From here you descend to the settlement of Huchuy Phinaya and continue on a gentler gradient through high flat land until reaching your campsite in the shadow of snow-capped Hatunpampa mountain. Dry season in Ausangate is from April to October and rainy season from November through March, but this does not stop rain from falling in dry season or the sun from coming out in rainy season so just be prepared. Winter is coming to a close, but nights are still very cold. I have reviewed a number of travel insurance providers and the most affordable and best is World Nomads. These hikers have the right equipment and experience trekking at high altitudes. ABOUT ROLEXS PERPETUAL PLANET INITIATIVE. Minor symptoms include headache, fatigue, difficulty sleeping and dizziness. This means group sizes are usually small if not completely private. 4 Forecast Elevations: Peak: 20946 ft 18046 ft 14765 ft Base: 11484 ft This table gives the weather forecast for Ausangate at the specific elevation of 6384 m. Our advanced weather models allow us to provide distinct weather forecasts for several elevations of Ausangate. Starting out for another challenging day, your trail rises immediately towards the second high pass of Abra Janca, dominated by the peak of Colquecruz. If the day is dry, youll feel warm in the sun. Our ultimate goal is to uniquely illuminate the critically important role this region plays in stabilizing the health of the planet while elevating solutions to ensure its protection.. The former capital of the mighty Inca Empire, Perus city of Cusco is a fabulous base from which to explore fascinating archeological and historical sites, as well as enjoy time in nature. Total Ausangate Cost Per Person: 470 soles (about $120). Start by making your way to the camp of Upis. The nights on this trek are usually around 20F/-7C. As the zone of Rainbow Mountains Cusco forms part of the Cordillera Vilcanota in the Peruvian Andes. Visiting Machu Picchu is already a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but are you wondering if Machu Picchu sunrise worth it? The Ausangate Trek You cant fly directly to Ausangate. Here you can see these iconic mountains with rich mineralization bringing red, orange and yellow hues across a seemingly endless mountain expanse. A guided trek is a better option for most people. Although the city has much to be proud of, many of the areas delights can be found beyond the city limits. W To talk about the Plazas de Armas of Peru, is to talk about history, tourism, art, culture and recreation of each locality where they are located. The Inca city of Machu Picchu has acquired an unprecedented historical relevance. Say goodbye to your guide and pack up your horses (and say thank you with a nice tip). From Tinki, the real trekking begins. The Inca Trail is the most famous hike in South America. The months when youre most likely to experience showers are between December and February. Doing the trail independently is much more planning intensive. Day 8 is the final day of trekking. Click one our members below to chat on Altitude: 15,912 FT / 4,850 M 8.6 MILES / 14 KM Explore the Ausangate area in a full-day hike. In the mountains, the weather can change quickly. occurs in 20 percent of people at 8,000 feet and 40 percent of people at 10,000 feet. The Ausangate Trek is one of Cusco's best options for nature and trekking lovers. Everyday! The Ausangate trail has some of the most stunning scenery of all of Perus hiking areas. Altitude sickness occurs in 20 percent of people at 8,000 feet and 40 percent of people at 10,000 feet. In Andean spirituality, the mountains, called apus, are highly revered and believed to have a spirit. Trekking to the base of Ausangate or aiming to ascend to base camp - knowing the meaning and history of the mountain makes it an even more incredible experience. However, this is when the real downpours start, too. This is because of sediment variations in the nearby mountains, which makes for an alluring experience. Machu Picchu is consistently the #1 travel destination in the world. The best time to do the Ausangate trek, and all Peru hiking tours, is between May and September. This effort marks a significant milestone in the 2022 National Geographic and Rolex Amazon Perpetual Planet Expedition, a two-year exploration of the Amazon River Basin spanning the Andes to the Atlantic. You will camp near the thermal baths at Upis which are 4,408m (14,462 ft) high. Prices for the Ausangate trek vary greatly between companies. The expedition team also conducted in-situ monitoring of the atmosphere and analyzed snow-pack properties, obtaining direct