Ausangate trek 3 days

Ausangate trek 3 days hightlighs

The Ausangate trek 3 days offers an array of wildlife including soaring condors, Alpacas, Condors, Viscachas, Andean geese, vicuñas, bobcats, and pumas. Our campsites are located with amazing views of Ausangate from different angles and you will also have the chance to take a bath in the hot spring on the first day and enjoy the trek’s signature rainbow mountains! The colorful mountains in the Vinicunca area are probably the most amazing thing you are going to see in Peru!

Why you should book the Ausangate trek 3 days with us?

• We don’t overload our pack horses. We stand as the only Travel Agency offering Ausangate Trek 3 days, distinguished by our commitment to preventing the mistreatment of animals. In practice, this translates to our pack horses bearing a load that does not exceed 50 kilograms (equivalent to 100 pounds).
• Our horsemen are treated with respect. They receive all their equipment for free from our Company AB Expeditions to work on the Ausangate trek 3 days to Rainbow Mountain. We provide them a fair salary, a decent tent with a pad, proper meals, trekking shoes, hiking pants, and a Winter hut. We care for their health, well-being, and the health of their families, and we are committed to social projects to improve their lives
• Small groups.  02 to 08 people maximum. This fact sets us apart from other travel companies that take bigger groups. 
• Top-notch equipment. We provide Mountain wear Sleeping bags, Black Diamond trekking poles, and sleeping pads. We only use top brands and quality to guarantee ache-less nights up in the mountains.
• Satellite phones. Our guide brings the satellite phone all the time. We want you to stay in touch with your loved ones at all times.
• Portable toilets. We provide you with an Eco-friendly, comfortable & clean Toilet.
• Hotel to Hotel service.  Direct pick-ups and drop-offs from your hotel in Cusco. We will never leave you stranded before or after our Ausangate trek!
• We are a reliable Travel company, practical, punctual, welcoming individuals or groups. Check out our reviews on Trip Advisor.
• 100% Local Company. AB Expeditions is A 100% locally owned Travel Company and fully licensed Ausangate operator.
• Highly Trained Guide. Our Tour Guides pride themselves on being up-to-date and have a comprehensive program of continual professional development. We love showing what a fascinating and amazing Ausangate in Peru is.
• Ground logistics. Transportation, Private lands permits, Rainbow Mountain tickets, Red Valley ticket.  We book, secure, and deliver all minuscule details of your hike for you.
• We pay on time. At AB Expeditions, our hormen, guides, driver, and Cooks receive their salaries as soon as they finish their job.
• We don’t share our group of Ausangate trek 3 days with other companies.
• Cabins and Huts Included. You will spend the night in our Cabins and Huts.
• Our itinerary of Ausangate trek 3 Days is specifically designed to get used to the altitude then you start the difficult hike.
• We offer a group discount. If you are more than 3 people, we will give you discounts. Send us an email.
• Horses carry all the equipment and supplies so you can travel light.

AUSANGATE TREK 3 DAYS ITINERARY

Day 1- Cusco – Tinqui – Upis.

We will pick you up at 05:00 am from your hotel then we will in our private van for about 2 hours to Tinki where we will get off to stretch our legs and we will see local people wearing their typical dresses and we can visit the local market if it is open. After that, we will keep driving for about 1 hour on a bumpy and dusty road until Upis Pampa, there we will have our breakfast and then start hiking to Upis Campsite.  The Trail is almost flat and some sections are ups and downs. It takes 3 hours roughly to get to the campsite.

On the way, we will have sensational views including the spectacular Mount Ausangate, and meet local farmers wearing their costumes. Once we arrive at Upis campsite, we will have our lunch. After our delicious meal, we have a chance to hike to Upis Lake or we can take a bath at the hot spring close to our private campsite. Hiking to upis lake takes 2 hours round trip. The Trail is flat at the beginning and the last portion is gradually uphill. Once we get to the lake, you will see Ausangate from very close and time to take the most beautiful pictures then come back to our campsite where we will have our dinner then we will go to our cabins from where we will see how the sunset reflect the Ausangate Mount.

