Ausangate In March
What’s it like hiking Ausangate in March?
Known for being one of the tallest and most beautiful mountains in Southern Peru, Ausangate is slowly becoming a more popular addition to many tourists’ bucket lists. After all, it’s a classic hike filled with outdoor snowy landscapes – and in March we can enjoy these without the crowds that other hikes around here have.
In this guide we’ll explore what it’s like hiking Ausangate in March. This includes looking at the weather, preparing for the trek, the advantages and disadvantages of this month, as well as anything else you’ll need to know.
Table of Contents
Is It Worth Visiting Ausangate In March?
Quick Answer: March begins to mark the start of the autumn season for the region, and as such we will notice some differences in the climate when compared to January and February.
First of all, rainfall is actually at its highest levels of the year during this month. This means it’s very important to bring waterproofs and a poncho, given showers are likely on your trek. Of course this does mean there’s more chance of snow settling on the ground too (which makes for some surreal winter landscapes) – although you’ll need high quality hiking boots given the terrain can become slippery in parts.
Temperatures also begin to warm up more in March, which means the nights won’t be as cold as they were in previous months. However it’s still important to bring several layers as the nights on the mountains will still be cool – whilst cloudless skies during the day can result in hot temperatures when hiking.
Important Things To Know
- March marks the shift into the Autumn season here, which is accompanied by slightly warmer temperatures.
- It’s important to bring several layers with you both for cool nights and warm days.
- This month historically is the wettest of all around Ausangate, so it’s important to bring waterproofs and sturdy hiking boots.
The Pros Of Hiking Ausangate In March
- There are virtually no tourists here during this month.
- Higher levels of rainfall can result in more beautiful terrains that are covered with snow.
- This month is perfect for hikers who want more of a trekking challenge opposed to other routes in the surrounding Andes.
The Cons Of Hiking Ausangate In March
- Rainfall levels are at their highest during this month, which means that the path can get slippery in parts.
- Increased showers can make temperatures colder too if you get wet, so be sure to bring extra layers in your daypack to change into after.
- Rapidly changing conditions can mean that clouds obscure views quickly – although they can leave just as quickly after.
Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Ausangate In March
Below we’ll now explore what Ausangate in March 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 March
Whilst February is usually the wettest and wildest month for other treks in the region such as for the Inca Trail, for Ausangate this is instead March.
During this month we can expect the heaviest showers which are more frequent, although they can often be over as quickly too. For this reason we suggest bringing waterproofs, sturdy hiking boots as well as spare change of layers to bring in your daypack with you.
Temperatures are usually slightly warmer in March when compared with earlier months, however this can quickly become much cooler if it rains. Again this is why it’s ideal to also bring lighter layers when the sun comes out, and also to bring sunscreen to avoid getting sunburns.
How To Get To Ausangate In March
Whilst there is a navigable road from Cusco to Upis (which marks the beginning of the trailhead for Ausangate), it’s much better to head with a tour here during March. This is because rainfall and bad weather often interrupt public transportation schedules, and in worse cases cancel them all together (if there are landslides).
The most ideal way to get to Ausangate in March is to head with an organized trekking company like ourselves. Not only is it much more simple and easy to arrive at the mountain from Cusco, you’ll also have an experienced guide lead the trek too. Be sure to take a look at the different Ausangate Treks we operate as well as what they each include.
Preparing For Your Ausangate Trek
Similar to the case with January and February, we only recommend hiking Ausangate in March if you have plenty of hiking experience already. This is because the weather and conditions will make this moderate hike more difficult than usual. However if you feel up for the challenge, then it’s important to pack properly before arriving given the more difficult mountainous conditions. We suggest bringing various hiking layers, jumpers, a coat, gloves, a hat, a torch and medications (if necessary).
It’s also important to prepare yourself physically before hiking Ausangate Mountain too. Along the trek we often exceed altitudes of over 5000m, which can cause unpleasant altitude sickness symptoms. We suggest buying altitude sickness medications before heading on your trek (such as Coca Leaves and Soroche Tablets), as well as spending multiple days in Cusco to help your body get acclimated.
Overview Of Visiting Ausangate In March
And that’s all for this guide to visiting Ausangate in March.
One of the most scenic mountains in Southern Peru, Ausangate is quickly becoming one of the best multi-day treks you can do in the Andes region. Although March is the heaviest month for rainfall in the year, it’s the perfect time to visit without crowds to enjoy some truly spectacular scenery.
Are you thinking of hiking Ausangate? Here at AB Expeditions we operate various multi-day hikes which include all transport, food, lodging and an experienced guide to lead the way.