Ausangate Trek

The Ausangate Trek is a 70 km point-to-point hiking trail in the Cusco region of Peru, gaining roughly 2,800 m of cumulative elevation over 5 days as it circles the 6,384 m sacred peak of Nevado Ausangate. Rated strenuous because passes top 5,100 m, it rewards trekkers with turquoise glacial lakes, red-rock rainbow mountains and almost no crowds.

About the Ausangate Trek

The Ausangate Trek loops around Nevado Ausangate, the highest mountain in the Cusco region at 6,384 m and one of the most revered apus (sacred peaks) in Andean cosmology. The classic route covers approximately 70 km (some operators measure 65–75 km depending on side trips) and is almost always walked as a point-to-point itinerary, starting near the village of Tinqui or Upis and finishing at Pacchanta, where natural hot springs ease tired legs.

This is genuine high-altitude wilderness. For most of its length the trail stays above 4,000 m, and it crosses several passes between 4,800 m and 5,100 m. There are no lodges, no road crossings for days at a time, and no mobile signal across most of the circuit — only herders, alpaca, and the occasional fellow trekker. Because the trek sits well off the Inca Trail tourist corridor, you may walk for hours without seeing another group, a rarity in the Cusco region.

The landscape changes constantly: glacial moraines, mineral-streaked rainbow hillsides, and a string of lakes coloured from milky turquoise to deep emerald and rust-red by glacial sediment and mineral content. Many trekkers add a detour to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain, 5,036 m), the striped ridge that has made this corner of Peru famous worldwide.

Route Overview & Stages

The breakdown below reflects the standard clockwise 5-day / 4-night circuit beginning at Tinqui (3,800 m). Daily distances and gains are approximate and vary slightly between operators and camp choices.

Total distance is roughly 70 km with around 2,800 m of cumulative ascent. A 6-day variant inserts a detour to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain), adding about 8–10 km and a fifth high pass.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Nevado Ausangate (6,384 m) — the glaciated giant the entire circuit revolves around, sacred to the Quechua communities of the Vilcanota range.
• Palomani Pass (5,100 m) — the highest point of the trek, with a 360° panorama across the Ausangate glacier and the surrounding 6,000 m peaks.
• Vinicunca / Rainbow Mountain (5,036 m) — the mineral-striped ridge of red, ochre and turquoise, reachable as a detour on the 6-day itinerary.
• Puca Cocha & Hatun Puca Cocha — twin red-and-green lakes joined by a small waterfall, among the most photographed camps on the route.
• Upis hot springs — natural thermal pools at roughly 4,400 m, perfect after Day 1's acclimatisation climb.
• Pacchanta hot springs — the steaming pools at the trail's end (4,100 m), with a direct view of the Ausangate massif.
• Arapa Pass (4,850 m) — the first major col, opening onto glacial valleys dotted with alpaca herds.
• Vilcanota cordillera lakes — a series of glacial tarns coloured by mineral runoff, ranging from milky blue to deep emerald.

Best Time to Hike the Ausangate Trek

The trek follows the central Andean seasons closely. The dry season runs from May through September, and this is the only realistic window for the full circuit. During these months daytime skies are clear, trails are firm, and visibility of the glaciers and rainbow hillsides is at its best. The wet season (November to March) brings heavy afternoon rain, low cloud, mud and a real risk of snow blocking the high passes.

The single best month is June: as of 2026 it offers the most reliable combination of dry trails, stable skies and long daylight, just before the peak crowds of the July–August Peruvian and international holidays arrive. July and August deliver equally clear weather but slightly busier camps and colder nights.

Whatever the month, expect dramatic temperature swings. Daytime highs of 12–18 °C can plunge to −10 to −15 °C overnight at the high camps above 4,600 m, so a cold-rated sleeping system is non-negotiable. May and September are excellent shoulder months — fewer trekkers, still dry, but colder nights at the start and end of the season.

Practical Information

Accommodation

There are no huts or lodges on the Ausangate circuit — it is a fully self-supported camping route. Expect to sleep in tents every night at altitudes between 4,100 m and 4,800 m. Most trekkers join a guided trip where porters or pack animals (llamas and horses) carry tents, kitchen gear and group equipment; a full 5-day guided package typically costs €280–€550 (roughly $300–$600) depending on group size and service level. Independent trekkers carrying their own tent should budget for sleeping-bag and tent rental in Cusco at around €5–€10 per item per day, plus local arriero (muleteer) hire if desired. There are no shops on the route, so all food must be carried from Cusco or Tinqui.