• Elevation Gain: 330 m / 1082 ft.
• Elevation Loose: 56 m / 183 ft.
• Walking Distance: 8 km/ 4,9 miles.
• Hiking Hour: 3 hours roughly.
• Trailhead Elevation: 4,179 meters / 13,710 feet.
• Difficulty: moderate.
• Campsite Elevation: 4,432 meters / 14,540 feet.
• Highest Point: 4,432 meters / 14,540 feet.
• Accommodation: Cabins.

Day 2- Upis – Puca Cocha – Ananta

We will wake you up at 5 am with coca tea or coffee delivered to your Cabin and you are given a delicious breakfast for the day ahead. In The morning we hike up to Arapa Pass which is at 4989 masl(16567 feet) from where we will have an amazing view of colorful mountains then we will go hiking to Puca Cocha where we will have our lunch. Along the way, we are going to observe Llamas and alpacas, Ausangate snow-capped to your left side, and you will have English speaking guide explaining about flora, and fauna and talking about the landscape along the trail. if we are lucky we might see condor, chinchillas, and vicuñas.

After eating our lunch, we will hike up to Pucacocha Pass, from where we will have an amazing view of Ausangate Mountain with 3 lakes below. Then hike down to our campsite of Ananta where we are going to spend the night in our Mountain Huts.  As usual, tents are going to be set up for us to change, take a nap, and have our dinner prepared by our professional chef.

• Elevation Gain: 884 m / 2900 ft.
• Elevation Loose: 567 m / 1,860 feet.
• Walking Distance: 14 km/ 8,68 miles.
• hiking hours: 8 – 9 hours roughly.
• Trailhead Elevation: 4,400 meters / 14,430 feet.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Campsite Elevation: 4,700 meters / 15,400 feet.
• Accommodation: Mountain Huts.

Day 3- Ananta –  Rainbow Mountain – Qesuno – Cusco

Today is the day you have been waiting for. We will wake you up at 03:45 am with coca tea delivered to your tent then we start with first uphill until Ananta pass(15,090ft-4500m-14,000feet)from where you see this amazing Rainbow Mountain in the distance, but you are not quite there yet! From this place you go downhill to circle the lake and keep walking a Peruvian flat until we reach the final uphill to Rainbow Mountain then we have 360 views of the spectacular landscape that surrounds you, Soak in the vistas and enjoy as much as possible the place.

After enjoying the Rainbow Mountain, we have a chance to visit the Red Valley. Then we hike down for about 1 hour to the bus station where we will say goodbye to our horseman. Then we drive for about 3 hours and drop you off at your hotel around 5 pm.

• Elevation Gain: 552 m / 1811 ft.
• Elevation Loose: 602 m / 1975 feet.
• Walking Distance: 9 km/ 5.592 miles.
• hiking hour: 6 hours roughly.
• Difficulty: Difficult.

