Ausangate In January

Is It Worth Visiting Ausangate In January?

Quick Answer: As you may have already heard, the wet season for the Cusco region starts to reach its peak around the early months of the year.

This means that rainfall will be higher along the Ausangate Trek in January, so it’s important to wear multiple layers and also bring waterproofs. However the benefit here is that the increased levels of rainfall will really boost the attractive scenery that you will see (which includes more snow as well as more healthy vegetation along the route).

Whilst tourism sharply drops during this month with other routes like the Inca Trail, with Ausangate Mountain you don’t really notice the difference. This is because this trek is still very much quiet and peaceful when compared with the others.

Important Things To Know

• January is one of the wettest months of the year, so you’ll need to bring quality waterproofs.
• You don’t need to book your trek so far in advance, given Ausangate is not as touristy.
• This month welcomes even more incredible scenery given the extra rains (such as more snow and blooming flowers).

The Pros Of Hiking Ausangate In January

• Temperatures (when not raining) will be overall warmer than those of the dry season.
• You will see even more beautiful snow along the route and on top of the surrounding mountains we pass.
• There will be virtually no other tourists, making it a true authentic hiking experience.

The Cons Of Hiking Ausangate In January

• It’s highly likely that it will rain during your hike, which can make things feel much colder than usual when wet.
• The path can be more slippery, so you’ll need to bring high quality hiking boots with you.
• Landslides are possible during this month, so you’ll need to pay extra attention to what your guide says during the trek.

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Ausangate In January 

Below we’ll now explore what Ausangate in January 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 January

It’s first important to know that rainfall patterns can really vary throughout the Peruvian Andes, and even mountains that are close to Cusco will have different variations compared with the city (although Cusco in January is somewhat similar with the nearby mountains).

The main important difference is the increase in rainfall. January is quite a wet month to hike Ausangate, and if rains occur at night then there will most likely be snowfall along the trek. However whilst January is the wettest month for Cusco, in Ausangate it’s actually March (in case you were considering between the two months).

Daytime temperatures will still be hot as always so you’ll need sunscreen. However it’s important to note that whilst January falls within the slightly warmer wet season, cloud cover will often make temperatures feel cooler so you’ll need to pack extra layers ready.

How To Get To Ausangate In January

Unlike the Inca Trail in January (which is restricted by permits that are bought in advance), Ausangate can be hiked by anyone within any month of the year. However given conditions are more unpredictable in January, we highly recommend going with a reputable trekking company.

Here at AB Expeditions we have experienced, professional guides lead our Ausangate Treks all year. Not only do they know the routes well, they also know how to prepare for unexpected terrains and situations (which are more likely in January and the other wet season months).

Preparing For Your Ausangate Trek

It’s important to know that the Ausangate Trek is a high altitude route, which varies between 4000-5000+ meters above sea-level. This can often cause altitude sickness symptoms, however these can be avoided with proper preparation. This involves acclimating at Cusco for at least a few days, and also taking altitude sickness medications.

You’ll also need to pack properly for your trek, and on our tour summary pages you can find a full packing list for what you need. However just to give a general summary, you’ll need thin hiking layers, jumpers, a coat, gloves, a hat, a torch, medications (if necessary), quality hiking boots and waterproofs / a poncho (if heading during the wet season).

Overview Of Visiting Ausangate In January

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

This incredible mountain remains one of the most important for the local people of the Cusco region, and is also becoming a must-hike for avid explorers. Whilst January is one of the heaviest months of the rainy season, Ausangate is still great to explore as long as you prepare well and have adequate trekking experience.

Are you ready to hike Ausangate Mountain? Here at AB Expeditions we operate various Ausangate Treks depending on your preferences and time available, which are all extremely memorable in their own rights.