Ausangate is a spectacular glacier mountain located at the southeast side of Cusco.  It offers attractive hiking routes combined with splendid mountain scenery and wild life. Locals  forming small communities live at the foot of the glacier mountain, preserving the ancient traditions and the legacy of the Incas. On this trek we are the only company who use llamas instead of horses, this to make the expedition more attractive and matching with local traditions.

Duration: 6 days, 5 nights.

Itinerary.

Day 1.- Cusco – Tinki.- We pick you up from your hotel at around 8:00 am and transfer you in our tourist bus to Tinki. Along the route you will have the chance to visit the local market of Urcos. We will also stop at different places for taking pictures of the mountain scenery. From Urcos we continue up to Catca and then to Ocangate. At these places we will see the traditional clothing wear of the countryside people. From there we carry on across various small communities until we reach Tinki. The bus journey will last for approximately 7 hours.

Day 2.- Tinki – Upis.- We leave Tinki and start going gentle up through immense pasture. Here local people are shepherding their llamas and alpacas. Today the trek will last for about 6 hours. We will see houses made of stone and roofed with straw, people are living here conserving their traditions and old beliefs. At the campsite there is a volcanic hot spring and you will have the chance to observe a great quantity of birds.

Day 3.- Upis - Laguna de Ausangate.-  We continue the trek through spiky grass, home to these mountains and trek up towards the first pass named Arapa pass (4900 meters). From here we will continue between the Ausangate and Queullococha mountains observing attractive lagoons and splendid mountain scenery with plenty of wild life. We then descend to Hatun Pucaccocha lake admired for the fauna and its splendid views; after this we will have a short hiking up towards Pucapunta pass (5000 meters) and finally a relatively short descend  on to the campsite set up next to the Ausangate lagoon.

Day 4.- Laguna de Ausangate – Hampa.- A two hours trek up and we reach the Palomani pass (5200 meters), the highest point of the trek. From here we will be rewarded by splendid mountain scenery, this is also a very important place to leave some small offering for the “Apus” (mountain spirit); we keep on down wards until Finaya were we will see native crops and visit a local friendly family. We continue for a short walk until we reach our campsite set up at the Hampa community. As in the previous day, we will trek for about 8 hours including stops.

Day 5.- Hampa – Phacchanta.- We leave the campsite and we will be surprised by vicuñas: wild Andean camels (with the finest quality wool), considered Peruvians national symbol. The trek continues on to the Hampa pass (4500 meters), the last point of the trek, from here we will descend through old terraines and pass splendid territory of the chinchillas (wild rabbit), complimented by different colors of surrounding lagoons. At around 4.00 pm we will reach Phacchanta, where we can enjoy the natural hot springs. In the early evening, we will enjoy a great meal of roasted lamb and listen to the typical music.

Day 6.- Phacchanta – Tinki – Cusco - Today we continue down wards through pasture surrounded by beautiful agricultural places where we will see natives crops lake potatoes, oxalis, beans, quinua, etc. Three hours after that, we will reach Tinki from where we will take the bus to return to Cusco, arriving there late in the afternoon.

What is included?

Transportation.- Tourist bus round trip from Cusco to Tinki, the starting and finishing point of the trek -
Camping equipment.- We provide a four people capacity tent for two persons, brand new four season tents, roll mattresses, a dining room tent, a kitchen tent, a toilet tent, seats, tables, a tent for the guides and porters, kitchen gears, back packs and warm clothes for the porters and life insurance for the porters. We take the extra step in providing care for all during the trip, including those who serve you with professional assistance during the trek.
Meals.- 5 breakfasts - 5 hot lunches - 5 hot  dinners: delicious meals prepared by our professional chef. Food includes pancakes, omelets, soups, fresh fruits, avocado, pastas, chicken, fish, meat, rice, all rich in carbohydrates and suitable for trekking, hot drinks including coca leaf tea which is excellent for adjusting to the altitude. Teatime everyday (tea, coffee, biscuits, popcorn). We offer a vegetarian menu option. We provide available boiled water each morning for your water bottles.
Guide.- English speaking professional licensed guides, 2 guides over 8 people.
Cook.- Professional chef and chef assistant.
Llamas.- For camping equipment, food and kitchen gears, as well as for carrying your personal items (7kls per person) in duffel bags that we provide.
Others.- First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.

What's Excluded.

A sleeping bag can be rented in our office for US$ 10.00 for the entire trek (every sleeping bag is thoroughly washed prior to each use).
Breakfast on the first morning. Some hotels offer  morning breakfast service. If not available, we can stop at Urcos for your breakfast and here also you can buy some things for the trek.
For lunch on the final day you should consider a budget of US$ 10.00 in an average restaurant.
Tips for the guides, cook and helpers are not included.

Recommended things to take.
A sleeping bag (you can rent this at the SUNRISE office), mineral water (one liter), rain gear or a poncho (a plastic poncho can be purchased in Cusco), hiking shoes (runners shoes are not recommended), a warm jacket or fleece and wind coat, t-shirts, shorts and long pants, a sun hat and wool hat, flashlight, extra batteries, sun block and insect repellent, toilet paper and a garbage bag, a small towel and bathing suit (hot springs), camera, extra film and/or extra batteries for your camera, snacks, chocolates, energy bars, emergency money and walking stick (optional).

It is for me?
This is a fantastic opportunity to explore the deepest part of the Peruvian Andes. Here you will experience splendid glaciers, beautiful lagoons and the unique traditions and life styles of the local inhabitants.

Price & Discount.
US$ 380.00 per person.

Discount.
We offer a US$ 5.00 discount to groups of 3 people and US$10.00 to groups of 5 or more.

Available departure dates.
We leave every Wednesday and Friday all year round; private groups any day.

If you wish to know if there is space available for this tour, please kindly e-mail us or call from any country to +51 84 236466.

When to make a booking.
We recommend you to book 30 days in advance; if you are thinking to come in between June and September, we kindly advice you to book at least 8 weeks in advance.

How to book.
You can book through our web site, by confidentially providing us your complete name, number of your passport, nationality, age and gender. You must remember to carry your original passport. If you are a student under 26 years old, please kindly scan and send us your valid ISIC card. In case of any questions, please feel free to e-mail us and we will respond to you as soon as possible. You can also call us at +51 84 236466 cell  +51 84 9303274.

Payment details. 
We will require a non-refundable trek deposit of US$ 100.00 per person. The deposit can be issued through a WESTERN UNION money transfer. This is the fastest and most secure form of payment in Peru. Please kindly state SUNRISE EXPEDITIONS TOUR OPERATOR E.I.R.L as the recipient. Once you arrive to Cusco you can pay the balance in cash by either US dollars or in local currency (Peruvian Soles).

Group size.
A typical group consists out of 10 persons, with a maximum of 16 persons in high season.