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Our unique 3 day Ausangate trek itinerary gets you into the remote, untouched wilderness of the Ausangate circuit, long famous for its stunning high altitude scenery, turquoise lakes, and herds of roaming alpacas.
Read more about Ausangate, Peru and all the trekking options it has to offer.
On the other side of the Ausangate range is the Sinakara valley, where the Qoyllur Rit’i pilgrimage takes place. Every spring, thousands of pilgrims make the midnight trek by the light of the full moon, and spend three days enjoying the festivities. It’s one of the most fascinating festivals in all of South America!
Our unique Ausangate 3 day trek itinerary takes you into remote, untouched wilderness:
Note: due to the high altitude, you must have at least 3 days of acclimatization at high altitude before embarking on the Ausangate trek. Read more about altitude acclimatization.
High quality personalized experience
Unique, off-the-beaten track routes
Experienced staff
Verified sustainability practices
$20 of every trek donated to Threads of Peru
Accommodation
Meals
Transport
Trekking Team
Safety
Additional inclusions
We offer you the opportunity to personalize your Ausangate trek and make your experience more comfortable through our Optional Extras and Upgrades. All options are available during the reservation process; please ask your sales consultant for more information.
Equipment Available for Rent
Service Upgrades
Optional Activities
Important!
See What to Bring for our recommended packing list for trekking in Peru.
When getting ready for your Ausangate trek, it’s important to pack the right gear. Weather in the mountains is always fickle so it’s important to be prepared for all kinds of weather: possible rain showers, sun, or even snow. Layering and flexibility are key!
This is a high altitude trek, meaning it can get very cold on the trail. You are likely to warm up while hiking, but as we cross each pass on this Ausangate trekking itinerary, you will need thermals, a winter hat (toque or beanie), mitts and scarves. During the night, temperatures drop WELL below freezing (as low as -15°C / 5°F in the middle of the cold dry season!). Make sure you have plenty of warm clothes!
Since there is the chance to visit some mountain hot springs, you may also want to bring a bathing suit, flip flops and a towel!
During the Ausangate hike, we recommend convertible trekking pants made out of a quick dry fabric. Most of these hiking pants have special designs allowing a maximum range of motion. The many pockets on this style of pant can make you look a little more like an adventurer than a tourist, but can be very useful on the trail. For a cold, high-altitude hike like this one, we definitely recommend wearing thermals under your hiking pants to keep you warm.
When it comes to footwear, water-resistant trekking boots with a high top are the best hiking boots to take on the Ausangate trek. If you’re not ready to invest in specialist hiking boots, at a minimum hiking shoes will suffice.
What is the difference between hiking shoes and hiking boots? Hiking shoes are durable, trekking shoes that are generally water resistant. They don’t have ankle support though. Hiking boots are tough footwear that last a long time due to their strong construction. They have ankle support and often are very waterproof.
For more help with what to pack, check out our blog How to Prepare for a Trek in Peru.
Our Ausangate trek guides are all handpicked for their personality, expert knowledge of the trekking routes and communication skills. In addition to being formally licenced guides, they receive frequent training from Apus Peru such as mountain rescue as well as high altitude first aid.
This is particularly important on the Ausangate route as it is one of the trails where people have most felt the effects of altitude. You’ll be happy to have a trek guide with you who is experienced, knowledgeable and quick-thinking, able to alter routes at a moment’s notice if necessary.
Get to know our team!
Apus Peru is one of an elite group of Cusco trekking agencies that put people before profit. Safety is paramount and we have a comprehensive risk assessment policy that covers a very wide range of details, from vehicle maintenance to illness and evacuation on the trail. There are many treks, including Ausangate, that we will not operate in the wet season under any circumstances due to safety considerations.
Want to join an Ausangate trek? Ready to confirm a departure date of your own, but interested in having others join you? Then Trekkers Wanted is for you! Our innovative Trekkers Wanted system matches people up who are interested in hiking the same trek, bringing costs down and multiplying the fun for everyone!
Read More about Trekkers Wanted, post your trek or search for confirmed departures!
We leave Cusco bright and early, around 5 a.m., heading to Chillihuani, the trailhead for our 3-day hike, which we reach by 9 a.m. From there, we’ll hike uphill for about 2.5 hours to Vinicunca (the 5050-meter / 16,568-foot viewpoint) to take in the breathtaking vistas. For super-fast hikers, there is an option to visit the Red Valley viewpoint – an additional 1.5-hour trek. If we are quick, we can include this extra adventure before enjoying lunch at Yanococha around 2 p.m.
On our way, we will see plenty of Ichu (Stipa Ichu), a local plant that the Incas used to make adobe, insulate their houses from the cold climate, and even construct suspension bridges. We will also get the chance to see the seven small lagoons, admire cattail plants, and soak in the stunning mountain landscapes.
