Ausangate trek 5 days

Ausangate trek 5 days hightlighs

The Ausangate trek 5 days offers an array of wildlife including soaring condors, Alpacas, Viscachas, vicuñas, Condors, bobcats, and pumas. Our private campsites are located with amazing views of Ausangate Mountain from different angles and you will also have the chance to take a bath in 2 hot springs along the way 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 our country!

Why book the Ausangate trek 5 days with us?

• We don’t overload our pack horses. We stand as the only Travel Agency offering Ausangate Trek 5 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 Private campsites are located in the perfect location. 2 of them are the viewpoint of Ausangate and the beautiful lakes.
• Our horsemen are treated with respect. They receive all their equipment for free from our Company AB Expeditions to work on the Ausangate trek 5 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 Eureka Tents, 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.  We book, secure, and deliver all minuscule details of your hike for you.
• We pay on time. At AB Expeditions, our horsemen, guides, driver, and Cooks receive their salaries as soon as they finish their job.
• We don’t share our group of Ausangate trek 5 days with other companies.
• Cabins and Huts Included. You will spend the night in our Cabins and mountain Huts.
• Our itinerary of the Ausangate Trek 5 Days is specifically designed to get used to the altitude.
• 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 5 DAYS ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Ocongate – Tinqui – Upis

We will pick you up from your hotel at 06:00 am and go by private transportation for about 2 hours to Tinki where we will get off to stretch our legs and will take advantage of visiting the Tiki town where we will see people still wearing their typical dress. Then we will drive for another about 1 hour on dusty and bumpy roads. Once we get to the trailhead, we will have our delicious breakfast and then meet our horsemen. We will start the hike From Upispampa through many remote villages with many stream crossings until you arrive in the small town of Upis. The path is almost flat with some ups and downs. We will hike for about 3 hours until we get to our campsite. Here we have our private Cabins where you will spend the night. Our chef will prepare a delicious lunch. After enjoying our food, you have the option to hike to Upis Lake which takes 2 hours round trip. The path to this beautiful lake is flat for about 40 minutes and the last 20 minutes is a gradual uphill. Once we come back from the lake, we will enter our cabins where we will have a chair to sit in and enjoy the tea looking at the amazing Ausangate through the window. Then we will have our dinner then we will go out to enjoy the first starry night, you will remember it.

• 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

Early wakeup call at 5:00 am with coca tea brought to your cabin. After that, we pack up our belongings, eat breakfast, and start hiking up to Arapa Pass, which is uphill to 4958 m, then a slight decline to our lunch spot near Lake Pucacocha. After having the delicious food we keep walking uphill to get to the second pass called Pucacocha pass(5000m) then we will go downhill another couple hours to our campsite called Ananta where we will spend the night in our Mountain huts. Along the way, we will appreciate different glacier peaks, rivers, small lakes, alpacas, local herders, and llamas, of course, you will always be with your guide who will explain the area to you.

• 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 – Alqatari

You will be awakened at 4:00 am with coca tea. After our nutritious breakfast, we pack up, enjoy breakfast then start to hike up to Surini Pass, which is 5051m. From there you enjoy the colorful mountains around you and you will see Rainbow Mountain still in the distance. Then we go downhill to Circle Lake then continue walking the Peruvian flat until we to get Rainbow Mountain, where we will enjoy the amazing colorful mountains and their surroundings. We will get to the rainbow Mountain at 08:00 am. Then we will hike down for about 2 hours to Alqatari where we have lunch and dinner and then spend the night in our mountain huts. On the way, we will hike through small villages and of course Llamas and Alpacas.

• Elevation Gain: 665 m / 2.181 ft.
• Elevation Loose: 872 m / 2860 feet.
• Walking Distance: 16 km/ 9.942 miles.
• hiking hour: 7 hours roughly.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Campsite Elevation: 4,420 meters / 14,500 feet.
• Accommodation: Shelter.

