This trek is more difficult because you will often be walking at altitudes between 4000 and 5000 Mt

This is an amazing 5 days trek for people who like the real trekking experience, Official Ausangate operator.

Program:
Starting Point:Cusco
Ending Point:Cusco.
Activities: Cultural, Ecological, Hiking & Camping at high altitude!
This trek is hard, hiking in high altitudes.

This program can change, depending on the physical condition of the client and the weather situation!
Shorter and longer versions are also possible.

Introduction
In this Vilcanota range you can hike at heights above 5000m and have fabulous panoramic views of crystalline lakes and nearby mountains. This hike is quite a long and difficult one (you walk 7-8 hours a day), so we recommend preparing well, doing shorter walks at altitude during 3 days around Cusco, before starting the hike.

Day 1: Cusco – Tinki – Upis

Around 7 am we will leave Cusco to get to the village of Tinki at 3800m. (6-hour ride). On the way we will pass through beautiful landscapes and several traditional villages including Urcos, Cattca and Ocongate. At Tinki we will have our lunch while the guides are getting our luggage ready on the mules.

After lunch we will start hiking for about 5 hours to the hot springs in Upis (4200m.). On the way we can enjoy the beautiful Cordillera Vilcanota and a magnificent view of the snow-capped peak of Apu Ausangate. In the Upis valley we can see the very traditional lifestyle of the Quechua speaking population.

• Meals: lunch and dinner
• Maximum Altitude: 4400 masl / 14435 ft
• Minimum Altitude: 3800 masl / 12467 ft
• Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6.21 ml
• Approximate Walking Time:6 hours

Day 2: Upis – Abra Arapa – Ausangateqocha

We begin our walk uphill under the watchful gaze of the most important Apu of the Andean south. On our way we can appreciate how beautiful and powerful the geography is in this part of the southern Andes.

When we reach the Abra (high-mountain pass) 4650 Mt, we will have a magnificent view of this mountain chain. Crossing the pass, we walk towards Sonccococha, Pukacocha, Ccomercochas, and beautiful high-Andean lakes. We have an amazing view over the green lake of Pukacocha and the turquoise lake Jatun Pukacocha.
After lunch, we will climb uphill briefly to cross the Ausangate pass and descend to our campsite on the beautiful Ausangatecocha.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Maximum Altitude: 4900 masl /16076 ft
• Minimum Altitude: 4400 masl / 14435 ft
• Distance Travelled: 16 km / 9.94 ml
• Approximate Walking Time: 9 hr

Day 3: Ausangatecocha – Abra Palomani – Hatunpampa

Today is an important day as we will reach the first of the two high passes, Abra Palomani 5200 m. It is a short uphill walk from our campsite to the highest pass of our trek. We will enjoy unique scenery 5,000 meters above sea level. Our descent will take us to the settlement of Huchuy Phinaya where we will have lunch.

After a short rest, we will continue our trek on a gentle gradient towards our campsite at Hatunpampa. We will enjoy a high Andean flat-land surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Here we will spend the night.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Maximum Altitude: 5200 masl / 17060ft
• Minimum Altitude: 4600 masl / 15091 ft
• Distance Travelled: 16 km / 9.94 ml
• Approximate Walking Time: 9 hr

Day 4: Hatunpampa – Abra Janca – Pacchanta

Another challenge today: the second high pass over 5,000 masl, Abra Janca. Beautiful Andean scenery where the cameloids & vicuñas live together with the mountain peaks, watched over by the spectacular Colquecruz snow-capped peak.

We will then follow the path downhill to our lunch spot, and then continue on to the town of Pacchanta and its relaxing thermal baths. An excellent end to one of the hardest days on our trek.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Maximum Altitude: 5070 masl / 16633 ft
• Minimum Altitude: 4300 masl / 14107 ft
• Distance Travelled: 14 km / 8.69 ml
• Approximate Walking Time: 8 hr

Day 5: Pacchanta – Tinki – Cusco

This morning we will take it easy and enjoy the view while having breakfast. Then we will start our small walk. On the way we will time to look at the small settlements and to watch the long tailed viscachas – family of the rabbits.

We will start hiking to the village of Tinki (3 hours). At Tinki our vehicle will bring us back to Cusco, where we arrive in the late afternoon. We will then transfer you back to your respective hotels. End of our services.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch
• Maximum Altitude: 4300 masl
• Minimum Altitude: 3800 masl
• Distance Travelled: 10 km / 6.21 ml
• Approximate Walking Time: 5 hr

Included:

• Transport, local bus Cusco-Tinki-Cusco ( if more than 8 persons the transport will be private).
• Porters or horses to carry the tent and food.
• Cook service.
• Transfers from your hotel.
• All applicable taxes.
• English speaking guide.
• Camping equipment including 2 persons tents, mattresses.
• Medical Assistance.
• All Meals as indicated in the itinerary. 4 breakfast /5 lunch /4 diners, Vegetarian food available on request.

Not included:

• Breakfast on the first day & dinner on the last day.
• Personal porter or horse, you have to carry your personal belongings yourself, or rent an extra horse.
• Personal travel insurance.
• Sleeping bag can be rented from us.

What do we need when you make a reservation?

• Full name as it is written in your passport
• Fax or scan of your international ISIC student card (if you have one the tour will cost $18 less).
• Passport number.
• Nationality.
• Date of birth.
• Departing date for the trail.
• We ask for a 40% deposit, sending to us via Western Union, or even better via visa online (+5,5%)through this website: VISA

The balance you will pay at our office in Cusco before the start of the trek. We accept cash USD or credit card (+5,5%)

What you should bring?

• Personal sleeping bag, we can rent these out if you don’t have one!
• Backpack.
• Trekking shoes.
• Water bottle.
• Flash light.
• Sun hat.
• Micropur in order to purify the water.
• Personal clothing for trek and clothes for rain.
• Insect repellent.
• Snack.
• Clothes for cold and warm weather.
• Emergency money and money for the tip to guide cook and porters.