3 Days
Daily Tour
8 people
English
Ausangate Nevada: The Ausangate Region is a special place; it’s far enough outside of Cusco to be considered remote but it’s also near enough to be accessible for a wonderful adventure. Often you will encounter small poblados (small local communities); with many farming llamas for their way of life. Afterall many children will greet you, often after ‘dulces’ (sweets) to savour. As a result a lot of the houses & shelters in the area don’t have basic utilities; such as electricity, gas, tap water; things we take for granted in more developed countries.
This is a breathtaking 3 day trek in the Cordillera Vilcanota passing by the Ausangate Nevada; on a route called the ‘Camino del Apu Ausangate‘. The Apu is believed to be the bearer of life in this region and guardian of one of the most pristine mountain ecosystems in the world. Following on from this; our treks are accompanied by llamas and the horses that will carry our equipment. They are owned and looked after by the shepherds & arrieros of the Chillca community. They are proud to share their land with travellers, as well as the spirit of Apu in their beautiful Andean region.
This is a remote region to trek in, but close enough to Cusco to be accessible. You’ll trek close to the Ausangate Nevada along with taking in Rainbow Mountain (Mt. Vinicunca) and Red Valley.
For more information about the Ausangate region you can read our article.
Early in the morning, you’ll leave Cusco to begin this Peru adventure. On a bus ride along the Vilcanota River Valley, and on to the town of Checacupe. After a visit to its Colonial Church of the Immaculate Conception, you’ll start ascending the Pitumarca Valley, through the spectacular Japura Gorge that leads to Chillca, we will start the trek near the Ausangate Community, from there we will see the south face of the sacred Ausangate Mountain, as we continue towards the red sandstone formations of the “Nevado del Inca“.
Accommodation: Camping Anantapata
Maximum Altitude: 4750 masl / 15580 fasl
Approximate Walking Time: 3 hours
Approximate Driving time: 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we take the trail to another mountain pass. Dropping down, we’ll hike by Lake Kayrawiri, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and the great valley below. Striations of color are imbedded in the hillsides. Then we go on to Cerro Laya Grande via the massive glacier del Inca, and the most striking colors in the sediments of Yauricunca. This area is called ‘montana arcoiris’ by the locals, and often referred to as ‘Rainbow Mountain’ by visitors, the spectacular colours make for amazing photography. We lunch here in this unique landscape. On our way, we see hundreds of Andean geese nesting in the cliffs of Anta, and the flatiron formations of Apu Labrayani near Huampococha Tambo, where we will spend the night at the Camino del Apu Ausangate.
Accommodation: Camping Huampococha
Maximum Altitude: 4980 masl / 16388 fasl
Approximate Walking Time: 7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a last climb over the Anta pass, you’ll gradually make your descent. In this section the first crops and houses come into view. The landscape changes quickly as the red sandstone formations are followed by the erosion of limestone, forming a one of a kind stone forest, and a perfect habitat for “vizcacha” (members of the chinchilla family). By the time we get down the valley, our bus will be waiting for the return trip to Cusco, where you can reflect on an incredible journey.
Maximum Altitude: 4900 masl / 16100 fasl
Approximate Walking Time: 4 hours
Approximate Driving time: 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
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