INCLUSIONS

Included

• Satellite Phone. Ausangate is a remote área where you will not find a signal so in case of emergency, our guide uses our satellite phone.
• Cabins for the first night and mountain huts for the second night.
• English-speaking guide with radio communication.
• Pre depárture briefing which will be carried out in our Office 1 day prior to your departure.
• Portable private toilet tent.
• Dining room with a sofá where you can rest after a long hike.
• Professional cook.
• Wake up tea. It can be Coca tea, Coffee, chocolate, or any type of tea.
• Mules which carry all of our trekking gear.
• 7 kilograms of your personal belongings.
• Large duffel bag provided by the company, for your 7 kg personal belongings.
• Wáter every day. We boil water and cool down to refill your bottle.
• Happy hour. Every afternoon our cook will prepare hot tea, and you will drink it with popcorn and biscuits.
• A cloth bag for your snack. When our AB Expeditions team went to clean the Aussangate área, we found a lot of plastic along the trail so we avoided using plastic.
• Snacks for every single day.
• Fees to access private lands of Ausangate trek. .
• Large Dining tent, table, stools, all cutlery, and kitchen tent.
• Tents to overnight, and Thermarest. Two-person tents are provided for single people and three-person tents for double people to provide plenty of space for personal gear.
• Entrance fee to Rainbow Mountain.
• Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners with option for vegetarians, Pescatarian, gluten-free, lactose intolerance.
• Red Valley ticket.
• Private transportation to and from your hotel in Cusco.
• Foam Mattress.
• First aid kit. Every February our guides receive training about first aid kids. They carry in their backpack basic medications to face diarrhea, altitude sickness, any injuries, etc.
• A metal tank of Oxygen. Our guide will have a tank of oxygen at all times.
• Hygiene Product. We will provide you with a bowl a wáter and towel paper to clean your hands at every campsite.
• Plastic Poncho. When it rains a lot, your jacket will be very wet that’s why we give the plastic Poncho to protect you from the heavy rain.
• Rain cover for your backpack.

Not Included

• Sleeping Bags. We rent a Mountain Hard Brand sleeping bag. It costs $20 for the entire trip.
• Trekking poles. We rent Black diamond hiking sticks. They cost $20 for the entire trip.
• Personal riding horse. Additional horses may be rented according to the needs of the individual and group.
• Voluntary Tips for Guide, Driver, and Cook.
• Travel Insurance.

WHAT TO BRING FOR AUSANGATE 3 DAYS

• Day packs with a Rain cover.
• Torch/ headlamp.
• Extra socks (wool is best).
• Hiking pants and shirts- layers.
• Rain pants.
• Camping shoes/ sandals- to wear in the evenings.
• Camping pillow.
• Water-resistant trekking shoes.
• Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat, and gloves).
• Waterproof clothing (poncho).
• Synthetic or cotton clothing (trousers, shorts, t-shirts).
• Sunhat and sunglasses.
• Sun cream.
• Lip Balm.
• Camera/ extra battery.
• Water bottles such as Nalgene.
• Basic medications.
• Walking sticks.
• Personal items.
• Personal snacks.
• Cash (if you’d like to purchase souvenirs).

USEFUL INFORMATION

THINGS TO KNOW

• We don’t organize 3-day Ausangate trek in January and February because the rain is intense every day.
• The Ausangate Trek 3 days is rated challenging because you hike the same distance as the Ausangate 4-day trek. It is better to do it in 4 days so you will hike in the mornings and in the afternoons you will relax.
• Our pick-up time from Cusco changed after September 01st to 05:00 am, because it usually rains in the afternoon so it is better to hike in the morning.
• You will cross the Puca Cocha pass in the afternoon on the second day and sometimes the view from the top is not that great like in the mornings.
• Our guide always oxygen tanks which are important as you get over 5040 meters/16,500 feet above sea level! Not all travel agencies offer this, so this is something to look out for when choosing the best Rainbow Mountain tour operator.
• The higher elevation also means colder, nearly freezing temperatures, so be prepared. If you decide to take a multi-day tour, make sure to wear very warm clothes. Also, bring coca leaves to fight off altitude sickness and carry the minimum gear possible to ease the hike.
• Our second campsite is 3 hours away from Rainbow Mountain so We have to wake at 3:30 am to beat the crowd in the Rainbow Mountain.
• We have huts at every campsite. You will be protected from the rain, snow, and hail.
• No matter the weather conditions, the scenery is still spectacular.
• You will cross 3 passes that are above 16,000 feet of elevation. Passes are mostly gradual.
• temperatures can fall well below freezing at night so be prepared for snow.
• We expect the tour will run as the itinerary describes to Ausangate Trek 3 days. Participants should accept that there is the possibility of changes, being necessary liable to local conditions, e.g., strikes, and natural disasters.
• Hiking the Ausangate 3 days, our mandatory first campsite is Upis because you need to get used to the altitude. We saw some companies bring their clients to Yanacocha campsite then their customers get sick and they evacuate them.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Make sure you are acclimatized to Cusco’s altitude before you set off on your hike to the Ausangate 3-day hike. This is by far the best insurance for a smooth and enjoyable trip. We recommend you spend at least 2 days in Cusco before the excursion.
• The cell phone battery tends to die due to cold — keep your phone in your sleeping bag.
• Bring 2 pairs of shoes, one for hiking and the other for the campsite.
• Make sure that your sleeping has a rating of -15 degrees Celsius. We rent Mountain hard wear Brand and they are really good for the Ausangate area.
• Ausangate trek starts at 4,400 meters so it is very cold área that’s why we recommend you wear thermal clothes. They keep your feet warned and they provide cushion for your foot.
• Sunglasses are a must. Sometimes it snows and the reflection of the snow damages our eyes and you might get blind for about 24 hours.

