Ausangate Trek 5 Days

Ausangate is the draw here: a huge Andean mountain, high passes, and lakes that shift from green to turquoise as you move through its remote valleys. You spend five days walking around it, not just stopping for a quick viewpoint, and finish with time at Pacchanta’s hot springs and a visit with a local family.

I like two things in particular: the small group, limited to 10, and the chance to learn about local life beyond the trail, including a family’s food and weaving traditions. Meals and camping equipment are included, and horses carry the equipment, so you can focus on the walk.

The trade-off is altitude. You reach 5,200 metres, sleep as high as about 4,200 metres, and face several long hiking days. Nights can be very cold, so bring serious warm layers and be clear-eyed about the physical demands.

The trail’s key details

• A five-day circuit: The route links Upis, high mountain passes, glacial lakes, and Pacchanta.
• A 5,200-metre high point: Palomani Pass is the highest crossing, reached on Day 3.
• Hot springs at two stages: You can soak at Upis on the first day and at Pacchanta near the end.
• A local cultural visit: On Day 5, a local family shares food, traditions, and weaving techniques.
• A small crew and supported camp: Groups are capped at 10, with horses carrying equipment and a cook preparing included meals.
• Plan for cold and altitude: Bring your own sleeping bag and warm mountain clothing. The route reaches high elevations, and a sleeping bag is not included.

Five days around Ausangate, not just a mountain viewpoint

At $660 per person, this is a supported five-day trek with camping equipment, horses for equipment, five lunches, four dinners, and four breakfasts included. You are paying for more than the walking route: the crew handles camp and meals, while a guide leads you through a remote circuit that most short Cusco excursions do not reach.

The price does not cover the 20-sol entrance fee or a sleeping bag. Bring those costs into your budget, and confirm with Vidal Expeditions what personal camping items you should pack. The listed start is 5:00 a.m. in Cusco, followed by private transport toward Tinke and Rondoca.

The group limit of 10 helps keep the experience personal. Past trips have been led by guides including Chino, also called Urbano, and Guillermo. Their guiding has been praised for combining route knowledge with stories about local culture and wildlife. Your guide may vary, so ask who is leading your departure if that matters to you.

Day 1: From Cusco to Upis and its hot springs

Your guide collects you in Cusco early, then you ride by private transport to Tinke. There is a stop to buy last-minute supplies and get breakfast before continuing to Rondoca, the trailhead. Here you meet the cook and horse driver, who help make the supported camping setup possible.

The first walk takes roughly three to four hours, with lunch along the way and views of Ausangate. You finish at Upis, around 4,200 metres, where you can soak in hot springs and relax with coca tea before dinner. It is a gentle introduction by distance, about 8 kilometres, but the altitude is already serious. Take the day at a steady pace rather than treating it as a warm-up race.

Day 2: Two passes and lakes in shades of blue

Day 2 is the first full test: about 12 kilometres and seven hours of walking, with the route rising to Arapa Pass at 4,850 metres. After crossing, you descend through a valley past Puqa Q’ocha, described as a green lake, before reaching the turquoise Jatun Puqa Q’ocha. Lunch by the water gives you a welcome pause and time to take in the mountain views.

The climb to Apacheta Pass, at 4,980 metres, brings another high viewpoint above a turquoise lake fed by Ausangate’s melting snow. From there, you descend for about an hour to camp near Ausangate Qocha, at roughly 4,630 metres. Expect a day of repeated climbing and descending, not a simple stroll from one lake to the next.

The crew starts the morning with hot coca tea, and meals are included. That practical support matters on a long day, when carrying your own tent and cooking kit would add a real burden.

Day 3: Palomani Pass, the trek’s high point

After breakfast, you climb to Palomani Pass at 5,200 metres, the highest point of the trek. The ascent takes about two hours. At the pass, the guide holds a ceremony for Apu Ausangate, a moment that connects the mountain scenery with Andean spiritual tradition.

You then descend for about an hour to Uchuy Phinaya for lunch, before continuing for a couple of hours to the next camp. The day covers about 13 kilometres and six to seven hours of hiking, with elevation listed between 4,300 and 5,200 metres. It is a demanding day, and the high point is not the only challenge: you still need enough energy for the descent and the walk to camp.

Guides on past departures, including Chino and Guillermo, have been appreciated for sharing cultural context along the route. That kind of explanation can make the ceremony and the mountain feel more meaningful than a photo stop alone.

Day 4: Lakes, Pacchanta Valley, and a hot soak

The fourth day brings one more pass, with the route taking time to pass deep-blue lagoons and glacial lakes. Ausangate remains in view, but from a different angle, with sights toward Pacchanta Valley. The day is listed at about 15 kilometres and six hours, so it is still a substantial walk even with a more relaxed pace.

