Ausangate hike in Peru is a trek of many colors, changing landscapes and stunning lagoons
Ausangate Mountain
130 km east of Cusco is the 6384 m high mountain Ausangate, which is playing an important role in the Inca mythology. This mountain with its glacier can be surrounded in several days on the Ausangate Trek. It usually takes five to six days and you will always be above altitudes of 4300 m. The trek around Ausangate Mountain usually starts in Upis and ends in Pacchanta, but it is also possible to go in the opposite direction. Your daily walking distance cover between 9 km and 15 km per day and you will cross one to a maximum of three passes per day with steady, fairly gentle climbs that rarely take longer than 1.5 hours.
Exploring Ausangate Trek
Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to set up your tent for the night. There are many official and beautifully located campsites that are right on the trekking route. Compared to other Treks in the Peruvian Andes, this Ausangate Trek is of moderate difficulty. But do not underestimate the permanent stay at high altitude. Therefore, it is very recommended to get used to the altitude before the trek and, ideally, doing at least an acclimatization hike a couple of days before.
Altitude Experience
If you do not have the opportunity to go to such high altitudes at home to prepare yourself, consistent endurance training such as jogging, cycling and swimming can help the body to adapt faster to the lower available oxygen in high altitude. The Trek itself has many beautiful surprises and it never gets boring. Behind every pass, a new, breathtaking landscape awaits you, in between beautiful lagoons light up – each with its own charm and you will have the opportunity to see many different animals.
Beautiful wildlife in Ausangate Trek
In addition to the Alpacas, you have a good chance of seeing Viscachas, wild birds and other animals. With a bit of luck, you can also spot the wild Vicuña, which is close to the Alpacas, or even a Condor. The most famous but optional highlight on the Ausangate hike is the famous Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley, which you can include to the route. In this case you have to deviate a little from the main route. But it’s definitely worth it.
Hiking and Camping Gears
To be as well-equipped as possible for the trek, it’s advisable to bring clothes for both warm and cold temperatures (down to around -10°C), as it can get warm during the day and very cold overnight. You should also have windbreaker jacket and trousers with you, as there are sometimes very strong winds.
For the hikes, it’s advisable to have 1-2 liters of water and a few snacks with you to ensure you’re always well supplied. Hiking poles are indispensable to make the climbs a little easier and to protect your joints on the descents. You should also carry a little cash to pay for entries to the national park and communities along the way or to support local people by buying local products.
Ausangate Trekking Company
In order to avoid having to carry all your equipment yourself and to make things a little easier, it is advisable to book a guided tour as you can fully concentrate on the trekking experience and not worry about cooking, setting up and taking down the tent, transporting luggage, etc.
In order to find the right company for you among the large number of agencies, I recommend local agencies such as Vidal Expeditions, who grow up in the region, as this also allows you to learn something about the local culture. Also, the group size should not be too large. Otherwise, you can either feel rushed if you go at a slow, personal pace or you can get bored and cold if you go at an above-average pace.