After lunch, we continue our uphill hike to the Warmisaya Pass, sitting at 5000 meters / 16,404 feet. This is the second-highest pass on our route. From there, we will descend for about one hour, reaching our campsite in Anantapata (4700 meters / 15,419 feet) around 4 p.m.
After an early breakfast, we will begin a gradual descent before starting a two-hour climb to the highest point of our adventure: the Surimani Pass (4950 meters / 16,240 feet). This is not only the highest point but also the most breathtaking viewpoint of the journey! From here, you can marvel at the majestic Apu Ausangate (6370 meters / 20,897 feet) and its surrounding turquoise lagoons, which create a stunning color contrast. Apu Ausangate is one of the most important sacred mountains, revered as the protector of the Cusco region and a vital provider of water and life.
We will then hike downhill for about 1.5 hours, reaching the Hatun Pucacocha Lake (4650 meters / 15,255 feet) around 11 a.m. This is the largest lake near Ausangate, offering fantastic photo opportunities in a serene setting. It will also be our lunch site, and if we are lucky, we may spot wild vizcachas – rodents that thrive in the rocky mountain landscapes.
After lunch, we will continue with a 1.5-hour hike, gradually ascending and passing by small crystal-clear lakes. We will arrive at our campsite in Huchuycocha (4666 meters / 15,304 feet). This final stretch is a pleasant and mostly flat walk, allowing you to fully enjoy the surrounding mountain landscapes.
The longest day awaits us! We first walk for 40 minutes until we reach the Arapa Pass (4750 meters / 15,584 feet). If we are lucky, we may even spot some vicuñas. These animals are highly valued for their soft fiber and are at risk of poaching. For that reason, they are considered an endangered species.
We will continue descending for 2.5 hours until we reach Upis. On the way we can admire the Upis Lagoon, known for its different colors and crystal-clear water, making it quite beautiful! It is fascinating to see the incredible contrast between yesterday’s turquoise lagoons and today’s crystal-clear Upis Lagoon. During this portion of the trek, we may also see llareta, a native plant very common in this area and elevation. It is an ancient plant, over 3,000 years old. From this point, the hike is flat, and we will pass by local houses and farms. Three local families live here, and we will likely see them working and taking care of their alpaca herds.
After lunch, we will be picked up by our private vehicle to begin the journey back to Cusco. We should arrive back at your hotel between 6 and 7 PM.
OPTIONAL EXTRA DAY: IMMERSE YOURSELF IN TRADITIONAL ANDEAN CULTURE
Opting for this extra day adds a special touch to your trek, with a night of camping at Pacchanta on Day 3, where you can relax in the soothing local hot springs before settling in for the evening.
In the morning of day 4, our private transport will take us on a short drive to Upis, where we will be warmly welcomed by Ruperta Condori Merma, co-president of the weaving association Awaq Mayki and a collaborator with Threads of Peru since 2012.
Ruperta and her family will share a fascinating demonstration of traditional weaving techniques, offering a rare chance to explore the Andean customs and way of life passed down for generations.
We will get a glimpse of their everyday routines, from farming to crafting intricate textiles, and discover the deep bond they hold with their land. Hands-on activities include working with natural dye plants, interpreting symbols in their woven clothing, and even shearing alpacas—practices steeped in centuries of tradition.
At midday, we will enjoy a hearty, homemade lunch with our hosts, followed by a warm farewell. We will leave around 3:30 PM, arriving back at your hotel in Cusco between 6:30 PM and 7 PM.
We rate the 3 day Ausangate Trek as moderate. (See how we rate all of our treks in the Cusco region!)
Despite this being a very high altitude trek, Ausangate does not involve the steep climbs and descents present in our most difficult treks. Given the altitude, you must be well-acclimatized before beginning.
You’ll be rewarded at the end, though, with the chance to soak in the hot springs at Pacchanta, and even enjoy a well-deserved beer!
Remember all treks in the Cusco region are challenging for most people due to the high altitude and steep mountains.
A young person of average fitness who works out several times a week will probably find the Ausangate trek a challenge.
Older people, or those who are not fit, should most definitely embark on a fitness training program prior to doing the Ausangate trail, in consultation with a medical and fitness professional. What this will entail depends on each person and their own abilities.
We can only advise in general terms: the fitter you are, the easier and more enjoyable the trek is going to be! And of course, you want to have fun while on holidays! You don’t want to set out to suffer.
See our Tip #3 for how to get ready for your trek.
The best way to prepare yourself for the Ausangate altitude is very easy: spend time at a high-altitude place like Cusco.
Most trek agencies around Cusco say that 3 days is enough for an Ausangate tour. Generally speaking, the more time you can spend acclimatizing, the better. In an ideal world, 3-4 days at altitude would give your body an excellent chance to acclimatise and help you avoid the effects of altitude sickness.
