AUSANGATE TREK (THE BEST OPTION)

Ausangate Mountain  (6,370m/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 ( THE BEST OPTION) 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./18,180ft.), Paco mountain (5,400m./17,700ft.), Montura mountain (6,050m./19,800ft.), Hatunñaño punta Mountain (5,800m./19,020ft.), Chumpi Mountain (6,100m./20,000ft.), Three peaks mountains (6,100m./20,050ft.), Qolque Cruz Mountain (5,950m./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./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./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 including fluted 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 (Inkas language), this trek is a great introduction about the highland life.

DAY 1  : CUSCO – SICUANI – 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 : CCASCCARAQOCHA – YAYAMARI -  SIBINAQOCHA.

This second  day we offer you  the highlight  of our trek, after breakfast during the morning is the optional scramble up to the rocky mountain of YAYAMARI (5,650m./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, 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 on the head of  Sibinaqoqcha  lake, another spectacular scenery.

DAY 3 SIBINAQOCHA – VICUÑA’S  CHACO AREA (PUCAMOQO).

An easy day hike along the Sibinaqocha lake with spectacular views, hundreds of  llamas and alpacas, probably vicuñas.

DAY 4 PUCAMOQO – CCAMPA.

We leave the campsite and start a gradual climb up toward the highest pass (abra) Condor Pass (5,200m./17,060ft.). Where we will have an impressive panoramic view of climbing face of Ausangate Mountain, then we will descend toward the small village  of shepherds and weavers Killita,   along the killita vallley again hundreds of llamas and alpacas few population there, during the afternoon we will continue toward the campsite at Ccampa another small village with few population  but spectacular scenery like the glacier mountains of Tres Picos (three peaks), Qollquecruz.

DAY 5 CCAMPA VILLAGE – CCAMPA PASS – QOMERQOCHA – PACCHANTA.

We climb once more toward the Ccampa pass (5,000m./16,400ft.) an offering place, here we will see several offering stone piles, possible to see the Vicuña  a wild Andean cameloid. From here we descend through the Qomerqocha lake valley easy hike downhill  until we reach the Pacchanta campsite, (4,100m/13,450ft.)near the thermal hot springs. We rest this afternoon and enjoy the panoramic view of north face of Ausangate mountain and the swing pool of  the hot springs.

DAY 6 PACCHANTA – TINKY- CUSCO.

This morning a short hike across the highland past small villages with llamas and alpacas way back to  Tinky village (Ocongate District) (3,800m/12,500ft.), this is the end of our hike, Drive back to cusco.

• A sleeping bag (if not, you can rent at the office for USD 30 all trip).

• A backpack (50 or 70 liters).

• Hiking boots, sneakers and shoes.

• Long pants and shorts.

• Long sleeved shirts and T-shirts.

• Warm clothes sweaters, jacket and fleece.

• Rains wear.

• Camera, films, batteries.

• Flashlight and batteries.

• Insect repellent and sun block.

• Personal toilet items and first aid kit.

• A pocketknife.

• A water bottle and purified pills.

• A change of underwear.

• Hat or cap to protect from the sun, rain or cold.

• A pack towel.

• Snacks:  Energy bars, chocolate, biscuits, dry fruits etc.

• Cash USD and local currency (no option for ATM machines)

• Swimsuit (optional hot springs visit)

• Walking sticks with rubber covers (optional).