The Classic Trek to the Imposing Ausangate
The Ausangate Trek is one of Cusco's best options for nature and trekking lovers. It's an epic journey through the foothills of the most important sacred mountain south of Cusco: The incredible Ausangate glacier that sits at 6,372 m / 20,905 ft.
On this amazing journey, you'll visit remote Andean towns, enjoy relaxing hot springs, and photograph the turquoise glow of beautiful crystalline lagoons dotted throughout the route. If you're passionate about hiking in the mountains, learning about local customs and traditions, and looking for an intense experience in remote areas of Peru, this package is perfect for you.
The Classic Ausangate Trek 5 Days Map
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Before You Go
- Packing List
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
Whether you’re traveling with a partner or your family or friends, you can join us on this incredible adventure through the mountains of Peru and by the immense glacier Ausangate. This journey is perfect for those who want to get off the beaten path, away from the crowds, and immerse themselves in culture and nature.
The Ausangate glacier is the most sacred in the entire Cusco region, which receives a huge amount of respect, pilgrimages, and offerings from Andean communities. It stands majestically at 6,372 m / 20,905 ft and is Peru’s fifth-highest peak. Being in close proximity to this gigantic Apu will make you feel at peace as you soak up the energy it radiates.
This hike takes you over mountain passes, incredible mountain scenery, remote Andean villages, hot springs, and different colored lakes. You’ll learn customs and traditions from communities that maintain ancient traditions to this day.
So, what are you waiting for? This epic journey awaits in the remote mountain regions of Peru. Travel in peace with Salkantay Trekking, knowing that every last detail is planned for you. All you have to do is enjoy your adventure.
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day 01
Cusco | Ocongate - Upis - Huayna Ausangate Lake
This morning, you’ll meet the team and then hike to Upis campsite. Enjoy lunch surrounded by mountains. Later, we will visit Huayna Ausangate Lake.
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Day 02
Upis | Arapa Pass - Yanacocha - Hatun Pucacocha
Enjoy hiking beside the grand Ausangate today. This afternoon, you’ll explore the area by the lagoon Hatun Pucacocha before spending the night nearby.
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Day 03
Hatun Pucacocha | Ausangatecocha - Palomani Pass - Huchuy Phinaya - Sorapata
Spend the morning hiking through astounding landscapes and observing the scenery before lunch. This afternoon, spend time with local families to understand their customs and traditions.
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Day 04
Sorapata | Jampa Pass - Pacchanta
Trek through beautiful scenery and join the trail of the 7 lakes. Observe the lakes and enjoy an Andean ceremony. Enjoy a free afternoon and relax in the hot springs.
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Day 05
Pacchanta | Tinke - Cusco
Relax in the hot springs this morning before trekking to a small community. You’ll learn some more about customs and traditions before boarding our private transport back to Cusco.
What's it like
Highlights
- Enjoy an unforgettable adventure through the Cordillera Vilcanota, a breathtakingly beautiful mountain range approximately four hours south of Cusco.
- Contemplate the immensity of the valleys and huge Andean mountains from spectacular viewpoints.
- Marvel at the gigantic Ausangate glacier and its colorful crystalline lagoons.
- Discover the lifestyle of the Andean settlers and take the opportunity to make new friends.
- Learn all about local customs and traditions as well as the local wildlife.
- Get to know the wild fauna of the Andes, including llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, condors, and various water birds.
- Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and get away from the large crowds in the middle of the remote mountains.
Why Travel with us
Cusco | Ocongate - Upis - Huayna Ausangate Lake
Highlight of the day: Submerging yourself in the first views of the Vilcanota Mountain Range.
Huayna Ausangate Lake Is Waiting for You
Your mountainous adventure begins early in the morning as we pick you up and take you on a drive through the mountains to Upis. Here, you’ll meet your trekking team, cover any last details, and enjoy a tasty breakfast before you begin hiking. This morning, you’ll be trekking across plains with the Ausangate mountain right in front of you. When we get to the Upis thermal baths, you’ll relax in the water and enjoy lunch.
