5-Day Ausangate Trek from Cusco with Lakes, Passes and Hot Springs

• Depart from Cusco to Tinqui early in the morning and stop for lunch in Tinqui.

• After lunch, begin hiking along the trail for several hours until you reach the hot springs of Upis.

Overnight camping in Upis.

• In the morning, cross the Arapa Pass.

• From here, continue hiking for 3 1/2 hours down into the valley, passing the green lake of Puqa Q'ocha until you reach the turquoise Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha.

• Then ascend the second pass of Apuchata (4,900 m), with the stunning turquoise blue Laguna Ausangate Q'ocha below. This lake is fed by the melting snow of Ausangate.

Overnight camping in Q'ocha.

• Ascend to the Palomani Pass (5,200 m), the highest point of the trek. Follow the trail into the valley, where you can rest and have lunch.

• In the afternoon, enjoy views of the snow-capped Tres Picos and Puca Punta.

• Continue walking through the broad green valley of Pampa Jutunpata and up the Rio Q'ampa valley.

We will spend the third night camping here.

• After passing through the small community of Q'ampa, head northwest to the last pass of the hike, Q'ampa Pass (5,000 m). There are several coloured lakes here, and you can have lunch beside Q'oma Q'ocha.

• Hike for several hours to reach the small village of Pacchanta. Here, you can soak in the thermal springs for a couple of hours and enjoy a well-deserved beer.

• In the afternoon, explore the interesting Andean village.

You have the option of staying in a basic hostel on this night.

• In the morning, trek back to Tinqui, which will take roughly three hours.

• You will have some time to explore the Andean village before the private car arrives to take you back to Cusco.

The scheduled arrival time in Cusco is 6:00 pm.