Ausangate 4 day trek: a fascinating and unforgettable experience alongside the sacred Apu
Doing the 4 day Ausangate trek is the best choice for nature and adventure lovers. This route is the most complete and spectacular, as it allows you to explore in depth one of the most impressive landscapes in the Peruvian Andes. Along the way, you will witness dreamlike scenery: multicolored mountains, turquoise lakes, high-Andean meadows, and the imposing presence of the snowcapped peaks surrounding the sacred Apu Ausangate. Each day offers different views and unique moments of connection with nature.
This trek is not just a hike; it is a transformative experience that awakens your senses and fills you with energy as you walk beneath endless skies and breathe the pure air of the highlands. If you are looking for an authentic, challenging adventure full of beauty, the 4-day Ausangate trek is the perfect journey for you.
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Start of the Ausangate Trek
The journey from Cusco to Quispiqanchis, Ocongate – Tinke is a passage through Andean landscapes rich in history and tradition. The route leads you to the foothills of the sacred Apu Ausangate, passing through villages that keep their culture alive, until you reach Tinke, the gateway to the natural wonders of Pacchanta.
Ausangate Trek 4 Days
Day 1 (Cusco – Pacchanta – Qomercocha Lake – Upis)
The adventure begins very early with the drive to the community of Pacchanta, located at the foot of the imposing Apu Ausangate. From here, an unforgettable hike starts through high-Andean scenery, where snowcapped mountains, green meadows, and herds of alpacas accompany every step.
After several hours of trekking, you reach the impressive Qomercocha Lake, famous for the intense emerald color of its waters, reflecting the snowy peaks and creating a perfect setting for photography and rest. Here you will have time to relax, enjoy the silence of the Andes, and recharge your energy surrounded by almost untouched nature.
The day ends at the Upis campsite, known for its wide open valleys and serene environment. In the afternoon, you can soak in its natural hot springs—an уникe experience to recover after a long day of hiking—while the Andean sky fills with stars and the mountain cold enhances the pleasure of rest.
Day 2 (Upis – Arapa Pass – Hatun Pukacocha)
The day begins with a gradual ascent through ancient Andean agricultural terraces, where ancestral farming traditions are still preserved in the heart of the mountains. The trail leads to Arapa Pass, one of the most impressive natural viewpoints of the route, offering panoramic views of the majestic Ausangate glacier and a chain of lakes scattered across the landscape like mirrors of intense colors.
After enjoying this natural spectacle and taking unforgettable photos, the descent continues through gentle hills and open valleys until you reach the shores of Hatun Pukacocha Lake, famous for its turquoise color. Here the camp is set up in a peaceful and remote environment, perfect for spending the night surrounded by mountains, Andean silence, and a starry sky.
Day 3 (Hatun Pukacocha – Puka Pass – Anantapata / Warmisaya – Surincocha)
This is one of the most spectacular days of the entire trek. The route crosses high mountain passes, starting with Puka Pass (4,870 m), from where an impressive panorama opens up: hanging glaciers, vast high-Andean valleys, and multicolored lakes contrasting with the ocher tones of the mountains.
The trek continues to the challenging Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m), one of the highest points of the journey. From the summit, all the effort is rewarded with privileged views: towering snowcapped peaks, turquoise and emerald-green lakes, and the immensity of Ausangate dominating the horizon.
After descending through trails surrounded by mountains and solitary pampas, you arrive at the Surincocha Lake campsite—a magical and silent place where the water reflects the Andean sky and nearby peaks. Here you spend the night under a blanket of stars in an atmosphere of absolute peace.
Day 4 (Surincocha – Rainbow Mountain – Red Valley – Cusco)
The final day starts before dawn in order to reach the famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinincunca) early, when the first rays of sunlight illuminate its mineral stripes and reveal a palette of intense colors ranging from red to gold and emerald green. At this time, the site is quieter, allowing you to appreciate the grandeur of the landscape in silence.
After enjoying this natural wonder, the hike continues toward the Red Valley, a lesser-known but equally stunning gem, where reddish and ocher hills create a surreal scenery. This final stretch offers wide panoramic views and becomes the perfect ending to the journey.
Finally, you return to Cusco, carrying unforgettable memories of glaciers, multicolored lakes, high mountain passes, and Andean communities that make this route one of the most complete and memorable trekking experiences in Peru.
Conclusion
This journey to Ausangate was much more than a hike; it was a deep connection with nature and with one of the most sacred apus of Cusco. Along the trail, every landscape, every lake, and every mountain gifted us unforgettable moments that will remain forever in our memory.
Ending the adventure by relaxing in the Pacchanta hot springs under the Andean sky was the perfect finale to an experience full of emotion, effort, and natural beauty. Without a doubt, the Ausangate trek is a unique adventure that every lover of nature and trekking should experience at least once in a lifetime.
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