ausangate trek

From Cusco, we will drive to Ocongate and then take a side road to Yanama, a picturesque village perched on the canyon’s edge. From there, we’ll drive about 15 km (9.3 mi) to Cojahuri, where the trail begins (total 4-hour drive). Now we’ll have 2 hours of easy hiking, starting at 4180 masl (13,713 fasl) before arriving at Ranrapata Camp at 4315 masl (14,157 fasl). The camp is a large esplanade spread out just below the northeast flank of snowy Ausangate. Enjoy the beautiful sunset after walking 6.5 km (4 mi), and camp beneath the stars with great views of Mt. Ausangate and the Jampa Pass of our last day’s hike.

Today we’ll head up the upper right side of the Yanama Valley, traversing a long slope that winds along Mt. Surinami and Mt. Inca, until we reach the Puca Rumi (Quechua for “red stone”) Pass, after 8 km (5 mi) for a total time of around 5:30 hours of trekking. The pass is at a height of 4986 masl (16,358 fasl). We will have amazing views of the brilliantly hued Red Mountain and Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain, in the distance. From here, we will begin our descent to the Cusipata Valley where our camp is located, just below the colorful Vinicunca Mountain at 4639 masl (15,220 fasl).

Setting out early in the morning, we will hike the last 3 km (1.86 mi) for 1.5 - 2 hours until reaching Mt. Vinicunca at 5034 masl (16,516 fasl) where we will feast our eyes on the impressive color bands of this Mountain, formed by the layering of diverse striations of minerals. After visiting the Rainbow Mountain, we will first descend towards brilliant, cold Quirillacocha and Surini Lakes, and then ascend to the Wasacocha Pass at 4982 masl (16,345 fasl). We continue to Ausangatecocha, a brilliant reflective turquoise mountain lake at 4656 masl (15,276 fasl) of altitude. Our hike will bring us 480 m (1574 ft) downhill, and 130 m (426 ft) uphill, before we finally head down the Anantapata Valley, to our tranquil and peaceful camp.

From camp, we ascend for a 2.5-hour, 500-meter (1640 ft) climb towards the Palomani Pass at 5180 masl (16,994 fasl) for 2.7 km (1.67 mi) of trekking. This is the highest mountain pass of the entire route. Breathe the rarified mountain air as we hike along (if we are lucky) the sparkling snow-covered trail. We’ll take a breather to recoup our energy before beginning our descent, which will take around 4.5 hours, towards the Chilca Valley and up to our camp at Wanu Wanu at 4616 masl (15,144 fasl).

We will begin our trek with a gentle ascent to our last pass; the Jampa Pass, which is located at 5070 masl (16,633 fasl). After climbing for 4 hours, we then begin a 3-hour descent to Qomerqocha Lake and Pacchanta Village, where our vehicle will be waiting to take us on the 4-hour drive to our hotel in Cusco for a much-deserved rest.