This afternoon, we’ll walk to Huayna Ausangate Lake. Our camp will be set up near the glaciers, and you’ll enjoy a tasty dinner before heading to bed for the night.
Your journey through the stunning Andean landscapes begins today when we pick you up early from your accommodation at 5 a.m. We'll travel in our vehicle to the town of Ocongate (3,500 m / 11,482 ft). On the way, we'll be able to see picturesque villages and beautiful lagoons along the Vilcanota Valley out the window.
We'll continue to Tinke, where you can make any last-minute purchases before reaching the community of Upis (4,250 m / 13,944 ft), the starting point of our trek. We’ll enjoy a tasty breakfast here and meet the team of cooks and horsemen who’ll join us on our adventure.
Our first day begins on a plain looking directly at the immense Ausangate glacier (6,372 m / 20,905 ft). As we walk, we'll meet local people adorned in beautifully colorful traditional clothes. You’ll also spot lots of herds of llamas and alpacas.
We'll arrive at the thermal baths of Upis (4,400 m / 14,436 ft) to enjoy our first meal prepared by our talented chef. Our camp will also be set up here, right in front of Ausangate Mountain.
In the afternoon, we'll walk to Huayna Ausangate Lake and enjoy a stunning sunset that’ll cast its pretty light on the snows of the glaciers around us. In the evening, it’ll be time for a tasty dinner and our first night in the mountains.
Upis | Arapa Pass - Yanacocha - Hatun Pucacocha
Highlight of the day: Hiking through some incredible scenery and seeing pretty lakes and waterfalls.
Be Astounded by the Sheer Natural Beauty of Mother Nature
Wake up early to enjoy breakfast before we set off for the day. We’ll hike through a pretty valley to the Arapa Pass to enjoy the excellent views. You might even get to see a condor in flight. We’ll then continue to the lagoons of Yanacocha and Pucacocha before continuing onto our camp for lunch.
In the afternoon, we’ll spend time exploring the area around the lakes and learning more about the flora and fauna of the area. Ausangate will be by our side all day. In the evening, head back to camp for dinner and a great night’s rest.
We'll wake up early and savor a filling breakfast in the middle of the cold, high mountains and then begin walking for about two and a half hours through a beautiful, picturesque Andean valley towards the Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). The spectacular Ausangate glacier will be by our side the whole way.
From the top of the pass, the beauty of the landscape multiplies, and the natural beauty of this part of the world will blow you away. You'll be able to observe the sheer size of the mountain range and, if you're lucky, the solemn flight of the condor - the largest flying bird in the world. Our guide will explain more about the impressive local flora and fauna as you hike this stretch to help you know more about the area you’re walking through.
Then, we will begin a descent to the beautiful crystalline Yanacocha lagoon (black lagoon); afterward, we will follow the trail for another hour until we reach Hatun Pucacocha to appreciate the scenery and enjoy its glistening waters against the snow-capped mountains.
Later, we will explore the surrounding lagoons and relax with a delicious mate. In the evening, a nutritious dinner will be waiting for you to finally head to your campsite to rest and regain your energy.
Hatun Pucacocha | Ausangatecocha - Palomani Pass - Huchuy Phinaya - Sorapata
Highlight of the day: Hiking through immense landscapes and learning about local customs and traditions.
Immerse Yourself in Local Customs and Traditions
Another tasty breakfast awaits, and then you’ll be on your way to the Ausangate Pass to enjoy more astounding sights. We’ll then keep going to the Ausangatecocha Lake, where we’ll have lunch amidst the mountains.
Later, we’ll trek to the Palomani Pass and then onto the small community of Huchuy Phinaya. You’ll be able to learn all about local customs and traditions from the local people. We’ll continue then to our camp in Sorapata.
Just like every other morning, you'll get a fantastic boost of energy to start the day, thanks to a delicious breakfast. Today's hike begins ascending for two and a half hours to the Ausangate Pass (4,750 m / 15,584 ft). From there, the immensity of the mountains will definitely surpass all your expectations.
