Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Ausangate Trek, Peru. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Peru
- Biome
- High Andes (4,300–5,200 m)
- Best season
- May – September
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
- Hot Springs
Key takeaways
- Biome: High Andes (4,300–5,200 m)
- Best season: May – September
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Ausangate Trek
Topic summary
A 70-km circuit around Peru's highest peak in the Cusco region — hot springs, rainbow ridges, and 5,000 m passes.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: May – September
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
High Andes (4,300–5,200 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Ausangate Trek trip tools
How to get there
Use Cusco as a regional planning reference: Ausangate is around 100 kilometres southeast of the city. This is a location estimate, not a road distance. Confirm the transport connection and exact walking start for the chosen itinerary before departure.
- Ocongate District
Part of Ausangate lies in Ocongate District, Quispicanchi Province. Use this as a geographic reference when arranging access; confirm the actual trailhead and transport locally.
- Pitumarca District
Part of Ausangate lies in Pitumarca District, Canchis Province. This identifies a district associated with the mountain, not a verified trekking departure point.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Ausangate Trek
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Hot Springs
Soakable water and the etiquette that keeps it open.
Animals around Ausangate Trek
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Ausangate TrekAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Ausangate Trek
Planning to fish Ausangate Trek, Peru? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Peru are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Ausangate Trek?
- A Peru fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Peru fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Peru yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
Hunting near Ausangate Trek
Thinking about hunting Ausangate Trek, Peru? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Peru are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Ausangate Trek?
- Confirm the land around Ausangate Trek is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Peru?
- A Peru hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Peru yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.
A high-mountain trek around Ausangate
Ausangate rises to 6,384 metres in the Vilcanota range of the Peruvian Andes, around 100 kilometres southeast of Cusco. The mountain lies in the Cusco Region, within the Pitumarca and Ocongate districts of Canchis and Quispicanchi provinces. The trek associated with it is known as the road of the Apu Ausangate, one of the high-mountain trails used by local herders. Plan for mountain walking rather than treating the summit elevation as the trek’s high point: that figure describes the mountain, not a walking itinerary. Altitude deserves a conservative approach, with time to acclimatize and flexibility if anyone feels unwell. Before setting out, establish the actual route, overnight arrangements and transport connections rather than assuming that the trek name defines a single fixed itinerary.
Glaciers, colored rock and mountain terrain
The Ausangate landscape brings together several distinct geological features: granite associated with Andean uplift, hanging glaciers, valleys shaped by glacial erosion, colorful Permian formations and Cretaceous limestone forests. Red, ochre and turquoise are part of the region’s rock palette, not a promise that every trail visits the same formations. These features give useful context for choosing a walk: ask which valleys and geological areas a proposed itinerary actually reaches. Glaciers are features to observe, not evidence that a trekking route offers safe access onto ice. For high-mountain travel, carry layers, weather protection and adequate water, and keep plans responsive to conditions. The mountain’s elevation and glaciated setting call for preparation even when the intended trip is a walk rather than a climb.
A working pastoral and sacred landscape
Ausangate is part of a lived-in landscape of llama and alpaca herding communities. High-mountain trails serve as trading links between these pastoral communities and agricultural communities at lower elevations; their purpose extends well beyond trekking. Give herders and animals room to pass, and ask before photographing people or entering places used by a community. The mountain also holds significance in Incan mythology. About 20 kilometres north, at Qullqipunku, the annual Quyllur Rit’i festival draws thousands of Quechua pilgrims and takes place one week before Corpus Christi. That pilgrimage has its own religious purpose and should not be treated as a standard Ausangate trekking stop. Keep cultural visits respectful, and confirm locally whether a proposed journey intersects community activities or pilgrimage travel.
Route options
- Road of the Apu Ausangate
The named trek follows one of the region’s high-mountain herding trails. Confirm its precise alignment, overnight stops and access arrangements before committing to an itinerary.
- High-mountain herding trails
The wider trail network links llama and alpaca herding communities with agricultural communities at lower elevations. These are working trade routes rather than a specified visitor itinerary; seek local advice on which paths are appropriate for trekking.
Sample itineraries
- Ausangate landscape introduction · 1 day
Suggested introductory outing, not a complete trek: explore a locally confirmed section of the road of the Apu Ausangate. Focus on views of the Vilcanota mountain landscape and pastoral surroundings. Choose the turnaround according to acclimatization, weather and local advice.
