Amazon Adventures

Peru

Ausangate Trek

Dominating the horizon south of Cusco, the magnificent peak of Ausangate (6,333 meters) is the highest and most sacred mountain in southern Peru. For centuries it has been central to the religious beliefs of the Andean people and pilgrimages to its icy slopes - which since the Spanish conquest have become a hybrid of indigenous and Catholic rites - are still made by local people. The scenery is spectacular. Snowcapped peaks and glaciers look down impassively on seemingly endless grasslands studded with turquoise lakes and thermal pools. Herds of llamas and alpacas graze under the watchful eyes of their owners, who live in the same isolated and picturesque villages that their ancestors founded countless generations ago.

Day 1 Cusco / Ocongate / Tinki
The road goes toward Puno, past the Wari site of Pikillacta ruins and the colonial towns of Andahuaylillas and Huaro (we may spend some time visiting them). Afterwards, a dusty road starts winding its way uphill until we reach small villages of shepherds and weavers in the highland Savannah. In the afternoon, the Vilcanota Range will loom in the distance with Ausangate and Colqe Cruz Mountains dominating the landscape. Campsite near Tinki.

Day 2 Tinki / Upis
Today the trail is quite easy we start our uphill trek crossing the Mapocho river and hiking on the arid grasslands known as puna or highland meadow The terrain turns into open. Scattered clumps of coarse grasses collectively called ichu characterize the treeless puna (this highland grass is used for roof thatch and fodder for grazing llamas and alpacas). We hike over rolling hills passing by stone walls and a few thatched houses approaching the base of the Ausangate massive(20,900 ft') considered by the locals as the sacred Apu "Mountain spirit" . Camp at Upis with a chance to enjoy the thermal baths.

Day 3 Upis / Pucacocha
With the camping gear and personal equipment carried by mules we start ascending the slopes, of the green Upismayo valley we cross over the pass at 4,500 Mts. (14,760ft) and make our way to lake Pucacocha at 15,080 feet filled with grazing llamas and alpacas with the western ice-fall of Ausangate mountain dominating the view of this campsite.

Day 4 Pucacocha / Palomani / Chillca
Today we cross the highest pass of our trip at Palomani (4,800mts) (15,744ft), from here we have spectacular views of the south eastern ridge of the Ausangate mountain and the peaks of Mariposa and Caracol. In these high mountains, we might see the giant condor soaring high above the blue skies and a variety of highland birds like coots, Andean geese, cacaraca, hawks, puna ibis as well as the marmot like vizcacha these remote mountain areas are also refuges for the protected vicuña. We descend towards Pampacancha (4542 m / 14,900 ft). Continue to Uchuy Finaya on the south side of Mount Ausangate and hike along the Jampamayo river valley, passing the remote village of Jampa. The views are overwhelming with the glaciers and the snow-capped mountains surrounding us. camp at Chillca.

Day 5 Chillca / Comercocha
We circle Northwest over Ticllacocha Lagoon and over the last Pass 4,650m (12,250ft) among the snows of the Vilcanota mountain range where we will be surrounded by views of glaciers and ice covered peaks, a moderate downhill trail takes us to the small meadow of Pacchaspata, or the shores of lake Q'omercocha "Green lake". Where we Camp.

Day 6 Comercocha / Pajchanta
The trail continue descending slowly towards the village of Pajchanta where most of people are farmer and alpaca traders. We camp in Pacchanta for the night and for enthusiasts there are thermal baths in this place available to take a relaxing bath with snow capped mountains in the back ground.

Day 7 Pajchanta / Tinki/Cusco
Early in the morning a short hike will bring us to the head road tinki passing several small communities giving us our last chance to see remote Andean villagers. Herds of llamas, alpacas and their herders, in their colorful traditional clothing, work along the hillsides. From Tinki we drive back to Cusco arriving late in the afternoon at your hotel.

2007 Price per person: US$967 each for 2, $751 each for 3, $613 each for 4, $592 each for 5-6.
Supplement for single tent, if requested, is $84

Can start on any day with minimum of 2 people.