Nevado Ausangate is the 5th highest peak in Peru at 6,384m, and the highest of the seven 6,000m peaks in the Cusco Region. The first ascent to the main summit in 1953 was led by the famous Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer, part of the first team to conquer the north face of the Eiger and from the book/movie “Seven Years in Tibet”.
Ausangate is by far the most well-known big peak for mountaineering in Cusco since the normal route is not so technically difficult, although a good amount of stamina is needed for trail breaking on the summit plateau. Ausangate is the principal Apu of Cusco and can be seen from many places in the city. There are less tourists that visit this province of Cusco but it is becoming more popular as a destination for the circuit trek in the dry season.
Day 1: Cusco – Tinqui – Pacchanta
Day 2: Pacchanta – Base Camp To Campa
Day 3: Base Camp – Campa Summit
Day 4: Soracuchupampa – Base Camp Ausangate
Day 5: Base Camp – Camp 1 Ausangate
Day 6: Camp 1 – Ausangate Summit– Base Camp
Day 7: Base Camp Ausangate – Pukacocha Lake
Day 8: Pucacocha Lake – Upis – Cusco
Day 01: Cusco – Tinqui – Pacchanta.
Private transport of 4 hours crossing one pass (4200 m). Until reaching the village of Pacchanta (4260 m.) Where there are thermal baths of the community. They also have basic accommodation services (optional to our services).
Day 02: Pacchanta – Base Camp To Nevado Campa
We begin the ascent through a beautiful ravine crossing lagoons until reaching the vicinity of the Campa pass, where we will install the camp. (4920 m.) Spectacular view to the north face of the Ausangate. We will cross beautiful lakes along the way and small houses with friendly people.
Day 03: Base Camp – Climb Nevado Campa Summit (5500 m)
We will begin the ascent at 430 am, when it dawns in this region. We will reach the wide glacier in about 2 hours and climb to the summit for a spectacular view of the Ausangate, our next objective. After reaching the summit (5500 m.), Descend to Campa pass (5010 m.) And enter the southern part of the mountain, until the camp Soracuchupampa (4660 m.). This high Andean valley is very attractive to other peaks of the Vilcanota mountain range.
Day 04: Soracuchupampa – Base Camp Ausangate
This will be the shortest day of the expedition, in about 4 hours we will reach the Ausangate base camp (4820 m.).
We can observe the route before arriving at the camp. We will make preparations for the ascent to Ausangate.
Day 05: Base Camp – Camp 1 Ausangate
We will cross moraines and in about 4 hours we will reach the 5500 m of camp 1. We will see our way the next day and the wall of access to the plateau of the Ausangate.We will observe an enormous glacier of snowy Santa Catalina. The camp is carried out on moraine zone. In case it has snowed it will rise in snow.
Day 06: Camp 1 – Ausangate Summit (6384 m) – Base Camp
We awake at 1 am and leave the tent by 1am. After traversing crevasses we arrive to a 200m wall at 60-70 degrees. After the wall, a glacier hike of about 4 hours brings us to the summit. We descend the same route and rappel the 200m wall. At Moraine Camp we rest, pack up and then go down to Base Camp to spend the night
Day 07: Base Camp Ausangate – Pukacocha Lake
Asscent to the palomani pass (5116 m.) and descent to Ausangatecocha lake (4680 m.) Another short pass (Apacheta) 4900 m. and finish to Pucacocha lake (4800 m.).
Day 08: Pucacocha Lake – Upis – Cusco
We will cross the north side of the mountain through the Arapa pass (4790 m.) And reach the small town of Upis (4458 m.) Where we will have the option of using the magnificent local thermal baths. (Payments to use the bathrooms are made directly to the people of the community / Not included in our services) In the afternoon we will return to Cusco. Our private transport will wait for us in the village.
