AUSANGATE TREK (THE BEST OPTION)

Apu Ausangate, the mountains (apus) are sacred deities for the Andean people and are possessed of kamaq (vital force). Apu Ausangate, the highest mountain, is the most important in Cusco region and it has many legends. Ausangate is considered the pakarina (place of origin) of llamas and alpacas and controls the health and fertility of these animals. Ausangate Mountain 6,370m.a.s.l./ 20,900ft. in the distant snowy and glaciers peak visible, in clear weather, located at the southeast of Cusco City, It is the highest summit in Cusco region, but is only one of many snowy and glaciers peak along the cordillera Vilcanota, the AUSANGATE TREK is not a well know trek, this option is completely beautiful and offer you a spectacular scenery and view almost the 90% of Cordillera Vilcanota Such as the Climbing Mountains of Continental Glacier 5,543m.a.s.l./18,180ft. Paco mountain 5,400m.a.s.l./17,700ft. Montura mountain 6,050m.a.s.l./19,800ft. Hatunñaño punta Mountain 5,800m.a.s.l./19,020ft. Chumpi Mountain 6,100m.a.s.l./20,000ft. Three peaks mountains 6,100m.a.s.l./20,050ft. Qolque Cruz Mountain 5,950m.a.s.l./19,520ft. Santa Catalina Mountain 5,820./19,090ft. and the main Apu Ausangate, the highlight of this trek is the optional scramble up to Yayamari rocky mountain 5,650m.a.s.l./18,500ft. which one has a panoramic view of all Vilcanota Mountain Range, a complete circuit of the trek starting at Finaya small village located over 5,000m.a.s.l./16,400ft. finishing in Ocongate District, village well know Tinki.

Along the trek we will crossing three high passes (Abra), the trek is with spectacular and varied scenery of icy peaks, tumbling glaciers and turquoise lakes, rolling brown mountains and green marshy valleys, there is also hot mineral springs in Pacchanta Village our last camp site. The Vilcanota range area has an abundance of wild and domestic animals, where we will see the herds of llamas and alpacas and vicuñas possible to see on the highest slopes, in a rocky areas several Vizcachas (Andean rabbit), highland birds Huallatas (Andean geese) several ducks, Andean gulls, mountain caracara. The Vilcanota range is relatively isolated area, many aspects of the post colonial Andean way of life are still practiced in the area. Consequently the Andean people life goes on much as it has for centuries, many local people just speak Quechua (Incas language), and this trek is a great introduction about the highland life.

DAY 1 CUSCO –– SANTA BARBARA – SIBINA QOCHA – FINAYA.

We depart from Cusco city, early during the morning, we drive by private bus or van along the high way to Puno road until to Sicuani Province (more or less 125 klm./77.5 miles, From Cusco City) then we drive along the dusty road to Santa Barbara, San Antonio Rancho, Sibina Qocha, finally we reach small village of shepherds and weavers in the highland Finaya (another 90 klm./55.8miles, From Sicuani) at lunch time, the Vilcanota range looms in the distance with several snowy and glacier mountains. After lunch we start our moderate class trek up to Ccasqaraqocha, the camp gear and personal equipment will be carried by horses.

DAY 2: CCASQARAQOCHA-YAYAMANI MOUNTAIN-HACIENDA YAYAMARI.

This second day we offer you the highlight of our trek, after breakfast during the morning is our scrambling to the rocky mountain of YAYAMARI 5,650m.a.s.l./18,500ft. the view point of the Vilcanota range with panoramic scenery of lakes, glacier mountains, snowfields is really worth to get the Yayamari summit, The mountain summit offer you a spectacular views almost the 90% of Cordillera Vilcanota Such as the Climbing Mountains of Continental Glacier 5,543m.a.s.l./18,180ft. Paco mountain 5,400m.a.s.l./17,700ft. Montura mountain 6,050m.a.s.l./19,800ft. Hatunñaño punta Mountain 5,800m.a.s.l./19,020ft. Chumpi Mountain 6,100m.a.s.l./20,000ft.Three peaks mountains 6,100m.a.s.l./20,050ft. Qolque Cruz Mountain 5,950m.a.s.l./19,520ft. Santa Catalina Mountain 5,820./19,090ft. and the main Apu Ausangate. after to climb the mountain, lunch at the base of Yayamari mountain, then we will continue our trek right to the largest lake of the Vilcanota mountain range easy walking to our campsite located near the Yayamari Hacienda in the middle of Sibinaqoqcha lake, another spectacular scenery.

DAY 3: CCASQARAQOCHA – YAYAMARI FARM – CUSCO.

This third day we will make easy that is the last portion of our trek, nothing far the end of the trail we will get again the mouth of Sibinaqocha lake where we will meet our transportation back to Cusco city.