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| Region |
| Cordillera Vilcanota |
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| Duration |
| 5 days / 4 nights |
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| Season |
| May to October |
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| Rating |
| Moderate |
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| Price per Person |
$550.00 USD
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| Minimum |
| 4 people |
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| Dep. Dates 2010: |
| 3/05, 6/06, 4/07, 8/08, 21/09, 05/10, 19/10
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T R E K K I N G
AUSANGATE TREK
TAUSL
Hike the trail with Quechua-speaking herdsmen around Mt. Ausangate (6,374
m) which is the sacred summit of the Vilcanota Range - a region
of towering peaks and sparkling lakes. You hike carrying only a
daypack while horses carry all our camping gear. The Vilcanota
area remains true to cultural traditions stretching back into history.
The age-old methods of alpaca herding which sustains the population
are everywhere in evidence. Tightly-knit Quechua communities maintain
extensive, complex, irrigation systems - delivering glacial water
to the valleys for the constant moisture required to sustain the
alpacas' favorite forage crops.
Itinerary
DAY 1 CUSCO - TINQUI - UPIS
Leaving Cusco very early in a private vehicle, we head south towards Urcos. From
there, we start our winding ascent to the Urcos Pass (4270m) from
where we can spot Mt. Ausangate - the highest in Cuzco at 6380m.
We continue through small villages and remote communities to
reach Ocongate. We start the day hiking through small villages where the families
work in their fields and we can see their community way-of-life. Then
we continue across wide open spaces above small settlements of herders
and weavers. As we approach the northern face of Mt. Ausangate, we
will run into herds of alpacas. We will be accompanied by a crew
of packhorses and "arrieros" - Donkey Drivers. We make
camp at Upis (4480m), right below the snowcapped mountains. (Trekking:
5 - 6 hours)
ACCOM - Tent / Meals - B, L, D
DAY 2 UPIS AUSANGATECOCHA
Our campsite is left below us as we slowly ascend up Upispampa, getting
closer to the north face of Ausangate. An ascent up the Inkapampa
valley brings us to the Arapa Pass at 4750m. We border and traverse
the arid rolling landscape to then slowly descend to the small lakes.
We pass through the valley of Samacancha to arrive at Lake Pucacocha
below one of the Ausangate glaciers - a beautiful place to enjoy
lunch. If we are lucky we will hear and see an ice fall. Above the
lakes the rocky spire of Mt. Sorimana will stand guard.. Leaving
the lunch spot, a slow ascent will bring us to the Alcatani Pass
(4830m). From here, we begin our descent to Ausangatecocha (4720m)-
a beautiful blue lake formed by the melt-off from the glacier - with
a view of the southern face of Ausangate. Camp (Trekking 8 hours)
ACCOM - Tent / Meals - B, L, D
DAY 3 AUSANGATECOCHA PASO PALOMANI - JAMPA
From Ausangatecocha we start a steep ascent to the Palomani Pass at
5150m. As we cross into the valley of Machuraqay we are rewarded
with beautiful views of Mt. Mariposa with its cone peak. We descend
to Chillcaphinaya (4400m), a valley filled with grazing llamas and
alpacas. The surrounding ridges of the Cordillera Vilcanota have
varying hues of rock, sand and reddish earth. We ascend to the large
plateau of Jatunpampa where we camp at 4,730m. (Trekking 7 - 8 hours)
ACCOM - Tent / Meals - B, L, D
DAY 4 JAMPA - PACCHANTA
We begin our ascent to the Jampa Pass - Mt. Callangate, with its jagged
spires covered in ice, dominates our trek as we hike over the pass
at 5080m. We have lunch at Pachapata. The ridge above offers a view
of the lakes of Qomercocha and Harmacocha. We traverse the ridge and
enter the watershed of Mt. Ninaparayoc with its lake below. We follow
this valley with Mt. Ausangate behind us - we have now completed
almost a full circle around the mountain. Rolling hills extend below
us as we hike into Pacchanta for a chance to visit the hot-springs.
Camp at 4350m. (Trekking 6- 7 hours)
ACCOM - Tent / Meals - B, L, D
DAY 5 PACCHANTA - TINQUI - CUSCO
We start descending to Tinqui, crossing the vast hills and fields that
are occupied by local farmers. We reach Tinqui at midday and after
a good lunch we get in our vehicle to return to Cuzco.
Meals - B, L
Our Services
......INCLUDE:
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Private Transfers Cusco-Tinqui-Cusco |
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2-Person Tents; Foam Mattresses; Dining Tent; Camp Tables & Chairs;
Cooking Tent; Cooking & Eating Utensils; Toilet Tent |
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Guide; Assistant Guide (for
9+ PAX); Cook; Assistant Cook (for 7+ PAX); Donkey Drivers; Horses;
Emergency Horse with Saddle |
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All Food from Lunch on Day 1 to Lunch on Day 5 |
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First Aid Kit |
......DO NOT INCLUDE:
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Medical Insurance |
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Sleeping Bag |
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Tips to Staff |
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Hotels & Food in Cusco |
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Alcoholic Drinks, Laundry and any other Personal Expenses |
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