The reward is the hot springs at Pacchanta, where you can soak with Ausangate above you. A cold plunge in one of the lakes is mentioned as an option for the brave, but do not mistake that for a required part of the route. The camp elevation is listed at about 4,300 metres, while the day is described as descending toward Pacchanta.

There is a pleasing shift here from the highest passes toward a village and warmer water. Still, the trip is not over until you have completed the final morning’s cultural visit and ride back to Cusco.

Day 5: Local food, weaving, and the return to Cusco

After breakfast, a local family demonstrates traditions, prepares local food, and shares weaving techniques. This is a useful counterpoint to the mountain days: you get a chance to learn about the people who live in the region, rather than experiencing it only as a dramatic backdrop.

The tour then takes a bus back to Cusco. The listed duration for the day is three hours, though the information does not break down how that time is divided between the family visit and drive. If you have a fixed onward connection, check the expected return time with the operator before booking.

What the crew and included meals add

On a remote trek, the support team is part of the experience, not just a convenience. Horses carry equipment, while the cook and assistant manage camp meals. The food has been a particular strength on past trips, with descriptions of varied, plentiful meals served after long days on foot.

Named crew members from previous departures include cooks Benigno and Euden, horse driver Angel, and guides Chino, Urbano, and Guillermo. The exact team can change, but these names give you a sense of the personal, small-crew style associated with Vidal Expeditions. Past groups have also described the equipment and organization as reliable, including trips run for just two people.

Camping equipment is included, but a sleeping bag is not. That distinction matters at these elevations. One past trekker compared the nighttime cold to high-altitude conditions in the Himalaya and advised packing the warmest mountain clothing available. Take that seriously: a hot spring is a lovely end to a day, but it will not keep you warm in camp overnight.

How hard is the Ausangate trek?

The activity is rated for moderate physical fitness, but the numbers deserve attention. The trail reaches 5,200 metres, and the second and third days involve roughly seven and six to seven hours of hiking, respectively. The route includes repeated ascents and descents, and you camp at high elevations.

Your experience will depend on how you handle long walks and altitude. Do not choose this trek just because the distance looks manageable on paper. Ask Vidal Expeditions about the pace and preparation expected for your departure, and plan your Cusco days so you are not arriving in the region and immediately setting off on the five-day route.

The support crew reduces the weight you need to carry, but it does not remove the physical work. You still walk the full route, and cold nights add another reason to pack carefully.

Is $660 a fair price?

For five days of guided trekking, camping equipment, horses for equipment, and 13 included meals, $660 is a substantial package rather than a bare-bones hike. You also get a small group, a cook and horse driver, and an itinerary that combines mountain scenery with hot springs and a local family visit.

Budget separately for the 20-sol entrance fee and your sleeping bag. The package lists five lunches, four dinners, and four breakfasts, which covers the trek’s meals as described but does not mean every meal in Cusco is included. If you value a supported camp and a guide who can provide cultural context, the price may make good sense. If you already own all your gear and prefer to travel independently, compare what the included crew and logistics are worth to you.

Who should book this trek?

I would look closely at this trip if you want several days in a remote part of Peru, enjoy strenuous mountain walking, and care about learning something about local life along the way. It suits people who value a small group and are happy to camp in cold, high-altitude conditions.

It is a weaker fit if you want an easy introduction to hiking, dislike long days on foot, or are not prepared for the elevation. The hot springs and meals are welcome comforts, not a substitute for fitness and warm clothing.

The tour is recommended by all 74 people represented in its rating summary, with a five-star overall rating. That is a strong signal of satisfaction, especially alongside repeated praise for the guides, food, organization, and scenery, but the route’s altitude remains the key decision point. Book it for the full mountain circuit and the cultural connection, not just the promise of a soak.

FAQ

How long is the Ausangate Trek?

The trek lasts approximately five days. It begins with an early departure from Cusco and ends with a bus ride back to the city on Day 5.

What is the highest point on the route?

Palomani Pass is the highest point, at 5,200 metres.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum group size of 10 travelers.

What meals are included?

The package includes five lunches, four dinners, and four breakfasts.

Is a sleeping bag included?

No. Camping equipment is included, but you need to bring or arrange your own sleeping bag.

Is the entrance fee included?

No. The listed entrance fee is 20 soles and is not included in the price.

How much hiking is involved?

Daily hiking ranges from about three to four hours on Day 1 to six or seven hours on Days 2 and 3. The listed route distances range from about 8 to 15 kilometres on the days with distance details.

What fitness level is recommended?

The tour information recommends a moderate physical fitness level. The route reaches 5,200 metres and includes several long hiking days.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Changes made less than 24 hours beforehand are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.