We'll continue the route downhill for an hour to the Ausangatecocha lagoon. You'll have the opportunity to enjoy your lunch in the middle of an immense landscape - not a bad way to spend your lunch break!
Later, we'll ascend for around two hours until we reach the Palomani pass (5,200 m / 17,060 ft), the highest point of the entire route. After a short rest and enjoying some more astounding views, we'll walk for another hour and a half until we reach the small community of Huchuy Phinaya (4,650 m / 15,256 ft).
We have a lot of respect and consideration for the people of Huchuy Phinaya, who maintain ancient traditions to this day. Learn from them and their admirable lifestyle in complete connection with Mother Nature (Pachamama) and how they respect and live in harmony with her.
Today was the most challenging day, but it was worth it for a real connection with the Andes and Mother Earth. We’ll have a gentle ascend of 2 hours to Sorapata, where our camp will be ready and waiting for your arrival. After a delicious dinner, a peaceful night's rest awaits.
Sorapata | Jampa Pass - Pacchanta
Highlight of the day: Exploring the stunning lakes and performing a small ceremony for Mother Earth.
Pay Homage to Mother Earth and Explore Gorgeous Lakes
This morning, enjoy more hiking through truly beautiful landscapes. Take your camera to snap some pretty shots on the way to our lunch spot. We’ll join the tour of seven lakes and visit some gorgeous bodies of water. You’ll also get the chance to enjoy an Andean ceremony.
You’ll have the afternoon free today and can spend it in the medicinal hot springs in the area. This is a great opportunity to relax tired muscles. After, you’ll savor a tasty dinner before heading to bed.
After another revitalizing breakfast, we'll begin our uphill walk over two and a half hours toward Jampa Pass at 5,070 meters (16,634 feet). From there, you'll have breathtaking views of majestic snow-capped mountains. Don't forget to keep your camera ready! We’ll then gradually descend for approximately three hours until we reach our lunch spot at the Pacchanta campsite. Along the way, we'll also join the trail of the famous Seven Lakes tour.
Next to one of the beautiful and mystical lakes of the place (Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo, or China Otorongo), we’ll have the option to perform a small ceremony on gratitude to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the surrounding mountains, especially the great Ausangate glacier who’s watched us the entire route.
After our lunch, we’ll have the afternoon free and get the opportunity to revitalize and heal our tired bodies in the medicinal hot springs of Pacchanta.
We’ll finish the day by satisfying our taste buds and hungry bodies with another delicious dinner. You’ll be astounded by the delicacies our talented chef conjures up in the mountains.
Pacchanta | Tinke - Cusco
Highlight of the day: Relaxing in the hot springs and learning traditions that have been passed down for generations.
Bid Farewell to Ausangate With One Last Relaxing Day on the Trail
Your last day on the trail begins with another optional rest in the medicinal hot springs. Afterward, we’ll start hiking toward a community where we’ll spend time with another local family and learn more ancient traditions. We’ll then have lunch and say goodbye to our trekking team.
This afternoon, our transportation will drive us back to Cusco. This gives you one last chance to observe the stunning scenery outside before we drop you at your accommodation around 6:00 p.m.
The final day is here, and your epic adventure comes to a close today - but not before an optional last visit to the hot springs and a fantastic day on the trail.
After our last breakfast, we'll start a three-hour walk to the community of Tinke (3,800 m / 12,467ft). On the way, we’ll visit an Andean family’s home to learn about their ancient traditions that have been kept alive for generations in the middle of the mountains.
Once in Tinke, we’ll have lunch and say goodbye to the trekking support team. At the end of this stretch, our transportation will be waiting to take us back to the city of Cusco. Enjoy looking out the window at the mountains and lagoons during this final drive. We’ll drop you off at the door of your accommodation around 6:00 p.m.
At Salkantay Trekking, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
What Is Included?
Permits & Entrance Tickets
Entrance for the Ausangate Trek
Entrance to Pacchanta Thermal Baths
High Quality Service & Safety
Pre-departure Briefing - The day before the trip, at 5:00 pm you will meet your trekking guide.
