Ausangate Trek

Day 1: Arrive Cusco, transfer to Sacred Valley

Upon arrival in Cusco (3326m), KE Land Only package services begin with a group transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here we overnight in the picturesque traditional town of Ollaytaytambo (2800m). Spending our first night at the lower elevation of Ollantaytambo will also ease the acclimatisation process as we prepare for our trek up to 5000 metres. Note that meals are not included on this day.

Day 2: Explore the Sacred Valley and drive via Pisac to Cusco

We start the day with an exploration of the village and the Inca Citadel of Ollantaytambo before we take the spectacular drive via Pisac to Cusco. En route we have stunning views of the Vilcabamba peaks, including Salkantay Este and Huayanay. At Pisac we make a stop to look round the artisan’s market. Arriving in Cusco we check into a colonial style hotel in the city. Included meals: Breakfast (B)

Day 3: Sightseeing in Cusco

A day for acclimatisation in Cusco. We begin with a relaxing walking tour of the city. Every small street or alley-way that we enter and every corner that we turn, brings another surprise, in the form of superbly constructed Incaic walls or the rather more architecturally extravagant Spanish Colonial churches and palaces. The city, once capital of the extensive Inca Empire, has seen many changes since Pizarro took control of the city (with apparent ease) in 1535. The highlight of this tour is our visit to the impressive fortress citadel of Sacsayhuaman, which is set high above Cusco. The remaining stones here (some of the larger ones where used to build modern day Cusco) are 8.5m highest and weigh over 360 tonnes. Returning to Cusco town, the afternoon is free for further independent exploration. Overnight at the group hotel. (B)

Day 4: Drive to Tinqui in the Vilcanota

Today we will make the 3-hour drive to the start of our trek into the Cordillera Vilcanota. From Cusco, we drive first towards Puno, past the Wari site of Pikillacta and the old colonial towns of Andahualillas and Huaro. The road climbs steadily to a viewpoint where the Cordillera Vilcanota appears in the distance, with Ausangate and Colqe Cruz the dominant peaks. The drive takes us through a picturesque landscape and by way of several traditional villages including Urcos, Cattca and Ocangate. The small village of Tinqui is at an altitude of 3800 metres (12,500 feet). Here, we meet our arrieros, the local Quechua Indian herdsmen and their mules and llamas which will be carrying our bags and equipment. We will set up camp at Tinqui and following lunch here we will make an afternoon hike to help with our acclimatisation. Included meals = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B,L,D)

Day 5: Trek to Urpis

We wake to the sounds of breakfast being prepared and the arrieros rounding up their animals. This is our introduction to camp life. After breakfast, we begin our trek around Ausangate, heading across the open puna or highland meadows and gradually gaining altitude. We may be lucky enough to see viscachas (the long tailed highland rabbit-like creature), condors and Andean foxes during today’s walk to Urpis which will take approximately 5 hours. We set up camp close to the hot springs of Urpis, where we can relax and take in the magnificent view of Ausangate at the end of the valley. After dinner the muleteers ask us to join a ‘Jaiway’ where we can all make an offering to the mountain God the ‘Apu’ for a safe passage around the mountain. Altitude at camp is 4400 metres (14,435 feet). (B,L,D)

Day 6: Cross Arapa Pass to Laguna Pucacocha

Continuing up the valley towards Ausangate, we begin a steady climb of approximately 3 hours to the Arapa Pass (4850m / 15,912ft). Beyond the pass, we descend to Laguna Uchuy Pucacocha, with its cascading waterfall and onwards to the turquoise Laguna Jatun Pucacocha, which lies at the foot of the western icefall of Ausangate. We will set up camp here and for those with energy to spare it is well worth climbing the small ridge north of the camp for views of Laguna Vinococha, so-named because it often looks like red wine, as a result of inflowing glacial sediments derived from the mountain’s red rock. The views of Ausangate are particularly close-up and spectacular. 6 hours trekking. Altitude: 4610m. / 15,125ft.) (B,L,D)

Day 7: Cross two passes to Pampacancha

A lot of ascent today. After breakfast, we continue up the valley and make a steady climb of around 2 hours to the pass of Apuchata (4900m / 16,075ft). The beautiful azure Laguna Ausangatecocha lies below and we descend to the lake before climbing to our third and highest pass of the circuit, the Palomani, at 5200 metres (17,060 feet). From this pass, we descend steeply to the valley floor and to a small meadow camp, locally called Pampacancha, which is set amongst glacial moraines at an altitude of 4510 metres (14,800 feet). Here, we are close to the basecamp for expeditions to Mount Ausangate (6372m / 20,905ft). Total walking time today is approximately 6 hours. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Cross the Campa Pass

Today we follow the valley down to a junction with the main Pitumarca Valley and then climb steadily to the small Laguna Ticllacocha. This is one of the best places to see vicunas, the rarest member of the llama family and also viscachas. The lake area is also rich in birdlife. We climb out of the broad green valley on slopes of red scree to the Campa Pass (5050m / 16,568ft), the last on our circuit of Ausangate. The summit of the pass is adorned with small cairns which guard against evil intruders from the spirit world. We traverse the south-west slopes of the pass and begin a descent toward the valley, bejewelled with different coloured lakes. At a meadow area one hour below the pass we will set up our camp at an altitude of 4850 metres (15,910 feet). 6 hours walking. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Downhill to Pachanta hot springs

We will have an exploratory walk below Campa Peak in the morning. Group members who want some down time can relax in this beautiful spot or do some independent exploring in the environs of the camp. After an early lunch the continuation of our trekking route involves walking downhill for around 4 hours to our camp beside the welcome hot springs at Pachanta. (4360m / 14,300ft). (B,L,D)

Day 10: Trek to Laguna Armaccocha

After an early morning soak in the hot pool, we leave the village of Pachanta. It is a steady climb from camp heading eastwards over remote highlands to the picturesque Laguna Armaccocha. This beautiful mountain lake is situated at an altitude of 4665 metres (15,305 feet) beneath the snow-capped Nevado Collque Cruz Range. A simply stunning place to spend the night. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Trek to Laguna Singrenacocha

After breakfast, we continue our trek towards the north-east, climbing a steep shoulder and crossing a pass to reach a fabulous lookout point at a height of 4940 metres (16,200 feet). From this high point, we get commanding 360-degree views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. We also get our first view of the surreally beautiful turquoise lake of Singrenacocha. We will take a detour to see the mountain lakes of Mullucocha in their impressive amphitheatre setting, surrounded by stunning 6000- metre peaks, before continuing down to shores of lake Singrenacocha (4390m / 14,400ft). This is one of the most scenic campsites of the trip. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Trek to the roadhead, drive to Cusco

This final short day of trekking will take us along the lakeshore to the river flowing out of the lake. We follow this river gently downhill to the trailhead at an altitude of 4230 metres (13,875 feet) where our bus will be waiting for us. We will have lunch here and say goodbye to our pack animals and some of the trek staff, before setting off on the drive back to Cusco where we will check in to our hotel. On this final night of the trip, most people will want go out into the city to find a pleasant restaurant for a celebratory dinner. The local guide will assist with the choice of restaurants and with group reservations if that is required. (B,L)

Day 13: Depart Cusco

KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. A complimentary group transfer to the airport is provided. If you wish to extend your trip to visit Machu Picchu it is possible to arrange extra night(s) at the group hotel. Please see the extensions section of the trip page on our website for details and prices (B)