Day 4: Alqatari – Palomani Pass – Quinsacocha – Surapampa

After our delicious breakfast, we begin hiking up to the highest point of the Ausangate trail of our trip at 5300m called Palomani Pass. Therefore, you are going to feel like you are in heaven, higher than all the other hikes in all regions of Cusco. You will appreciate the great canyons and valleys of the Andes, but be aware that some Condors might be flying nearby. Once you get to the summit, you will be right at the bottom of the Ausangate Mountain which is considered to be the protector by the locals.

Along the way, we will appreciate different glacier peaks, bubbling streams, rivers, red lakes, chinchillas, alpacas, local herders, and llamas. We will then walk up and down and arrive at our lunch spot called Huchuy Phinaya. After our delicious lunch, we hiked another 1 hour to our campsite called Surapampa. This campsite is located close to Rocky área so we will see a lot of Chinchilas sitting on top of the rocks.

• Elevation Gain: 785 m / 2575 ft.
• Elevation Loose: 693 m / 2273 feet.
• Distance: 14 km / 8.69 miles.
• Campsite elevation: 4591 m / 15,062ft.
• Highest Point: 5,099 m / 16,729 ft.
• Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours.
• Difficulty: Difficult.
• Accommodation: Camping in Tents

Day 5: Jampa – Pacchanta – Cusco

Today we cross the last pass, we begin hiking uphill for about 3 hours in order to get to the last pass at 4900m. From here we can appreciate some more glacier peaks and the 7 lakes of Ausangate and then we will descend to our lunch spot called PACCHANTA where our cooks and horsemen are going to make our last supper.

There is a nice natural hot spring in Pacchanta in the middle of the mountain. So, after 5 days of hiking, you will love to take a bath in the hot springs and might enjoy some beer. Therefore. you will have a chance to buy some handmade handicrafts from local people. Then we say goodbye to our horsemen and we will get our private van and drive back for 3 hours back to Cusco. Finally, we bring you back to your hotel at 6 pm.

• Elevation Gain: 528 m / 1732 ft.
• Elevation Loose: 815 m / 2,673 feet.
• Distance: 17 km / 10.563 miles.
• Highest Point: 5,050 m / 16,568 ft.
• Hiking time: 7 – 8 hours.
• 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, mountain huts for the second night, tents for the third day, and for the fourth night will be in tents too.
• 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 seats in some campsites 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.
• Entrance fees to access private lands of the Ausangate area.
• Large Dining tent, table, stools, all cutlery, and kitchen tent.
• Tents to overnight, and Thermarest. Three-person tents are provided for 2 people to provide you with plenty of space for personal gear.
• Entrance fee to Rainbow Mountain.
• Meals: 5 Breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners with options for vegetarians, Pescatarian, gluten-free, lactose intolerance.
• 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 $25 for the entire trip.
• Trekking poles. We rent Black diamond hiking sticks. They cost $25 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 the Ausangate trek 5 days. 

• Day pack 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.
• swimming suit.
• Camera/ extra battery.
• Water bottles such as Nalgene.
• Basic medications.
• Walking sticks.
• Personal items.
• Personal snacks.
• Cash (if you’d like to purchase souvenirs).

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONS

THINGS TO KNOW

• We don’t organize 5-day Ausangate trek in January and February because the rain is intense every day.
• We expect the tour will run as the itinerary describes to Ausangate Trek 5 days. Participants should accept that there is the possibility of changes, being necessary liable to local conditions, e.g., strikes, or natural disasters.
• This tour is not recommended for children because the hike is difficult.
• If you have medical problems, you should consult your doctor and indicate that you want to or are planning a hike in the Peruvian Andes and the height is 5040 m (16,400 ft) above sea level. If you have medication, you must bring it with you to continue your treatment.
• 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.
• This 5-day Ausangate trek to Rainbow Mountain is not recommended for travelers with back problems
• 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 definitely something to look out for when choosing the best Ausangate tour operator.
• Daily departures with a group of 2 or more.
• There is no access to a wheelchair for Ausangate trek 5 days.
• Our pick-up time changed to 5 am from September because the rainy season started and most of the time it rains in the afternoon so It is better to hike in the morning.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Make sure you are acclimatized to Cusco’s altitude before you set off on your hike to the Ausangate. This is by far the best insurance for a smooth and enjoyable trip. We recommend you spend at least 3 days in Cusco prior to the excursion.
• We recommend you to keep your iphone inside your sleeping bag and during the day in a warned place. Batteries tend to die due to cold.
• 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.
• The higher elevation also means colder, nearly freezing temperatures, so be prepared. If you decide to take Ausangate 5 day hike, make sure to wear very warm clothes.
• Sun glasses are a must. Sometimes it snow and the reflection of the snow damage 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 one day before your departure. Our horses will carry it and you will have access to them only at the campsites. Put in the duffle 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 5-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 5-day hike, we will take you to the trailhead the night before your start date.