You'll have an orientation meeting with your guide the evening before the tour. The meeting is at 5:00 p.m. in our office and, depending on the itinerary, in your hotel.
Experienced Tour Guide - All our guides have professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness and passion, which will make your trip safe and comfortable.
English and spanish speaking official tour guide. All our guides are graduates of the professional career of Tourism of the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. We choose them for their professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness, unbridled passion for exploring, and sincere desire to proudly share in our culture and history. He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time worry-free!
- Bilingual Tour Guide in group service or shared (English and Spanish)
Private Camping Equipment
- Tents: Spacious dining tents to enjoy your meals worry-free.
- Tables, chairs, and cooking equipment
- A Portable Travel Toilet
- Sleeping Pad
All equipment will be carried by our horses.
One Duffle Bag
On the trek, you can carry your personal belongings up to a maximum weight of 7 kg / 15.4 lb (this weight includes your sleeping bag).
Medical Kit or First AID Kit - Our guides are trained to deal with basic emergencies.
All Salkantay Trekking guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers' diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
Extras Included in our Service - You’ll receive a cover to protect your backpack on the road and a rain poncho.
We believe that attention to small details is what sets us apart from other local companies. You’ll receive a cover to protect your backpack on the road and a rain poncho.
24/7 Customer Service - We have 24 hours a day telephone service.
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication with Salkantay Trekking leading up to your trek.
Satellite Phone - Each of our guides has a satellite phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to call anywhere in the world in case of emergency.
Our main priority will always be the tranquillity of our clients. All of our guides are prepared for emergencies in the mountains; however, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps you feel more secure. For this reason, each Salkantay Trekking guide has a satellite phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to call anywhere in the world in case of an emergency.
Accommodation
4 Nights Accommodation in Campsites
Salkantay Trekking uses the best camping tents to ensure your safety and comfort (e.g., Eureka Timberline or Mountain Hard Wear tents).
Meals
5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, and 4 Dinners
Our chef prepares the best dishes in the middle of the mountain. Our passengers love our food! We respect all diets (vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost), so let us know if you have any particular allergies or restrictions on your reservation form and remind your guide during the briefing. You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in addition to hot drinks and snacks.
Water on the trail
We'll provide boiled, filtered, and cooled water during your hike. For this, you need to bring a camel bag or an empty bottle, which you can refill during each meal (we recommend a capacity of 2 liters).
Wake up tea - Every morning at campig we will provide you with hot coca tea.
Every morning at the campsite, you'll be woken up with a cup of hot coca tea. Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
Tea Time or Happy Hour - Every evening, before dinner, the cooks will provide you with popcorn, cookies, coffee, tea, hot water, etc.
Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide you popcorn, biscuits/cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you won't have to wait until dinner to relax, warm-up, and enjoy a bite to eat!
Snacks on the trail daily - You will receive a bag with cookies, fruit and more, to be refilled each morning.
Before starting your trekking, your tour guide will provide you a cloth bag with local fruits, cookies, chocolate, caramels, etc. Every morning, we’ll refill it so that you can enjoy your snacks during the walk.
One cloth snack bag per person
To avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment, we'll give you a cloth bag for your snacks.
Hygiene Products
You’ll be provided with a small towel and soap before each meal to clean your hands.
Transportation
Transport
- Day 1: You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and travel in our transport to Upis, the starting point of the trek.
- Day 5: Once you complete the tour, we will take you back to the door of your hotel in Cusco.
Cargo Mules
cargo mules will carry all the camping equipment and your baggage allowance (7 kg / 15.4 lb). Muleteers will be responsible for your duffle bag and personal items.
What Is Not Included?
Extras and important equipment
You will need a sleeping bag for camping. Trekking poles are optional but highly recommended. If you don’t have them, don't worry; you can rent them from Salkantay Trekking.
