Named after Apu Ausangate, the highest sacred mountain in the Cusco region, the breath-taking 5-day Ausangate lodge to lodge trek takes you through the Cordillera Vilcanota and some of the most pristine mountain ecosystems in the world. Apu Ausangate is considered the mountain spirit that watches over this part of the Andes, greatly revered and respected by the Andean people.
You’ll be accompanied by a caravan of llamas or horses, carrying your gear, owned by the local shepherds from the Chillca community, proud to share their ancestral land with you. Along the way, you’ll stay in mountain lodges called ‘tambos’ offering comfortable accommodation, delicious regional meals using local ingredients and even live entertainment with traditional music from the Andes.
Responsible Travel with Andean Lodges of Peru
Not only is the trek a once in a lifetime travel opportunity offering some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world, but it is also a top responsible travel experience – operated by our trusted responsible travel partner, Andean Lodges of Peru.
The company was founded in partnership with the rural communities of Chillca and Osefina to promote development through community-based tourism and unique trekking experiences. Their team is comprised of trained community members, while the company also works to preserve the natural wealth, ancient knowledge, and traditional ways of life in the communities. Booking this trek as a part of your trip to Peru, you can feel good that your experience will be transformational and also give back to the places you visit through Good Life Expeditions and Andean Lodges of Peru.
Join us on this breathtaking 5 day / 4 night trek through the Andes Mountains as you traverse epic landscapes and summit gorgeous mountain paths.
To book an Ausungate Lodge to Lodge Trek, contact us today!
Included
4 lodge nights
Meals during the trek and at all lodges
English speaking tour guides
Transfers and entrance fees
Not Included
International airfare
Domestic airfare
Lunches and dinners (unless specified otherwise)
Tips
Itinerary In Brief
Day 1:
Transfer by bus from Cusco to Japura, visiting the Checacupe temple along the way. Then hike the short distance to Chillca Lodge, your accommodation for the night, where you’ll be greeted by Andean musicians.
Day 2:
Trek alongside thousands of alpacas and llamas in a glacier mountain valley, and pass through stunning scenery including the Pjachaj waterfalls. Enjoy a picnic lunch, before continuing to trek to Machuracay Lodge.
Day 3:
Conquer the first mountain pass before descending to Ausangate Cocha Lake for a picnic lunch. Continue through red sandstone formations with the chance to spot vicuñas and condors before arriving at Anantapata Lodge.
Day 4:
Tackle the second mountain pass, and hike alongside beautiful scenery including Lake Kayrawiri, Cerro Laya Grande and have the chance to see hundreds of nesting geese before arriving at Huampococha Lodge.
Day 5:
Cross the final mountain pass, before descending through beautiful limestone formations from the creataceous age. Have lunch in Trapiche, before your return transfer by bus to Cusco.
You’ll be collected from your hotel in Cusco for a scenic bus journey following the Vilcanota River, visiting the temple of Checacupe along the way. Your trek begins at Japura for the short journey to Chillca. You’ll receive a warm welcome to your first Tambo, with local musicians playing Andean instruments and hot cups of coca tea. Chillca Lodge offers 8 double bedrooms, with hot showers, and tasty local cuisine. Distance covered: 1.86 miles / 3km Approx. trekking time: 1.5 hrs
Day 2: Chillca – Machuracay
After a nutritious breakfast, you’ll set off on your first full day of trekking, walking alongside thousands of alpacas and llamas in the Pjachaj glacier valley. Passing through stunning scenery you’ll pass the Pjachaj waterfalls and more glaciers at Santa Catalina. After an inviting picnic lunch, continue the trek, surrounded by maraine walls, glaciers and beautiful mountain lakes until you get to Machuracay Lodge, welcomed by the family who run it. Distance covered: 9.26 miles / 14.9km Approx. trekking time: 8 hrs
Day 3: Machuracay – Anantapata
Today you’ll conquer the first mountain pass, reaching an altitude of 16,587ft (5,055m) above sea level, with stunning panoramic views of the snow-covered Andes peaks all around. Descend to Ausangate Cocha Lake for a picnic lunch and rest before continuing the trek. The landscape will dramatically change as you descend, with red sandstone formations and the chance to spot wild vicuñas and condors overhead. Ready for a welcoming hot meal and chance to relax, you’ll arrive at Anantapata Lodge for the night. Max altitude: 16,587ft / 5,055m above sea level Distance covered: 7.2 miles / 11.6km Approx. trekking time: 7 hrs
Day 4: Anantapata – Huampococha
After breakfast you set off to tackle the second mountain pass (16,339ft / 4,980m above sea level), then hiking alongside Lake Kayrawiri, shadowed by the rugged Andes peaks and a deep valley below. Next you’ll cross Cerro Laya Grande passing through the huge Inca Glacier with beautiful colors in the sediments of the Yauricunca mountain. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch here, admiring the scenery. Then continue to Huampococha Lodge where you’ll spend the night, with the chance to see hundreds of nesting Andean geese in the cliffs of Anta along the way, as well as the flat-iron formations of Apu Labrayani. Max altitude: 16,339ft / 4,980m above sea level Distance covered: 7.2 miles / 11.6km Approx. trekking time: 7 hrs
Day 5: Huampococha – Cusco
Great mountain views are experienced on the way to the final pass at 16,102ft (4,908m) above sea level. From here it’s all downhill, as you witness some of the most interesting shapes in limestone formations from the creataceous age, hiking towards the end of the trail in Trapiche. Here you’ll have lunch before being collected for your return bus transfer to Cusco. Max altitude: 16,102ft / 4,908m above sea level Distance covered: 6.5 miles / 10.5km Approx. trekking time: 7 hrs
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