Ausangate Trek 6 Days

Your Ausangate Trek 6 Days begins with an early 5:00 a.m. hotel pickup in Cusco. We drive approximately 3.5 hours to the Andean town of Ocongate (3,500 m / 11,482 ft), known for its rich traditions and panoramic views of the Vilcanota Mountain Range. Along the way, enjoy your first unforgettable views of Apu Ausangate, one of the most sacred mountains in Andean cosmology.

Continuing to the Upis community (4,250 m / 13,944 ft), we enjoy a hearty breakfast and meet our professional cook and muleteers. We then begin a gentle 3–4 hour hike along an ancestral trail used by local families, arriving at Upis Camp (4,400 m / 14,436 ft).

Upis is famous for its natural hot springs, where you can relax in warm, mineral-rich waters surrounded by dramatic snow-covered peaks—an ideal way to acclimatize. After lunch and a rest, we take a short hike to Huayna Ausangate Cocha (4,480 m / 14,698 ft), a pristine high-Andean lake known for its tranquility and stunning reflections.

After breakfast, we begin a 2.5-hour ascent to Arapa Pass (4,800 m / 15,748 ft). Along the way, we may spot vicuñas, elegant wild camelids native to the Andes. From the pass, enjoy sweeping views before descending for about 3.5 hours, passing the beautiful Yanacocha and Pucacocha lakes.

We arrive at Hatun Pucacocha (4,400 m / 14,436 ft), our campsite and lunch location. In the afternoon, we explore the surrounding lakes before enjoying dinner and a peaceful night under the Andean stars.

We start the day with a nutritious breakfast and ascend for about 2 hours, witnessing a dramatic contrast between arid mountain landscapes and lush valleys filled with glaciers. We descend for 1.5 hours to Anantapata (4,750 m / 15,585 ft) for lunch.

In the afternoon, we climb for 2 hours to Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m / 16,355 ft), where the colorful mountain range leading toward Rainbow Mountain comes into view. A final 45-minute descent brings us to Surinecocha (4,800 m / 15,748 ft), our campsite for the night.

We rise early and hike 2 hours to the legendary Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca – 5,100 m / 16,732 ft), arriving at sunrise before the crowds. Your guide explains the geological formation and spiritual importance of this iconic destination.

Next, we visit the Red Valley viewpoint (5,050 m / 16,568 ft), one of the most surreal landscapes in the Andes. We then descend to Quesiuno (4,376 m / 14,357 ft) for lunch.

In the afternoon, a 2.5-hour ascent through green valleys filled with alpacas and llamas leads us to Ausangate Cocha (4,500 m / 14,764 ft), where we camp beside a stunning glacial lake.

Today we reach the highest point of the Ausangate Trek. After breakfast, we ascend for 2 hours to Palomani Pass (5,200 m / 17,060 ft), offering unmatched panoramic views of the Vilcanota Range.

We descend for 1.5 hours to Huchuy Phinaya (4,700 m / 15,420 ft) for lunch, then continue with a gentle 2-hour hike through the spectacular Jampa Gorge, surrounded by towering glaciers. We arrive at Sorapata (4,650 m / 15,256 ft) for our final campsite.

We wake to breathtaking views of Tres Picos Mountain and begin our final 2.5-hour ascent to Jampa Pass (5,070 m / 16,634 ft). This wide, scenic valley is perfect for photography and reflection.

We then descend for 3 hours to Pacchanta (4,100 m / 13,451 ft), passing sacred lakes revered by local communities. Here, we perform a small thanksgiving ceremony to Pachamama (Mother Earth).

After lunch, we relax in Pacchanta’s natural hot springs, a well-earned reward after days of trekking. Finally, we return to Cusco by private transport (approx. 3 hours), marking the end of an unforgettable 6-Day Ausangate Trek adventure.