| Ausangate Mountain Circuit |
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Ausangate Mountain is the highest mountain in the Cordillera Vilcanota, towering in the southeast sky from the city of Cusco. It is a long, rugged mountain, with two high peaks rising from its jagged summit crest. The lower peak rises just east of the high peak, and is separated by a small saddle. There is no easy route to the summit of Ausangate, and the normal route is a technical climb up the steep icefall of the south face. The Vilcanota is one of the most impressive of Peru's mountain groups, with several 6000 metre (20000 feet) peaks, including sacred Ausangate (6372m./20900ft). A high and wild trekking circuit winds its way through this rarely-visited range, following lovely alpine valleys which are home to Quechua Indian herdsmen and some of Peru's most spectacular wildlife, including vicuñas and the Andean birds. Traversing this pristine and beautiful region, we enjoy a series of wonderful lakeside camps and cross several high passes (c.5000m./16400ft), each providing far-reaching mountain views. Ausangate is considered an apu, a holy mountain, traditionally a place of worship and offerings from pre-Inca times. The Apu Ausangate is also famous for the celebration of El Señor de Qoyllur Ritti. held annually in June. Celebrated in Cusco and Ausangate, the celebrations merge Christian and ancient rituals in homage to Corpus Christi and the ancient cult of the sun. Shamanic pilgrimages are made throughout the year to the mountain. ITINERARY: Day 1: Cusco - Tinqui - Upis. We leave Cusco at about 6 in the morning. We take private bus to the village of Tinqui in 3800 masl. On the way we pass through beautiful landscapes and several traditional villages including Urcos, Ccatcca and Ocongate. We take our lunch in Tinqui while our luggage is being arranged on the mules. We take of after lunch going towards the hot springs in Upis (4200masl), in total about 5 hours walking. On the way we can enjoy the majestetics Cordillera Vilcanota, and the beautiful Ausangate mountain getting closer. In the Upis valley we can see the very traditional lifestyle of the quechua speaking population, and in the wet ground. Day 2: Upis - Jatun Q'ocha. After a solid breakfast we will start the walk towards the first pass, the Arapa pass in 4850masl, where the view of Ausangate is amazing. From here we have a quite hard descent coursed by the thick layer of gravel on the trail. Soon we will be on the side of the mountain and new view appear, the green lake of Pukacocha and later we reach the turquoise lake Jatun Pukacocha. We set up camp by the lake. From the campsite we will make the climp up to see the lake Vino Cocha and Ausangate on close hold. Day 3: From Jatun Puqa Q'ocha to Finaya. In the morning we walk up to the second pass of Apuchata in 4900masl. with the turquoise laguna Ausangate Cocha below. Fish lives in the cold water of this lake. Passing the lake we have a short but steep ascend to the Palomani pass in the amazing altitude of 5200masl. Surrounded by floks of llamas and alpacas we walk down from the pass towards the settlement of Finaya Pampa, where we will set up our camp. Day 4: From Finaya to Q'omercocha. We cross green swampy areas in the valley of Finaya Pampa and later we start walking up the valley of Rio Q'ampa. From the valley we have great views of the snowcovered peaks of Tres Picos and Puca Punta. From the small community of Q'ampa and onwards to the pass of same name in 5000 masl. We have good chances to see the small vicuñas famed for their valuable fleece. After making a small “hito” at the pass we walk down to the turquoise lake of Q'omercocha(4580masl), where we set up camp. Day 5: From Q'omercocha to Pacchanta. We take is easy in the morning enjoying the view while having breakfast. Then we start our short daywalk to the village of Pacchanta On way way we have good time to look at the small settlements along the way and to watch the longtailed viscachas – a cousin of the rabbits. After lunch we will go to the hot thermal springs to relax the tired muscles and in the late afternoon there is a good chance to see an andean village on close hold. Day 6: Pacchanta - Tinqui- Cusco. We leave our last campsite and the village of Pacchanta walking the about 3 hours back to the village of Tinqui. Here our transport back to Cusco will be waiting. Our horsemen and companions for the last days. OUR SERVICES INCLUDES
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DEPARTURES: Every day |