If the strike happens the day that you finish your Ausangate 5 days. We will send our vans to Pacchanta one night before your trip ends. So you will get the van at 05 pm because the strike is over after 5 pm. 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 dry season or the sun from coming out in rainy season so just be prepared. No matter what season you are hiking 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 season 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 down jacket since the early morning and evening will be very cold.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you to get a travel insurance because if you cancel your Ausangate 5 day tour in a 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.

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 will 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This hike is difficult because of the altitude, it’s highly recomeded to be in a good physical condition; The Ausangate trek elevation changes make the hike tough as there are 6 passes during your trek.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS FOR SOLO TRAVELER

During the Ausangate trek 5 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 6pm. 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 common on Ausangate trek 5 days. On the last day of the adventure, we will say goodbye our amazing horseman and profesional chefs. This is the time that you will give a tip for all of them please. 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.

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

• Tips could be for our porters:  60 – 80 soles per Horsemen.
• Tips could be for our Cooks: 80 – 120 soles per cook.

FREQUENT ASK QUESTIONS

HOW TO BOOK THE AUSANGATE TREK 5-DAY HIKE WITH AB EXPEDITONS?

In order to book your Ausangate trek 5 days with us, Click on the BOOK NOW button, then select the day of your departure, then, fill out all your personal information of each participant and the last step is the payment of your deposit of $100 per person.

Once we get your deposit, we will send you a manual confirmation of your trek then your trip will be 100%.

Also in our booking form, you will find some extras such as a sleeping bag, Trekking poles, and an emergency horse. For the emergency horse, you need to book in advance, but for the Sleeping bag and walking sticks, you can rent 1 day before your departure in our office.

WHAT ABOUT THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE?

The Outstanding balance can be made in cash one day earlier your trip in USD or soles. Also, you can pay us with a Credit card(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 5 days.

MAY I CHANGE MY DEPARTURE DATE?

Yes, it is possible. But you should let us know 48 hours in advance. Last minutes changes are not possible.

DO I NEED TO BRING MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON THE AUSANGATE TREK 5 DAY TREK?

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 5 DAYS?

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

WHAT TIME DO WE RETURN TO CUSCO ON THE LAST DAY?

We usually return to Cusco at 7 pm.

ARE THE 7 LAKES OF AUSANGATE INCLUDED IN YOUR AUSANGATE TREK 5 DAYS?

Yes it is included, you will visit the last day.

IS THE RED VALLEY INCLUDED IN YOUR AUSANGATE TREK 5-DAY?

You can go, but because of time you wont make it.

DO YOU STILL ORGANIZE IN RAINY SEASON YOUR AUSANGATE 5-DAY TREK?

For the safety season, we dont organize the Ausangate trek 5 days. In 5 days option, you will hike 8 to 10 hours every day so sometimes it rains the whole afternoon, then it is not posible to complete the hike. Also the the passes are covered with snow. 

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 to refill.

OUR PRICE FOR OUR AUSANGATE TREK 5 DAYS

Our local company AB Expeditions offers DAILY DEPARTURES to the Ausangate trek 5 days. We only require a minimum of 2 people to start a group.

• 02 PERSON: $599 PER PERSON
• 03 PERSON: $570 PER PERSON
• 04 PERSON: $550 PER PERSON
• 05 – 06 PERSON: $520PER PERSON
• 07 – 08 PERSON: $490 PER PERSON