DUFFLE BAG

We will give you a duffel bag at our office at the end of your briefing. It includes 7 kilograms of your personal belongings. Our horses will carry them and you will have access to them only at the campsites. Put your clothes and other personal items that you won’t need hiking. Things like water, snacks, a first aid kit, and rain gear should be in your day pack. The duffel should weigh 7kg.

STRIKES

Strikes and roadblocks are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our Ausangate 3-day trek. We will do our best that your hike to Ausangate continues as planned with some changes.

If the strike happens the first day of your Ausangate 3-day hike, we will take you to the trailhead the night before your start date. So you will sleep in the tents at the trailhead and the next day you will follow your itinerary as usual.

If the strike happens the day that you finish your Ausangate 3 days. We will send our vans to Kayrawiry one night before. The strikes usually are during the day so around 6 pm you will start driving. You will arrive at Cusco at 10 pm.

AUSANGATE WEATHER

The weather is unpredictable in the Andes. The dry season in Ausangate is from April to October and the rainy season is from November through March, but this does not stop rain from falling in the dry season or the sun from coming out in the rainy season so just be prepared. No matter what season you are hiking the Ausangate trek, make sure that you get rain gear such as a rain jacket, rain pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves.

Ausangate weather changed in minutes. You might experience 4 seasons in only one day too. So you must be prepared. Layers are the key since they are easy to adapt to different temperature changes. Be prepared with a down jacket since the early morning and evening will be very cold.

BEST TIME TO HIKE AUSANGATE.

The best time to hike Ausangate is from May to September which is the dry season here in Cusco región. So you have a better chance of having a clear sky and you will see the Andes Mountains in its splendor. You can still hike in April, October, November, and December. But you need to have good rain gear. We don’t recommend hiking Ausangate in January and February because it rains heavily almost every day.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you get travel insurance because if you cancel your Ausangate 3-day tour at the last minute it can reimburse you for your prepaid money. Also when you get sick or hurt while you are far away from home, it can reimburse you for care following a covered medical emergency while traveling.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This hike is difficult because of the altitude, and it’s highly recommended to be in good physical condition; The Ausangate trek elevation changes make the hike tough as there are four passes during your 3-day trek.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS FOR SOLO TRAVELER.

During the Ausangate trek 3 days, solo travelers will be paired to share a tent with another traveler of the same sex and couples will have a tent to themselves.

PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING

There is a mandatory pre-departure briefing at our Cusco Office one day before your departure to Ausangate at 6 pm. You will meet your guide and He will give you detailed information about your trek, a list of what to bring, rental equipment, or questions in general. Our office is located at: Marquez Street 250, Second Floor. Office 03. Cuzco, Peru.

TIPPING

Tipping is getting common on the Ausangate trek 3 days. On the last day of your adventure, we will say goodbye to our amazing horsemen before we take the van back to Cusco. This is the time that you will give a tip for the Horsemen. The guide and the cook will come back to Cusco with us so we can tip them in Cusco. Anything extra is always really appreciated. Please know that tipping is not Mandatory and that you should never feel forced into this.