- Sleeping bag: US$ 25.00
- Walking poles (pair): US$ 25.00
Day 5: Dinner
Hiking Clothes & Gear
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is usual on any excursion to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they do. Typically, group participants collect their tips to hand out to the horsemen and chefs together.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemia, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as carefree as possible. In this section, you’ll find the answers to all the questions you have about traveling with Salkantay Trekking in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
How many days do I need to acclimate in Cusco before the Trek?
It’s very important to be well acclimated to the altitude before exerting yourself on a trek. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 or 3 days before the trek starts to help you adjust and avoid possible problems with altitude sickness while on the trek.
You might have already been in another area of Peru at a high altitude before arriving in Cusco. In that case, we still recommend you have a whole day in Cusco to rest, recover from your travel, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cusco before departing for the trek.
Here some suggestions for activities to do in the Cusco vicinity before starting your adventure trek:
Briefing or Informative Meeting
All information meetings and briefings are held in our main office in Cusco (or your hotel) at 5:00 pm, one night before the tour begins. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If you’re unable to attend, you must coordinate another time by email, by phone or at the Salkantay Trekking office.
Trek Balance Payment (in Cusco)
If you still have a pending balance, you must pay it 2 days before your hike/tour. Otherwise, your trip reservation will not be confirmed.
If possible, it would be greatly appreciated if you could settle the remaining balance for the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or the local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw funds from various ATMs located along Avenida Sol, offering both US dollars and Peruvian Soles. Alternatively, you have the option to pay using a credit/debit card or PAYPAL, either online or in person, but please note that a 5% service charge will be applied by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and PAYPAL. We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept bank checks or traveler's checks as forms of payment for the balance.
Duffel Bag or Canvas Case
You’ll receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. Our horses will carry them, and the horsemen will hand them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 60 x 24 x 22 cm (23.6 x 9.45 x 8.66 in).
A maximum of 7 kg / 15.4 lb is allowed for each duffel bag, including the weight of your sleeping bag, sleeping mat, clothes, and other personal items.
Can I store my luggage at your office?
Of course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can organize it with us on the briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you won’t need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags; put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pick up of guests
Please note:
- All pickups are within Cusco City, but we recommend booking a hotel in the historic center for its convenient location.
- Our guide or staff will confirm the pickup time the day before the tour.
- Due to traffic conditions, the pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Cusco is an old city and has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets without car access or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. For such reasons, we strongly advise you to book accommodation with good access.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, then physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route.
It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru, and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority, and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects
Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our transport, tents or restaurants. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?
ESSENTIAL
CLOTHING
EQUIPMENT
RECOMMENDED
"The Classic Ausangate Trek" can leave any day of the week, from March through January. We don’t operate this itinerary in February because of the rainy season & maintenance of the route.
2024 Land Cost
Group Price: US$ 650.00 per person.
Required Pre-payment: US$ 300.00 per person.
Balance (Cusco): US$ 350.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco after the briefing).
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Notice that PayPal charges a fee of 5%, which we ask the client to cover since it's due to the use of its service. This tax is just for online deposits so that you will pay the remaining in cash (the briefing day in Cusco) without charges.
Extensions & Offers
There are several extensions you can include to your Peru Adventure.
- Rainbow Mountain: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- Sacred Valley: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- City Tour: US$ 50.00 US$ 40.00
Additional Items
There are additional items you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices.
- Sleeping bag:: US$ 25.00
- Walking poles (pair): US$ 25.00
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the price won’t increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Student Discount
US$20.00 off
Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years old or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of the passport at the time of booking. It must be valid and not expire within the travel dates. Please send it to info@salkantaytrekking.com.
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Salkantay Trekking. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. The Salkantay Trekking Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
Remember | One of our Travel Experts will contact you soon to confirm the availability of the trip you chose, give you more information, and/or provide you alternative options. Once availability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the trek. Please call us at (+51) 958 191 179 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
Note | Due to the rainy season and trail maintenance, we don't offer this trek during the whole month of february. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, we are working to provide you a better service!
Feel free to reach us via email at info@salkantaytrekking.com or by calling us directly at (+51) 958 191 179
Every Day: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Triunfo Street 346 - Main Square of Cusco, Peru