- Pastoral trails and geology · 2 days
Suggested two-day exploration, not a verified circuit: arrange a locally confirmed walk along part of the road of the Apu Ausangate. Allow time to observe herding landscapes, glacial valleys and colorful rock formations where accessible. Confirm overnight arrangements and the return plan before departure.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Confirm local seasonal timing before travel.
Plan for high-mountain exposure rather than assuming mild spring conditions. Check current weather and trail conditions before committing to an itinerary.
Summer
Confirm local seasonal timing before travel.
Summer does not remove the need for insulation and weather protection in this glaciated Andean setting. Confirm conditions locally rather than assuming trails will be clear.
Fall
Confirm local seasonal timing before travel.
Base departure decisions on current mountain weather and local trail advice. Carry layers and allow flexibility rather than treating fall as a guaranteed favorable trekking period.
Winter
Confirm local seasonal timing before travel.
Prepare conservatively for cold in the high Andes. Check whether the intended walking route is suitable for your equipment and experience; nearby glaciers are not ordinary trekking terrain.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Confirm local seasonal timing before travel. | Plan for high-mountain exposure rather than assuming mild spring conditions. Check current weather and trail conditions before committing to an itinerary. |
| Summer | Confirm local seasonal timing before travel. | Summer does not remove the need for insulation and weather protection in this glaciated Andean setting. Confirm conditions locally rather than assuming trails will be clear. |
| Fall | Confirm local seasonal timing before travel. | Base departure decisions on current mountain weather and local trail advice. Carry layers and allow flexibility rather than treating fall as a guaranteed favorable trekking period. |
| Winter | Confirm local seasonal timing before travel. | Prepare conservatively for cold in the high Andes. Check whether the intended walking route is suitable for your equipment and experience; nearby glaciers are not ordinary trekking terrain. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current access requirements, permits and any charges with the managing agency before travel.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Altitude: Ausangate rises to 6,384 metres. That is the mountain's elevation, not a stated trekking high point. Build in acclimatization and descend if altitude symptoms worsen.
- Mountain weather and cold: the high Andean, glaciated setting calls for insulation, weather protection and flexible plans.
- Glacial terrain: hanging glaciers are a feature of the area. Do not treat glacier travel as an extension of an ordinary walking itinerary.
- Route selection: herders use high mountain trails for trade. Confirm the intended trekking route locally rather than assuming every trail leads to your destination.
What to pack for Ausangate Trek
- Insulating layers
- Weatherproof outer layers
- Warm hat and gloves
- Supportive walking footwear
- Sun protection and sunglasses
- Water containers and treatment
- Personal medicines
- Basic first-aid kit
- Locally confirmed route information
- Offline navigation and backup power
- Headlamp
- Emergency shelter
Wildlife you may see
- Llamas and alpacas are herded by local communities; these are domestic livestock, not wild animals. Give animals and herders space, and avoid disrupting their movement.
Ausangate Trek FAQ
- Where is Ausangate?
- Ausangate is in Peru's Vilcanota mountain range, around 100 kilometres southeast of Cusco. The mountain lies in the Cusco Region, within Pitumarca and Ocongate districts.
- Is the trek a climb to the summit?
- The road of the Apu Ausangate is a trekking trail associated with the mountain. Ausangate's summit elevation is 6,384 metres; do not mistake that figure for the trail's elevation or assume the trek includes a summit climb.
- What distinguishes the landscape?
- The area combines Andean uplift, hanging glaciers, glacially eroded valleys and limestone formations. Permian rocks contribute distinctive red, ochre and turquoise colors.
- Who lives around Ausangate?
- Llama- and alpaca-herding communities inhabit the region. Their high mountain trails connect them with agricultural communities at lower elevations. Treat these paths as working routes and respect livestock, homes and daily activities.
- What is Ausangate's cultural significance?
- The mountain has significance in Incan mythology. The Quyllur Rit'i festival draws thousands of Quechua pilgrims to Qullqipunku, about 20 kilometres north of Ausangate, one week before Corpus Christi. Respect worshippers and religious activities.
- How should a complete trek be planned?
- Confirm the route, access points, walking stages, overnight arrangements and current conditions locally. The suggested itineraries here are short planning concepts, not a verified full circuit or a statement of how long the complete trek takes.