Ausangate & Sibinacocha Lagoon Trek |

code: AUSTRE6

Duration: 6 Days / 5 Night

Activity: Hiking / Trekking

Transport: private transportation, walking

Accommodation: Camping (5 Nights)

Treking Grades: Moderate/Demanding ?

Group Size: Minimum 2, Maximum 12

Type Service: We run only private groups ?

Highlights:

Ausangate Mountain, remote mountain scenery, High Mountain passes, quieter trails, less tourists, local villages, Sibinacocha Lagoon

Difficulty degree of this hike:

Difficult/Challenging due to the altitude: we recommend a period of at least 3 days for acclimatization in Cusco or over 3000m/9840ft.

Superb trekking in the rugged Cordillera Vilcanota

A high and wild trekking circuit winds its way through this rarely-visited range, following lovely alpine valleys which are home to Quechua Indian herdsmen and some of Peru's most spectacular wildlife, including vicunas and the Andean condor. Traversing this pristine and beautiful region, we enjoy a series of wonderful lakeside camps and cross several 5000 metre passes, each providing far-reaching mountain views. The hike ends in Phinaya, a small and remote Andean community.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Cusco to Tinqui / Pacchanta / Comercocha

Pick up from the hotel at 06:00, departure from Cusco in a private transport, and drive along the Puerto Maldonado road highway in the direction of Tinqui (3800m/12464ft). Passing through towns such as Urcos, Ccatcca and finally passes through Ocongate, after an approximated 3 ½ hour drive, arriving to Tinqui head of the trail. After set up our luggage we’ll start to walk for around 3hrs towards Pacchanta (4100m/ 13448ft), where we have the lunch by hot springs at the hamlet of Pacchanta, and then continue climbing to camp in a pasture by Comercocha Lagoon (4570m/14989ft)

Meal Include: L (box-lunch), Dinner

Day 2 – Comercocha / Quilleta

Breakfast; we follow our hike through a slight climb up past glacial tarns and isolated shepherds' huts toward the magnificent first pass of Abra Q´ampa at (5000m/16400ft), which is reaching after about 3hrs, from the pass descending towards the Ticllaqocha Lagoon. On most treks we see troops of vicuñas (the wild, graceful relative of the llama) amid the rugged scree and glacial ice. We will trek beneath the towering west face of the Jatunjampa peaks. Continuing down the valley, a new vista opens up of the south face of Nevado Ausangate. After lunch continue the hike for an additional 2hrs until reaching near Hacienda Quilleta (4400m/14432ft) where it is setting the camp

Day 3 - Quilleta / Sibinacocha Lagoon

Breakfast; leaving the camp and start a gradual climb up to reach the summit of Condor Pass the highest point of the trek (5100m/16728ft). From the pass amazing view of valley with colored Mountains and the Sibinacocha Lagoon, hike for an additional 3hrs to cross another mountain pass on the way and then descending into the valley of the Sibinacocha Lagoon, a glacial lake some 15 km in length and 2 km wide. Flamingos may be seen along the shore. Save for the occasional stone shepherd's hut; there is no sign of population in this vast valley.

Day 4 – Sibinacocha Lagoon / Ccascaracocha

Breakfast; hike around the head of the lake and work our way eastward into another valley of even more sublime beauty. Our destination is Ccascaracocha, a smaller lake with a fascinating concentration of high altitude Andean birds. We will observe giant coots, which build up piles of mud in the shallows to make their nests, pairs of Huallata (Andean geese), ducks, and more flamingos. Several Quechua families have permanent homes by the lakeshore where they tend enormous herds of alpacas. In this remote spot, surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks such as Montura and Chumpi and inhabited by small rural communities

Day 5 - Climb Cerro Yayamari

Breakfast; the highlight of the trek is today's optional scramble up Cerro Yayamari (5500m/18040ft) snow-covered peak in the centre of this breathtaking panorama of lakes and glaciated summits

Day 6 – Yayamari / Phinaya / Cusco

Breakfast; hike out to the southern end of Sibinacocha lagoon, the terminus of a new road, where our vehicle awaits in Phinaya. This is a small Andean community with a beautiful little church, where we have the lunch. After we load up, we will return to Cusco, and then transfer to your Hotel.

Meal Include: L (box-lunch), Dinner

Dates & pices

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Price include

What is included?

Pre-departure briefing
Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
Private transport to Tinqui, starting point of the trek
English Speaking Professional Guide (2 guides for groups of over 8 people)
Entrance to Ausangate Area
Campsite fees
4 Season tents, 2 people in each 3-people-capacity tent
Therma-Rest self-inflating mattress
Horsemen and horses: Carry tents, cooking equipment and also carry backpacks, sleeping bags and mattresses (Max. 12 kilos/ 25 lbs per person)
One emergency horse every 2 people
Chef and cooking equipment
Dining tent with tables, chairs and Kitchen tent
Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food)
Toilet tent
Accommodation for all our staff
Others: hot water every morning and evening for washing purposes / boiled water to fill in your water bottle every morning and night, and at lunch time if requested with enough time ahead
First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
Private transport from Phinaya to Cusco, including transfer to your hotel in Cusco

Not included is:

Sleeping bag (can be hired in our office for US$ 36 for all the trek)
Extra porter to carry your personal things like sleeping bag, clothes, etc
Tips for the guide, cook and porters
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Domestic airfare to and from Cusco (+/- US$ 290 per person round trip)
Visa fees (if required)
Passport & Visa Costs
Vaccination Costs
Personal Spending Money
Drinks
International Flights
Travel Insurance
Airport departure taxes
Border taxes or fees

Optional Activities

Machu Picchu extensions
Cusco Add Ons (Hotel and tours)
Lima Add ons (Hotel and tours)
Amazon Jungle Trips
Northern Peru
Lake Titicaca
Lima City stop over
Arequipa extension

Checklist

Equipment List / Check List:

Travel documents: original passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, vouchers
Health requirements arranged
Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card
A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended
Sandals or jogging shoes for a higher comfort while at camp
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces. Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping
Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold, Sun block
After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
Handkerchiefs and Toilet paper
Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc. Please note that we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning. Optionally: water -sterilizing tablets in case you pick up water from streams or rivers along the route. Otherwise, we provide filtered boiled water, which is safe to drink and has not reported any health problem so far
Small towel
Cash in soles and/or US$
Original International Student Identity Card (in case you have applied for a student discount)
Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage archaeological sites)

How to book

Book now with Sun Gate Tours

Step 1
Before make any booking, you must read carefully our Booking Terms & Conditions

Step 2: Check your personal information
The following client information is requested for any Trip booking:

Complete names and surnames
Nationality
Passport number
Date of Birth
Gender
Student with ISIC card: Yes/No

Details should be filled in for each group member. Please do not make a reservation until you have all the details below. We cannot accept a booking without all the names, nationalities, passport numbers, ages, etc

Also you have to check if you need any additional service like:

Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class
Sleeping bag during the tour ( -10°C)
Extra night at Aguas Calientes after the trek

Step 3: Check the availability on the calendar
As soon you have all the information above, please check the availability and click on Check Availability Calendar

Step 4: Deposit to secure the trip
To secure a booking with Sun Gate Tours, the client must deposit minimum US$ 200 per person. The deposit is non-refundable.