When it comes to the Ausangate trek, though, you must spend at least 3 days acclimatizing before beginning the hike. In short, your best bet to get used to Ausangate’s altitude is time!
In addition, being kind to your body helps your body deal with the extra pressures that altitude creates. This means eating healthy food, drinking plenty of water and staying away from alcohol.
Read more about Altitude and How to Acclimatize before starting your trek.
The best time of the year to plan your Ausangate trekking trip has a lot to do with the weather. We recommend the dry winter months from May to August, when there is little rain. This is also wintertime in the Andes, and the night-time temperatures can get very low – even below freezing!
December through March is the wet season in Peru and trekking the Ausangate trail is not recommended for safety reasons. Given the high altitudes encountered while trekking Ausangate, the rain can actually turn to snow, particularly in the shoulder seasons. Trekking during these months (April, September, or October) is weather-dependent.
Read more about the best time to hike and take note of our wet season trekking policy.
Yes! Our guides take solar-powered chargers with them during the Ausangate hike so that you can charge your phone or other device along the way.
The 3 day Ausangate hike includes 2 nights of camping. On the trail, you are treated to first-class service from our field team. We use 4 season North Face tents on our treks, all dutifully set up by our team of hardworking staff. You will be grateful for these 4-season tents while trekking Ausangate!! Temperatures frequently fall below freezing, and can even get as low as -15°C / 5°F in the middle of dry season.
Whatever the conditions, you will have some really sound protection on your side!
Go luxe! You can also choose our Comfort Camping option for a full-on luxury camping experience.
You will also be accompanied by a personal chef who prepares first class gourmet meals on the trail. Our chefs receive annual training in order to offer you some really stunning culinary creations on the trail! This is not basic trail food, but fully catered for trekking.
We have a lot of vegetarian travellers and our cooks have some great options for them to enjoy their meals. We can cater for or all other types of dietary requests with adequate preparation and clear communication.
Read more about What to Expect on the Trail, including more about meals and equipment.
No additional permits are required to trek the Ausangate circuit. Any costs charged by the communities in the Ausangate region are included in the price of your trek.
As alternative trekking specialists, Apus Peru already offers a range of unique customised Ausangate treks, including the Ausangate 7 Lagunas Rainbow Mountain Trek 5D/4N – for those looking to add a detour to see the impressive Rainbow Mountains of Peru, the famous lagoons and the red valley!
You can also customize your Ausangate trekking experience by adding on one or more of our Cusco day tours, like the Sacred Valley Tour, or opting to add a Machu Picchu Extension.
The Machu Picchu Trek Extension includes one night in a Standard Aguas Calientes hotel. For added comfort, you can also choose one of our upgrade packages which includes not only an upgraded hotel but also a luxury train service and meals at the top restaurants in Aguas Calientes.
And finally, for those interested in doing an Ausangate tour but who are short on time, we also offer 1- and 2-day Rainbow Mountain tours. For a more unique day trip, we particularly recommend Palccoyo. Our Palccoyo day hike offers beautiful views of rainbow-coloured hills, an easier hike and no crowds.
All YOU need to carry with you on the Ausangate trek is a light day pack. In your day pack, you should carry things like your water bottle, some extra layers, camera, sun hat, beanie, sunscreen and insect repellent.
Water is vital on the trek. You should start the day with 2L. You will have a chance to refill at lunchtime, and again in the evening. We also provide an ample range of snacks which will fill up the average person – if you have hollow legs, you might need to bring some of your own!
The rest of your belongings – up to 10kg (22 lbs) – are carried in a duffel bag that we provide, by mules. All of the camping equipment needed on the trek is also carried by mules.
In order to answer whether this trek is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:
For more information about what this region has to offer and our full roster of available Ausangate treks, check out our Ausangate homepage.
Travel Direct…
…or Take the Long Way
If you’re still not sure if Ausangate is right for you, or want to read more about the area or other people’s trekking experiences, check out these helpful articles from our blog:
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‘Beautiful landscape and super guide’
(What did you especially notice) ‘No garbage behind us’
Day 3 was the most spectacular for me. My body worked well 🙂 and the pass at 5200m and the scenery was outstanding. Also, the food and the cook’s presentation of the food was a highlight.
All the guides, cook, horsemen were excellent! Everyday! They made the trip fantastic! [Our guides Urbano and Marco] shared their love and knowledge of Peru and its culture, history, and people.
Everything was great! I was extremely happy for my trip because of the caring staff from your company. [The highlight of my trip was] the actual trekking with great views and delicious food.
I loved trekking with Urbano and crew. They were well organized, attentive to detail, knowledgeable and good company. Would request them on future Apus Peru trips. I loved the scenery on the trek. I’ve treked in many countries and find the Andes a particularly spiritual place.
