Ausangate Trek 5 Days Around the Sacred Peak of Cusco
A wild circuit beneath the glaciers of Ausangate (6,384 m): turquoise and red lakes, three passes up to 5,200 m, herding communities and a soak in the Pacchanta hot springs, from $475.
Ausangate is the highest mountain in the Cusco region and the most sacred apu of the southern Andes. This five-day trek circles its flanks through the Vilcanota range, far from roads and crowds: a landscape of glaciers, lakes in impossible colours and herds of alpacas and llamas tended by Quechua families.
From the village of Tinki you walk to Upis, then cross the Arapa (4,900 m) and Pucapunta (5,000 m) passes to camp beside the Ausangate Cocha lake. Day three reaches the high point of the trek, the Palomino pass at 5,200 m, before the descent to Hampa; day four ends at the Pacchanta hot springs, right below the glacier. Private transport, a cook, horses and full camping gear are included for US $475. Read our Ausangate 5-day guide or the first-timer’s guide.
The highest peak in the Cusco region and its most sacred mountain.
Glacial lakes
Queullacocha, Ausangate Cocha and Querococha in turquoise, green and red.
Palomino pass, 5,200 m
The high point of the trek, with 360° views of the Vilcanota range.
Pacchanta hot springs
Natural pools at 38–42 °C beneath the glacier on the last evening.
Andean wildlife
Vicuñas, viscachas, alpacas and, with luck, an Andean condor.
Herding communities
Upis, Hampa and Pacchanta, where Quechua families still live from their herds.
Full camping support
A cook, horses, an emergency horse and dining tent on every stage.
Oxygen and first aid
Guides used to extreme altitude, with oxygen and a medical kit.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your complete day-by-day itinerary for the Ausangate Trek 5 Days, with distances, altitudes, meals and what to expect each day.
DAY 1
Cusco to Tinki and Upis
A private transfer through Urcos, Catca and Ausangate villages reaches Tinki, where muleteers and horses join you. You trek past herds of llamas and alpacas to camp at Upis (4,100 m) amid traditional Andean life.
Distance
12 km / 7.5 mi
Duration
4–5 hours
Campsite
4,100 m
Meals
Lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Moderate
DAY 2
Upis to Ausangate Cocha
You cross the Arapa Pass (4,900 m) beside turquoise Queullacocha, skirt the flanks of mighty Ausangate, then climb the Pucapunta Pass (5,000 m) before descending to camp by Ausangate Cocha lake (4,650 m).
Distance
14 km / 8.7 mi
Duration
6–7 hours
Max altitude
5,000 m
Campsite
4,650 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 3
Ausangate Cocha to Hampa
The trek's high point, the Palomino Pass (5,200 m), offers 360° views of the Vilcanota range, then you descend through the farming region of Finaya to camp in the community of Hampa (4,300 m).
Distance
15 km / 9.3 mi
Duration
7–8 hours
Max altitude
5,200 m
Campsite
4,300 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Hard
DAY 4
Hampa to Phacchanta hot springs
A final pass past Querococha lagoon, with chances to spot mountain chinchillas, descends to Pacchanta (4,200 m), where natural hot springs (38–42°C) reward your legs beneath Ausangate.
Distance
12 km / 7.5 mi
Duration
5–6 hours
Campsite
4,200 m
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Difficulty
Moderate
DAY 5
Phacchanta to Tinki and Cusco
You follow the historic trail down through pastures and terraces of potatoes and quinoa to Tinki, where a private vehicle returns you to Cusco via Urcos.
Distance
Varies
Return
3-hour drive to Cusco
Meals
Breakfast
Difficulty
Easy
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Ausangate Trek 5 Days tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Bilingual professional guide (English and Spanish)
Pre-trek briefing at your hotel
Private transport from Cusco to the trailhead and back
Full camping equipment, dining tent and portable restroom
Chef and kitchen assistant
Muleteer, horses and an emergency horse
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners as detailed
Boiled and cold water
Emergency oxygen and medical kit
Entrance ticket (Ausangate / Rainbow Mountain)
Special final dinner
Not Included
Sleeping bag (rent, $40)
Trekking poles (rent, $15)
Optional activities and souvenirs
Tips and gratuities
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Ausangate Trek 5 Days day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Spend a day or two in Cusco (3,400 m) before this high-altitude trek. Hydrate well, eat light, drink coca tea and avoid alcohol. Our guides carry oxygen and a first aid kit throughout.
Physical fitness
Challenging. Five days above 4,000 m, with stages of 5–7 hours and the Palomino Pass at 5,200 m. Recommended only for experienced hikers who have spent at least three days acclimatizing in Cusco.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October, with clear skies and firm trails; nights at camp are cold, especially from June to August. From December to March rain, mud and cloud are frequent, and snow is possible on the high passes.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is intense at 5,200 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF. Nights at camp can drop below freezing, so pack a warm jacket, hat and gloves.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $475 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $451 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $428 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Challenging. You walk 12–15 km a day and cross three passes between 4,900 and 5,200 m, sleeping every night above 4,100 m. Good fitness and at least two or three days of acclimatization in Cusco are essential.
Nights at camp regularly drop below freezing, especially from June to August. Bring a sleeping bag rated to −10 °C (it can be rented in Cusco), a down jacket, hat and gloves.
May to September, the dry season, brings clear skies and firm trails. From December to March rain and snow are frequent on the passes.
Yes. Every night is spent above 4,100 m. Acclimatize in Cusco first, drink plenty of water and tell your guide about any symptoms: we carry emergency oxygen.
Yes, the 7 Lagoons of Ausangate day tour visits the lakes on the north side of the mountain in a single day.