measurements of snow water equivalent from the snow-pack. This is the coldest time of the whole year, and the nights go well below 0C. The Ausangate hike traces through high elevation landscapes ranging between 10,334 ft to as high as 16,800 ft above sea level. The team was also joined by National Geographic Explorer and Photographer Tom Peschak who documented their efforts. You may also like: Best Inca Trail companies and Best Machu Picchu tours. Our Peru For Less Travel Blog is a living library of travel information, knowledge, and advice from a group of travel loving experts who live, work, eat, and breathe all things in South America. Vinicunca also known as the Mountain of Seven Colors, or more simply Rainbow Mountain was discovered four years ago when the snow covering it melted, revealing the natural beauty of the rock beneath. The looming form of Ausangate watches over you from your left. Along the Ausangate trek, temperatures range from 10-20 C (50 - 68 F) during the day if it is sunny, to 05-10 C (41 - 50 F) during the day if it is not sunny. Generally hikers leave the bulk of their belongings safely in storage at their Cusco hotel, and bring only their hiking pack for the trek. Instead, you have to fly into the city of Cusco. This new weather station will help us to understand how much snow is melting, why, and how we recover it. After lunch time, hikers have an opportunity to hike mystical thermal lakes and marvel at the uniqueness of its surrounding glaciers. as a side excursion. The trail itself is fairly good and well-defined, but the weather can be unpredictable in these mountains. This deity of Cusco is celebrated through traditions and offerings. Because it is more rugged and remote, the Salkantay Trek is significantly less populated than the Inca Trail. The nights are getting much colder, and youll need a high-quality sleeping bag to stay warm until morning. 4 Forecast Elevations: Peak: 20946 ft 18046 ft 14765 ft Base: 11484 ft This table gives the weather forecast for Ausangate at the specific elevation of 4500 m. Our advanced weather models allow us to provide distinct weather forecasts for several elevations of Ausangate. However, if you have extra time to spare, it can certainly be added on. We hope these tips and information have helped you to know a little more about this beautiful place and encourage you to live the adventure, because it is really worth it. The shoulder months of October and April bring more moderate weather with mixed rainy and dry days. Its size is so large that it can be appreciated even if one is in the Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Try to budget for about 300 soles ($80) for 6-7 days. Ausangate is an off-the-beaten track hiking alternative with minimal foot traffic that allows you to carve into the mystical side of an ancient Andean world. You will want to wear layers, especially for colder nights. Ausangate mountain itself is considered a holy mountain (or mountain spirit) by locals. The route takes you through the Cordillera Vilcanota, or the Vilcanota Mountain Range. AUSANGATE WEATHER. Sure you have thought about exploring the Peruvian jungle, but what are you going to do while you are in Iquitos city? The tropical high Andes of southern Peru contain essential water towers that support nature and human communities from the glacier margins to the Amazon basin. Keep in mind, however, that the dry season, containing Perus winter months, is also the colder time of year. "Our tours are Fully Customizable and leave 365 days a year!". There are several route itineraries options for the Ausangate trek: a 4-day, 5-day, 6-day, and 7-day itinerary. A voyage to Ausangate mountain is one of natural beauty, living history and ancient spirituality. Data from the weather station will aid local and scientific communities in monitoring the impact of climate change on critical water tower. A moderate fall of snow, heaviest on Sun morning. You can go days without another tourist in sight. Here, you will get your first glimpse of the Vilcanota range. We work with the best local operator to offer, visiting the world famous Rainbow Mountains, alternative Inca Trail trails to Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu entrance tickets, Ollantaytambo where you will check into a hotel, Lonely Planet Trekking in the Central Andes guidebook map. Approximately 8 hours of hiking time. Instead of ending day 6 at Tinki, you would continue on to Laguna Armaccocha, reach a viewpoint and lake Singrenacchocha on day 7, hike alongside the river to Mallma on day 8, and finally board a train to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu