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AUSANGATE TREK 6D/5N
Ausangate (or Auzangate) is recommended only for confident, self-sufficient hikers experienced at high altitude. If you tolerate cold & altitude symptoms, the trails themselves are little trouble. Some route finding is necessary. Trekking guidebook essential.
A long hike around the biggest mountain in southern Perú, the broad and majestic Ausangate (6384m), offers glimpses at high altitude wildlife and pastoral peoples living, with their animals, quietly apart from the turmoil's of the modern world. We pass ice walls, a glacier, the cascades of a frozen river, and numerous springs of hot and medicinal underground water. The mountaineer will also find lovely views over the surrounding countryside, looking down into fertile valleys and across at the Vilcanota mountains. This a snowcovered range arcs away to the east, southeast, then the south, protecting the valley of Canchis From these high mountains, cold waters whisper through totora swamps south to Lake Titicaca. Eager rapids plunge north into the tropical Inambari. And from the glacier-fed lakes of the Cancis valley, rich green waters feed the river Vilcanota and Cusco´s sacred valley. We may observe rare Andean wildlife in the high wilderness, such as vicuña, vizcacha, condors, flamingos, Andean geese, and ibises.
Southeast of Cuzco, the awesome Cordillera Vilcanota includes a number of peaks of which Ausangate is the highest at 20,945 feet (6,384 meters). On a clear day, the peak is visible from Cuzco. The snow-capped peaks of this area are the second largest Peruvian glaciated system after the aptly named Cordillera Blanca. On one side of the cordillera is the Andes and altiplano, on the eastern side, the slopes give way to Peruvian amazonia.
Most local inhabitants do not speak Spanish, only the ancient Quechua tongue. They dress in beautiful hand woven ponchos and take care of their herds of llamas and alpacas.
Ausangate is considered an apu, a holy mountain, traditionally a place of worship and offerings from pre-Inca times. The Apu Ausangate is also famous for the celebration of El Señor de Qoyllur Ritti. held annually in June. Celebrated in Cuzco and Ausgangate, the celebrations merge Christian and ancient rituals in homage to Corpus Christi and the ancient cult of the sun. Shamanic pilgrimages are made throughout the year to the mountain.
The first ascent of Ausangate was made by the German expedition of Fritz Morz, Heinz Steinmetz, Jurgen Wellenkamp and Heinrich Harrer in the summer of 1953, on the south face. This is still the usual route, but climbers may ascend from any side of Ausangate. All routes are technical in nature and climbers must be properly experienced and outfitted.
CONSIDERATIONS
- Ausangate is dangerous!
- altitude sickness is a big risk
- evacuation is difficult
- no rescue service is available. You are on your own.
- No Park officers. No campsites. No toilets.
- acclimatization in Cuzco 3326m (10,912ft) is essential
- 13-hour long nights in the tent
- temperatures can fall well below freezing at night
- be prepared for snow
- storm could pin you in your tent
- some reports of local people stealing items left outside tents at night
- long, bumpy bus ride to & from trailhead
LOGISTICS
- Ausangate Circuit is 70km (43.5mi) plus sidetrips
- most hikers tent 4-5 nights
- there are many options to extend this trip
- trailhead at Tinqui is 5-8 hours by bus S.E. of Cuzco
AUSANGATE TREK, TRIP ITINERARY
- DAY 1 : CUSCO /TINKI / UPISPAMPA: Morning, drive to the head of the trail at the town of Tinki, 3,800 meters. Here we join our pack animals for a 5 hour trek to the hot springs of Upispampa, just below the Ausangate glacier and camp.(L+D)
- DAY 2 : UPISPAMPA/FINAYA/PACCHANTA : You start your trek around Mt.Ausangante, with a spectacular view of the highest peak in the Vilcanota Range. , maybe close encounters with Vicuñas, but for sure herds of Alpacas and llamas grassing (B+L+D)
- DAY 3+4+5 : After a hearty breakfast, we continue our trek around this great mountain, regarded as an Apu (Great Spirit) by the local natives. These highlanders speak ´´quechua´´ the Incas dialect and dress in traditional colorful costumes taking care of their herds of llamas and alpacas. You'll pass pristine lakes, sparkling glaciers and a couple of 5,000 meter passes. The day before the end of the trek you will camp by the hamlet of Pacchanta where we can relax in the local hot Springs.(B+L+D)
- DAY 6 : TINKY / CUSCO : After a 3 hour walk we arrive back to Tinki, where our transportation will be waiting to take us back to Cusco. Dinner on your own. (B+L)
INCLUDES :
- Transfer from Cusco to the head of the trail
- All meals during trek
- Pack animals for bearing luggage
- Saddle horse for emergency
- Guide, cook, assistant
- Double-occupancy tents
- All camping gear, plus First Aid kit
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International or local flights
- Additional tours or meals in the cities
- Laundry, liquor, tips
TIME OF THE YEAR: March through October
COST:With Premium Service
From 2 to 6 participants US $ 597
From 7 to 12 participants US $ 527