• Total Walking Distance: 11km
• Total Walking Time: 7 hours
• Minimum Altitude: 4750m (15,583 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 4900m (16,076 ft)
• Altitude of Camp: 4900m (16,076 f)t
• Approx night temperature: -6˚C

After a hearty breakfast to fuel our morning’s hike, we start walking, eventually crossing the Arapa Pass (4700m / 15,419 ft). 

From here, we continue 3½ hours down the valley, passing the green lake of Puqa Q’ocha (which actually means “Red Lake” in Quechua!) until we reach the turquoise Lake Hatun Puqa Q’ocha (“Big Red Lake”).

We then ascend the second pass, Apacheta Pass (4900m / 16,072 ft), with the turquoise blue Ausangate Q’ocha (Ausangate Lake) below. This stunning lake is fed from the melting snow of Ausangate Mountain. We will camp here tonight, under a million stars.

• Total Walking Distance: 12km
• Total Walking Time: 7 hours
• Minimum Altitude: 4641m (15,226 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 5200m (17,060 ft)
• Altitude of Camp: 4641m (15,226 ft)
• Approx night temperature: -5˚C

Today, we fix our gaze upwards as our morning trek along the Ausangate trail takes us up to Palomani Pass (5200m / 17,060 ft), the highest point we’ll reach on this 5-day Ausangate trek. From the Pass, we follow the trail into the valley where we’ll rest and have lunch.

During the afternoon we can enjoy views of the snow-capped Tres Picos (“3 Peaks”) and Puca Punta (“Red Point”) mountains. Then, we will continue through the broad green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and up the Q’ampa valley and to Soraypampa, where we will spend the night.

• Total Walking Distance: 12km
• Total Walking Time: 7 hours
• Minimum Altitude: 4360m (14,304 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 5060m (16,601 ft)
• Altitude of Camp: 4360m (14,304 ft)
• Approx night temperature: -5˚C

We begin Day 4 of the Ausangate circuit passing through the small community of Q’ampa. From here, we will head north-west to the last pass on this hike, the Q’ampa Pass (5000m / 16,400 ft). Along the way, we will see several different colored lakes and we will have lunch in Nina Parayoc.

After lunch, we will continue hiking for several hours, arriving at the small village of Pacchanta in the afternoon. Indulge yourself as you soak in the hot springs for a couple of hours, and even enjoy a well-deserved beer!

We will set up camp near Pacchanta and you will have the rest of the day free to explore this interesting Andean village.

• Total Walking Distance: 7km
• Total Walking Time: 3 hours
• Minimum Altitude: 3800m (12,467 ft) / Maximum Altitude: 4360m (14,304 ft)

Our last day on the Ausangate trail, it’s time to take it easy. After a good night’s sleep and another great breakfast, it’s a 3 hour trek back to Tinki and the trailhead where our Ausangate Peru journey began.

Here, take the time to enjoy this traditional Andean village before we jump back in our private vehicle for trip home to Cusco. Time and energy permitting, we can make a stop at Checacupe on the way back to admire its 3 bridges from different time periods – Incan, Colonial and Republic.

With no stops, we should arrive back to your hotel between 4 and 5pm; later if we stop at Checacupe or one of the lagoons.