Ausangate In September

Are you thinking of exploring Ausangate in September?

One of the most underrated hiking trails in all of Peru, Ausangate is slowly becoming more popular as we learn about the incredible lagoons and ancient significance of these remote regions of the Peruvian Andes. September is known for its dry weather and changing scenery, and as such is a great time to explore this mountain and surrounding landscapes.

In this guide we’ll explore what it’s like hiking Ausangate in September. 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.

Is It Worth Visiting Ausangate In September?

Quick Answer: September begins to mark the shift into the Spring season for the Peruvian Andes, which brings many benefits for hikers.

Rainfall is still virtually non-existent in September, and here in Ausangate we can continue to enjoy clear blue skies on both the trail and in Rainbow Mountain – as well as dry hiking paths. This month also brings slightly warmer temperatures on the trail, which is more ideal compared with the colder previous months of August and July.

September also marks the beginning of the shoulder season for tourism to Cusco, which means there will be less crowds overall. Now whilst this doesn’t really affect the Ausangate Trail as it’s still not so well-known, it does help guarantee availability for tours, and is also a better time to explore the surrounding Sacred Valley region.

Important Things To Know

September still has very little rainfall during this month, which makes it a perfect time for hiking.
Crowds along the trail (and especially back in Cusco) further drop as we now move into the shoulder season.
Temperatures will now begin to get slightly warmer along the trail.

The Pros Of Hiking Ausangate In September

As with previous months, clear skies and great visibility are virtually guaranteed along the route throughout September.
Nighttime temperatures begin to slightly rise, and aren’t as cold as months like July and August.
Moving into Spring, we can enjoy fresh hiking trails with less tourists given it’s a shoulder-season month.

The Cons Of Hiking Ausangate In September

Although warmer than earlier months, the evenings of September will still be cold so you’ll need several layers ready.
You’ll need to keep reapplying sunscreen, given clear skies and the higher altitudes can make it easier to get sunburnt.

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Ausangate In September

Below we’ll now explore what Ausangate in September 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 September

As we move out of the coldest winter period, Ausangate in September is perfect for hiking as it has many ideal climate conditions.

Firstly we’ll find that the weather is still very dry and clear, meaning we can enjoy perfect views of the surrounding mountains and colorful glacial lakes. It also means we don’t have to worry so much about getting caught-out in unexpected showers, given they are quite rare during this month.

The welcoming of the Spring season in September also means that we can enjoy slightly warmer temperatures. During the day this doesn’t really matter as the sun is quite hot already, however this advantage is felt more during the evenings as they aren’t so cold compared with the previous months.

How To Get To Ausangate In September

As we are still within the heart of the dry season, getting to Ausangate in September is relatively simple and trouble-free. The trailhead begins in the remote town of Upis, and the mountain roads that lead here from Cusco are fully operational (and don’t have any issues that the wet season can bring such as landslides or heavy rains).

This means it’s a great time to visit, and also ideal for hikers of all abilities given the trekking conditions are more favorable in September. We still recommend heading with an organised expedition during this month, given you will have everything you need provided as well as a reliable trekking guide to lead the way to Rainbow Mountain.

Preparing For Your Ausangate Trek

All of the longer hiking circuits around Ausangate are going to be up at altitudes of 4000-5000m+, and as such will be physically demanding. It’s important to first be in good physical shape before heading on the Ausangate Trek, and also to acclimate properly in Cusco for a few days prior. We also recommend bringing Coca Leaves and Soroche Pills to prevent you from getting any unwanted altitude sickness symptoms.

The other important part of planning for a trek to Ausangate in September is to pack properly. Whilst on our tours we provide all lodging and food, you’ll need to bring thin hiking layers for the day, thick layers for the night, gloves, a hat as well as hiking poles if you need them. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen which is important as the sun can be very intense here, as well as a water bottle which you can refill at the different stops each day.

Overview Of Visiting Ausangate In September

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

This month marks the beginning of the Spring season for the Peruvian Andes around Cusco, and brings various advantages for hikers. Firstly this means we will have less crowds here and also back in Cusco, and on the trails we can also enjoy clear visibility along with slightly warmer temperatures.

Are you ready to explore Ausangate? Here at AB Expeditions we operate various hiking tours throughout this incredible region, which include all meals, accommodation, hiking gear as well as a professional guide to lead the trek.