Ausangate Trek

The Ausangate Trek is a roughly 70 km point-to-point hiking trail in the Cusco region of Peru, circling the 6,384 m sacred peak of Nevado Ausangate over 5 days and gaining about 3,300 m of cumulative ascent. Rated strenuous, it crosses five passes above 5,000 m past turquoise glacial lakes, the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain and the Pacchanta hot springs.

About the Ausangate Trek

The Ausangate Trek loops around Nevado Ausangate, the highest mountain in the Cusco region at 6,384 m and the most sacred apu (mountain spirit) of the southern Peruvian Andes. The classic route runs roughly 65–75 km, and most trekkers cover it in 5 days and 4 nights. Because the trail never drops below about 4,000 m and tops out above 5,100 m, the difficulty comes from sustained altitude rather than technical climbing.

This is a remote, high, and cold route. There are no lodges deep on the circuit, no road resupply between the trailheads, and weather can swing from intense equatorial sun to snow within an hour. In return you walk through some of the most concentrated alpine scenery in South America: hanging glaciers, mineral-stained ridges, herds of alpaca, and Quechua herding communities who have lived at these elevations for centuries. Compared with the busy Inca Trail, foot traffic here is light, and most nights are spent camping under a sky thick with stars.

Acclimatisation is non-negotiable. Plan at least two to three nights in Cusco (3,400 m) or the Sacred Valley before starting, and read up on altitude sickness symptoms before you go. The route is normally walked point-to-point, beginning near Tinqui or Upis and finishing at Pacchanta, where natural hot springs reward tired legs.

Route Overview & Stages

The figures below describe the popular anticlockwise circuit starting at Upis and finishing at Pacchanta. Distances and elevation gains are approximate, and individual operators vary their camps by a few kilometres.

Trekkers wanting to add the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain extend the route to 6 or 7 days, adding roughly 12–15 km and a detour over the mineral ridges to the south of the massif.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Nevado Ausangate (6,384 m) — the snow-capped centrepiece of the trek and the holiest mountain in the Cusco region, visible from nearly every stage.
• Palomani Pass (5,165 m) — the highest point of the circuit, with a panoramic view across the Ausangate glacier and the surrounding 5,000 m peaks.
• Pucacocha and Jatun Pucacocha lakes — vivid turquoise glacial lakes coloured by suspended rock flour, often with calving ice at their heads.
• Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain, 5,036 m) — striped sedimentary ridges of red, gold and turquoise minerals, reached as an extension on longer itineraries.
• Red Valley (Valle Rojo) — a broad valley stained deep crimson by iron-rich soils, quieter than Vinicunca and visited as a short side hike on Day 4.
• Upis hot springs — natural thermal pools near the first camp, a welcome soak before the high passes begin.
• Pacchanta hot springs — the trek's traditional finish, a cluster of warm pools with the glacier filling the skyline behind them.
• Quechua herding hamlets — small stone settlements where families raise alpaca and llama at over 4,000 m and sell hand-woven textiles.

Best Time to Hike the Ausangate Trek

The Cusco highlands have two clear seasons. The dry season runs from May to September and is the only sensible window for this trek; the wet season from November to March brings daily rain, snow on the passes, mud, and poor visibility that hides the mountain entirely. As of 2026, settled dry-season weather still holds steady through these months, though afternoon clouds can build quickly even in the dry window.

The single best month is June. Skies are at their clearest, the lakes show their brightest colour, and the trail is dry and firm, though nights at camp regularly fall to around -10 °C. May and July are nearly as reliable and slightly less busy. August into September can stay dry but tends to be hazier and dustier as the season ages. Avoid the days around the Qoyllur Rit'i festival (late May or June, tied to the lunar calendar), when the eastern flank of the massif draws tens of thousands of pilgrims and camps fill up. Whenever you go, pack for four seasons in one day: strong UV at altitude, sub-zero nights, and the chance of snow on any pass.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The Ausangate circuit is a camping trek. There are no refuges or hostels on the trail itself, so nights are spent in tents at high camps such as Upis, Pucacocha, Ausangatecocha and Q'ampa. Guided operators supply tents, sleeping mats, dining tents and cooked meals; a 5-day fully supported trip typically costs €230–€450 (roughly S/950–1,850) per person depending on group size and standard. A few community-run stone shelters and basic homestays near Pacchanta and Upis charge around €8–€15 per night. In Cusco before and after, hostel dorm beds run about €8–€18 and mid-range hotels €35–€70. If you trek independently you must be fully self-sufficient with a four-season tent and a sleeping bag rated to at least -12 °C.

