Nevado de Ausangate in the The Cordillera Vilcanota
The Cordillera Vilcanota is an impressive range of mountains which include the massive Nevado de Ausangate (6,385m) and three others over 6000m.
It's excellent trekking country offering the traveller everything you could want: spectacular mountain scenery, snow-capped peaks, hot springs, turquoise lakes, glaciers, herds of llamas and alpacas, picturesque villages and traditionally dressed Indians.
Its also high, tough and cold, so be prepared.
AUSANGATE TREK 7D/6N
DAY 1: CUSCO- OCONGATE- TINQUI
We leave Cusco in a private bus to Urcos town, and drive along the Cusco
- Puerto Maldonado route. We pass through pituresque villiages like Ocongate,
Urcos and Cattca until we arrive at Tinqui (3800 masl), where we spend
the night in a local lodge.
DAY 2: TINQUI- URPIS
This day we will begin our walk, passing by Quinsapucyu, Huarmisaya until
we arrive at the hot springs of Urpis from where you have a fantastic
view on Mount Ausangate at the end of the valley.
DAY 3: URPIS- Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha.
You'll hike to the first pass, the Arapa pass (4,850m), in the morning,
continuing down the valley in the afternoon to the camp at the turquoise
Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha. You'll pass the green lake of Puqa Q'ocha on the
way.
From the campsite you can climb the small ridge north of the camp to
see Lake Vino Q'ocha (named by the locals because it is sometimes red
like wine due to glacial sediment coming down from nearby red mountains.)
Sometimes, as you camp beside the lake at night, you can hear the eiree
sound of ice breaking away from a nearby glacier and falling into the
water.
DAY 4: Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha - JAMPA
We will visit a group of small lakes, from there we will hike to the highest
pass of our trekking: the Palomani pass at 5200 meters above sea level,
and in the evening we will arrive to Jampa.
DAY 5: JAMPA- Q'OMER Q'OCHA- PACHASPATA
We will pass through the valley of Jampa. Compared to the previous days,
this one should prove relatively easy. During the trek the snow-capped
peaks of Tres Picos and Puca Punta come into view. The trail between the
broad green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and the Rio Q'ampa valley are an
excellent place to observe the delightful viscacha. This small rodent
looks like a cross between a squirrel and a rabbit and lives in large
family groups amongst the stones and boulders at the foot of the scree
slopes. You may also be lucky enough to see groups of vicuña, undoubtedly
the most beautiful member of the llama family, with its slender neck,
huge eyes and soft golden wool.
After passing through the small community of Q'ampa the trail continues
north west to the final pass of this hike, the Q'ampa pass (5,000m). From
the top you can see several different colored lakes. You'll camp beside
the final greeny turquoise lake called Q'oma Q'ocha.
DAY 6: PACHASPATA- PACCHANTA
Another fairly easy day today, trekking for about 2½ hours to the
small Andean village of Pacchanta. You'll have the opportunity to rest
and relax in the hot thermal springs for a couple of hours and even have
a beer in this interesting Andean village. We spend the night camping
close to the village. .
DAY 7 PACCHANTA- TINKI- CUSCO
In the morning we hike towards the main road, where a van will be waiting
for us in order to drive us back to Cusco, arriving in the evening.
Included:
- Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private bus to Tinki, the starting point of the trek
- Spanish and English speaking professional guide
- Cook and cooking equipment
- Meals: 6 Breakfasts/ 6 Lunches/ 6 Dinners & snacks
- Horsemen and horses to carry tents, food and cooking equipment
- 1 emergency horse.
- Transportation to return from Tinki to Cusco
- Gear:
Igloo tents
Mattress
Dinner tent
Chemical toilet tent
Kitchen tent
Table set and seats
First aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle
Options:
- Sleeping Bag: US$20 per 7 days.
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