Ausangate In October

Is It Worth Visiting Ausangate In October?

Quick Answer: One of the shoulder season months for Ausangate, October is arguably the best month of the year to head on this trek.

As we move deeper into Spring, we will find temperatures to be warmer during this month – which are often regarded as the warmest of the entire year. This is especially felt at night, where the nights won’t be as bitterly cold as they were earlier in the year (such as the months of August and July). You’ll of course still need to pack multiple layers, and later in this article we’ll cover what you’ll need to bring.

Rainfall is low, although the odd shower or two can still happen on your trek – and especially more so towards the end of October. For this reason you’ll want to bring waterproofs with you, and also a poncho handy. It’s also worth knowing that Ausangate in October will still be quiet compared with other treks, making it the perfect time to enjoy the wild landscapes without the crowds.

Important Things To Know

• October has the warmest temperatures of the year for Ausangate.
• Occasional showers begin during this month, although they are light and most likely to happen at the end of the month.
• There will be much less crowds at Ausangate in October when compared with other treks within the region.

The Pros Of Hiking Ausangate In October

• October is the last month of the year which guarantees great visibility conditions before the rains arrive.
• Temperatures are at their warmest in October, which is especially felt during the cold nights.
• Trails will still be much quieter in October when compared with others such as the Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trek.

The Cons Of Hiking Ausangate In October

• Rainfall can make you feel colder when hiking along the trek.
• Despite being the warmest month of the year, the nights in October will still be cold – so you’ll need to bring multiple layers.
• Although visibility is generally good in this month, showers can temporarily obscure views of the surrounding mountains.

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Ausangate In October

Below we’ll now explore what Ausangate in October 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 October 

Well within the Spring season for the Peruvian Andes, hiking Ausangate in October has some of the very best weather of the year.

This is especially so when heading on the trail within the first couple of weeks, given showers will be less likely (although rainfall does start falling in October, showers are more frequent towards the end of the month). You’ll still want to bring waterproofs and a poncho in case, given temperatures can drop quickly when you get wet up here.

October in Ausangate also welcomes the overall warmest temperatures of the year. This means that the nights won’t be as cold as earlier months of the year, making the early morning rises much easier. During the day temperatures can get hot – so you’ll want to bring a hat and lots of sunscreen to avoid getting sunburnt.

How To Get To Ausangate In October 

Similar to all of the other months of the dry season within the Peruvian Andes (which runs from late April until October), getting to Ausangate remains simple. This is because the rural roads that lead from Cusco remain dry, and avoid issues of flooding and landslides that can sometimes cause delays during the rainy season months.

This means that you can get to the trailhead in Upis with both guided hiking tours as well as by public transportation. However, given the demanding altitude and conditions of the Ausangate trek, we highly recommend heading on an organised hike of Ausangate which is much safer (where you will have an experienced guide lead the trek as well as have appropriate equipment provided).

Preparing For Your Ausangate Trek

One of the most important preparation tips we can give for the Ausangate Trek is to pack properly. Although October has some of the warmest temperatures of the year, the nights can still feel quite cold once the sun goes down. This means you’ll want to pack several warm layers, as well as a hat and gloves. You’ll also want to bring a poncho and waterproofs too given it begins to rain in October – and especially if coming during the last two weeks of the month.

It’s also crucial to prepare yourself physically before hiking Ausangate. Not only are some of the stretches and walking times demanding, the altitudes here can reach over 5000m at times. We first recommend acclimating in Cusco for a couple of days prior, and to also buy Coca Leaves and Soroche Pills ready. It’s also a good idea to head on one or two gentle hikes before coming to Ausangate – such as up to the Cristo Blanco Statue and also around the Sacred Valley.

Overview Of Visiting Ausangate In October 

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

As we now enter the final of the dry season, October is by far one of the very best months to hike the Ausangate circuit. Here we can enjoy some of the warmest temperatures of the year, whilst also avoiding the heavier rains that begin from November onwards. During this month we’ll also be able to enjoy a much less crowded hike when compared with other popular treks throughout the Cusco region.

Here at AB Expeditions we operate various multi-day Ausangate hikes, where you can see some of the most incredible glacial landscapes and lagoons within the Peruvian Andes. As well as heading with a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll also have all necessary equipment provided too.