This very special alternative trek takes you alongside the spectacular snow-capped “Apu” of Ausangate (6.372m/20900ft) and takes you over mountain passes, through awesome mountain scenery, authentic Andean villages, hot springs and turquoise lakes. This alternative route to the classical circuit around Mount Ausangate still offers the most spectacular views of this sacred Andean mountain before it deviates towards the impressive Sibinacocha Lagoon, leaving tourist crowds behind and entering an almost uninhabited area where you can truly commune with nature. The hike ends in Phinaya, a small and remote Andean community with just horses and bicycles as transportation.. An unforgettable trail for lovers of mountain trekking, or those searching for something different and away from the increasingly popular traditional Ausangate trek.
Ausangate Sibinacocha – at a glance
Lo Más Destacado: Ausangate mountain, Sibinacocha lagoon, remote mountain scenery, high mountain passes
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Camping tents for 2 and 4 persons depending on the requirements
✔ Tranport in private bus to the start of the trek and return to Cusco
✔ Emergency horse
✔ Professional guide who speaks English, Spanish and Quechua
✔ Meals according to the program (Vegetarian available)
✔ Lunch
✔ Entrance tickets to the trek of Ausungate
✔ Dinner
✔ Breakfast
✔ Kitchen/eating utensils
✔ Camping equipment, dining tents, kitchen, tables, chairs
✔ Snacks before trekking
✔ Pack animals (mules and horses) to carry the baggage and equipment
✔ An explanation two days before departing
✔ Transfer to your hotel on return
✔ First aid equipment and oxygen tank
✔ Boiled water on all days for your bottles
✔ Cook and assistent cook
✔ Assistant guide for groups larger than 8 people
✔ Wranglers to care for the pack animals
✖ Breakfast the first day
✖ Dinner the last day
✖ Tips for personnel: guide, cook, wranglers (according to their job)
✖ Sleeping bags (they can be rented in the office)
✖ Entrances to hot springs
✖ If you would like to rent an additional horse, the cost is $10 per day
Pickup Locations
1. Hotel Museo Cusco
2. Chaski Hotel
3. Xima Exclusive Cusco
4. Hotel Inkas Inn Cusco
5. Luxury Home San Jeronimo Cusco
6. La Casona de San Jeronimo - Hotel Boutique
7. Kantu Progreso Inn
8. Royal Inn Cusco Hotel
9. Hotel Mirador
10. InCasita Florida
11. Posada Inti Wasi
12. Capac Hotel II
13. Hospedaje Qausay
14. Wayra Dreams Hotel
15. Ruwa B&B
16. Hotel de la Villa Hermoza
17. Samay Hotel
18. Hotel Sauna & Spa Paradis Cusco
19. Raymi Hostal
20. Hotel Jose Antonio Cusco
Additional Info: One or two days before begin your trek we will meeting at the briefing at your hotel to explain about
your hike, We will need all your information about your Hotel in Cusco
Itinerary
Cusco – Tinqui – Pacchanta
1
You will be collected from your hotel in private transporte and drive along the Cusco – Puerto Maldonado road (now the Trans Oceanic Highway) in the direction of Tinqui (3800m/ 12464 ft). On the way we stop in Urcos (major bus road junction) for some pictures of the colorful market. We then go on to Cattca, an agricultural and cattle raising community where we can appreciate the region’s spectacular views and finally pass through Ocongate, capital of the district with the same name and only half an hour away from our destination. After an 3 hour drive, we arrive in Tinki, where we will have lunch and then start walking for 3 hours towards Pacchanta (4100m/ 13448ft) , where we stop to camp. Pacchanta is a rural community that boasts some well-known thermal baths where we can enjoy a nice dip, offering very nice views of Ausangate Mountain . (Total hours hiking – 3 hours)
Pacchanta – Qomerqocha Lagoon – Jampa Pampa
1
Nevado Ausangate
We contiue our hike with a slight climb up the Pacchanta valley, having the chance to spot llamas and alpacas, until we reach the beautiful Qomercocha lagoon where we will have lunch. this is a spectacular spot with amazing views of Ausangate, Santa Catalina , Maria Huamantiqlla, Pucapunta and Colquecruz snow-capped mountains. After lunch we will continue on towards the first mountain pass of our trek, the Abra de Q´ampa (Jampa) at 5080m/ 16400ft, which we will reach after about 3 hours . We then descend towards the Ticllaqocha Lagoons, a beautiful group of little turquoise lagoons which will be a beautiful setting for lunch. In the afternoon we continue our hike for an additional 2hours until we reach Jampa Pampa where we set our camp in an impressive valley overlooked by the huge and awesome Tres Picos, Colquecruz and Pucapunta peaks. (Total hours hiking – 6-7 hours)
Jampa Pampa – Pass of Condorpaso
1
Nevado Ausangate
We leave camp after breakfast and start a gradual climb up towards Yanaqocha or “Black Lagoon” its name being due to the dark color of its waters. In this area we can appreciate a soil of volcanic origin, its color turning to dark red and black, as well as moraines, showing the previous presence of glaciers in this region. We will go over Yanaqocha mountain pass (5050 m/15564 feet) to discover a surprisingly beautiful valley with an explosion of colored mountains, three spectacular lagoons and the presence of llamas and alpacas, which we will cross to head towards our next mountain pass (5100m/ 16728ft ). From this point, another hour of hiking takes us to Condorpaso, our next campsite, located very close to the mountain pass of the same name which will be our challege for the next day. (Total hours hiking – 6-7 hours)
Condorpaso – Source of Sibinacocha Lake – Momorani
1
Nevado Ausangate
After breakfast, we continue on a gradual climb up the valley that takes us to the mountain pass Abra del Condor (5200 m/ 17056 ft) after an approx two hour walk. From the pass, the highest point of our trek, we may not only enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range and the Sibinacocha Lagoon, our next milestone, but also hopefully see vicuñas. Immediately, we continue our hike for an additional 3 hours, crossing another mountain pass on the way and then descending into the valley of the Sibinacocha Lake ‘s source. We will camp next to the lagoon and very close from its source, where an impressive glacier stands and nourishes the lake with its turquoise waters that contrast with the dark blue pure color of the lagoon. The lagoon boasts a wide bio-diversity, and with any luck we will most be able to spot Andean Coots, “Huallatas” or Andean Geese as well as Andean Ducks from our camp. (Total hours hiking – 6-7 hours)
Momorani – Ccascana
1
Nevado Ausangate
Today, we depart early to walk along the shores of the Sibinacocha Lagoon for 3h until we reach the Yayamari community, next to the mountain of the same name, an impressive rocky peak overlooking the lagoon (5500 m/ 18040 ft). We then continue crossing a pampa where we will most probably see hundreds of llamas, alpacas and hopefully vicuñas, to then follow towards the Abra Ccascana at 5000m/ 16400 ft, which will lead us to the lagoon of the same name, in which area we will set our last camp. In this spot, surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks such as Montura and Chumpi and inhabited by small rural communities, we may have the chance to spot ¨Huallatas¨ or Andean geese and maybe even flamingos.
Ccascana – Phinaya Cusco
1
Cusco Cathedral
After our breakfast, we leave Ccascana to walk for three and a half hours towards Phinaya. This is a small Andean community with a beautiful little church and no presence of vehicles except bikes and horses, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, we drive back to Cusco (approximately 6 hours), where we expect to arrive after dark.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Additional info
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
