Trek by Sacred Snows of Ausangate (7 days / 6 nights)
Dominating the horizon south of Cusco, the magnificent peak of Ausangate (6,333 metres) 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 slopes are still made by local people.
Treks in the Ausangate area take from six to ten days. The scenery is spectacular. Snow-capped 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 founded by their ancestors countless generations ago.
Day 1
:
We drive southeast of Cusco, passing interesting sights like Pikillacta, Andahuaylillas, Qatca and Ocongate, where we will make brief stops. The landscape changes gradually as we climb from the green Vilcanota valley up to the dry slopes inhabited by communities who live from livestock herding and - when the rainy season transforms the area – from agriculture. In the afternoon we will get our first view of the majestic Vilcanota mountain range, including the peaks of Ausangate and Colqe Cruz. We will camp that night close to the village of Tinki.
Day 2
:
An easy day’s hiking as we cross the Mapocho River, which is one of the principal sources of the Amazon, and walk across the plains of coarse ichu grass grazed by llamas and alpacas and used by local people to thatch their roofs.
Along the way we will see a number of homes that will be of interest to photographers as we approach the Ausangate massif, a 6,372 metre peak which has been considered sacred since time immemorial. We will camp that night close to the thermal baths at Upis, where we will have plenty of time to bathe.
Day 3
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With our pack animals carrying our equipment and food we will conquer the first pass at 4500 metres, from where we will head to Lake Pucacocha (4400 metres), which lies close to our next campsite.
Day 4
:
Today we will cross the highest pass at Palomani (4800m). We will leave early, keeping Mount Ausangate to our left and passing groups of grazing llamas and alpacas. As we cross the pass we will be met by spectacular views of the south-eastern mountain range, including the peaks of Mariposa and Caracol. With luck we might spot a solitary condor soaring high above us. Many other bird species, deer, vicuña and vizcacha (a rabbit-like rodent) also inhabit these highlands. We will then descend towards Pampacancha at 4,650 m, along the Jampamayo River to the community of Jampa, before arriving at Chillca, where we make our fourth camp.
Day 5
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Around the shores of Lake Ticllacocha, our route takes us up to the last pass at 4,650 metres, among the peaks of the Vilcanota range, before descending towards the beautiful turquoise and green Lake Q’omercocha, where we will establish that night’s campsite.
Day 6
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We will continue to make a slow descent towards the community of Pajchanta, whose residents live from livestock herding and agriculture. We will also pass thermal baths where we will have time to rest and bathe in this extraordinarily beautiful place, with its fine views of the surrounding mountains.
Day 7
:
In the early morning we will make the short walk to the village of Tinki, where our trek began and where our vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Cusco.
Note: Treks of 6 or 10 days are also available in the Mount Ausangate area.