Usually, our customers pool their tipping money together for the chef and horsemen. For your tour guide, you tip once he/she will drop you off at your hotel. You decide the amount of money based on your experience with them. Soles is better for Our Horseman and Chefs. Guides can receive U.S. dollars or Soles without any problem.

These are our recommendations below. Sometimes they receive more or less. It is in your heart.

• Tips could be for our horsemen:  30 – 50 soles per Horsemen.
• Tips could be for our Cooks: 50 – 90 soles per cook.

FREQUENT ASK QUESTION

HOW TO BOOK THE AUSANGATE TREK 3-DAY HIKE WITH AB EXPEDITONS?

In order to book your Ausangate trek 3 days with us, Click on the BOOK NOW button, select the day of your departure, and then, fill out all the personal information of each participant the last step is the payment which you can do with your Credit Card or Debit card. Send us only the deposit to secure your trip to Ausangate.

 You will find some add-ons in our booking platform such as an emergency horse, sleeping bag, and walking sticks. For the Emergency horse, you need to book with a deposit. However the sleeping bag and trekking poles, you can decide later. You can even book 1 day before your departure.

WHAT ABOUT THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE?

The Outstanding balance can be made in cash one day before your trip in USD or soles. Also, you can pay us with a Credit card Visa(a 5% service fee applies).  Please let us know what you prefer. Cash payment MUST be paid 1 day prior to your trip.

HOW ABOUT THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?

Unfortunately, there is no student discount for the Ausangate trek 3 days.

ARE THE 7 LAKES OF AUSANGATE INCLUDED IN YOUR AUSANGATE TREK 3 DAYS?

It is not included. However, we can include them in case you are a good hiker. In our normal itinerary, you will hike on the first day for only 3 hours to get used to altitude. If you want to include the 7 lakes, the hiking time will be 7 hours on the first day and the pick up time will be 3 am.

• Note: You should let us know in advance if you want to include the 7 lakes. We can’t organize at the last minute. 

CAN I SKIP THE UPIS CAMPSITE AND GO A BIT FARTHER CAMPSITE.

Yes, it is possible. However, you need to have experience hiking. We usually recommend for people who have already been in Huaras, Salkantay, or the Inca trail 4 four-day hike. The pick up will be at 3 am from Cusco.

• Note: You should let us know in advance if you want to skip the up-is campsite. We can’t organize at the last minute. 

IS THE RED VALLEY INCLUDED IN YOUR AUSANGATE TREK 3-DAY?

Yes, It is included in the red valley in our Ausangate 3-day trek.

DO YOU STILL ORGANIZE IN RAINY SEASON YOUR AUSANGATE 3-DAY TREK?

We don’t organize the Ausangate trek 3 days in the rainy season because the second day you cross the Pucacocha passes in the afternoon so it is dangerous because of the lighting hitting on top of the Mountain. In the Rainy season, we only organize the Ausangate trek 4 days because you will hike in the mornings.

WILL WATER BE PROVIDED DURING THE HIKE?

We will give you water 3 times a day, after breakfast, lunch and dinner. We usually filter then boil and cool down to refill your bottles. We make sure it is safe for drinking. We recommend you bring a bottle of 2 liters.

MAY I CHANGE MY DEPARTURE DATE AFTER BOOKING?

Yes, it is possible. But you should let us know 48 hours in advance. It is not possible to change at the last minute. 

DO I NEED TO BRING MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE AUSANGATE TREK 3 DAYS?

It is not mandatory to bring your Passport. But if you want to have a stamp of Rainbow Mountain, bring it. The stamp on your Passport costs 2 soles.

CAN I STAY IN THE SACRED VALLEY FOR MY AUSANGATE TREK 3-DAY HIKE?

Not recommended, because our Ausangate tour groups leave from Cusco. If you stay in Sacred we will pick you up 1 hour earlier than Cusco and there will be an upgrade of $30 for the transport from the Sacred Valley.