on day 9. Not only because of the rampant beauty you will encounter, but also because of the lack of people. It is essential to take out insurance that covers you at least up to 5400 meters above sea level, but do not do it without insurance, it is necessary to be forewarned. For a hike like the ausangate trek, it is highly likely that you will experience some form of altitude sickness, as elevations reach as high as 16,800 ft. For this reason, it is important to acclimate properly, take your time on the trail and take measures to combat symptoms. This portion also tends to be, by far, the busiest part of an otherwise remote journey. TIP: Tell us the destinations you have in mind. It could be sunny one minute and then start pouring it down or even hailing the next. This takes most hikers approximately 5 hours of walking. Temperatures will be well below freezing (max -6C on Fri morning, min -9C on Sat night). The climate gets a little warmer in March. Ausangate Trek 5 Days - Epic High Altitude Adventure For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers pushing back the boundaries of human endeavour. You will then descend down the other side and camp beside the blue-green lake of Qomercocha (4,704m / 15,433 ft). If you book with a tour company, porters will pack and carry the tents and camp equipment for you. There is a serious lack of hand-held maps for the Ausangate trek. The trek is on a well-trodden route through remote highlands. Due to the geographical conditions of the Andes, the weather here can be, and almost always is, unpredictable and the Ausangate Trek includes a temperature oscillation between 10-20 C during the day if it is sunny, up to 05-10 during the day if it's not sunny. This is closer to 100km / 62 miles if you extend your trek to Machu Picchu (see more on this below). Youll get to observe some fascinating bird species and other wildlife along the way as well as spectacular landscapes. Some operators will press on for another 3 hours to the town of Tinki; however, most camp at Pajchanta for the night. From here, you will descend down to the shores of lake Singrenacchocha (4560m / 14,961 ft). Items like dried fruit, instant pasta, packet soup, and instant oatmeal are lightweight and convenient food choices. The area also experiences rain and snowfall. Youll also come across hidden Andean villages richly embedded in centuries-old traditions. Here are some of the best day trips to take from Cusco for a fabulous Peruvian adventure to remember. For more insights, see our packing list for the Inca Trail. Anyone with a good level of fitness can manage this hike, but it is recommended that trekkers have experience with multi-day hikes at high elevations. Alternatively, you can go to Rainbow Mountain early on Day 4 of your trek. In fact, in Quechua apu means lord. Dry season spans from May to November, where skies are clear, days are cool, and the nights get very cold. The weather forecast for Ausangate is: A moderate fall of snow, heaviest on Tue afternoon. The changes happening on Ausangate are especially important in understanding the fluctuations and adaptations of the entire Amazon River Watershed.. Efforts like Baker, Tom and Ruths to study Ausangates critical ecosystem, coupled with Tom Peschaks unparalleled storytelling are at the forefront of our partnership with Rolex. Like most treks in the region, the best time to do the Ausangate trek is in the dry months. Hiking the Ausangate Trek without using a company works out significantly cheaper. The What is Machu Picchu? However, due to its difficulty and remote setting, I don't recommend this option for inexperienced trekkers. This is true for all the trekking tours from Cusco. Visit beautiful lakes and impressive panoramic lookouts. In the day, the sun will be strong. The peak of the mountain is 6,385 masl, but we wont go quite that high. Given the high altitude of the campsites, temperatures drop considerably in the afternoon and especially at night, when they can drop to -10 C or even lower in the dry season. With astonishingly varied landscapes, stunning scenery, These also happen to be the quietest months in Cusco, so this might be your idea of heaven if you prefer to avoid crowds. Unlike most other hikes in the region Ausangate is not about Inca ruins, it's all about beautiful scenery; snow peaks, glaciers, colorful mountain lakes, and the Rainbow mountain. Between the experienced guides with rich regional knowledge, the traditional meals by local chefs, and the gear being carried and set up from campsite to campsite by local porters, a guided trip notably enhances the experience.