Ausangate In August

Is It Worth Visiting Ausangate In August?

Quick Answer: Situated right in the heart of the dry season, August is known for its clear-blue skies and very dry weather.

This makes it one of the best months to hike around Ausangate Mountain as a result, where we will have outstanding views of the different mountain peaks and where hikers of all abilities can head to the trails. It’s also worth noting that strong winds can begin to pick-up in this month, so you’ll want to wear a warm hat and gloves for the later afternoons.

Like with both June and July, temperatures are much colder during the evenings during this month. This means you’ll want to prepare properly by bringing thick layers, thermal gear as well as socks, gloves and a hat. On the contrary you’ll also want to bring light layers too – as the clear skies during the day can make for hot temperatures when hiking.

Important Things To Know

• In the heart of the dry season, August is one of the best months to hike Ausangate without rain.
• Temperatures can get very cold at night (along with stronger winds), so you’ll need to bring lots of warm layers.
• August is perfect for clear views of Ausangate and the surrounding mountains.

The Pros Of Hiking Ausangate In August

• Despite being a high season month, August still has little hiking crowds compared with other treks around Cusco.
• We will have very clear skies making for some unforgettable views of snow-capped peaks and glacial lagoons.
• Daytime hiking temperatures will be perfect along with the warm sun overhead.

The Cons Of Hiking Ausangate In August

• Like with July In Ausangate, nighttime temperatures in August are some of the coldest in the year.
• This is quite a windy month, so you’ll want to wear gloves and a hat to protect your extremities.
• Clear sunny skies during the day can also increase your chances of getting sunburns, so you’ll want to regularly reapply sunscreen.

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Ausangate In August

Below we’ll now explore what Ausangate in August is like. This includes what the weather will be like, how to get to Ausangate as well as how you can prepare for your trek.

The Weather Of Ausangate In August 

Sandwiched right in the middle of the dry season, August guarantees clear blue skies when hiking during the days.

This makes it a perfect month for hiking around, and especially as the cooler winds will help balance the hotter temperatures (remember the sun is much more intense within the high-altitude Andes regions). There’s also barely any rainfall at all during the month of August.

Temperatures during the evening can drop rapidly in these winter months, so you’ll need to pack lots of warm clothes ready when camping for the night. Here at AB Expeditions we include thermal sleeping bags and insulted tents on our various Ausangate Hikes which will keep you warm during the nights.

How To Get To Ausangate In August

The main trailhead for Ausangate begins in the small town of Upis, which is close to Ocongate. The drive here from Cusco will take a few hours, and during August (and all other months of the dry season) it’s easy to get to with little complications. This is different in the wet season where flooding and potential landslides along the rural mountain roads can be an issue, which often interrupts public transportation here.

It’s important to remember that although Ausangate is more straightforward to get to in August, the hike can still be demanding (and especially so if picking the longer multi-day treks where you’ll spend longer at high altitudes). For this reason you’ll want to head on one of our all-inclusive tours where an experienced guide will lead your group, as well as having all gear, meals and lodging included. 

Preparing For Your Ausangate Trek

Deciding to hike Ausangate in August is a great decision as the weather will be on your side with clear blue skies and minimal rainfall. However the altitudes here are still quite high (between 4500-5000m+ above sea-level), and as a result you’ll want to acclimate properly beforehand. You can do this by heading on a few gentle hikes beforehand around Cusco, and also bringing altitude sickness medications such as Soroche Pills and Coca Leaves for the trek.

August is one of the coldest times of the year when the evenings hit, and as such you’ll want to pack properly with lots of warm clothes and gear. This includes thick jumpers, a coat, gloves, thick socks as well as a warm hat. You’ll also need to wear lighter layers and keep reapplying sunscreen during the daytime – as the clear skies and intense sunlight can make it easier to get sunburns.

Overview Of Visiting Ausangate In August 

And that’s all for this guide to visiting Ausangate in August.

One of the driest months of the year, deciding to hike Ausangate during this month is a great decision as we will have very clear skies whilst avoiding large crowds that can occur on other treks around Cusco. Just remember to pack lots of warm layers for the evening, and also to prepare properly for the high altitudes (by reading the tips listed in this article).

Here at AB Expeditions we operate a variety of hiking tours around Ausangate, which all include warm lodging, meals, transport as well as an experienced hiking guide. Check out our tours now and book in your dream Andean hiking experience with us!