas and alpacas. We’ll then cross the Campa pass at 5,000 metres. We’ll keep going until we reach our camping spot: Machuraqay which sits at 4,800m at the base of Mount Ausangate.

This is a day for rest. We’ll check all of our tools and equipment too, to make sure that we’re ready for our ascent of Ausangate.

On this day, we’ll move to the Mount Ausangate high camp which sits at 5,400m. We’ll camp here for the night.

We have an early start on this day. We’ll leave camp at 3:00 am and hike toward the summit. The first part is around 200 metres with 60° or 65° incline. After that, we’ll enjoy good glacier conditions until we reach our final destination: the summit at 6,385 metres above sea level! When we’re ready we’ll go back the same way we came towards basecamp.

On this day we’ll cross the highest pass of the entire route: Palomani Pass at 5100 metres. From there we’ll descend to Lake Ausangate Cocha which sits at 4630 metres. We’ll have lunch then climb another pass: Puca Punta. We’ll then descend until reach camp at Hatun Pucacocha.

Our final pass happens on this day before we reach Urpis. In Urpis we’ll camp for the night and be able to take advantage of the amazing restorative hot springs, as we take in the spectacular views around us.

On our final day, we’ll walk to Tinky. From there we’ll return to Cusco in the car.