Getting There & Back

The gateway city is Cusco, served by Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) with frequent flights from Lima (about 1 hour 25 minutes). From Cusco it is roughly 3.5 to 5 hours by road to the trailheads near Tinqui, Upis, Pacchanta or Ocongate. Public buses and shared colectivos run from Cusco toward Ocongate for a few euros, from where local transport reaches Tinqui; most trekkers use private transfers arranged by their operator. The trek finishes at Pacchanta, where vehicles return you to Tinqui and on to Cusco.

Permits & Fees

No national-park permit is needed, and the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico) does not cover this area. Instead, local communities collect access fees along the route: expect to pay around S/10 (roughly €3) for the Ausangate circuit and a separate Vinicunca/Rainbow Mountain entrance of about S/10–25 (€3–7) if you take that extension. Carry small soles in cash, as there are no card facilities. Independent hikers should still budget for these community fees and for the arriero (muleteer) and pack animals if hiring them. Up-to-date regional guidance is published by Peru's official tourism authority — see PromPerú's peru.travel.

Gear & Packing List

This is a cold, high, multi-day camping trek, so gear choices matter more than on a temperate trail. A comfortable, well-fitting pack is the foundation: for a fully supported trip where porters or mules carry camp loads, a 35–50 L pack such as the Fjällräven Abisko Hike 35 or the Osprey Atmos AG 50 handles your daily layers, water and camera. If you are carrying everything yourself, a larger ultralight hauler like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider keeps base weight down while still fitting a four-season tent and a bulky winter bag. Choosing between models is easier once you have weighed your kit — our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested packs.

Beyond the pack, prioritise a sleeping bag rated to at least -12 °C, an insulated sleeping mat, a down jacket, waterproof shell layers, gloves and a warm hat, plus trekking poles for the long pass descents. Strong sun protection and lip balm are essential at this altitude, and so is feeding yourself well — appetite often drops at height even as your body burns more energy, so see how much fuel you really need in how many calories do you need hiking a full day?

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high Andes of southern Peru appeal, several other classic treks pair naturally with Ausangate for a longer trip. The following routes share its altitude, scenery and remote character:

• Camino del Inca Salkantay — the famous alternative to the Inca Trail, crossing the 4,600 m Salkantay Pass on its way toward Machu Picchu.
• Santa Cruz Trek — a shorter, lower-cost classic in the Cordillera Blanca with glacial valleys and the Punta Unión pass.
• Circuito de Huayhuash — a longer, wilder loop through the Cordillera Huayhuash, often called one of the finest treks on earth.
• Vuelta al Huemul — a remote, exposed circuit in Argentine Patagonia with glacier views and Tyrolean river crossings, for hikers chasing the same wild high-mountain feel.

For something further afield with the same hut-to-hut alpine drama, the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania is a rewarding contrast at lower altitude.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Ausangate Trek?
The dry season from May to September is the only practical window, and June is the single best month, with the clearest skies, the brightest lake colours and firm, dry trails. Expect sub-zero nights near -10 °C even then. Avoid November to March, when rain, snow and cloud make the passes dangerous and hide the mountain.

How difficult is the Ausangate Trek?
It is rated strenuous, mainly because of altitude rather than technical terrain. The trail stays above 4,000 m and crosses five passes over 5,000 m, including Palomani at 5,165 m. There is no climbing or scrambling, but thin air, cold nights and long ascents make it demanding. Two to three acclimatisation days in Cusco beforehand are essential.

How far do you hike each day?
Daily stages on the classic 5-day route run from about 9 to 16 km, totalling roughly 65–75 km. Days typically involve 5 to 8 hours of walking with one or two high passes. Distances feel longer than the numbers suggest because of the altitude and the steep climbs to each pass, so pacing yourself slowly is the key to finishing comfortably.

What is the accommodation like on the trek?
The route is camping only, with no lodges on the trail. Nights are spent in tents at high camps such as Upis, Pucacocha and Q'ampa. Guided operators provide tents and meals from around €230–€450 for five days. Basic community homestays near Pacchanta and Upis cost €8–€15, and independent hikers must carry a four-season tent and a winter-rated sleeping bag.

Do you need a permit for the Ausangate Trek?
No national-park permit or Cusco Tourist Ticket is required. Local communities collect access fees of about S/10 (€3) for the circuit, plus a separate S/10–25 (€3–7) charge for the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain extension if you add it. Bring small soles in cash, as there is nowhere to pay by card along the route.

High altitude carries real health risks; review prevention guidance for altitude illness from the US CDC Yellow Book before trekking above 4,000 m.