Getting There & Back

The gateway city is Cusco, served by Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), the nearest airport with daily flights from Lima (about 1 hour 25 minutes). From Cusco the trailheads at Tinqui, Upis and Pacchanta lie roughly 100 km southeast and take about 4–5 hours by road via Ocongate. Most guided trips include private transfer; independent trekkers can take a public bus or shared van from Cusco towards Ocongate/Tinqui (around 4–5 hours, €5–€8). Because the route is point-to-point, arrange your pickup at Pacchanta in advance — public transport from there is infrequent.

Permits & Fees

No official national-park permit or Cusco Tourist Ticket is required for the Ausangate circuit. However, local Quechua communities charge modest access fees at entry points, typically around S/10–S/20 (roughly €2.50–€5) for foreign visitors, collected in cash. If you add the Vinicunca detour, the Rainbow Mountain community entrance fee is about S/20–S/25 (€5–€6). Carry small soles in cash, as card payment is impossible on the trail. Fees and access conditions change, so confirm current rates with your operator or in Cusco before departing.

Gear & Packing List

This is an extreme-altitude, sub-zero camping trek, so your kit must handle both fierce daytime sun and bitter nights. Priorities are a warm sleeping system (rated to at least −10 °C), windproof and insulated layers, sturdy waterproof boots, a four-season-capable shelter, sun protection (the UV at 4,800 m is intense), and a reliable means of staying hydrated and fuelled. A trekking pole pair saves your knees on the long descents to Pacchanta.

For a load this size you want a comfortable 35–55 L pack that carries weight well at altitude. The lightweight, robust 2400 Windrider suits trekkers travelling fast with a porter carrying the bulk, while the larger 3400 Windrider or the supportive Atmos AG 50 works better if you are carrying your own tent and food. If you are weighing up your options, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested packs head to head.

Plan your food carefully — at 4,000–5,000 m your body burns far more energy than at sea level, and appetite often drops. Read how many calories you need hiking a full day before you build your menu, then track each item's weight and calories in HikeLoad's food planner so you arrive at camp properly fuelled.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high Andes appeal, Peru offers several other world-class multi-day routes at comparable altitude and remoteness. The glacier-and-lake scenery of Ausangate pairs naturally with these classics:

• Camino del Inca Salkantay — the dramatic alternative route to Machu Picchu over the 4,600 m Salkantay Pass.
• Santa Cruz Trek — a 50 km Cordillera Blanca crossing past glacial lakes and the Punta Unión pass.
• Circuito de Huayhuash — the legendary, remote 130 km loop around one of the most spectacular ranges on Earth.

For a completely different high-mountain feel in Europe, the rugged Theth to Valbona trail in Albania delivers similar wild-valley scenery at far lower altitude.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Ausangate Trek?
Hike between May and September during the Andean dry season, when trails are firm and skies are clear. June is the single best month, balancing reliable dry weather, long daylight and fewer crowds than the July–August peak. Avoid November to March, when heavy rain, cloud and snow can block the high passes entirely.

How difficult is the Ausangate Trek?
It is rated strenuous, mainly because of altitude rather than technical terrain. The trail itself involves no climbing, but you cross passes up to 5,100 m and camp above 4,000 m every night. Spend at least two or three days acclimatising in Cusco (3,400 m) beforehand to reduce the risk of altitude sickness.

How far do you walk each day?
Daily distances on the classic 5-day circuit range from about 12 km to 16 km, totalling roughly 70 km. Days feel longer than the distance suggests because of the thin air and the steep climbs to high passes. Expect six to eight hours of walking per day, including breaks for the relentless uphill sections.

What accommodation is available on the trek?
There are no huts or lodges — it is camping only, in tents pitched at high-altitude sites between 4,100 m and 4,800 m. Most trekkers join guided trips where porters and pack animals carry the gear, costing roughly €280–€550 for five days. Independent hikers can rent tents and sleeping bags in Cusco and hire local muleteers.

Do I need a permit for the Ausangate Trek?
No national-park permit or Cusco Tourist Ticket is required. Local Quechua communities charge small cash access fees, usually S/10–S/20 (about €2.50–€5) for foreigners, with an extra S/20–S/25 if you detour to Rainbow Mountain. Carry small-denomination Peruvian soles, as card payment is impossible anywhere on the trail.

For official travel and safety guidance for the region, see Peru's national tourism authority at PromPerú (peru.travel). To prepare for the altitude, the peer-reviewed overview of acute mountain sickness on the US National Library of Medicine explains symptoms, prevention and the importance of gradual acclimatisation above 4,000 m.