One week Ausangate Trek with a guide

We board a private vehicle early in the morning (around 5 am) to travel to the Andean village of Tinki. First, we follow a road towards Puno passing the Wari´s culture ruins of Pikillaqta and later the colonial towns of Andahuaylillas and Huaro. Then, we continue to the village of Urcos, where we stop for a while to appreciate a colorful local market. Afterwards, we turn on a dusty road (that leads to Puerto Maldonado) to continue uphill until we reach some highland small villages observing shepherds and weavers there. In the afternoon, we continue towards Ocongate, a capital of the district, passing some picturesque villages along the Huatanay River and beautiful areas of cultivated fields. Finally, we get to our first campsite at Tinki (3,850 m) completing a 145 kilometer ride.

Our today´s trail starts crossing the “puna” approaching the foothill of the impressive sacred Ausangate Mountain, which offers amazing views of a rolling landscape. Below, we can view some llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and paqochas (Andean cameloids). Continuing the hike, the trail take us up passing some Andean villages where we can still see many traditional customs. Later on, we reach a small village of Upis (4,140 m), from where we can enjoy stunning views of the Apu Ausangate (6,372 m). Afterwards, we walk to the nearby hot springs where we set a campsite and obviously enjoy a dip in thermal waters!!

After an early breakfast, we ascend for two and half an hour towards the high Arapa Pass (4,850 m). From there, we start descending to the Pucaqocha Lagoon, also called Hatun Pucaqocha, enjoying splendid views of the western icefall of Ausangate. Then, we set a campsite on the shores of the lagoon where we have a chance to watch many Andean birds.

After breakfast, we first ascend to the Alcatani Pass (4,650 m) to later descend to the glacier lagoon of Ausangateqocha. Afterwards, we climb up again, this time to reach the highest point of the entire Ausangate Trek which is the Palomani Pass (5,050 m). There, we can enjoy magnificent views of the southeastern ridge of the Apu Ausangate! Finally, we climb down to the Jampa Valley (4,600 m) admiring Andean dwellers wearing typical cloths of this region as well as plenty of sheep, llamas, alpacas and paqochas before we get to a place of our today´s camping night within the valley.

Today, we circle northwest along the Ticllacocha Lagoon and over the last pass of Jampa (4,650 m). From there, we continue hiking to the Pacchaspata Pampa where we set up a campsite on the shores of the splendid turquoise lagoon of Q’omercocha (4,580 m).

After having breakfast, we start descending towards the small village of Pacchanta (4,300 m) observing spectacular highland sceneries on the way. When we reach Pachanta, we continue to its hot springs to enjoy a dip. From there, we have an opportunity to view the powerful Apu Ausangate. Overnight camp here.

A short hike awaits us today to take us back to Tinki (3,850 m) where we the transfer will bring us back to Cuzco. You get to your hotel by late afternoon.