Ausangate Trek + Q´ampa
PRICES IN DOLLARS
👥 Minimum number of people: 2
📅 Season: March/November
💪 Difficulty: Medium/High
This program begins with the traditional Ausangate circuit, one of the most popular treks in the Andes, on the way we will have the opportunity to climb the Q´ampa mountain (5,587m). Do not miss this once in a life time experience!
ITINERARY
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Day 1: Cusco - Upis
We drive for 3 hours on a new highway to Tinqui, passing Urcos Pass (4.000m). Tinqui is a village on the high plains east from Cusco and is where we will start our trek. We follow a wide, gently ascending path toward the northwest face of the impressive Ausangate mountain. We will have a small lunch around noon by the side of the trail. We will continue walking through fields and by scattered stone farm houses, and later in the day we will begin to see llamas and alpacas. We ascend gently to the Upis pass (4.435m) and camp at Upis (4.250m) where we will be surrounded by snowcapped mountains. There are thermal springs at Upis where we can enjoy a soak at the end of the day.
Day 2: Upis - Ausangatecocha
After breakfast we begin our trek at 7:00am. We begin ascending for 3 hours to Arapa Pass 4.800m. At the top of the pass we will have a wonderful view of the Mt. Ausangate. From the Arapa pass we trek across an arid hillside for 20 minutes and then we descend, sometimes quite steeply, for 45 minutes into a valley of deep blue glacial lakes and waterfalls. We will stop to have a quick lunch by one of the lakes. After lunch we continue for 1 hour on flat trails and then 1 more hour gentle ascent to our second pass of the day, Ausangate Pass 4.700m. At the top of the pass we will have a beautiful view of Ausangate Mountain and the lake Ausangatecocha, formed by a melting glacier. We then descend for 40 minutes to our campsite by the lake Ausangatecocha 4.300m.
Day 3: Ausangatecocha - Huchuy Phinaya - Pampacancha
After breakfast we leave camp at 7:00am and climb steeply for 3 hours on glacial moraine to the highest point on the trek, Palomani Pass (5.400m). From the pass there are extensive views of all the peaks in the Cordillera Vilcanota. We then descend for 2 hours on a steep trail into the Huchuy Phinaya Valley where we will stop for a quick lunch. We continue hiking 3 hours on a varied path to our campsite in the Pampacancha Valley (4.300m).
Day 4: Pampacancha - Base Camp
After breakfast we leave camp at 8:00 am and begin climbing up to the Q´ampa pass (5.000m) for 2 hours. At this pass we have incredible views of the three peaks, the Pacchanta valley, and will hopefully get a glimpse of some wild vicuña and deer. We then descend gradually for 1 hour until we stop for lunch in our Base Camp. After lunch we will explore nearby glacial areas, we will return to the Base Camp and after dinner we will rest early.
Day 5: Pacchanta - Q´ampa Summit - Cusco
We wake up at 3:30 am and leave the tent by 4:00 am. Arriving at the summit by 7:00 am we can enjoy the views for an hour or so before returning to Base Camp for lunch. After lunch we will walk to Pacchanta for 2 hours.
At Pacchanta we will meet our private transport and return to Cusco, arriving around 6:00 or 7:00 pm.