How to get to Ausangate Mountain

The Ausangate mountain attracts tourists from all over the world for its beauty, beautiful landscapes, and adventures that can be done around the Ausangate. In this article, we will give you all the information on how to get to the second-highest mountain in Peru and not die trying.
Location:
The Ausangate mountain is located southeast of the city of Cusco in the province of Quispicanchis, district of Ocongate, at 6,380 meters above sea level.
Climate and Temperature
The temperatures in the mountains and surroundings vary according to the season in which it is found, in the mountains of Peru there are two well-defined seasons (Rainy and Dry). According to the season in which you are thinking of visiting it, you should take into account that the temperature fluctuates between 5 ° C to 0 ° C at night and early in the morning and during the day between 15 ° C to 20 ° C in the dry season. (May to October), on the other hand, in the rainy season temperatures are 5°C to 8°C at night and early in the morning and between 15°C and 20°C during the day.

Routes to get to the Ausangate Mountain

To get to the Ausangate mountain there are two known routes which we will describe taking into account that doing this walk on your own.

1.- Route through Ocongate

This is the 4-day route best known by travelers. The first thing you have to do is get up very early to go to the bus station on Av. Tomasa Titto Condemayta next to the Casa de la Juventud Coliseum. There you will find buses that cover the route Cusco – Ocongate. The cost of the transportation service is 15 soles, the trip is on a paved road for three hours. When you arrive at the town of Ocongate you must take the collective taxi service to the town of Tinki on a short 30-minute trip. Tinki is at about 3800 meters above sea level, a town with precarious services for tourists and travelers and it will be from this place where you will start the walk around the Ausangate mountain. You will have to walk for 10 kilometers until you reach your first camp called Upis at 4,447 meters above sea level. This will be your first camp where you will have to spend the night, you can also enjoy a relaxing bath in its hot springs.
On the second day, you will have to continue with the walk for 16 kilometers where the highest point will be the Paso Arapa at 4,850 meters above sea level, then you will descend slightly until you reach Lake Ausangate, where you will spend the night.
On the third day, it will be the most exhausting since you will have to walk 16 kilometers and you will also have to ascend to the Palomani Pass at 5,200 meters above sea level. From here you will have truly spectacular views, then you will have a descending path until you reach Huchuy Finaya, This place will be where you will spend the night.
On the fourth day, you will have to hike 14 kilometers, at its highest point will be the Paso de Jampa at 5,080 meters above sea level and then continue until you reach Pacchanta, which will be the last place you will visit on this journey, after 1 hour more of walk you will arrive at Tinki the same place where we started this excursion.

2.- Route through Pitumarca

This is a short route of 2 days and you will have the opportunity to visit the Ausangate and the mountain of colors, this new route was recently opened to tourists. You must start the excursion very early to go to the bus station that covers the Cusco – Sicuani route. located on Av. Huayruropata the cost of the service is 20 soles. Before you must notify the driver that you will get off in the town of Checacupe, which is 02 hours and a half. When you arrive at Checacupe, you must take another transport to reach the town of Pitumarca, which is 15 minutes away, and then you must continue until you reach the town of Chillca, which will be the starting point of the trek, the walk will be 8 kilometers and on the way, You will be able to observe the biodiversity of flora and fauna until you reach the Ausangate lagoon known as Uniquiri Cocha, continuing our walk we will go to Puca Mocco where you will spend the first night at the foot of the snowy Ausangate.
On the second day, the route will be 10 kilometers, for which you must leave early to reach the Vinicunca entrance control, in this place you will have the option of renting a horse and thus regain strength to reach the mountain of colors. After visiting the Vinicunca mountains we will take the road to Qanchipata where we will enjoy a buffet lunch in front of a small colored lagoon, immediately we will return to Japura where you will take mobility to return to Cusco.

Ausangate by Own Account or by Agency?

Making a tour of several days to the Ausangate mountain is quite a journey which is advisable to hire the service of an agency since they have prepared all the logistics for trekking such as camping equipment, food, guidance and you will only worry about enjoying the walk.

Recommendations to get to the Ausangate Mountain

These are the tips that you should keep in mind when making this journey to the Ausangate.

You must acclimatize for at least 2 days in the city of Cusco.
Camping equipment (tents, poles, mattresses,)
Appropriate clothing for trekking (trek shoes, waterproof clothing)
Warm clothes for the nights (gloves, hats, scarves, woolen stockings)
Rain ponchos.
Solar charger for flashlights, cameras, and batteries.
water purification tablets