You wil be collected from your hotel in Cusco and privately transported to the beginning of the Ausangate Trail. Leaving Cusco you take the Puerto Maldonado highway that eventually leads into the Amazon. You however, turn off this road before it does and head through a small town called Urcos. Beside this town a beautiful lagoon shimmers like a mirror under the sun, gently reflecting the dominant mountains that stand around it. You continue your drive and pass through Cattca, a small agricultural community with spectacular views, before passing through Oconagate – the capital village in the district. Half an hour later you reach Tinki where you stop for the night. The drive to Tinki takes approximately 6 hours and upon arrival you are transferred directly to a local lodge to get good nights sleep in preparation for the following day. ( L, D)

After a delicious breakfast in the lodge you will depart from Tinki and commence a short climb through to a more level area with less vegetation. On this plain you will walk for three hours before stopping for lunch. The lunch stop is ideally located and offers splendid views of the magnificent Ausangate peak (6372m/20900ft). Following lunch you continue upon the trail for another couple of hours before reaching the campsite in Upis (4400m/14432ft). The campsite itself is situated amongst a group of high snow peaked mountains, most tents face directly onto the most impressive of them all – Ausangate. (Meals – B, L, D)

After breakfast, you continue upon your hike ascending the trail for roughly two hours before reaching La Arapa pass (4850m/15908ft). Following a short breather at the top of the pass and a chance to admire the view you begin your descent crossing an array of beautiful yet unearthly lakes – all of which seem to have differently deep toned colors of turquoise, green and red. It is amongst these lakes called Pukacocha, HatunPukacocha, and Qomerqocha, with marvelous views of the surrounding snow peaks where your group will stop to enjoy lunch. Following lunch your group sets off once again and heads up and over the Abra de Apuchata pass (4900m/16072ft). Following your descent you reach your campsite at Ausangatecocha (4440m/14563ft). Spend the evening relaxing after a long day’s hike and admire an amazing sunset from the comfort of a warm fire. (Meals – B, L, D)

After waking up early and enjoying a quick breakfast you and your group leave camp for the climb up the next pass the Abra de Palomani (5200m/17056ft), which takes a couple of hours. This is the highest part of the trail and although the air is thin – the views are superb. On the hike down to Pampacancha (4050m/13284ft), there is a good chance you’ll pass through wayward groups of roaming llamas and alpacas. From Pampacancha you continue to the campsite at Q’ampa (4300m/14104ft). Besides llamas and alpacas, spotted bears and pumas are occasionally seen. Apon arrival in Q’ampa you can put your feet up and enjoy an evening at your leisure around a camp fire. ( B, L, D)

On the morning of the fifth day of the trail you wake up early and enjoy a quick breakfast before departing camp and heading out over the Q’ampa Mountain pass (5000m/16400ft). From the top of the pass one can see the camp from where they came from with the trail descending magically ahead towards a fairytale like lagoon in the distance. The descent is long but fulfilling and after roughly five hours you reach the Qomerqocha lagoon before arriving in Pacchanta (4100m/13448ft). Pacchanta is a charming little village located close to some hot springs. It is around the Hot Springs that camp is made for the night. Feel free to take a dip in the hot waters of these springs as the sun begins to fall – the experience of watching the sunset on a cold night through steamy water is unforgettable.( B, L, D)

Following breakfast you and the group will begin to make your way back to Tinki. The walk back takes roughly two hours and apon arrival you will find your transport back to Cusco waiting your arrival. Leaving Tinki behind you should be back in Cusco just after nightfall. ( B, L)