AUSANGATE 4D / 3N

Day 1: Cusco-Tinque-Upis:

We leave Cusco very early in the morning, pick up from the hotel to go to south-east of the city, approximately three hours of travel in private transport to the small town of Tinqui (3800 meters / 12,464 feet). We pass through beautiful landscapes and various traditional villages such as Urcos, Cattca and Ocangate. After lunch in Tinqui, we will start the walk where the first 3 hours of the way will be an unforgettable experience as we will cross the mountains in the Vilcanota Mountain range where we will be able to appreciate the snow-capped mountain or Apu Ausangate. We will walk two more hours until we reach the hot springs in Upis (4,400 meters / 14,432 feet). We will camp here for the night (4-5 hours of trekking).

Day 2: Upis – Ausangate Qocha Lagoon:

In the morning we will cross the Arapa pass (4,850 meters / 15,908 feet), this being one of the highest points on the hike. From here, we continue for 3 and a half hours descending through the valley, passing through the green lagoon of Puqa Q’ocha until we reach the turquoise waters of the Jatun Puqa Q’ocha lagoon. Next, we will climb the second pass of Apuchata (4,900 meters / 16,072 feet), overlooking the impressive Ausangate Q’ocha lagoon and its turquoise-blue waters. This lagoon is fed by the melting snow of the Ausangate snow-capped mountain. We will camp here the second night.

Day 3: Ausangate Qocha lagoon -Valley Qampa

From the lagoon we ascend again towards the Palomani pass (5,200 meters / 17,056 feet) – the highest point of the hike. From the pass we follow the path to the valley where we can rest and have lunch. In the afternoon we will be able to appreciate the snow-capped Tres Picos and Punta Puca. We will continue through the wide green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and through the valley of the Q’ampa River. We will spend the third night in this area.

Day 4: Valley Qampa- Pacchanta

Very early we will start the walk, we will pass through the small community of Q’ampa, then we will head northwest to the last pass of this walk – Q’ampa pass (5,000 meters / 16,400 feet). Once again we will have the opportunity to observe different colored lagoons and we will have lunch near the Q’oma Q’ocha lagoon. We will walk for several hours before reaching the small town of Pacchanta. We can enjoy the hot springs for a couple of hours. We will set up camp near Pacchanta and have the afternoon free to explore this interesting Andean town. (There is also the option of staying in a basic hostel).

Day 5 : Pachanta town -Cusco:

It is a 3-hour walk back to Tinqui, where we will have time to explore this traditional Andean town before taking private transportation back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:00 p.m., to culminate this Tour to the snowy Ausangate