The Ausangate 5-Day Trek is the most popular, challenging and breathtaking high-altitude circuit around Ausangate Mountain in the Peruvian Andes. Known for its remote wilderness and stunning landscapes, it offers a truly immersive experience away from the crowds of more popular trails like the Inca Trail.
Ausangate Trek Highlights
- Spectacular Scenery:
The trek showcases snow-capped peaks, colorful hills, turquoise glacial lakes, and vast high-altitude grasslands (puna). Notable sights include Ausangate Mountain, Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), and stunning lagoons like Laguna Ausangatecocha. - High-Altitude Challenge:
The trail reaches elevations of over 5,000 meters (16,404 feet), crossing multiple mountain passes such as Palomani Pass (5,200 meters). Trekkers must acclimate to avoid altitude sickness. - Wildlife:
The trek is rich in Andean wildlife, including vicuñas, alpacas, llamas, and birds like the Andean condor. - Andean Culture:
Along the route, trekkers encounter traditional Quechua-speaking communities, where locals maintain centuries-old traditions, such as herding and weaving. Many offer home-cooked meals and accommodations for trekkers. - Spiritual Connection:
Ausangate Mountain is a sacred Apu (spirit mountain) in Andean mythology, making the trek a spiritual journey for many.
Walking Among the Gods: Trekking Peru’s Majestic Ausangate
The air was thin, but the silence was rich.
On the second day of the Ausangate Trek, I found myself standing alone beneath a sky so clear, it seemed scraped raw by the Andes. Snow-draped peaks loomed around me like ancient guardians. Somewhere far behind, the sound of hooves and Quechua chatter faded into the wind. I wasn’t just hiking — I was walking among legends.
This five-day high-altitude trek around Ausangate Mountain, one of the most sacred peaks in Peru, is not for the faint-hearted. But for those who dare to climb to nearly 5,200 meters (17,060 feet) above sea level, it offers a glimpse into an untouched world of raw beauty, culture, and spirit.
Why Trek Ausangate?
Unlike the crowded Inca Trail, the Ausangate Trek remains relatively unknown to mass tourism. There are no ancient ruins here — instead, you walk through a living landscape, revered by locals and carved by time.
Stunning Landscapes: Glacial lakes in turquoise and emerald, dramatic valleys, herds of alpacas, and surreal red-and-purple-striped mountains.
Authentic Culture: Remote Andean villages, Quechua-speaking herders, and colorful woven textiles.
No Crowds: Often, you won’t see another group for hours — sometimes days.
The Trek: A Day-by-Day Glimpse
Day 1: Tinqui to Upis
After a three-hour drive from Cusco, the trek begins in Tinqui. Within hours, the landscape transforms from farmland to alpine slopes. Upis, our first campsite, rests beside natural hot springs — perfect for soaking under the stars.
Day 2: Upis to Pucacocha
We pass beneath the towering face of Ausangate. The trail ascends to Arapa Pass (4,850m), where panoramic views seem to stretch into infinity. We descend past high-altitude lagoons, arriving at the red-hued lake of Pucacocha.
Day 3: Pucacocha to Anantapata
This is the trek’s most dramatic day. After tackling Palomani Pass (5,200m) — the highest point — we’re rewarded with an amphitheater of snow-capped peaks and deep valleys. Breathing is hard, but the views steal your breath anyway.
Day 4: Anantapata to Rainbow Mountain
We detour toward Vinicunca, the iconic Rainbow Mountain. Yes, it’s become Instagram-famous, but seeing it after days of hiking feels earned. At sunrise, its striped minerals glow like a watercolor painting.
Day 5: Descent to Cusco
We descend through rolling green pastures, where kids run barefoot and women tend flocks in traditional dress. It’s a gentle return to civilization — but the mountains never quite leave you.
Practical Information
Best Time to Go:
Difficulty:
Altitude:
Guided or Solo?
Guided tours offer safety, food, and cultural insights. Experienced trekkers can go independently but need good maps, gear, and Spanish (or Quechua) basics.
Packing Essentials:
Thermal layers, high-altitude sleeping bag, water filter, sun protection, snacks, trekking poles.
More Than a Hike
The Ausangate Trek is not a box to tick. It’s not about reaching a famous destination or posting a perfect photo. It’s about surrender — to the silence, the altitude, and the ancient rhythm of the Andes.
At night, huddled in a tent at 4,600 meters, you might hear nothing but the wind brushing the tent walls. But in that quiet, you’ll hear something else too: the steady heartbeat of a mountain that’s been watching over Peru for millennia.
